NEET MDS 2026 Round 2 State Counselling Schedule Released; Check Dates

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the latest NEET MDS 2026 AIQ and State counselling schedule, covering the timeline for Round 2 state counselling. The schedule is dated September 10, 2026, and is available on the official MCC website. The schedule outlines the timeline for the state counselling process, including the Round 2 start and end dates, the last date for candidates to join allotted seats and the subsequent sharing of joined-candidate data with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). MCC's official schedule page currently lists the September 10 AIQ and State Schedule for MDS 2026.

NEET MDS 2026 Round 2 State Counselling Key Dates

Candidates should note that the above timeline provides the broader state counselling window. The registration, choice filling, choice locking and allotment dates may be notified separately by individual state counselling authorities.

What Does the NEET MDS State Counselling Schedule Cover?

The state counselling schedule applies to the counselling process conducted by individual state authorities for eligible NEET MDS candidates. While MCC conducts counselling for specified All India Quota and other centrally administered postgraduate dental seats, state authorities handle the counselling process for seats under their respective state admission frameworks. MCC's MDS information page states that MCC conducts counselling for 50% All India Quota postgraduate medical and dental seats, along with specified Central University, Deemed University and other listed seats. Therefore, candidates participating in state counselling should follow the instructions issued by the respective state counselling authority rather than relying only on the MCC portal.

How to Participate in NEET MDS 2026 Round 2 State Counselling?

The registration and choice-filling procedure can differ between states. Candidates should:

1. Visit the official website of their respective state counselling authority.
2. Locate the NEET MDS 2026 Round 2 counselling notification.
3. Check the eligibility requirements and registration dates.
4. Complete the online registration, wherever required.
5. Enter the required NEET MDS 2026 details.
6. Pay the applicable counselling fee.
7. Fill in the preferred MDS colleges and specialisations.
8. Lock or submit choices within the deadline prescribed by the state authority.
9. Check the seat allotment result after the state authority publishes it.

Candidates should not assume that completing MCC's AIQ counselling registration automatically completes registration for a state counselling process.

What Happens After State Seat Allotment?

Candidates who receive an MDS seat through state counselling must follow the reporting and admission instructions issued by the concerned state authority and allotted institution. The latest schedule gives September 30, 2026 as the last date for joining the allotted seat. Candidates should complete all admission formalities before the applicable deadline and retain their allotment and fee-payment documents. States are scheduled to share joined-candidate data with the DGHS on October 1, 2026.

MCC AIQ Counselling vs State Counselling

Candidates should understand the difference between the two counselling systems.

• MCC counselling: MCC conducts online counselling for 50% AIQ postgraduate medical and dental seats and other categories specified under its counselling framework.
• State counselling: Individual state authorities conduct counselling according to the applicable state admission rules and seat categories.

A candidate interested in both processes should check the applicable rules, eligibility conditions, deadlines and seat-allotment consequences before participating.

Action Plan for NEET MDS Candidates

1. Check the latest MCC AIQ and State schedule.
2. Identify the official counselling authority for their state.
3. Check the state's Round 2 registration and choice-filling dates.
4. Keep the NEET MDS 2026 scorecard and rank-related documents ready.
5. Keep original academic and category documents available.
6. Complete registration and choice filling within the state authority's deadline.
7. Check the allotment result after publication.
8. Complete admission and reporting formalities before September 30, 2026, if allotted a seat.

The MCC website currently lists both the AIQ and State Schedule MDS dated September 10, 2026 and the separate MDS counselling schedule dated the same day.