NEET UG MCC Choice Filling 2026 Begins: Last Date, Steps & Locking Guide

NEET UG MCC Choice Filling 2026 Opens: Last Date, Choice Locking Time, Seat Matrix & Mistakes to Avoid

Last Updated: August 8, 2026, 12:05 AM IST

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has started Round 1 choice filling for NEET UG 2026. Candidates can now arrange and lock their preferred medical colleges before the deadline. One mistake in preference order can change your allotment, so understanding the process is just as important as your NEET score.

If this is your first counselling round, don't panic. The preference order can be edited until locking. Take your time, compare colleges, and only lock when you are completely sure.

At a Glance

Should you lock today?

Not necessarily. Unless you're absolutely certain about your preference order, wait.

MCC allows candidates to edit, add, or delete choices until the locking window closes. Many students change preferences after analysing the seat matrix and previous year cutoffs. Rushing to lock today could lock in a bad decision.

Who should NOT use MCC counselling?

This is the most common confusion.

MCC handles only 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, plus 100% seats in Deemed Universities, Central Universities, AIIMS, JIPMER, ESIC, and AFMS.

The remaining 85% of state quota seats are handled by separate state counselling authorities.

If you only register with MCC, you are not eligible for state quota seats. You must register for your state counselling separately if you want those options.

How MCC Allotment Actually Works

Most students don't fully understand the allotment logic.

Here it is in plain English:

That's it. If you list a lower-priority college above a better one, you will get the lower one if your rank fits. Order matters more than rank.

What is the Timeline?

The timelines is as follows: Registration ↓ Choice Filling ↓ Choice Locking ↓ Seat Allotment Processing ↓ Round 1 Result ↓ Reporting

What's New Today?

• Choice filling is now active on the official MCC portal at mcc.nic.in.
• Important: MCC briefly issued a notice on August 7 stating choice filling would be postponed to August 8 at 12:00 noon. That notice was removed from the official website. No fresh clarification has been issued as of now. Keep checking the official portal for the latest update.
• According to the released seat matrix, Round 1 has 31,728 seats available:
  • MBBS: 27,292
  • BDS: 4,068
  • B.Sc Nursing: 368
• The reset registration option is active for candidates who entered incorrect details. This facility is available until 11:00 AM on August 12, 2026.

Step-by-Step Guide (Keep It Simple)

1. Go to mcc.nic.in.
2. Log in using your NEET UG roll number and password.
3. Click on the choice filling tab on your dashboard.
4. Use the filters (course, state, college name, institute type) to find colleges.
5. Select your preferred colleges and courses. Drag them to arrange them in your true priority order – most desired at the top.
6. Hit Save every 10-15 minutes. Sessions time out.
7. Review your list. Check for duplicate entries or missing top choices.
8. Lock your choices by entering your password or OTP. Once locked, it's final.
9. Download the confirmation page. Save a PDF and take a printout.

Previous Year Mistakes (Don't Repeat These)

Every year, students lose seats because of these blunders:

• Forgot to save choices: They filled everything, closed the browser, and lost all progress.
• Uploaded the wrong certificates: Scanned the Class 10 mark sheet instead of the passing certificate – and got stuck in verification.
• Ignored bond conditions: Picked a college without realising the bond amount or rural service obligation. Later, they couldn't afford it.
• Didn't check fee structures: Some deemed universities charge ₹20-25 lakh per year. Locking them without checking finances leads to last-minute panic.
• Assumed auto-lock is safe: Yes, the system auto-locks at 11:00 AM on August 13. But if your last saved list had errors, you're stuck with those errors.

Strategic Approach to Preference Ordering

Dream Choices

Put AIIMS New Delhi (132 seats), Maulana Azad Medical College (250 seats), or IMS BHU Dental (63 BDS seats) at the top – even if your rank is a stretch. This costs you nothing.

Realistic Choices

Fill the middle with colleges where previous year AIQ cutoffs match your expected rank. Look at the 2025 cutoff trends for this data.

Safe Choices

Bottom of your list should have colleges that accept ranks much lower than yours. This guarantees you don't walk away empty-handed.

Is AIIMS Delhi your first choice? (Strategy Table)

This is strategy advice, not a prediction. Always cross-check with official cutoff data.

Major Changes in NEET UG Counselling 2026 (As per MCC Notices)

According to the official MCC schedule and notifications for 2026:

Freeze vs. Float

• Freeze: You accept the allotted seat. You must physically report to the college to complete admission.
• Float: You want a better seat. You don't need to report physically right away. Instead, upload documents online for verification. You stay eligible for upgradation in later rounds.

Online Document Verification

If you choose Float, scan and upload your documents on the MCC portal. The allotted institute verifies them online. If something is wrong, they raise a query.

Online Resignation Facility

If you get a better seat later, you can resign from the previous allotted seat online. You don't have to visit the college just to cancel.

Complete Round-Wise Counselling Schedule

The academic session for MBBS, BDS, and other undergraduate medical courses starts on September 8, 2026.

How many choices should you fill?

There is no perfect number. Fill enough colleges you would genuinely join. Don't add colleges you would refuse.

Documents Checklist (Keep These Ready)

• NEET UG 2026 scorecard and admit card
• Class 10 certificate (date of birth proof)
• Class 12 mark sheet and passing certificate
• Valid government photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, etc.)
• Passport-size photographs (6–8 copies)
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) – if applicable
• PwBD certificate – if applicable
• Domicile certificate – if required by your state

What Happens Next?

Choice Filling → Locking → Seat Processing → Result → Reporting

• Result: August 17, 2026.
• Reporting: If you get a seat, report to the allotted college between August 18 and August 22, 2026. Take all original documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit my choices before locking?

Yes. You can change, add, or delete choices as many times as you want until you hit the lock button. Once locked, it's final.

What happens if I do not lock my choices?

At 11:00 AM on August 13, the system auto-locks the last saved version of your choices. You cannot change it after that.

Can I participate in Round 2?

If you're not allotted in Round 1, or if you chose the Float option, yes. Your choices above the allotted seat (if any) will be processed for upgradation in Round 2.

Is there a reset option if I made a mistake during registration?

Yes. MCC has activated the reset/unlock registration facility. You can correct errors until 11:00 AM on August 12, 2026.

Official Sources

• MCC Portal: mcc.nic.in
• Counselling Schedule: Official MCC notification (attached on their homepage)
• Information Bulletin: Available in the 'Important Links' section
• NEET Scorecard: neet.nta.nic.in

Live Updates

Bookmark this page. We will update it whenever MCC releases:

• New notices or clarifications
• Revised schedule changes
• Updated seat matrices
• Round 1 and Round 2 allotment results
• Cutoff trends after each round

Enable notifications so you don't miss a critical update.

Disclaimer: All dates and figures are based on the MCC schedule published as of August 8, 2026. MCC may revise dates without prior notice. Always verify the latest information directly from the official MCC website before making any decisions.