Archive · 5 Aug 2026
NEET UG 2026 Counselling Round 1 Registration Begins With Freeze-Float
In India, a big test called NEET UG decides which students get into medical college.
This year, the next step called counselling has started, where students pick the colleges they want.
A group called the Medical Counselling Committee gives them seats based on their marks and choices.
The first round began on August 4 and will end on August 17, 2026.
A brand-new system called Freeze and Float was introduced this year.
Students who are happy with their seat can choose Freeze, which means they keep it and must go to the college in person.
Students who want a better seat can choose Float, which lets them try again in the next round without visiting the college yet.
Everyone who gets a seat must finish joining by August 22.
There will be more rounds in August and September for students who want another chance.
Classes for medical students will begin on September 8, 2026.
NEET UG 2026 counselling Round 1 registration is now open via the official Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) portal at mcc.nic.in.
A new Freeze-Float system lets allotted candidates choose whether to keep their seat (Freeze) or seek an upgrade in the next round (Float).
Round 1 counselling for All India Quota, Central Universities and Deemed Universities runs from August 4 to August 17, 2026, with joining by August 22.
Freeze candidates must physically report to their allotted institute, while Float candidates can apply for upgradation online.
The UG academic session begins September 8, 2026, with subsequent rounds scheduled through September and a stray vacancy round in early October.
- Who
- Candidates seeking admission to undergraduate medical courses through the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).
- What
- Registration began for NEET UG 2026 counselling Round 1, which introduces a new Freeze-Float seat allotment system.
- When
- Round 1 counselling runs from August 4 to August 17, 2026, with the last joining date on August 22.
- Where
- India, online via the official MCC NEET UG counselling portal at mcc.nic.in.
- Why
- To allot seats in medical colleges on the basis of merit and the choices filled by candidates.
- Round 1 counselling
- August 4 - August 17, 2026
- Round 1 joining deadline
- August 22, 2026
- Registration portal
- mcc.nic.in
- Coverage
- All India Quota, Central Universities, Deemed Universities
- Round 2 dates
- August 24 - September 2, 2026 (joining by September 8)
- Round 3 dates
- September 10 - September 18, 2026 (apply till September 26)
- Stray vacancy round
- September 28 - October 3, 2026
- Academic session start
- September 8, 2026