The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the complete counselling schedule for NEET UG 2026 admissions under the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) and 100% seats of Deemed Universities, Central Universities, AIIMS, and JIPMER institutions for the 2026-27 academic session.

The counselling process covers admissions to MBBS, BDS and BSc Nursing courses. According to the official schedule, the Round 1 registration process will begin on August 5, while verification of the tentative seat matrix by participating institutes will be completed on August 4.

Round 1 counselling schedule

Registration and fee payment for Round 1 will be available from August 5 to August 12 until 3 pm. Candidates can complete the payment process up to 6 pm on August 12.

Choice filling will begin on August 6 and continue until August 13, with the window closing at 11 am on August 13. Choice locking will be available from 4 pm on August 12 until 11 am on August 13.

The seat allotment process will be conducted between August 13 and August 16, while the Round 1 result will be announced on August 17. Candidates allotted seats must report to their respective institutes between August 18 and August 22. Institutes will verify the details of joined candidates on August 23.

Round 2 counselling dates

Verification of the tentative seat matrix for Round 2 will be conducted on August 24.

Registration and fee payment will be open from August 25 to August 29 until 3 pm, with payment accepted until 6 pm on August 29. Candidates can fill their choices from August 25 to August 30, while the choice-locking facility will remain available between 4 pm and 11 pm on August 30.

Seat allotment will take place from August 31 to September 1, and the results will be declared on September 2. Candidates can report and join their allotted institutes between September 3 and September 8, while institute verification of joined candidates will be carried out on September 9.

Round 3 schedule

For Round 3, verification of the tentative seat matrix is scheduled for September 10.

Registration and fee payment will remain open from September 11 to September 15 until 3 pm, while the payment window will close at 6 pm on September 15. Choice filling will continue from September 11 to September 16, with choice locking available from 4 pm on September 15 until 11 am on September 16.

The seat allotment process will be conducted between September 16 and September 17, and the results will be announced on September 18. Candidates allotted seats can report to their institutes from September 19 to September 26. Verification of joined candidates by institutes will take place on September 27.

Online stray vacancy round

The Online Stray Vacancy Round will begin with verification of the tentative seat matrix on September 27.

Registration and fee payment will be conducted from September 28 to September 30 until 3 pm, while payments can be completed until 6 pm on September 30. Choice filling will also be available during the same period, with choice locking scheduled between 4 pm and 11 pm on September 30.

The seat allotment process will be held on October 1 and October 2, and the result will be declared on October 3. Candidates allotted seats must report to their respective institutes between October 4 and October 10.

The MCC has also instructed all participating institutes and colleges to treat Saturdays, Sundays and gazetted holidays as working days to ensure that the counselling process is completed within the prescribed timeline.

Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the proposed delimitation exercise, alleging that it is aimed at weakening Tamil Nadu’s political influence. He urged all political parties, irrespective of ideology, to oppose the proposed legislation in Parliament.

Addressing reporters, the Congress MP claimed the delimitation process was designed to reduce the political strength of Tamil Nadu and appealed to every political party to unite against the proposal.

Rahul Gandhi alleges conspiracy against Tamil Nadu

Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was attempting to use delimitation to diminish the political representation of Tamil Nadu.

“There is an attempt by the BJP to carry out delimitation. Delimitation is designed to disenfranchise people and take away the political power of the people of Tamil Nadu. This is a BJP conspiracy,” he said.

He further asserted that anyone supporting the proposed delimitation exercise was “betraying Tamil Nadu” and compromising the state’s future.

Invokes ‘Ettappan’ to criticise supporters

Drawing a historical parallel, Rahul Gandhi referred to Ettappan, a figure traditionally viewed in Tamil culture as a symbol of betrayal, to criticise those backing the proposal.

He described supporters of the delimitation exercise as “21st-century Ettappans” and said no Tamil should support the move.

“Every Tamil person should oppose delimitation. Every Tamil party and every national party should defeat delimitation in the House,” he said.

Debate linked to proposed constitutional amendment

Rahul Gandhi’s remarks come amid speculation that the Centre could reintroduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill during the ongoing Parliament session.

According to the discussions surrounding the proposal, the Bill seeks to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha to as many as 850 seats and facilitate the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, which provides 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures.

The speculation has gained momentum following recent political developments and party realignments ahead of the Monsoon Session.

DMK raises concerns over southern states’ representation

Amid the ongoing debate, reports have suggested that the DMK has softened its position on the proposal if the representation of southern states remains unaffected.

DMK leader TKS Elangovan said the government was again attempting to bring the delimitation proposal linked to women’s reservation before Parliament. He added that while political parties have different suggestions, the number of Lok Sabha seats allocated to southern states should not be reduced.

Prime Minister says abusive language has no place in society, urges people to guide misguided youth instead of seeking punishment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday appealed for restraint and forgiveness after abusive slogans directed at him during a student protest over alleged paper leaks at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. In a video message, he said abusive language could never resolve differences and urged society to help young people who had lost their way rather than seek revenge against them.

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A post shared by Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)

Referring to the incident, the Prime Minister said the country had witnessed what happened at Jantar Mantar, where some protesters allegedly used offensive language against him and his late mother. He described the protesters as “misguided youngsters” and said such language had no place in a civilised society.

PM Modi calls for guidance instead of punishment

PM Modi said young people are capable of learning from their mistakes and stressed that anger should not determine how society responds to such incidents.

He said mistakes made during youth also present an opportunity for correction and added that the focus should be on showing the right path instead of dragging young people into prolonged legal proceedings.

“I want to forgive them. I request society also to accept what I am saying,” the Prime Minister said, adding that people should work together for the country rather than allow abusive exchanges to deepen divisions.

The video shared by the Prime Minister carried the message: “Abuses never solve anything. Let’s guide the misguided. Let’s work together. Let’s work for Bharat.”

Police case registered after protest

The remarks came after a police case was registered over alleged objectionable slogans raised during a Cockroach Janta Party-led protest at Jantar Mantar on July 23 over alleged paper leaks.

According to the complaint, a 25-year-old woman allegedly made objectionable remarks during the demonstration.

A Zero FIR was registered at the Expressway Police Station in Noida under Sections 352, 353(1) and 356(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to provoking a breach of peace, statements conducing to public mischief and defamation. The case was later transferred to Parliament Street Police Station in Delhi for further investigation.

Cockroach Janta Party reacts

Responding to the case, Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das said any allegedly derogatory remarks could be addressed through civil or criminal defamation proceedings by the affected individual. However, he argued that criminal machinery should not be used against protesters solely over objectionable language and termed such action condemnable.