NEET PG 2026 Fee Rules Revised: NBEMS Exempts Upgradation Candidates From First-Year Payment

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has revised the first-year course fee payment rules for NEET PG 2026 counselling. Candidates who opt for seat upgradation in subsequent rounds will no longer need to pay the first-year course fee during the Round 1 reporting phase.

The change comes into effect as Round 1 reporting and joining begins today, October 26, 2026, and will remain open until November 2, 2026.

What the New NBEMS Fee Rule Says

The revised advisory distinguishes between two categories of candidates:

Freeze candidates — those who are satisfied with their Round 1 seat and do not wish to participate in further rounds — must pay the first-year annual course fee directly to their allotted NBEMS-accredited hospital. They are no longer required to deposit the fee into NBEMS accounts during counselling.

Float (upgradation) candidates — those who wish to be considered for better seats in Round 2 or Round 3 — do not need to pay the first-year course fee while awaiting the upgrade outcome. If their seat is upgraded, they pay the applicable fee directly to the institute they finally join after freezing the upgraded allotment.

This means candidates seeking upgradation can defer the first-year fee payment until their final seat is confirmed.

Round 1 Reporting: October 26 to November 2

Candidates allotted seats in MCC NEET PG 2026 Round 1 must complete reporting and joining formalities between October 26 and November 2, 2026.

Freeze candidates must complete document verification and fee payment at their allotted institution within this window. Float candidates should follow the applicable counselling instructions and ensure they meet all prescribed requirements, though they do not need to pay the first-year fee at this stage.

NBEMS has clarified that the revised fee procedure does not extend the reporting or joining deadline.

Key Warning: Do Not Ignore the Reporting Deadline

Candidates who neither opt for freeze nor upgradation after seat allotment will become ineligible to participate in subsequent counselling rounds. Any fee already paid will be forfeited by NBEMS.

Additionally, candidates who opt for freeze but fail to join the allotted institute within the stipulated time, or fail to produce original documents for verification, will lose their admission and become ineligible for subsequent rounds. The fee paid will also be forfeited.

OPJR Portal Remains Inactive for Now

NBEMS has stated that its Online Portal for Joining and Registration (OPJR) will remain inactive until all rounds of NEET PG 2026 counselling conducted by MCC are completed. The portal will be activated subsequently for candidates and hospitals to submit joining details and required documents.

Candidates should distinguish between reporting to their allotted institution within the counselling window (which is mandatory now) and submitting joining-related documents through OPJR at a later stage.

NEET PG 2026 Counselling Schedule

Source: MCC counselling schedule

Candidates should monitor the official MCC and NBEMS websites for any subsequent revisions to the schedule.