As the 2026 medical admission cycle picks up pace, aspirants are closely monitoring the official portals of the MCC and NBEMS for critical updates. Following the historic reduction in NEET PG qualifying percentiles, the focus has shifted to the upcoming Round-3 counselling schedules and the newly released 2026 examination calendar.Staying informed through these official channels is essential for navigating the complex registration and allotment timelines for postgraduate and fellowship courses.

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) have recently issued several high-impact notifications that alter the eligibility and examination timelines for thousands of students. From the surprising reduction in qualifying cutoffs for postgraduate seats to the opening of new registration windows for fellowship entrance tests, these official notices are now the primary roadmap for career planning in the 2026 academic year.

Major Updates for PG and FMGE Candidates

The most discussed development in the medical community this week involves the revised eligibility criteria for the current admission cycle. Both the MCC and NBEMS have worked in tandem to implement ministry-directed changes that expand the pool of eligible candidates for remaining vacancies.

• Cutoff Reduction: Following an NBEMS notification on January 13, the qualifying percentile for NEET PG 2025-26 has been reduced to zero across all categories. This decision allows a new group of medical aspirants to participate in the upcoming Round-3 counselling.
• FMGE January 2026: Candidates appearing for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination tomorrow are tracking the NBEMS portal for last-minute advisories regarding biometric verification and shift timings.
• NRI Conversion: The MCC has activated a specific portal for Indian students wishing to convert their status to NRI for the third round of PG admissions, with a deadline of January 17.
• Security Deposit Refunds: New lists have been published on the MCC website for candidates from the previous MDS and Super Speciality rounds seeking refunds of their pending security deposits.

NBEMS Tentative Exam Calendar 2026

For those looking further ahead, the NBEMS has released a comprehensive tentative examination schedule for the first half of 2026. This calendar is a vital resource for medical aspirants as it allows them to synchronize their preparation for licensure and entrance tests with their clinical internships.

• FET 2025-26: The information bulletin for the Fellowship Entrance Test was officially made available on January 14, with the online application process commencing the same evening.
• NEET PG 2026 Speculation: While a firm date is yet to be announced, medical aspirants are anticipating a mid-year exam date, likely in July or August, depending on the completion of the current 2025 counselling cycle.

Tracking the MCC Counselling Workflow

The MCC continues to manage the All India Quota (AIQ) seats through a centralized online platform. With the Round-2 reporting period for several courses concluding this week, the committee is expected to upload the seat matrix for the next phase shortly.

• Round-3 Schedule: The committee has indicated that the full schedule for the third round of PG counselling, incorporating the newly eligible 0th percentile candidates, will be uploaded "very soon."
• State Coordination: Individual state counselling authorities are being advised by the MCC to pause their local rounds until the central AIQ Round-3 dates are finalized.
• Technical Support: The NBEMS and MCC have enhanced their communication web portals to handle the increased traffic from medical aspirants seeking clarifications on the revised marks and rankings.

Conclusion

In a year defined by shifting benchmarks and administrative revisions, the habit of tracking official notices from the MCC and NBEMS has become as crucial as academic preparation itself. The recent cutoff changes have breathed new life into the aspirations of many medical graduates, while the 2026 exam calendar provides a structured path for future specialists. As the MCC prepares to release the definitive Round-3 schedule and NBEMS concludes the January screening tests, medical aspirants must remain vigilant. By relying on verified information from these statutory bodies, students can ensure they meet every deadline and eligibility requirement in the final stages of the 2026 admission journey.