The Medical Counselling Committee has officially released the schedule for NEET UG 2026, marking the start of the admission process for MBBS and other undergraduate medical courses. The first round of counselling for the 15% All India Quota, as well as for central and deemed universities, is set to begin on August 4. This process is a critical step for students who qualified in the recent entrance examinations to secure their seats in medical institutions across the country.
Following the initial round, the counselling process will continue through several phases to fill available seats. The academic session for the 2026-27 batch is scheduled to commence on September 8. To ensure the process remains on track, the Medical Counselling Committee has directed all participating institutions and state authorities to treat weekends and gazetted holidays as working days. This measure is intended to prevent delays and ensure that the admission timeline is strictly followed.
For students, the counselling process involves multiple stages, including registration, choice filling, and seat allotment. The schedule for state quota seats, which account for 85% of medical seats, will be managed by respective state authorities, with the first round beginning on August 13. Candidates are advised to monitor the official counselling portal regularly for updates on their specific seat allocations and document verification requirements.
This year, the authorities have introduced several procedural changes designed to improve transparency and convenience for applicants. Notable updates include an online resignation facility, allowing students to surrender allotted seats without needing to visit the institution in person. Additionally, candidates seeking to upgrade their seats in subsequent rounds are no longer required to report physically to their previously allotted college, simplifying the transition for those aiming for better placements.