The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has started Round 1 choice filling for NEET UG 2026 counselling, marking a crucial stage for candidates seeking admission to undergraduate medical and dental programmes through the All India Quota (AIQ).

Registered candidates can now enter and arrange their preferred colleges and courses through the MCC counselling portal. The choices submitted during this stage will play a direct role in Round 1 seat allotment.

Candidates should prepare their preference lists carefully rather than selecting colleges solely on popularity. Factors such as previous cut-offs, course preference, college type, location, fees and realistic admission chances should be considered before choices are finalised.

How NEET UG Choice Filling Works

During the choice-filling stage, registered candidates can select their preferred courses and participating institutions.

Seat allotment is subsequently determined using factors including:

• NEET UG rank
• Candidate category
• Choices submitted by the candidate
• Applicable reservation rules
• Availability of seats

Candidates should arrange their choices in their actual order of preference, as the allotment system considers the sequence submitted during counselling.

AIQ vs State Quota Counselling

MCC conducts counselling for 15% All India Quota seats in government medical and dental colleges. It also handles counselling for participating institutions and categories covered under the central counselling system.

The remaining 85% state quota seats in government colleges are generally managed by the respective state counselling authorities according to their eligibility, domicile and reservation rules.

This means eligible candidates may need to separately participate in both MCC AIQ counselling and their respective state counselling process.

State-Wise NEET UG Counselling Status

Alongside AIQ counselling, several states have moved ahead with their own admission processes.

According to the latest reported status:

• Karnataka has already commenced its counselling process.
• Andhra Pradesh has opened registration for MBBS and BDS admissions.
• Telangana registration is underway.
• Kerala candidates are submitting NEET-related details.
• Tamil Nadu is progressing with eligibility verification and grievance-related procedures.
• Punjab is at the application stage of its counselling process.

Candidates should remember that each state follows its own schedule and admission rules, so MCC deadlines should not be assumed to apply to state counselling.

How to Fill Choices

Registered candidates should:

1. Log in to the MCC NEET UG counselling portal.
2. Open the Round 1 choice-filling section.
3. Search for available courses and colleges.
4. Add preferred institutions.
5. Arrange them in genuine preference order.
6. Review the complete preference list carefully.
7. Lock choices within the prescribed schedule.

Candidates should save relevant confirmation details for future reference.

Avoid These Choice-Filling Mistakes

Choice filling can significantly influence the college a candidate receives. Aspirants should avoid:

• Filling only a few highly competitive colleges.
• Copying another student's preference list.
• Ignoring tuition fees while selecting private or deemed institutions.
• Ranking a less-preferred college above one they genuinely want.
• Ignoring state counselling while participating in AIQ counselling.
• Waiting until the final hours to complete the process.

A well-planned preference list should balance ambitious, realistic and safer options based on the candidate's rank and admission priorities.

PwBD Candidates Should Check Updated Rules

Candidates applying under the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category should also review the latest disability assessment requirements applicable to NEET UG counselling, as revised rules have been issued during the current admission cycle.

Applicants under this category should ensure that certificates, assessments and other required documentation comply with the latest official guidelines.

What Candidates Should Do Now

Candidates participating in Round 1 should finalise their college research before locking preferences. Comparing fees, location, hospital exposure, infrastructure, recognition, previous cut-offs and course availability can help build a more practical choice list.

Students participating in state quota counselling should separately track the official admission portal of their respective state because registration, merit lists, choice filling and allotment dates may differ from MCC's AIQ schedule.

Key Highlights

• MCC has started NEET UG 2026 Round 1 choice filling for AIQ counselling.
• Candidates can now submit and arrange their preferred medical and dental colleges.
• Seat allotment depends on factors including NEET rank, preferences, category and seat availability.
• State counselling processes are progressing separately across India.
• Candidates should monitor both MCC and their respective state counselling authorities where applicable.
• Preference lists should be prepared strategically before choices are locked.