For aspiring medical postgraduates eyeing MD, MS, or DNB courses in India, NEET PG 2025 counselling is a pivotal step. Orchestrated by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), this comprehensive process aims to ensure transparent and equitable seat allocation across both government and private medical institutions nationwide. While the official schedule for October 2025 is still pending, the counselling rounds are anticipated to kick off in mid-October. Given the intense competition for limited seats, a thorough grasp of the counselling procedures, eligibility requirements, and crucial steps is absolutely vital for every candidate.
Anticipated Counselling Schedule
The NEET PG counselling process typically unfolds over several rounds, encompassing allocations for All India Quota (AIQ) seats, Deemed Universities, Central Universities, and DNB programs. Although precise dates are still awaiting official release, here’s a look at the projected timeline:
- Round 1: Expect registration and choice filling to open around mid-October. Seat allotment results are generally declared within a week of the choice locking deadline, followed by candidates reporting to their assigned colleges.
- Round 2: This round commences after the conclusion of Round 1. It provides an opportunity for candidates who weren’t allocated a seat in the first round, or those looking to upgrade their current allocation, to register and submit new choices. Subsequent seat allotment leads to reporting at the respective institutions.
- Mop-Up Round: Designed to fill any vacant seats remaining after Round 2, this round allows eligible candidates to participate to secure an available spot.
- Stray Vacancy Round: As the final stage, this round addresses any lingering vacancies after the Mop-Up round. Seats are allotted, and candidates proceed with their admission formalities.
Please note that these dates are provisional and are subject to adjustments based on official announcements from the MCC.
Who Can Apply? Key Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for NEET PG 2025 counselling, applicants must fulfill the following mandatory criteria:
- NEET PG Qualification: A valid qualifying score in the NEET PG 2025 examination is essential.
- Nationality: The counselling is open to Indian citizens, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs).
- Internship Completion: Candidates must have either completed their rotating compulsory internship or be in its final year by the officially stipulated deadline.
- Medical Registration: Valid registration with either the Medical Council of India (MCI) or a relevant State Medical Council is required.
Failure to meet any of these specified requirements will unfortunately lead to disqualification from the counselling process.
Understanding the NEET PG Counselling Process
Navigating the NEET PG counselling involves several key stages:
1. Registration
Prospective candidates must first register on the official MCC website (mcc.nic.in) using their NEET PG 2025 credentials. This involves using your NEET PG 2025 credentials and paying the required counselling fee online to finalize your registration.
2. Choice Filling and Locking
During a designated window, candidates will be able to select their preferred postgraduate courses and colleges. It is crucial to carefully review and then ‘lock’ these choices before the specified deadline. Failing to lock your choices could unfortunately lead to missing out on seat allotment opportunities.
3. Seat Allotment
The MCC then meticulously processes all submitted choices, allocating seats based on a combination of merit, applicable reservation policies, and individual preferences. The results of this seat allotment are published online, and candidates are strongly advised to check their status diligently.
4. Reporting to College
Once a seat is allotted, candidates must physically report to their designated college within the stipulated timeframe. This step is essential for document verification and the completion of all necessary admission formalities.