Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda Reviews Preparedness for NEET UG Counselling 2026

Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda today reviewed the preparedness for the forthcoming NEET UG Counselling 2026, reaffirming the Government's commitment to ensuring a transparent, merit-based, technology-enabled and student-friendly admission process for undergraduate medical courses across the country. The review assessed the preparedness for counselling of All India Quota (AIQ) and other seats under the purview of the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

During the review, the Minister assessed the preparedness of the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and other stakeholders involved in the counselling process. He reviewed the counselling schedule, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity preparedness, grievance redressal mechanisms, candidate facilitation measures and coordination with participating institutions.

Shri Nadda emphasized that the counselling process must be conducted in a transparent, fair and merit-based manner while ensuring a seamless experience for students. He directed officials to maintain robust technical support, ensure prompt grievance redressal and facilitate the smooth functioning of the counselling portal throughout the admission process. He directed the officials to ensure that every proactive measure is taken to address candidates' concerns.

The Minister was informed that NEET UG Counselling 2026 introduces several major technology-enabled and student-centric reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, improving accessibility and simplifying the admission process.

One of the key reforms is the introduction of a one-time physical reporting framework, significantly reducing the need for repeated visits by candidates. Following seat allotment, candidates will be able to exercise their willingness online by selecting either the Freeze or Float option.

Candidates opting for the Freeze option will physically report to their allotted institute within the prescribed schedule to complete admission formalities, including verification of original documents and payment of the admission fee.

Candidates opting for the Float option for participating in subsequent rounds for upgradation will be able to complete admission formalities, including document verification, through the online mode within the stipulated timeline. During this period, they will not be required to physically report to the allotted institute, submit original documents or pay the admission fee. Their provisional admission will remain valid while participating in subsequent counselling rounds.

The upgradation facility will remain available up to the third round of counselling. After completion of the third round, candidates holding allotted seats will report physically to their respective institutions for verification of original documents, payment of admission fees and completion of institutional formalities.

The revised framework ensures one-time physical reporting, one-time verification of original documents and one-time payment of admission fees, thereby reducing unnecessary travel, simplifying admission procedures and providing greater convenience to students.

Another important reform introduced this year is the online resignation facility. Candidates wishing to resign from their allotted seat, wherever permitted under the applicable counselling rules and timelines, will now be able to submit their resignation through the MCC Counselling Portal without the need to physically visit the allotted institute, unless otherwise specified in the Information Bulletin or notified separately by MCC.

The review also highlighted several measures to strengthen transparency and operational efficiency, including pre-populated candidate data received from the National Testing Agency (NTA), online document verification, validation of the seat matrix by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and verification by participating institutes.

Special emphasis has been placed on improving accessibility for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). To facilitate greater accessibility, transparency and uniformity in assessment, the number of designated assessment centres has been expanded from 16 to 61 across the country.

In accordance with the National Medical Commission Guidelines dated 27 July 2026, the certificate issued by designated Medical Boards will now be known as the "Eligibility Certificate", reflecting its purpose of determining a candidate's eligibility for admission to the MBBS course based on functional assessment. The revised guidelines establish a transparent, uniform, evidence-based and competency-oriented framework for assessment of PwBD candidates while ensuring equal opportunity, academic standards, professional competence and patient safety.

The new guidelines also provide for an Appellate Disability Assessment Board, enabling eligible candidates to appeal against the assessment of the initial Disability Assessment Board in accordance with the provisions of the Information Bulletin.

Another significant reform is the complete digitisation of the admission process under the NRI category. Registration for NRI candidates will now be conducted entirely through the online counselling portal in accordance with the prescribed eligibility criteria. Candidates will upload all required documents online, replacing the earlier practice of submission through email. The uploaded documents will be verified online by designated Document Verification Officers, ensuring a transparent, efficient and time-bound verification process. MCC though its public notice issued on 27^th May, 2026 has already informed that the candidates applying under the NRI category will be required to submit evidentiary proof and relevant legal documents during the counselling process, in accordance with the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, establishing that the sponsor is the bona fide legal guardian of the candidate under the provisions of the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890.

Shri Nadda was also informed that cybersecurity preparedness has been comprehensively reviewed in coordination with the National Informatics Centre (NIC). Training programmes have been conducted for Disability Assessment Boards, college nodal officers and Document Verification Officers to ensure uniform implementation of the counselling process across the country.

To strengthen candidate support, a 24×7 toll-free call centre (1800-102-7637) has been established. Bilingual information material, frequently asked questions and guidance videos are also being made available through various platforms to assist candidates throughout the counselling process. A dedicated email-based grievance redressal mechanism (mcc2026[at]gov[dot]in) has also been established for prompt resolution of candidate queries.

The National Testing Agency declared the NEET (UG) 2026 results on 16 July 2026. The counselling process for All India Quota seats in MBBS, BDS and B.Sc. (Hons.) Nursing is expected to commence shortly.

Candidates have been advised to carefully read the Information Bulletin, counselling scheme and applicable rules before exercising options relating to seat acceptance, upgradation, resignation or disability assessment. They have also been advised to regularly visit the official MCC counselling portal and adhere to the notified counselling schedule throughout the admission process.

Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastva, Additional Secretary, Medical Education Smt. Vinod Kotwal, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Dr. Loveneesh G Krishna, Director General, National Informatics Centre Shri Priyank Bharti and other senior officials participated in the review meeting.

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HFW/HFM Reviews Preparedness for NEET UG Counselling 2026/29July2026/1