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NEET Counselling Process 2026 — Step-by-Step Guide to MCC AIQ & State Quota
NEET Counselling 2026
MCC AIQ • State Quota • Deemed Universities
Quick Answer
NEET counselling 2026 has two parallel tracks: All India Quota (AIQ) via mcc.nic.in and State Quota via your state portal (KEA, MCC-DGHS state cells, etc.). Register for both, upload documents, fill 20–30+ college choices, and respond to allotment within the deadline. Three rounds + a mop-up + a stray vacancy round.
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:
| Quota | Registration Fee | Security Deposit (Refundable) |
|---|---|---|
| AIQ / Central — General/EWS | ₹1,000 | ₹10,000 |
| AIQ / Central — SC/ST/OBC/PwD | ₹500 | ₹5,000 |
| Deemed / Central Universities | ₹5,000 | ₹2,00,000 |
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:
| Option | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Accept (Freeze) | Happy with allotted seat — pay fees and report to college. No further upgrades. |
| Float | Accept current seat but try for a better college / higher-preference seat in the next round. |
| Slide | Accept current seat but try to upgrade to a different course / lower-fee seat in the same college. |
| Exit | Withdraw from AIQ counselling (you can still participate in state counselling). |
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
| Round | Approximate Timeline (2026) |
|---|---|
| Round 1 — Registration + Choice Filling | July 2026 |
| Round 1 Allotment + Reporting | July — Early August 2026 |
| Round 2 | Mid-August — September 2026 |
| Mop-Up Round (Deemed + Central) | September — October 2026 |
| Stray Vacancy Round | October 2026 |
| State Counselling Final Round | October — November 2026 |
Common Mistakes: Missing registration deadlines · filling too few college choices · not registering for state counselling separately · uploading incorrect / blurry documents · paying unofficial fees through agents · missing the reporting deadline after allotment · not freezing or locking choices in time.
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.
📞 Need Help Filling NEET Counselling Choices?
Share your NEET score, category and preferred state. Our counsellors will send you a ranked college list and choice-filling plan within 24 hours — free.
Don't Lose a Seat to a Missed Round
TurtleEdu tracks every MCC and state counselling round in real time. We help you fill choices strategically and make the most of your NEET score.
📞 Call +91 6366614585Frequently Asked Questions about NEET Counselling 2026
Can I participate in both AIQ and state counselling simultaneously?
Yes. You can and should register for both. They run in parallel and are independent processes — doing both maximises your chance of a good seat.
What happens if I don't get a seat in Round 1?
You can participate in Round 2, the Mop-Up Round and the Stray Vacancy Round. More seats open up as students withdraw or upgrade.
What is the float and slide option?
Float = accept current seat but try for a better college in the next round. Slide = accept and try to upgrade to a different course / lower-fee seat in the same college.
Can I change my college choices after submitting?
During the choice-filling window, yes. Once the window closes, choices are locked and no changes are allowed.
What if I miss the reporting deadline after allotment?
Your seat is cancelled and you forfeit your security deposit. You may also be debarred from further rounds. Always report within the deadline.
How many college choices should I fill?
Fill 20–30+ choices. The system gives you the highest-preference seat your rank qualifies for, so adding more colleges only increases your chances.
When does NEET 2026 counselling start?
MCC AIQ typically starts in July 2026 after NEET-UG results in June. State counselling (KEA, DME, BCECEB, etc.) runs in parallel around the same time.
What is the registration fee for NEET counselling 2026?
MCC AIQ: ₹1,000 (General/EWS) or ₹500 (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) plus ₹10,000 security deposit (refundable). Deemed/Central: ₹5,000 + ₹2,00,000 refundable. State fees vary.
Is Karnataka NEET counselling (KEA) open to students from other states?
Karnataka's 85% state quota is reserved for Karnataka-domicile candidates registered through KEA. Students from other states can compete only for the 15% AIQ seats via MCC, or for private/management/NRI quota seats, which are open regardless of domicile.
How is Karnataka's KEA choice filling different from MCC AIQ choice filling?
Both use a similar preference-order allotment system, but KEA registration happens on kea.kar.nic.in with mandatory in-person document verification, while MCC AIQ registration and choice filling happen fully online at mcc.nic.in. Karnataka students should register for both to maximise their options.
