Top News

NEET UG 2026 Counselling: The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the NEET UG 2026 counselling schedule, under which counselling for MBBS and BDS admissions—covering both All India Quota and State Quota—is set to begin in August. Specifically, the first round of All India counselling will commence on August 4, while the first round of State Quota counselling will start on August 13. Alongside this, the registration process will begin, giving candidates the opportunity to fill in their college preferences—a crucial step in the entire counselling process. A single mistake during choice filling can result in a significant setback for candidates.

In this context, let us look at six precautions to observe while filling choices for NEET UG 2026. Understanding the best practices for choice filling can pave the way for a smoother admission process.

**Research Previous Year's Cut-offs**
Before participating in NEET UG counselling—specifically during the choice-filling stage—it is essential for candidates to review data from the previous year. Candidates should create a list of colleges where admissions were granted based on rank in the prior year. Proceeding with choice filling without such research can prove detrimental.

**Select as Many Colleges as Possible During Choice Filling**
Following registration for the NEET UG 2026 counselling process, candidates will have the opportunity to select colleges. Every candidate must make these selections during the choice-filling phase. Many candidates choose colleges based on personal preference and estimated rank, but these estimates often prove incorrect, sometimes resulting in the candidate failing to secure a seat. Therefore, it is vital to select the maximum number of colleges possible during choice filling. Candidates should also include colleges where admission might not be their primary preference, thereby broadening their options. If they do not secure their preferred college in the first round, they may become eligible for admission to these colleges in the second round.

**Prioritize colleges based on your rank**
Research based on the previous year's trends can prove helpful when prioritizing colleges during the choice-filling process. Naturally, all candidates aspire to secure admission to top medical colleges, leading to intense competition for seats in these institutions. It is essential for candidates to set their college priorities based on their NEET UG rank and informed research; doing so increases the likelihood of securing admission.

**Research college fees and infrastructure**
While filling in their choices during the NEET UG counseling process, candidates should thoroughly research the fees and infrastructure of the colleges they are considering. Candidates sometimes prioritize colleges—based on admission prospects or proximity to home—without realizing that the fees are high or the infrastructure is underdeveloped, which can ultimately work to their disadvantage.

**Understand the bond conditions**
It is crucial for candidates to understand the bond conditions during the choice-filling stage of the NEET UG counseling process. Every medical college has specific stipulations that form part of a bond agreement. Completing the choice-filling process without reading these bond conditions can lead to adverse consequences.

**Do not forget to lock your choices**
Locking choices on time is just as important as filling them out during NEET UG counseling. Many candidates wait until the last minute to lock their choices, only to encounter issues such as technical glitches, slow servers, or payment failures. Therefore, it is essential to lock choices well in time; failure to do so can prevent candidates from participating in the counseling process.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from TV9. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.