All India NEET UG Counselling 2026

All India NEET UG Counselling 2026 is the centralized admission process through which medical and dental seats under the All India Quota and central institutions are allotted to eligible candidates across India. It is conducted online and is strictly based on merit obtained in NEET UG 2026 along with reservation policies prescribed by the Government of India. For students aspiring to secure MBBS or BDS seats in reputed government, central, and deemed medical colleges, understanding this counselling process is extremely important.

This detailed guide explains every aspect of All India NEET UG Counselling 2026 including eligibility, seat categories, reservation policy, counselling rounds, registration procedure, choice filling, seat allotment, documents required, important rules, and common mistakes to avoid.

What is All India NEET UG Counselling?

All India NEET UG Counselling is the national-level counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This counselling process is responsible for allocating undergraduate medical and dental seats on the basis of NEET UG rank.

Unlike state counselling, which is limited to a particular state, All India counselling allows candidates from any state to compete for seats in participating institutions across the country.

Types of Seats Covered Under All India Counselling

All India NEET UG Counselling includes the following seat categories:

1. All India Quota (AIQ) Seats

Fifteen percent of MBBS and BDS seats in government medical and dental colleges of all states and union territories are filled through All India counselling. These seats are open to candidates from any state, irrespective of domicile.

2. Central Universities and Institutes

Medical colleges under central universities and national institutes such as AIIMS, JIPMER, BHU, AMU, and other centrally funded institutions participate in All India counselling.

3. Deemed University Seats

All MBBS and BDS seats in deemed universities are allotted through All India counselling. There is no state quota in deemed universities, and students from any state can apply.

4. ESIC and AFMC Seats

Certain seats in ESIC medical colleges and Armed Forces Medical College are also filled through the All India counselling process under special eligibility conditions.

Eligibility Criteria for All India NEET UG Counselling 2026

Candidates must fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

Must have qualified NEET UG 2026 with the minimum required percentile.
Must be at least 17 years of age by 31 December 2026.
Must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Biotechnology, and English.
Must be an Indian citizen, OCI, or as permitted under current government guidelines.
NRI candidates are eligible for deemed university seats as per institutional rules.

Meeting NEET qualification criteria alone does not guarantee a seat; participation in counselling and merit-based allotment are mandatory.

Reservation Policy in All India Counselling

Reservation in All India Quota seats is applied as per Government of India norms:

Scheduled Caste – 15 percent
Scheduled Tribe – 7.5 percent
Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) – 27 percent
Economically Weaker Section – 10 percent
Persons with Disabilities – 5 percent horizontal reservation across all categories

Deemed universities follow their own reservation policy, which may differ from AIQ rules.

Rounds of All India NEET UG Counselling 2026

All India counselling is conducted in multiple rounds to ensure maximum seat utilization.

Round 1

Round 1 is open to all eligible candidates. Fresh registration and choice filling are allowed. Seats are allotted based on NEET rank, reservation category, and preferences filled by candidates. Candidates can accept the allotted seat or opt for upgradation in the next round.

Round 2

Round 2 includes candidates who did not get a seat in Round 1, those who opted for upgradation, and seats vacated after Round 1. Fresh registration is usually permitted for candidates who missed Round 1.

Mop-Up Round

The Mop-Up Round is conducted for seats that remain vacant after Round 2. Only candidates who are not holding any seat through All India counselling are eligible to participate. Fresh choice filling is allowed in this round.

Stray Vacancy Round

The Stray Vacancy Round is the final stage of counselling. Remaining vacant seats are filled directly by the colleges from the candidate list provided by the counselling authority. No fresh registration is allowed at this stage.

Step-by-Step Process of All India NEET UG Counselling

Step 1: Online Registration

Candidates must register on the official counselling portal by entering NEET UG roll number, application number, and personal details. A password is created for login purposes.

Step 2: Payment of Fees

Two types of fees are required:

Non-refundable registration fee
Refundable security deposit

The security deposit is returned if the candidate does not take admission as per counselling rules.

