NEET PG Counselling 2026: Complete Guide to Registration Choice Filling Seat Allotment and Fees
The admission process after the NEET PG examination is known as NEET PG counselling. Through this centralized counselling system, qualified candidates can secure admission to postgraduate medical programs such as MD, MS, and PG Diploma courses in medical colleges across India.
The counselling process is conducted online and involves several important steps including registration, choice filling, seat allotment, document verification, and admission confirmation. Candidates who qualify for the NEET PG exam must participate in counselling to obtain a seat in government, private, or deemed universities.
Every year, thousands of medical graduates compete for limited postgraduate seats. Therefore, understanding the complete NEET PG counselling process in advance helps candidates avoid mistakes during registration and choice selection.
In this guide, we explain the step-by-step NEET PG counselling process, eligibility requirements, documents needed, counselling fees, seat allotment procedure, and important dates to help candidates make informed decisions during admission.
Before participating in the counselling process, candidates must meet the eligibility conditions specified by the authorities.
Candidates must fulfil the following criteria:
• Must qualify the NEET PG entrance examination with the required cutoff score
• Must possess an MBBS degree recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC)
• Should have completed the mandatory internship before the prescribed deadline
• Must be registered with the Medical Council or State Medical Council
Candidates who fail to meet these requirements may not be allowed to participate in the counselling process.
The qualifying percentile usually follows this pattern:
|
Category |
Qualifying Percentile |
|
General |
50th percentile |
|
SC/ST/OBC |
40th percentile |
|
General PwD |
45th percentile |
However, the cutoff may change each year depending on the difficulty level of the exam and the number of candidates appearing.
The first step in the counselling procedure is online registration. Candidates must create an account and submit the required details on the counselling portal.
Step 1: Visit the official counselling website
Step 2: Click on the NEET PG counselling registration link
Step 3: Enter the required information such as:
• NEET PG roll number
• Application number
• Date of birth
• Email ID and mobile number
Step 4: Create login credentials
Step 5: Pay the required counselling registration fee
Step 6: Complete the registration process
Once registration is complete, candidates will be able to access the dashboard to participate in the next steps such as choice filling and seat selection.
Candidates must keep all necessary documents ready before participating in the counselling process. These documents are required during online verification and admission confirmation.
The commonly required documents include:
During admission, candidates must present original documents for verification. Any mismatch in documents may lead to cancellation of the allotted seat.
Choice filling is one of the most important stages in the counselling process. During this step, candidates must select their preferred medical colleges and courses.
How Choice Filling Works
After registration, candidates can log in and access the choice filling section. Here they must select their preferred:
• Medical colleges
• Specializations (MD/MS/DNB)
• Locations
Candidates should carefully analyze the NEET PG seat matrix and previous year cutoff ranks before selecting choices.
Tips for Choice Filling
Once choices are submitted, candidates must lock their preferences before the deadline.
After the choice filling phase, the counselling authority releases the seat allotment result based on several factors.
Seat allotment depends on:
• Candidate’s NEET PG rank
• Category reservation
• Availability of seats
• Choices filled during counselling
The seat allotment result is released in rounds. Candidates who receive a seat must download the allotment letter and proceed with admission formalities.
Usually, the counselling process includes multiple rounds:
• Round 1
• Round 2
• Mop-Up Round
• Stray Vacancy Round
Candidates who do not receive a seat in the first round can participate in subsequent rounds.
During registration, candidates must pay counselling fees. The fee amount may vary depending on the category and type of institution.
|
Category |
Registration Fee |
|
General |
?1000 |
|
SC/ST/OBC |
?500 |
Candidates may also be required to pay a refundable security deposit during counselling. This deposit is adjusted during admission or refunded if no seat is allotted.
The counselling schedule is usually announced after the declaration of the NEET PG result.
Expected Timeline
|
Event |
Expected Date |
|
NEET PG Result |
July 2026 |
|
Counselling Registration |
August 2026 |
|
Choice Filling |
August 2026 |
|
Round 1 Result |
September 2026 |
|
Round 2 Counselling |
September 2026 |
|
Mop-Up Round |
October 2026 |
Candidates are advised to regularly check updates regarding NEET PG counselling dates and schedule to avoid missing deadlines.
The counselling stage can be stressful, especially for candidates who are unsure about their college options. Following a strategic approach can improve the chances of securing a desired seat.
Important tips include:
• Research previous year closing ranks before filling choices
• Avoid selecting only top colleges; include safe options
• Stay updated with official counselling announcements
• Keep all documents prepared in advance
Candidates should also consider factors such as location, clinical exposure, stipend, and college reputation before finalizing their choices.
1. Who conducts NEET PG counselling?
The counselling process is conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for All India Quota seats, while state authorities conduct counselling for state quota seats.
2. How many rounds are there in NEET PG counselling?
Typically, there are four rounds:
• Round 1
• Round 2
• Mop-Up Round
• Stray Vacancy Round
3. Can candidates modify choices after submission?
Yes, candidates can modify choices before the choice locking deadline.
4. What happens if a candidate does not report after seat allotment?
If a candidate fails to report within the given time, the allotted seat may be cancelled and offered to another candidate in the next round.
5. Is it possible to upgrade the allotted seat?
Yes, candidates can opt for upgradation in the next counselling round if they are not satisfied with the initially allotted seat.
Conclusion
NEET PG counselling is a crucial stage for medical graduates seeking admission to postgraduate medical programs. The process involves several steps including registration, choice filling, seat allotment, document verification, and admission confirmation.
Candidates who carefully understand the counselling procedure and prepare all required documents in advance can avoid unnecessary complications during admission.
Staying informed about NEET PG counselling dates, seat matrix, cutoff trends, and college preferences can significantly improve the chances of securing admission in a desired specialization and medical college.