NEET-PG All India Quota covers 50% of seats in all government PG medical colleges (state government + central institutes), conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). It is the primary cross-state pathway for MD / MS / DNB / Diploma aspirants — your domicile doesn't matter, only your NEET-PG rank. The remaining 50% is filled through state PG counselling, while private deemed universities admit separately via deemed university PG admissions.
What's Covered Under AIQ
- 50% of state-government PG seats across all states (except J&K).
- 100% of central institutes — AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER Chandigarh, NIMHANS, BHU, AMU.
- Selected DNB / FNB seats in NBE-affiliated hospitals.
- Central University seats — separate central counselling for some.
Eligibility
- MBBS degree from an NMC-recognised institution + completed compulsory rotatory internship by the cut-off date.
- Permanent or provisional registration with State Medical Council / NMC.
- Qualifying NEET-PG percentile: 50th (UR / EWS), 40th (SC/ST/OBC), 45th (PwD).
- No upper age limit (NMC removed it in 2023).
Counselling Rounds & Timeline (Indicative)
| Round | Approximate Window | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| NEET-PG Exam | March – June 2026 | National Board test |
| Result Declaration | ~30 days post-exam | NBEMS releases scorecard |
| MCC AIQ Round 1 | August – September 2026 | Initial allotment |
| AIQ Round 2 | September – October 2026 | Upgrades + new allotments |
| AIQ Mop-Up | October – November 2026 | Vacant seats from R1+R2 |
| Stray Vacancy | November – December 2026 | Final round, no upgrades |
Step-by-Step Procedure
- Qualify NEET-PG — minimum 50th percentile (40th reserved).
- Register on mcc.nic.in (the official MCC portal) when AIQ counselling opens.
- Pay deposits — non-refundable registration fee + refundable security deposit (varies by category).
- Choice Filling — list specialties × colleges in your priority order. Order matters more than length — first preference must be your dream combination.
- Lock choices before deadline.
- Round 1 Result — accept and report, or hold for Round 2.
- Round 2 — upgrade option enabled by default unless you opted out.
- Mop-Up + Stray — for unfilled seats; no upgrades thereafter.
⚠️ Round-Skip Penalties
If you accept a Round 2 seat and don't physically report — you forfeit your security deposit AND are barred from Mop-Up. Opt for "Free Exit" only in Round 1; later rounds lock you in.
Choice Filling — Critical Strategy
- Specialty > College usually — a Radiology seat at a tier-2 college often beats Anesthesia at a tier-1.
- Don't filter by city — fill all viable combinations; you can always move.
- Add ~30–60 choices minimum for AIR 5,000 – 30,000 brackets.
- Cross-check NMC seat list — recent additions / cancellations happen yearly.
- Differentiate clinical vs paraclinical — your career trajectory is decided here; our specialty selection guidance helps you rank MD/MS branches against your NEET-PG score.
Required Documents
- NEET-PG Admit Card and Scorecard / Rank Letter
- MCC Provisional Allotment Letter
- MBBS Degree / Provisional Pass Certificate
- Internship Completion Certificate
- Permanent / Provisional Medical Registration
- Class 10 + 12 Marksheets (DOB / qualification)
- Identity proof (Aadhaar / Passport / PAN)
- Caste / EWS / PwD Certificate (if applicable)
- 8 passport-size photographs
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Filling too few choices — you risk going unmatched in Round 1.
- Ignoring DNB / FNB seats — many are equivalent to MD/MS for clinical practice.
- Rejecting a Round 1 seat hoping for Round 2 — sometimes a closing rank trend goes the wrong way.
- Skipping Mop-Up because you "expect" a better seat — no guarantee, fewer options.
NEET PG Counselling — Frequently Asked Questions
Who conducts NEET PG counselling for the All India Quota?
NEET-PG All India Quota counselling is conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) under the DGHS, through the official portal mcc.nic.in. The AIQ covers 50% of seats in all government PG medical colleges and 100% of seats at central institutes such as AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER Chandigarh, NIMHANS, BHU and AMU.
What is the cutoff percentile for NEET PG admission in India?
The qualifying NEET-PG percentile is the 50th percentile for UR/EWS candidates, the 40th percentile for SC/ST/OBC candidates, and the 45th percentile for PwD candidates. You must also hold an MBBS degree from an NMC-recognised institution and have completed your compulsory rotatory internship by the cut-off date.
Does domicile matter for NEET PG admission in India through AIQ?
No. The All India Quota is the primary cross-state pathway — your domicile does not matter, only your NEET-PG rank. This is what lets candidates move across states for an MD / MS / DNB / Diploma seat. The remaining 50% of government seats are filled through state PG counselling, which does consider domicile.
When does MBBS / NEET PG admission counselling happen in India in 2026?
For 2026, the NEET-PG exam window is March–June 2026, with results about 30 days post-exam. MCC AIQ Round 1 runs roughly August–September 2026, Round 2 around September–October 2026, the Mop-Up round around October–November 2026, and the Stray Vacancy round around November–December 2026. These dates are indicative — always verify on the live MCC notice for your admission year.
NEET PG Counselling 2026 — Qualifying Percentile by Category
| Category | Qualifying NEET-PG Percentile |
|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 50th percentile |
| SC / ST / OBC | 40th percentile |
| PwD | 45th percentile |
Related Pages
- State PG Counselling — for the other 50%
- Deemed University PG Admissions
- Specialty Selection Guidance
- PG Fees & Bond Comparison
📌 Disclaimer
All dates and rules are indicative based on the most recent cycle. Always verify on the live MCC notice during your admission year.