NEET Counselling Process 2026 — Step-by-Step Guide to MCC AIQ & State Quota

What is NEET Counselling?

NEET counselling is the official seat allocation process that runs after NEET-UG results. Based on your NEET-UG All India Rank, an automated algorithm allots a seat in a government, private or deemed medical college based on your choice order and category. It is transparent, online, and run by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for AIQ and by state authorities for state quota.

Step 1 — Understand Seat Categories

Before you register, know which counselling pool a seat belongs to:

• All India Quota (AIQ — 15%) — 15% of government college seats + 100% of AIIMS, JIPMER, central/BHU/AMU seats + all Deemed University seats. Conducted by MCC at mcc.nic.in.
• State Quota (85%) — 85% of government college seats and 85% of private college seats within each state. Conducted by the state counselling authority (KEA in Karnataka, CET Cell in Maharashtra, DME in Tamil Nadu, BCECEB in Bihar, etc.).
• Management / NRI Quota — private/deemed colleges fill management and NRI quota through state counselling (for private colleges) or directly via MCC (for deemed universities). Higher fees but only qualifying NEET score required.

Step 2 — Register on the Counselling Portal

For AIQ: visit mcc.nic.in, register with your NEET-UG roll number and date of birth, then pay the fees:

For state counselling: visit your state's portal and register separately. Karnataka students register at kea.kar.nic.in.

Step 3 — Upload Documents

Keep these scanned in PDF/JPG before registration opens:

• NEET 2026 admit card & scorecard
• Class 10 & 12 marksheets and pass certificates
• Aadhaar card / valid government photo ID
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) if applicable
• Domicile certificate (for state quota)
• Passport-size photographs (recent, white background)
• Signature scan
• Disability / PwD certificate if applicable

Step 4 — Fill College Choices (Most Important Step)

You typically get 3–5 days to fill college preferences. Get this right or you'll either lose a seat or get stuck somewhere you didn't want:

• Add 20–30+ college choices, not just 3–5. More choices = better chances.
• Order by your true preference — the system gives you the highest-preference seat your rank qualifies for.
• Include both government and private colleges.
• Check previous year opening & closing ranks for each college and quota.
• Do not skip colleges you consider “below” you — they are your backup if higher choices don't allot.
• Lock your choices only after a final review. Auto-lock happens at the deadline.

Step 5 — Seat Allotment & Your Options

After choice locking, an automated algorithm matches students to seats based on rank, preferences and category. You have four options:

Step 6 — Report to Allotted College

After accepting and paying part fees, report to the college within 2–5 days with all original documents + photocopies:

• All certificates from Step 3 in original
• Migration certificate
• Character / conduct certificate from last school
• Medical fitness certificate
• 10+ passport-size photographs
• Allotment letter printout
• Fee payment receipt

NEET 2026 Counselling Rounds — Tentative Timeline

State vs AIQ — Which Should You Prioritise?

You should register for both, but understand what each gives you:

• AIQ: opens access to AIIMS, JIPMER, central institutes and all deemed universities. Best for top ranks (under 5,000 AIR) and for students open to studying outside their home state.
• State quota: domicile-based, larger pool of seats in your state. Best for students who want to stay close to home or whose rank fits state cut-offs better than national ones.