Rathish
The Medical Counselling Committee has reportedly postponed the NEET UG 2026 Round 1 choice-filling process for undergraduate medical admissions. According to the update initially published by MCC, the choice-filling window will now open on August 8, 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The process was originally scheduled to begin on August 6. Reports indicate that the postponement is connected with the implementation of revised National Medical Commission guidelines for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, or PwBD candidates.
The Round 1 registration process has not been stopped. Eligible candidates can continue registering for MBBS, BDS and other participating undergraduate medical courses through the MCC counselling portal.
As per the official Round 1 schedule, registration will remain available until 3:00 PM on August 12, 2026, while the counselling fee can be paid until 6:00 PM on the same day.
NEET UG 2026 Round 1 Revised Dates
Candidates may refer to the following timeline while waiting for a formally updated MCC schedule:
| Counselling event | Important date |
| Round 1 registration began | August 5, 2026 |
| Reported revised start of choice filling | August 8, 2026, at 12:00 noon |
| Registration deadline | August 12, 2026, up to 3:00 PM |
| Fee-payment deadline | August 12, 2026, up to 6:00 PM |
| Choice-filling deadline under existing schedule | August 13, 2026, up to 11:00 AM |
| Choice-locking window under existing schedule | August 12, 4:00 PM to August 13, 11:00 AM |
| Round 1 seat-allotment result | August 17, 2026 |
| Reporting and joining | August 18–22, 2026 |
The choice-filling deadline, locking period and result date above are based on MCC’s currently published schedule. These dates may change if the committee releases a complete revised timetable.
Why Has MCC Postponed Choice Filling?
The reported delay is linked to revised guidelines issued by the National Medical Commission for assessing PwBD candidates seeking MBBS admission.
MCC has informed candidates applying under the PwBD category that they must obtain an eligibility certificate from one of its designated Medical Assessment Boards. The certification process is required to determine whether candidates meet the prescribed eligibility and functional-competency requirements for medical education.
The additional time is expected to help assessment centres and candidates comply with the revised process before college and course preferences are submitted.
The move is particularly important because only candidates who obtain an eligibility certificate from an MCC-designated assessment centre will be able to view and select seats reserved under the PwD category during counselling.
Documents Required from PwBD Candidates
Candidates seeking admission under the PwBD reservation must visit an authorised Medical Assessment Board and carry the required documents.
These include:
- NEET UG 2026 scorecard showing eligibility for the MBBS course
- Permanent Unique Disability ID, or UDID, card
- Self-certified affidavit declaring the candidate’s functional abilities
- General self-certification affidavit in the prescribed format
- Disability-specific affidavit applicable to the candidate’s category
The Medical Assessment Board will assess the candidate according to the NMC guidelines and generate an eligibility certificate based on the UDID card, submitted affidavits and applicable eligibility conditions.
The certificate will remain valid only for the 2026–27 academic admission session. Candidates seeking a PwBD seat under the 85% state quota may approach the relevant state assessment board, but the evaluation must follow the NMC’s 2026 guidelines.
What Should Candidates Do Now?
Candidates who have not registered should complete their registration well before August 12. Waiting until the final few hours could result in difficulties caused by heavy portal traffic, payment failures or document-related errors.
After registration, candidates should prepare a preference list based on their NEET UG rank, category, budget, preferred location, institution type and previous admission trends.
Once the choice-filling link becomes active, candidates should add as many suitable options as possible and place them in their genuine order of preference. The allotment system considers the candidate’s rank, category, submitted preference order and seat availability.
Candidates must also remember that saving choices is different from locking them. They should review the full order carefully before using the choice-locking facility.
PwBD candidates should prioritise completing their assessment and obtaining the prescribed certificate. Without a valid eligibility certificate from a designated centre, reserved PwD choices may not appear in the candidate’s counselling dashboard.
How to Fill Choices for MCC NEET UG Counselling
Candidates can follow these steps once the choice-filling facility is activated:
- Visit the official MCC UG counselling website.
- Open the NEET UG 2026 counselling section.
- Log in using the registered credentials.
- Select the Round 1 choice-filling option.
- Search for colleges and courses.
- Add preferred MBBS or BDS choices.
- Arrange the choices in the correct preference order.
- Save the preference list.
- Review all entries and lock the choices within the deadline.
- Download or print the locked-choice confirmation for future reference.
Candidates should rely only on notices displayed on the official MCC portal. Since the reported postponement notice was removed after publication, applicants should regularly check the website for confirmation of the August 8 opening time and any consequential changes to later Round 1 dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When will NEET UG 2026 Round 1 choice filling begin?
MCC reportedly postponed the choice-filling process to August 8, 2026, at 12:00 noon. However, the related notice was later removed, so candidates should verify the opening time on the official MCC portal.
2. Has MCC extended the Round 1 registration deadline?
The official schedule allows candidates to register until 3:00 PM on August 12, 2026. The fee-payment facility will remain available until 6:00 PM on the same date.
3. Why was the choice-filling process postponed?
The reported postponement is associated with revised NMC guidelines for assessing PwBD candidates and issuing the eligibility certificates required for reserved-seat selection.
4. Is a UDID card compulsory for PwBD candidates?
MCC’s notice lists a permanent UDID card among the documents candidates must submit to a designated Medical Assessment Board to obtain their eligibility certificate.
5. When will the NEET UG 2026 Round 1 result be announced?
The currently published MCC schedule lists August 17, 2026 as the Round 1 result date. Candidates should check whether this date changes in any revised schedule