The NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1 choice-filling window is scheduled to close today, August 13, for candidates seeking admission to MBBS, BDS and other undergraduate medical programmes through the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).
However, MCC has postponed the Round 1 choice-locking process. The committee said that choice locking has not yet started and that the revised timing will be announced separately. Candidates have therefore been advised to keep checking the official MCC counselling portal for the latest notification.
The development is important for NEET UG 2026 candidates because the choices submitted during counselling play a major role in the subsequent seat-allotment process.
NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1: Latest Update
MCC began the Round 1 choice-filling process for NEET UG Counselling 2026 earlier this month. Candidates who completed the required registration process have been allowed to select and arrange their preferred colleges and courses.
As per the latest available information, the choice-filling deadline is August 13, 2026. However, candidates should not confuse the choice-filling deadline with choice locking, as MCC has postponed the locking facility and has not yet announced its revised timing.
Candidates should therefore regularly check the MCC portal rather than relying on older schedules or information circulating on social media.
MCC NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1 Seat Allotment Date
The NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1 provisional seat-allotment result is scheduled to be announced on August 17, 2026.
Candidates who receive a seat will then have to complete the required reporting and admission formalities at their allotted institution. The reporting period is scheduled from August 18 to August 22, 2026.
Seat allotment is based on factors including the candidate’s NEET UG rank, submitted choices, seat availability and applicable reservation and admission rules.
31,728 Seats Offered in Round 1
MCC is offering 31,728 seats in the first round of NEET UG Counselling 2026 across MBBS, BDS and BSc Nursing programmes, according to the latest counselling update.
The MCC counselling process covers seats under the All India Quota and other institutions and categories falling within the committee’s counselling jurisdiction. MCC’s official portal states that it conducts online counselling for 15% All India Quota undergraduate seats as well as specified seats in institutions such as AIIMS, BHU and other participating institutions.
Candidates should carefully check the applicable quota, category, college and course before submitting their preferences.
What Should NEET UG 2026 Candidates Do Now?
Candidates who have not completed their Round 1 choices should prioritise the following:
- Complete and review the choice-filling process before the applicable deadline.
- Arrange colleges and courses according to genuine preference rather than randomly selecting institutions.
- Check the seat matrix and eligibility conditions for the colleges being considered.
- Keep NEET scorecard, rank details, identity documents and category certificates, wherever applicable, ready for the admission process.
- Monitor the official MCC portal for the revised choice-locking notification.
- Do not rely solely on third-party websites or social-media posts for deadline changes.
The most important point at present is that choice locking has been postponed, so candidates should wait for MCC’s official announcement regarding the revised locking window.
NEET UG Counselling 2026: What Happens After Round 1?
Once Round 1 choices are processed, MCC is scheduled to release the provisional seat-allotment result on August 17.
Candidates allotted seats will have to follow the reporting and joining requirements during the August 18-22 window.
The national counselling timeline also provides for subsequent rounds of counselling. The second round of All India Quota counselling is scheduled for August 24 to September 2, while state counselling is conducted separately by the respective state authorities.
The UG academic session is scheduled to commence on September 8, 2026.
MCC Advises Candidates to Follow Official Updates
With the Round 1 process underway, candidates should rely on the official MCC counselling portal for changes to deadlines, choice locking, seat matrices, allotment results and reporting instructions.
The postponement of choice locking is particularly important because older schedules circulating online may show a locking deadline that is no longer applicable.
For NEET UG 2026 aspirants, the immediate priority is to ensure that their college and course preferences are correctly entered and to remain alert for MCC’s revised choice-locking announcement.
The Round 1 choice-filling deadline is August 13, while the choice-locking schedule remains subject to a fresh announcement by MCC.
