State Quota NEET Counselling 2026 Schedule: Round 1, 2, 3 & Stray Vacancy

 

The State Quota NEET Counselling 2026 process is divided into four main stages. They are Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and the Stray Vacancy Round. These rounds of State Quota NEET Counselling 2026 cover 85% state quota seats in government and private colleges, while the remaining 15% seats are filled through AIQ counselling. Students are advised to stay updated on the latest updates on NEET UG State Counselling 2026; refer to the official state counselling portal. Read the full article to know more about the State Quota NEET Counselling 2026.

 

Overview of State Quota NEET Counselling 2026

 

The NEET UG State Counselling 2026 for 85% state quota seats is scheduled to begin with Round 1 from 13 August to 22 August 2026, as per the master schedule released by MCC. However, each state authority manages its own registration dates, eligibility checks, merit list publication, and seat allotment process within this overall timeline.

 

Candidates must register on their state’s official counselling website using their NEET UG 2026 credentials, pay the required fee, and complete choice filling to select their preferred colleges. After seat allotment, students can either freeze the seat and report to the allotted college with original documents, or choose float if they want to stay eligible for an upgrade in the next round in NEET UG State Counselling 2026.

 

Timeline for NEET UG State Counselling 2026

 

Students who are preparing for the State Quota NEET Counselling 2026 can refer to the table below for the timeline.

 

 

 

The State Quota NEET Counselling 2026 admission schedule begins with the 1st round from 13 August 2026 to 22 August 2026, followed by a joining deadline of 28 August 2026. The 2nd round of NEET UG State Counselling 2026 runs from 31 August 2026 to 8 September 2026, with the last date of joining on 4 September 2026. Round 3 is scheduled for 16 September 2026 to 26 September 2026, with joining due by 1 October 2026.

 

In NEET UG State Counselling 2026, the Stray Vacancy round takes place from 3 October 2026 to 5 October 2026, and the final joining date is 10 October 2026. The UG academic session begins on 8 September 2026. Students who are unaware of the State Quota NEET Counselling 2026 can refer below for the types of NEET UG state counselling 2026.

 

Types of State Quota NEET Counselling 2026

Students who are about to attend the state counselling can refer below for the types of NEET UG state counselling 2026.

Round 1 Counselling

• Register on your state’s official medical education portal and fill in college choices.
• Seats are allotted based on NEET rank and domicile rules.
• Free exit is allowed in this round of State Quota NEET Counselling 2026, so leaving a seat in this round does not result in loss of security deposit.

Round 2 Counselling

• In this round of State Quota NEET Counselling 2026, fresh registrations are allowed for candidates who missed Round 1.
• Students can also fill choices for upgraded options.
• Exiting or resigning from an allotted seat in Round 2 may lead to forfeiture of the security deposit.
• Reporting, either physically or online as per state rules, is mandatory to confirm admission.

 

Also Read: MCC NEET UG Counselling 2026 Schedule: Official Dates to be Released Soon

 

Round 3 Counselling

• This is the final major round of State Quota NEET Counselling 2026, for filling remaining vacant seats and allowing upgrades from earlier rounds.
• Once a seat is joined in Round 3, candidates generally cannot resign or take part in further regular upgradation.
• This round helps complete the main admission process before stray vacancies are considered.

Stray Vacancy Round

• This round of State Quota NEET Counselling 2026 is used to fill leftover or newly vacated seats.
• Only candidates who do not hold a medical seat anywhere are usually eligible.
• Fresh registration is generally not allowed.
• Failure to report after allotment can lead to strict disqualification for the academic year.

Eligibility Criteria for NEET UG State Counselling 2026

Students who are about to participate in State Quota NEET Counselling 2026 must meet the following conditions:

 

• Must have a valid NEET UG 2026 score and meet the NTA cutoff percentile.
• Must have passed Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
• General category candidates usually need 50% in PCB, while SC/ST/OBC candidates need 40%, and PwD candidates need 45%.
• The candidate must be at least 17 years old on or before 31 December 2026. There is no upper age limit.
• Indian nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals may be eligible, depending on state rules.
• Domicile is mandatory for claiming 85% government state quota seats in the home state.
• Candidates must complete registration and document verification on the official state counselling portal within the given window.

 

Students must know the documentation required for State Quota NEET Counselling 2026 once they fully understand the eligibility criteria.

 

Required Documents for NEET UG 2026 State Counselling

Students who are awaiting State Quota NEET Counselling 2026 must keep the following original documents ready for verification:

 

• NEET UG State Counselling 2026 Admit Card and Scorecard
• Class 10 and Class 12 Marksheets and Passing Certificates
• Domicile/Residence Certificate
• Category Certificate, if applicable
• Government-issued photo ID proof, such as Aadhaar or Passport
• Passport-sized photographs matching the NEET application

 

Students who have kept their documentation ready for State Quota NEET Counselling 2026 must know how the process takes place.

 

 

Also Read: KVAFSU Karnataka State Veterinary College Seat Distribution 2026

 

Step-by-Step Process for State Quota NEET Counselling 2026

 

Students can refer to the step-by-step State Quota NEET Counselling 2026 process below.

 

1. Online Registration: Create a profile on your state portal using your NEET UG roll number, application number, and rank.
2. Document Verification: States verify certificates online or at nodal centres to confirm domicile and reservation details.
3. Merit List Publication: State authorities release a state-specific merit list based on local rules.
4. Choice Filling and Locking: Log in to select your preferred medical or dental colleges and lock your choices before the deadline.
5. Seat Allotment: Seats are allotted based on state rank, category, and college preference.
6. Reporting to College: Pay the admission fee and submit original documents at the allotted college to confirm your seat.
   
   

Candidates who want more information about state quota counselling or need personalised guidance for NEET counselling or JEE admission can visit Hello Mentor for a one-on-one session with our experts.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on State Quota NEET Counselling 2026 Date Schedule

 

1. What is the stray round of counselling?
The stray vacancy round is the final round of State Quota NEET Counselling 2026 used to fill remaining MBBS, BDS, or PG seats after earlier rounds. It follows strict rules and usually allows no cancellation.

 

2. What happens if I do not join after the stray round?
If you do not join the allotted seat after the stray vacancy round, your security deposit may be forfeited, the seat may be cancelled, and you may face disqualification for the next admission cycle.

 

3. What is state counselling in NEET UG?
The NEET UG State Counselling 2026 for NEET UG 2026 is conducted by state authorities for 85% state quota seats, while AIQ counselling is handled by MCC for the 15% All India Quota seats.

 

 

 

Also Read: MCC NEET Counselling 2026 AIQ Dates: Rounds 1, 2, 3 & Stray Vacancy