Archive · 13 Aug 2026
NEET UG 2026: Choice Locking Postponed; MCC Offers 31,728 Seats
NEET is a big test in India that students take to become doctors, dentists or nurses.
After the test, students go through a process called counselling to pick which college they want to attend.
The Medical Counselling Committee, or MCC, is the group that runs this process.
In Round 1 of this year's counselling, MCC is offering 31,728 seats.
Students were supposed to start 'choice locking' on August 12, which is when they officially save their college preferences.
However, MCC postponed this step and says a new time will be announced soon.
Students are advised to keep checking the MCC website for updates.
The first list of who gets which seat is expected on August 17, 2026.
Students who get seats must report to their colleges from August 18 to August 22.
MCC also released extra eligibility lists, including one with 5,407 students for JIPMER.
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has postponed choice locking for Round 1 of NEET UG Counselling 2026, which was initially scheduled to begin August 12.
MCC says the revised timing for choice locking will be announced soon and advised candidates to keep monitoring the official website.
A total of 31,728 seats across MBBS, BDS and BSc Nursing programmes are being offered in Round 1.
Round 1 provisional seat allotment is scheduled for August 17, 2026, with college reporting from August 18 to 22, 2026.
MCC released a supplementary CW category eligibility list under the 85% quota and added 5,407 students to the JIPMER Puducherry and Karaikal internal quota list.
- Who
- Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and NEET UG 2026 candidates seeking MBBS, BDS and BSc Nursing seats
- What
- Choice locking for Round 1 of NEET UG Counselling 2026 was postponed after being scheduled for August 12; the new timing will be announced soon and 31,728 seats are offered
- When
- August 2026, with provisional seat allotment scheduled for August 17, 2026 and college reporting from August 18-22
- Where
- India; updates posted on the official MCC portal at mcc.nic.in/ug-medical-counselling/, including JIPMER Puducherry and Karaikal eligibility lists
- Why
- The choice-locking process for Round 1 was delayed, and MCC advises candidates to await the official announcement before locking their preferences
- Conducting Body
- Medical Counselling Committee (MCC)
- Process
- NEET UG Counselling 2026 - Round 1
- Seats Offered
- 31,728 (MBBS, BDS, BSc Nursing)
- Choice Locking Status
- Postponed; initially scheduled August 12, new timing to be announced
- Official Portal
- mcc.nic.in/ug-medical-counselling/
- Provisional Allotment Date
- August 17, 2026
- College Reporting Period
- August 18-22, 2026
- JIPMER Internal Quota Eligibility
- 5,407 students added
- CW Category List
- Supplementary list released under 85% quota for children/widows of Armed Forces personnel
