NEET: From registration to fees—know these essential rules for the 15% AIQ; a single mistake could prove costly..
MBBS Admission, NEET UG Counselling 2026: After securing a good rank in NEET UG, the next major challenge is not merely choosing a college but also correctly understanding the entire counselling process. Every medical student should know the answers to questions such as: Who is eligible to participate in counselling? Where does registration take place? What are the fees and security deposit amounts? Which documents are required? And which seats are available under the 15% All India Quota (AIQ)?
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released a revised information bulletin for NEET UG Counselling 2026. In addition to the 15% All India Quota, the MCC conducts counselling for seats in AIIMS, JIPMER, Central Universities, Deemed Universities, and certain other institutions. Meanwhile, the respective state counselling authorities conduct separate processes for state quota seats. Counselling for medical colleges across the country is currently underway. A significant change in the counselling process this time is that candidates must choose either the 'Freeze' or 'Float' option after being allotted a seat. The document uploading procedure has also been modified. Therefore, it is essential to understand NEET UG Counselling 2026 in simple terms.
1. What is NEET UG Counselling, and who can participate in it?
NEET UG Counselling is the process through which seats in medical and dental colleges are allotted to eligible NEET UG candidates based on their merit and the choices they have submitted. MCC counselling primarily covers MBBS and BDS seats under the 15% All India Quota. Additionally, the MCC conducts counselling for 100% of seats in Deemed Universities, as well as seats in AIIMS, JIPMER, and specific Central Universities and institutions. According to the MCC's 2026 bulletin, this includes registration for seats affiliated with Delhi University, AMU, BHU, and Jamia Millia Islamia, as well as ESIC, AFMC, and other institutions. To participate in MCC counselling, a candidate must have qualified in NEET UG 2026. Merely registering for counselling does not guarantee a seat allotment. Seat allocation is based on the candidate's merit, preferences, seat availability, and the eligibility criteria of the respective institution. It is important to understand that MCC counseling and state counseling are distinct processes. For the 85% state quota seats in any given state, one must follow the procedure prescribed by that state's counseling authority. Therefore, registering solely with the MCC does not constitute a complete application for all state quota seats.
2. What is the 15% AIQ, and which seats fall under it?
AIQ stands for All India Quota. The MCC conducts counseling at the all-India level for 15% of the seats in government medical and dental colleges. A key feature of these seats is that candidates do not need to hold domicile status for the respective state; essentially, they are treated as domicile-free open seats during counseling. In the MCC's 2026 bulletin, the 15% AIQ MBBS/BDS seats have been categorized as open seats. Additionally, the MCC counseling process covers 100% of MBBS seats at AIIMS, 100% of relevant open seats at BHU, open seats at JIPMER, and seats at certain central institutions. However, since each institution may have its own eligibility criteria and seat allocation policies, candidates should carefully review the seat matrix. Thus, if a student has a strong NEET rank and wishes to pursue MBBS at a government medical college outside their home state, the 15% AIQ represents a significant option.
3. How do I register for NEET UG Counseling 2026?
Registration for MCC counseling is conducted online. Candidates must visit the official MCC website to register for NEET UG counseling. The MCC has explicitly stated that the counseling application should be submitted by the candidate personally, rather than through an agent or any other individual. A candidate may submit only one counseling registration form; the submission of multiple applications may lead to the cancellation of their candidature. Candidates are advised to use the same mobile number and email ID for registration that they used during the NEET application process. According to the MCC, OTPs will be sent to these registered mobile numbers and email addresses.
Care must be taken when entering details during registration, ensuring there are no errors in information such as name, date of birth, category, and other particulars. The MCC notes that the details provided during registration on the NTA portal will be pre-populated for the counseling process; since the MCC generally does not alter or edit information submitted by candidates later, it is advisable to keep a copy of the NEET application handy while filling out the form rather than rushing the process.
