Introduction

For medical graduates in India, postgraduate medical education (PG courses like MD, MS, or Diploma) is the key to specialization and career growth. Cracking the NEET PG is a significant accomplishment, but clearing the exam is only half the job. To secure a spot in one of these competitive programs, candidates also need to complete the NEET PG counselling.

The authorities conduct counselling to distribute PG seats in government colleges, private colleges, deemed universities, and central institutes throughout India. It is based on a systematic process of timely registration, proper documentation, filing choices, and informed decision-making. Regrettably, many students, even those with top scores lose out on their choice colleges just because of ignorance or errors during counselling.

To assist you in evading such setbacks, this comprehensive NEET PG Counselling 2025 guide will guide you through each step from eligibility to final seat allotment so you can proceed.

Step 1: Understanding NEET PG Counselling

Before diving into the process, it’s essential to clearly understand how NEET PG counselling works and which authorities conduct it. Many candidates get confused about the difference between the All India Quota (AIQ) and the State Quota, or about the number of rounds, which often leads to missed opportunities.

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is the main body that conducts the centralized counselling process for:

• 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats in all the government medical colleges (except Jammu & Kashmir, which has its own counselling unless otherwise mentioned).
• 100% of seats in deemed universities, central universities, ESIC institutions, and AFMS (Armed Forces Medical Services) colleges.

While the state counselling authorities of respective states handle the above 50% of state quota seats, each state has a separate medical counselling portal, schedule, and domicile, reservation, and fee structure rules. This implies that the aspirants have to appear for both AIQ and their respective state counselling together if they are interested in increasing their chances of securing a seat.

Usually, the counselling process consists of four organized rounds:

1. Round 1: assigns the highest possible number of high-demand seats in the first round.
2. Round 2: For those candidates who did not receive a seat in Round 1 or chose upgradation.
3. Mop-Up Round: For deemed and private universities, to fill any remaining seats after Round 2.
4. Stray Vacancy Round: Last round organized by individual colleges (under MCC or state jurisdiction) to fill remaining vacancies.

They offer counselling for a whole range of postgraduate medical courses, such as MD, MS, Diploma, and DNB courses, and you should note this. There are rules for each round, including seat allotment, reporting, and up-gradation possibilities.

By knowing this structure beforehand, you can plan your strategy, say, whether to keep AIQ as your priority number one, apply in several state counsellings, or have private/deemed universities in reserve. An informed strategy guarantees you don’t lose opportunities because of uncertainty regarding how the system works.

Step 2: Eligibility for NEET PG Counselling

Not all NEET PG exam candidates get counselling automatically. You will need to meet these fundamental requirements:

• Qualification: MBBS from a college recognized by the NMC.
• Internship: One-year rotatory internship on or before the official cut-off date (most likely March 31, 2025).
• NEET PG Score: You should have obtained at least the minimum qualifying percentile prescribed by NMC. For General/EWS candidates, it is the 50th percentile; for SC/ST/OBC, it is the 40th percentile; and for PwD, it is the 45th percentile.
• Medical Registration: A current permanent or provisional registration certificate with NMC or a State Medical Council is mandatory.

Tip: Keep your internship completion certificate and registration certificate handy, as these are among the first documents verified during admission.

Step 3: Counselling Registration

Once you become eligible, your first positive action is to register online.

• For AIQ, central universities, and deemed universities, log on to the MCC portal (mcc.nic.in).
• For state quota seats, go to the website of the respective state counselling authority.

At the time of registration:

1. Fill in your NEET PG roll number, application ID, and personal details.
2. Generate a unique login password and keep it safe.
3. Pay the registration fee, which consists of:

• A non-refundable registration fee.
• You will receive a refundable security deposit that we will refund if you do not occupy a seat or deduct from your admission fee.

Example: For AIQ seats, the deposit is typically ₹25,000 for common candidates, while for deemed universities it can be ₹2,00,000.

Step 4: Choice Filling and Locking

This is probably the most important step of counselling. Here, you will fill your choices of colleges and courses in a sequence of priority.

• Choice Filling: Fill as many choices as you like there is no limit.
• Choice Locking: Once you complete your list, lock it prior to the deadline. Don’t worry, if you happen to forget, the portal will auto-lock your last saved choices.

Smart Choice Strategy:

• Observe last year cut-offs for the desired specialty and colleges.
• Have a balanced combination of dream, moderate, and safe colleges.
• Don’t limit yourself to top institutes alone—include realistic possibilities also.