Step 3: Choice Filling

Candidates can select medical and dental colleges along with courses in order of preference. There is no limit to the number of choices that can be filled.

Step 4: Choice Locking

After filling choices, candidates must lock them before the deadline. If not locked manually, the system automatically locks the last saved choices.

Step 5: Seat Allotment Result

The allotment result is published online. Candidates can log in to check the allotted college, course, and category.

Step 6: Reporting to the Allotted College

Candidates who are allotted a seat must physically report to the allotted college within the given time period with original documents for admission confirmation.

Step 7: Upgradation or Exit

Candidates can choose to upgrade their seat in the next round or exit counselling as per the rules applicable to that round.

Documents Required for All India Counselling 2026

Candidates must carry the following documents while reporting to the allotted college:

NEET UG 2026 Admit Card
NEET UG 2026 Scorecard
Class 10 Certificate and Marksheet
Class 12 Certificate and Marksheet
Valid Photo Identity Proof
Category Certificate if applicable
PwD Certificate if applicable
Migration Certificate
Transfer Certificate
Passport size photographs
Provisional Allotment Letter

Failure to produce required documents may result in cancellation of admission.

Seat Allotment Criteria

Seat allotment is based on the following factors:

NEET UG All India Rank
Reservation category
Choices filled by the candidate
Availability of seats

Candidates with better rank get priority. However, strategic choice filling significantly influences the final allotment.

Deemed University Admission Through All India Counselling

All deemed universities participate in All India counselling for MBBS and BDS admissions. There is no state quota restriction for these institutions. Students from any state can apply. Fees in deemed universities are generally higher compared to government colleges. Admission is purely merit-based according to NEET rank.

Difference Between All India Counselling and State Counselling

All India counselling covers 15 percent government college seats, central institutes, and deemed universities. State counselling covers 85 percent state quota seats in government colleges and private colleges within a particular state. Candidates can participate in both counselling processes simultaneously, but must follow exit and reporting rules carefully to avoid disqualification.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not registering for counselling after qualifying NEET
Filling very limited choices
Forgetting to lock choices
Missing allotment result checking
Not reporting to the allotted college
Carrying incomplete documents
Misunderstanding exit and upgradation rules

These mistakes can lead to loss of seat and forfeiture of security deposit.

Importance of Proper Choice Filling Strategy

Many students lose good seats despite having decent ranks due to poor choice filling. A smart strategy includes:

Listing colleges in genuine preference order
Including a mix of high and safe options
Studying previous year cut-off trends
Understanding reservation benefits
Avoiding overconfidence or unrealistic choices

Tentative Schedule for All India NEET UG Counselling 2026

The counselling schedule is released after NEET UG 2026 results. Generally, counselling starts within two to three weeks of result declaration and continues until all rounds are completed. Important events include registration, choice filling, seat allotment, reporting, and mop-up rounds.

Role of NEET Rank in All India Counselling

NEET rank is the most important factor in seat allotment. A lower rank number increases the chances of getting government and central institute seats. Candidates with higher ranks can still secure seats in deemed universities and in later rounds depending on seat availability.

1. What is All India NEET UG Counselling 2026?

All India NEET UG Counselling 2026 is the national-level admission process for MBBS and BDS courses conducted on the basis of NEET UG 2026 merit. It is used to allot seats under the 15 percent All India Quota in government colleges, seats in central universities, and all seats in deemed universities. Candidates from any state can participate. The counselling is conducted online in multiple rounds and follows the reservation and eligibility norms of the Government of India.

2. Who is eligible to participate in All India NEET UG Counselling?

Candidates who have qualified NEET UG 2026 with the required percentile are eligible to participate in All India counselling. The candidate must be at least 17 years old by 31 December 2026 and must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Biotechnology, and English. Indian nationals and OCI candidates are eligible for All India Quota seats. NRI candidates are eligible mainly for deemed university seats as per institutional rules.