4. After registration, merely filling out the form is not enough; choice filling is also essential.
Once registration for counseling is complete, the next crucial step is "choice filling." In this process, candidates list their preferred colleges and courses in order of priority. For instance, if a candidate wishes to prioritize AIIMS Delhi first, followed by another AIIMS, and then a government medical college, they must enter their choices in that specific sequence. According to MCC rules, candidates can submit as many choices as they wish, but the options must be entered in the exact order of their actual preference. Since choices cannot be altered once locked, it is vital to review all selections thoroughly before locking them. Consequently, simply listing a large number of colleges is not a sound strategy; candidates should determine their priorities by considering factors such as college fees, bond conditions, hostel facilities, courses, seat categories, and other regulations.
5. Which documents are required for NEET UG Counseling 2026?
The requirement for documents during counseling should be understood at two stages: information provided during registration and documents needed for verification after a seat is allotted. The MCC has also clarified the document upload process for 2026. After a seat is allotted, candidates must upload clear scanned copies of the required documents to the MCC portal; this procedure applies to candidates opting for either the "Freeze" or "Float" options. Generally, candidates should keep their NEET-related records, academic documents, proof of identity, and category certificates ready. Key documents often include Class 10 and 12 mark sheets/certificates, NEET UG scorecards/results, identity proof, and—where applicable—certificates for categories such as EWS, OBC-NCL, SC/ST, or PwD (though the specific list of documents may vary by candidate). Additional documentation may be required for NRI, OCI, foreign national, and PwBD candidates. For example, the MCC’s 2026 bulletin specifies requirements such as passports and NRI certificates for NRI candidates, as well as documents related to sponsorship and proof of relationship in certain cases. There is a separate process for PwBD candidates as well. Such candidates must obtain an eligibility certificate from the MCC's Medical Assessment Board and submit necessary documents, including a UDID card and a prescribed affidavit; therefore, candidates should not rely solely on the general document list. They should also check the specific conditions associated with the category or quota under which they are claiming a seat.
6. What is the registration fee for NEET UG Counselling 2026?
The counselling fee depends on the type of seat the candidate is applying for. According to the MCC's 2026 Information Bulletin, the non-refundable registration fee for counselling related to 15% AIQ, Central Universities, AFMC, ESIC, all AIIMS, JIPMER, and B.Sc. Nursing is ₹1,000 for UR/EWS candidates and ₹500 for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates. For Deemed Universities, the non-refundable registration fee is ₹5,000. A security deposit is also required in addition to this. If a candidate wishes to opt for both government seats and Deemed University seats, they do not have to pay the sum of both separate fees; according to the MCC bulletin, the higher fee applies in such cases—meaning the Deemed University fee and security amount must be paid.
7. What is the security deposit for NEET UG Counselling 2026?
The security deposit is separate from the registration fee and is generally refundable, though it may be forfeited under certain circumstances. For 15% AIQ, Central Universities, AFMC, ESIC, AIIMS, JIPMER, etc., the security deposit is ₹10,000 for UR/EWS candidates and ₹5,000 for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates. For Deemed Universities, the security deposit is ₹2 lakh. Here, the registration fee is ₹5,000, and the security deposit is ₹2 lakh; therefore, candidates should not initiate the process based solely on the ₹500 or ₹1,000 registration fee. It is essential to first understand the total payment required based on the type of seats being applied for.
8. When is the security deposit refunded, and when can it be forfeited?
The security deposit is refundable, but this does not mean the money will be returned in every situation. According to MCC rules, if a candidate is allotted a seat in the second or subsequent rounds but fails to take admission at the respective institute, the security deposit may be forfeited. The deposit may also be forfeited if admission is cancelled due to the submission of incorrect information or failure to submit required documents within the stipulated time. The security deposit is refunded after the completion of all counseling rounds. According to the MCC bulletin, the refund process begins after the list of eligible candidates is released on the portal, and the money is returned to the same bank account or card used for the initial payment; therefore, it is crucial to keep that account or card active until the refund is received.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we modified it for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
