NEET UG 2026 Counselling: FAQs on new rules, AIQ quota, registration process

MCC will open NEET UG 2026 counselling applications on August 5 with revised admission rules. The new Freeze and Float system shifts document verification online for candidates seeking upgrades.

In Short

• Only NEET UG 2026 qualifiers meeting NMC norms can apply through MCC
• Counselling covers AIQ seats, AIIMS, JIPMER, deemed universities and central institutes
• Freeze requires physical reporting, while Float allows online verification for upgrades

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will on August 5 start the applications for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG). This year, the counselling committee has introduced several changes to the admission process for MBBS, BDS and BSc Nursing seats under the All India Quota (AIQ), AIIMS, JIPMER, Central Universities, Deemed Universities and other participating institutes.

The biggest change this year, according to the NEET UG 2026 counselling information bulletin, is the introduction of a new Freeze and Float system, allowing candidates seeking upgradation to complete document verification online instead of reporting physically after every round.

The NEET UG 2026 counselling process will continue to be conducted entirely online by MCC in four rounds – Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and the Stray Vacancy Round. Candidates must register on the MCC portal, fill and lock their choices, upload documents and follow the revised reporting rules carefully, as mistakes can lead to cancellation of seats or forfeiture of the security deposit.

1. Who is eligible to participate in MCC NEET UG 2026 counselling?

Candidates who have qualified NEET UG 2026 and meet the eligibility conditions prescribed by the National Medical Commission (NMC) can participate in MCC counselling. Registration on the MCC portal is mandatory, and applications submitted through any other mode will not be accepted.

Candidates can submit only one counselling application, and multiple registrations can lead to cancellation of candidature.

2. What seats are covered under MCC counselling?

MCC conducts counselling for:

1. 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats in participating government medical and dental colleges
2. 100% seats in AIIMS
3. 100% seats in JIPMER
4. 100% seats in Deemed Universities
5. Central Universities including BHU, AMU and Delhi University
6. ESIC colleges
7. AFMC (registration only)
8. BSc Nursing seats in Central Institutes

State quota seats are filled by the respective state counselling authorities.

3. What is the new Freeze and Float system introduced this year?

The 2026 counselling process introduces two options after seat allotment:

Freeze: Candidates satisfied with their allotted seat must physically report to the allotted institute, complete document verification and confirm admission.

Float: Candidates seeking an upgrade in the next round can opt for online document verification. They need not visit the allotted college immediately but must upload all required documents on the MCC portal for verification.

The change aims to reduce repeated travel and make the counselling process more convenient.

4. How does the registration and counselling process work?

The counselling process broadly follows these steps:

1. Online registration on the MCC website.
2. Payment of counselling fee and security deposit.
3. Choice filling and locking.
4. Seat allotment based on NEET rank, reservation and preferences.
5. Upload of mandatory documents.
6. Physical reporting (Freeze candidates) or online verification (Float candidates).
7. Participation in subsequent rounds if eligible.
8. Only candidates who complete registration and pay the required fee can proceed further.

5. How many rounds of counselling will be held? Can candidates upgrade their seats?

MCC will conduct four rounds of counselling:

1. Round 1
2. Round 2
3. Round 3
4. Stray Vacancy Round

Candidates can seek upgradation up to Round 3. However, candidates who join a seat allotted in Round 3 cannot resign from it or participate in any further counselling. Seats are also not reverted to the states after Round 2 under the current counselling scheme.

6. What is the reservation policy under the 15% All India Quota?

The Central Government reservation policy applies to AIQ seats:

• SC – 15%
• ST – 7.5%
• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) – 27%
• EWS – 10%
• PwD – 5% horizontal reservation

AIQ seats are domicile-free, meaning eligible candidates from any state can compete for them.

7. What happens if a candidate fails to join or wants to resign?

The rules differ by counselling round.

Candidates can exit or resign from seats allotted in Round 1 and Round 2 as per MCC rules. However, candidates allotted seats in Round 3 are not permitted to resign.

If a candidate is allotted a seat in the second or subsequent rounds but fails to join, or if admission is cancelled due to incorrect information or missing documents, the security deposit will be forfeited.

8. What documents should candidates keep ready before counselling?

Candidates should keep ready the same details submitted during the NEET UG application, along with all mandatory certificates required for counselling. Information entered during NEET registration is pre-filled and cannot be modified by MCC.

Candidates must also upload clear scanned copies of all required documents within the stipulated reporting period. If documents are blurred, incomplete or inconsistent with the claims made during registration, the allotted institute may raise queries or even cancel the seat if discrepancies are not resolved in time.

With several procedural changes aimed at making the admission process more candidate-friendly, NEET UG 2026 counselling places greater emphasis on online document verification, timely uploads and informed choice filling. MCC has advised candidates to regularly check the official counselling portal for schedules, notices and allotment results, as no individual communication will be sent.

Aspirants are also encouraged to verify the fee structure, bond conditions and eligibility criteria of their preferred colleges before locking choices, since these cannot be modified later and MCC does not entertain requests for changes after submission.

- Ends