NEET UG 2026 counselling begins August 4; academic session to start Sept 8 | Check schedule here

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that the first round of counselling for admissions under the All India Quota (AIQ) for the NEET-UG 2026 exam will start on August 4. The academic session for the 2026-27 batch of undergraduate medical courses will begin on September 8. This follows the release of the detailed counselling schedule by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), which oversees the entire admission process. The first round of AIQ counselling for deemed and central universities will run from August 4 to August 17, with the final deadline for joining set for August 22. Following this, the second round of AIQ counselling will occur from August 24 to September 2, and the third round will be conducted from September 10 to September 18. A separate stray vacancy round is planned from September 28 to October 3, with the last date for joining after this round being October 10. For state quota seats, the first round of counselling will take place from August 13 to August 22, with candidates required to join by August 28. The second round for these seats will be held from August 31 to September 8, and the third round will run from September 16 to September 26. A stray vacancy round for state quota seats is scheduled from October 3 to October 5. These dates align with the broader national schedule and aim to accommodate both AIQ and state-specific admissions. The MCC has outlined specific timelines for verification of candidates by both the MCC and state counselling authorities following each round of counselling. This step is crucial for ensuring that seat allocations are processed efficiently and that subsequent admissions can proceed smoothly. The academic session for undergraduate medical courses is set to begin on September 8, even as counselling for vacant seats continues into late October. In addition to the structured timeline, the MCC has implemented several procedural improvements aimed at making the admission process more transparent and convenient for students. One key change involves eliminating the requirement for candidates to physically report to their allotted colleges when opting for a seat upgrade in later rounds. Instead, their admission will remain active in the counselling system, provided they comply with the relevant rules. Another notable improvement is the introduction of an online resignation facility. Candidates can now resign from their allocated seats through the MCC’s counselling portal, provided it is allowed under the established guidelines and within the specified timeframes. This eliminates the need for physical submissions at the respective institutions, streamlining the process further. Additionally, candidates applying for NRI reservation in deemed universities will be able to upload their supporting documents directly onto the counselling portal. This digital enhancement simplifies documentation and ensures compliance with eligibility criteria without requiring additional travel or paperwork. The MCC has instructed all participating institutions, state counselling bodies, and designated agencies to strictly follow the published schedule. To support timely completion of the counselling process, all Saturdays, Sundays, and gazetted holidays have been treated as working days. This directive aims to prevent delays and maintain consistency across all regions. These updates reflect ongoing efforts to modernise and streamline the medical admission process, ensuring greater accessibility and efficiency for aspiring medical professionals. As the counselling process unfolds over the coming months, students and parents are advised to monitor the MCC’s official website for real-time updates and any additional instructions.