Step 5: Seat Allotment Process

After choice filling is closed, the system allocates seats on:

• Your NEET PG rank,
• Your reservation quota and category, and
• Seat availability according to your preference.
• The system has declared online Round 1 allotment results. You can:
  • Accept the seat and join your allotted college.
  • Choose an upgradation in Round 2 while still retaining the present seat.
  • Reject the seat and re-enter Round 2.

Download your seat allotment letter from the portal to move ahead.

Step 6: Reporting to the Allotted College

After allotment of the seat, report to the corresponding college with all the documents.

• Document Verification: Produce originals such as MBBS mark sheets, internship certificate, NEET PG scorecard, allotment letter, and ID proof.
• Fee Payment: Pay the admission fee according to the college structure.
• Seat Confirmation: The university confirms your admission only after checking your documents and receiving payment of fees.

If you report late within the specified time frame, you may lose your seat and get disqualified from further rounds.

Step 7: Round 2 Counselling

In case you did not get a seat in Round 1 or prefer to upgrade, you may attend Round 2.

• New registrations are normally allowed.
• You need to enter fresh preferences, as Round 1 choices do not get carry forwarded.
• On accepting a seat in Round 2, you will not be able to attend subsequent state counselling except if you relinquish the seat within the authorized timeframe.

Step 8: Mop-Up Round

The Mop-Up Round is especially for deemed and private universities, while some vacant seats from previous rounds might also be included.

• Fresh registrations are permitted.
• Candidates already occupying seats do not qualify unless they surrendered on time.
• This round ensures maximum seats are occupied prior to the final stray vacancy round.

Step 9: Stray Vacancy Round

The Stray Vacancy Round is the final chance for candidates.

• It is done directly by individual colleges under the supervision of MCC.
• No new registrations are made; only those candidates who had already registered but have not got a seat can apply.

Step 10: State Counselling Process

Along with MCC’s AIQ counselling, every state also carries out state quota counselling individually.

• 50% seats in government medical colleges and 100% seats in private colleges are allocated by state authorities.
• Domicile-based eligibility criteria and reservation policies are common in states.
• Registration is done through separate portals.

Apply for both AIQ and state counselling for the best chance.

Step 11: Documents Required

Have the following documents ready in original and photocopies:

• NEET PG Admit Card & Scorecard
• MBBS Degree Certificate & All Mark Sheets
• Internship Completion Certificate
• Permanent/Provisional Registration Certificate (NMC/SMC)
• Valid ID Proof (Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID)
• Caste/Category Certificate (if applicable)
• PwD Certificate (if so)
• Seat Allotment Letter
• Passport-size Photographs

Bring multiple photocopies and scanned copies for a hassle-free verification process.

Step 12: Fee Structure and Refund Rules

The fee structure is quite different for government and private colleges.

• Government Colleges: Fees are comparatively lower, between ₹50,000–₹1,50,000 per annum.
• Private & Deemed Universities: Fees are higher, mostly ₹8–25 lakh per year depending on the specialty.
• Refund Policy: The security deposit is refunded if you don’t secure a seat. However, if you resign after the admission deadline, the deposit is usually forfeited.

Step 13: Blunders to Avoid

Numerous students every year lose their opportunity because of preventable mistakes. Some errors to avoid are:

• Missing deadlines for registration or reporting.
• Forgetting to lock options after filling.
• Uploading improper or incomplete documents.
• Preferably, applying only to top colleges without alternatives.
• Forgetting state counselling opportunities.

Step 14: Tips for a Seamless Counselling Experience

To have a trouble-free process:

• Keep an eye on the official MCC and state counselling websites regularly.
• Ensure all documents necessary are well prepared in advance.
• Seek advice from seniors, mentors, or professional counsellors regarding choice filling.
• Always have a backup list of colleges.
• Be calm and composed hasty decisions usually turn into regrets.

Conclusion

The NEET PG counselling 2025 procedure is as crucial as the exam. With thousands of seats allocated among AIQ, state quota, deemed, and private colleges, it is a highly organized and competitive system.

By diligently following each step right from registration to the stray vacancy round you can eliminate common pitfalls and optimize your chances of obtaining the desired PG seat.

Don’t forget, qualifying for NEET PG is just the first step. Getting the seat through counselling is the final step. With good planning, timely action, and a strategic mindset, you can take one step further toward your favorite specialization and a fulfilling medical career.