State NEET PG Counselling Schedules Realigned After Multiple Seat Matrix Revisions

As of February 3, 2026, several state medical counselling authorities have announced a total realignment of their NEET PG schedules. This massive administrative adjustment follows the repeated revisions of the All India Quota seat matrix by the MCC. To prevent seat blocking and ensure legal compliance, states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana have pushed back their joining and mop-up dates. This synchronization is crucial for maintaining a fair merit-based distribution of postgraduate seats, allowing candidates to navigate between central and state allotments without the risk of double-occupancy or forfeiture of fees.

Reasons for the Global Schedule Realignment

• MCC Matrix Changes: The late addition of 70 seats in the central pool necessitated a realignment of state timelines to allow candidates to evaluate their choices properly.
• Legal Compliance: Authorities aim to ensure that no state-level allotment concludes before the central data sharing, avoiding technical overlaps that lead to litigation.
• Revised Percentile Impact: The significant reduction in the qualifying percentile has brought a new wave of applicants into the system, requiring more time for merit list preparation.
• Administrative Sync: States have been directed to treat all holidays as working days to ensure that the deadlines for the 2026 academic term are met without further delay.
• Seat Verification: The National Medical Commission’s requirement for college-level seat verification has also contributed to this temporary pause in the allotment process.

Updated Guidelines for Post-Revision Counselling

• Data Sharing Protocol: A key part of the realignment involves the MCC sharing the list of joined candidates with state DMEs to "weed out" ineligible students from the state pools.
• Fresh Choice Filling: Many states are now offering a window for applicants to update their college preferences in light of the new seats added to the national matrix.
• Strict Joining Deadlines: While registration dates have shifted, the final deadlines for reporting to allotted colleges remain tight to ensure the session starts by mid-February.
• Candidate Vigilance: Students are advised to check their respective state portals daily, as specific timings for merit lists and choice locking are now subject to rapid change.

State-Wise Counselling Adjustments (Feb 2026)

Conclusion

The widespread realignment of state counselling schedules today is a necessary response to the evolving nature of the 2025-26 medical admission cycle. While the shifting deadlines can be a source of stress for many applicants, they are essential for ensuring that every clinical seat is filled fairly and legally. By waiting for the central results to stabilize, state authorities are preventing a chaotic overlap that would otherwise disadvantage merit-listed students. This coordinated effort between the MCC and state bodies marks a commitment to a transparent and error-free allotment system. As the final major round of the season concludes, the focus will soon transition to the stray vacancy rounds to fill any remaining gaps in the healthcare training system. Further details on the data-sharing mechanism can be accessed via the MCC Official Notices.