NEET UG all india quota counselling 2026 guidance for MBBS and BDS admission
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NEET UG All India Quota (AIQ) Counseling 2026: Process, Rounds & Seat Matrix

// LAST_UPDATED: [07.03.2026] LIVE
Home » NEET UG » NEET UG All India Quota (AIQ) Counseling 2026: Process, Rounds & Seat Matrix

The All India Quota (AIQ) is the gateway for medical aspirants to secure a seat in any government medical college across India, regardless of their home state. Managed by the Medical Counseling Committee (MCC), this process accounts for 15% of MBBS/BDS seats in all state-run government colleges and 100% of seats in Central Universities and Premier Institutes.

Secure Your MBBS / BDS Seat Through NEET UG AIQ Counselling 2026

Avoid last-minute mistakes in choice filling & seat selection.Get expert guidance + real-time counselling support.

Key Highlights of AIQ Counseling 2026

Still Confused Between AIQ/Deemed vs. State Govt/Pvt Colleges?

Every rank has a ‘Sweet Spot’ college. Let us help you find yours based on your 2026 score.

While the NEET UG State Quota Counseling focuses on the 85% seats reserved for local residents, the AIQ is a merit-based open pool available to every NEET-qualified candidate.

neet counselling
  • Conducting Body: Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) / DGHS.
  • Seat Share: 15% in Govt Medical & Dental Colleges.
  • Institutes Included: AIIMS (all 20+ branches), JIPMER, AMU, BHU, and DU.
  • Reservation: SC (15%), ST (7.5%), OBC-NCL (27%), EWS (10%), and PwD (5%) as per Central Government norms.

    Apply for Admission Session 2026


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    📅 Tentative Counseling Schedule 2026

    Stay ahead of the deadlines. Based on official trends, here is the expected timeline for the 2026 session:

    EventTentative Dates
    NEET UG 2026 ExamMay 3, 2026
    Declaration of ResultsJune 2026
    Registration for AIQ Round 1July 21 – July 30, 2026
    Choice Filling & LockingJuly 2026
    Round 1 Seat AllotmentAugust 6, 2026
    Round 2 & Mop-Up RoundsAugust – September 2026

    Not Sure Which College You Will Get Under AIQ?

    👉 Check Your AIQ College Prediction Now.

    Step-by-Step AIQ Counseling Process

    To maintain a seamless experience across our site, we follow the unified NEET UG Counseling 2026 roadmap.

    1. Online Registration & Profile Building

    Candidates must register on the official MCC website (mcc.nic.in). You will need your NEET UG Roll Number, Application Number, and Name exactly as per your NTA Admit Card.

    Confused about AIQ seat allotment, college selection & choice filling?

    Our experts provide 1-to-1 personalized guidance to help you secure the best MBBS / BDS college under All India Quota.

    2. Payment of Counseling Fees

    There are two types of fees:

    • Non-Refundable Registration Fee: (Approx. ₹1,000 for UR, ₹500 for SC/ST).
    • Refundable Security Deposit: (Approx. ₹10,000 for Govt colleges, ₹2,00,000 for Deemed Universities).

    3. Choice Filling and Locking

    This is the most critical stage. You must list your preferred colleges in descending order.

    • Pro Tip: Always check the previous year’s AIQ Round 1 closing ranks before locking your choices.

    4. Seat Allotment & Reporting

    Once a seat is allotted based on your All India Rank (AIR), you must download the allotment letter and report to the assigned college.

    🏆 Top Ranked Medical Colleges in India (NIRF 2025/26)

    Choosing the right college is the most critical part of your “Choice Filling” strategy. Here are the top-tier institutions accessible via AIQ:

    1. AIIMS, New Delhi (Rank 1) – The pinnacle of medical education.
    2. PGIMER, Chandigarh (Rank 2) – Excellence in clinical research.
    3. CMC, Vellore (Rank 3) – Top-rated private/minority institution.
    4. JIPMER, Puducherry (Rank 4) – Premier central institute.
    5. KGMU, Lucknow (Rank 5) – Historic excellence in the heart of UP.
    6. MAMC, New Delhi – Renowned for its massive clinical exposure.

    Explore Medical & Dental Colleges in India

    Choosing the right institution is as important as the counselling process itself. Explore our comprehensive database of recognized colleges to finalize your preference list:

    🩺

    Medical Colleges

    Access the 2026 directory of Government and Private MBBS colleges. Check seat availability, fees, and rankings.