3. Which seats are filled through All India counselling?

All India counselling fills 15 percent All India Quota seats in government medical and dental colleges across states and union territories. It also includes seats in central universities such as AIIMS, JIPMER, BHU, and AMU, and all MBBS and BDS seats in deemed universities. Certain seats in ESIC medical colleges and AFMC are also allotted through this counselling under specific eligibility conditions. State quota seats are not part of this counselling process.

4. How many rounds are conducted in All India NEET UG Counselling?

All India NEET UG Counselling is conducted in four rounds: Round 1, Round 2, Mop-Up Round, and Stray Vacancy Round. Round 1 and Round 2 allow fresh registration and upgradation of seats. The Mop-Up Round is conducted for vacant seats after Round 2 and is open only to candidates who do not hold any seat. The Stray Vacancy Round is the final stage where colleges fill remaining seats from the authorized candidate list.

5. What is the registration process for All India counselling?

Candidates must register online on the official counselling portal using their NEET roll number and application number. After registration, they must pay a non-refundable registration fee and a refundable security deposit. Once payment is successful, candidates can proceed to choice filling. Registration must be completed within the prescribed deadline for each round. Without completing registration and fee payment, candidates are not eligible to participate in seat allotment.

6. How does choice filling work in All India NEET UG Counselling?

Choice filling allows candidates to select medical and dental colleges along with courses in order of their preference. There is no restriction on the number of choices that can be filled. Candidates should arrange choices realistically based on their rank and category. After filling all options, choices must be locked before the deadline. If not locked manually, the system automatically locks the last saved choices. Seat allotment is based on rank, category, and choice order.

7. What documents are required during reporting?

Candidates must carry original documents and photocopies when reporting to the allotted college. These include NEET UG 2026 admit card, NEET UG 2026 scorecard, Class 10 and 12 certificates, valid photo ID, category certificate if applicable, PwD certificate if applicable, migration certificate, transfer certificate, passport size photographs, and provisional allotment letter. Failure to produce any mandatory document may result in cancellation of admission and forfeiture of the allotted seat.

8. Can a candidate upgrade their allotted seat?

Yes, candidates who are allotted a seat in Round 1 can opt for upgradation in Round 2 if they are not satisfied with their allotted college or course. During upgradation, the previously allotted seat is automatically cancelled once a new seat is allotted. However, once a candidate joins a seat allotted in Round 2, they are usually not allowed to participate in further All India counselling rounds except under special guidelines issued by the counselling authority.

9. What is the Mop-Up Round in All India NEET UG Counselling?

The Mop-Up Round is conducted to fill seats that remain vacant after completion of Round 2. Only candidates who are not holding any seat through All India counselling are eligible to participate in this round. Fresh registration and choice filling are allowed. Seats are allotted strictly based on NEET merit, reservation rules, and availability of seats. Candidates who already joined a seat in previous rounds are generally not permitted to take part in the Mop-Up Round.

10. What happens if a candidate does not report to the allotted college?

If a candidate does not report to the allotted college within the given reporting period, the allotted seat is cancelled automatically. Depending on the counselling round, the security deposit paid at the time of registration may also be forfeited. The candidate may become ineligible for further rounds of All India counselling. Therefore, candidates must download the allotment letter, arrange documents in advance, and report to the college within the specified timeline to confirm their admission.

Conclusion

All India NEET UG Counselling 2026 is a critical phase in the medical admission journey. It determines admission to some of the most prestigious government and central medical colleges in India. A clear understanding of eligibility, reservation, counselling rounds, and reporting rules helps candidates avoid mistakes and improves their chances of securing a seat.

Candidates must regularly check official updates, complete registration on time, fill choices wisely, and report to the allotted college within the deadline. With proper planning and accurate information, All India NEET UG Counselling 2026 can become a smooth and successful step toward a medical career.

All India NEET UG Counselling 2026

What is All India NEET UG Counselling?