    Medical Colleges in India
    🦷

    Dental Colleges

    Explore recognized BDS institutions across India. Get the latest data on college infrastructure and 2026 cutoffs.

    Dental Colleges in India

    AIQ vs. State Quota: Which should you choose?

    Making the right choice depends on your rank and career goals. You can find a deeper dive into this comparison on our NEET UG 2026 Hub.

    • Choose AIQ if: You have a high AIR and aim for top-tier national institutes or colleges in states with better clinical exposure.
    • Choose State Quota if: You want to stay close to home or if your state’s cutoff ranks are traditionally more favorable than the national average. Learn more about regional rules at NEET UG State Quota Counseling.

    📂 Documents Required for Verification

    During the physical reporting at the allotted college, you must present original documents. Requirements differ slightly for Indian vs. NRI candidates:

    For Normal (Indian) Candidates

    • NEET UG 2026 Admit Card & Official Scorecard.
    • Class 10 & 12 Marksheets (10th certificate serves as DOB proof).
    • Provisional Allotment Letter (Generated from the MCC portal).
    • Valid Photo ID (Aadhar Card, PAN Card, or Passport).
    • 8 Passport-size Photos (Must match the one used in the application).
    • Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) – Must be in the Central Government format.

    For NRI/OCI/Foreign Candidates

    In addition to the standard academic documents above, NRI candidates must provide:

    • Passport Copy of the sponsor (Embassy attested).
    • Sponsorship Affidavit (Stating the sponsor will bear the full education expenses).
    • Relationship Affidavit (Defining the candidate’s relationship with the sponsor).
    • Embassy Certificate (Proof of NRI status of the sponsor).
    • Family Tree (If required by specific universities).

    NEET UG Cutoff

    NEET UG Cutoff (2025)

    CategoryQualifying percentileCutoff score
    General50th percentile144
    SC / ST / OBC50th percentile113
    General (PH)45th percentile127

    Important Link for NEET UG

    Download NEET UG Important Docs (Counselling Assistance Call 9717232255)
    Download Admit Card
    Download Result/Score Card
    Official Web Page of NTA
    Quick help for NEET UG

    🔗 Navigating the Hub

    Understanding the difference between national and state-level processes is key to securing your seat:


    Pro-Tip for 2026 Aspirants

    Do not ignore the Stray Vacancy Round. Many high-ranking seats in Deemed Universities go to the Stray Round due to late cancellations. Keep your documentation ready until the very last day of the counseling cycle.

    Expert Guidance for Choice Filling

    With over 14+ years of experience, our senior education counselors provide personalized assistance to help you build a strategic preference list, ensuring you secure the best possible college for your rank.
    Admission Helpline: +91 9717232255
    Our Portal: www.neetcounseling.in

    Frequently Asked Questions (AIQ 2026)

    How does AIQ differ from State Quota?

    The All India Quota (AIQ) covers 15% of seats in government colleges nationwide and is open to all students regardless of domicile. In contrast, State Quota covers the remaining 85% and is reserved for local residents.

    Which colleges are 100% covered under MCC Counseling?

    MCC manages 100% of seats for AIIMS, JIPMER, Central Universities (BHU, AMU, DU), and Deemed Universities. You do not need to apply to states individually for these premier institutes.

    Is the security deposit refundable?

    Yes, the security deposit (₹10,000 for Govt / ₹2 Lakh for Deemed) is refundable if you join the allotted seat or are never allotted one. However, the registration fee (₹500–₹1,000) is non-refundable.

    What is the “Free Exit” rule?

    If you are allotted a seat in Round 1 but choose not to join, you can “Free Exit” without losing your security deposit. This rule is unique to the NEET UG 2026 national process and does not apply to most later rounds.

    Do I need a domicile certificate for AIQ?

    AIQ is a merit-based open quota. You only need your NEET Rank and category certificates (Central format) to claim a seat in any state via this 15% pool.

    Can I upgrade my seat in Round 2?

    Yes. If you report to your Round 1 college and opt for “Upgradation,” you can move to a higher-preference college in Round 2 if your rank allows.

    5/5 - (1 vote)
    N.K. Bansal
    With a career spanning more than 14 years, Nitish Bansal stands as a leading voice in medical career counseling. As a Senior Counselor, he delivers real-time, high-accuracy updates on NEET (UG, PG, MDS, SS) Counseling processes. Thousands of students rely on his deep industry knowledge to secure their future in top-tier medical and dental institutions.
    https://www.neetcounseling.in