Updated NEET PG 2026 Counseling Fee Guidelines

Changes in NEET PG 2026 Counseling Fee Structure

A notable update has been made for candidates who received a seat in the initial round of NEET PG 2026 counseling, organized by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has altered the payment rules concerning the first-year course fees for the 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats. According to the new guidelines, candidates who wish to upgrade their seats in later rounds are exempt from paying the first-year course fee while they await the upgrade.

On the other hand, candidates who decide to accept their assigned seat and secure admission without opting for an upgrade must pay the first-year fee directly to the respective NBEMS-accredited institution or hospital during the counseling process.

NEET PG 2026: Fee Payment Rules for 'Float' and 'Freeze' Options

Option | Fee Payment Rule

Float/Upgradation | No first-year fee payment is required while waiting for a seat upgrade in subsequent rounds.

Freeze | Candidates must pay the first-year fee to the respective accredited institution or hospital upon accepting the allotted seat and securing admission.

The NBEMS has directed all accredited hospitals and institutions to refrain from collecting the first-year course fee from candidates who select the 'float/upgradation' option. The fee collection should only occur once a candidate accepts their allotted seat and proceeds with admission.

NEET PG Round 1: Reporting Dates for Colleges

The MCC has released the seat allotment results for the first round of NEET PG 2026 counseling, with over 28,000 postgraduate medical seats allocated in this round.

Candidates who have been assigned a seat must report to their respective medical colleges between October 26 and November 2, 2026. It is crucial for candidates to thoroughly review their allotment letter and the documents and admission conditions outlined in the official MCC guidelines before reporting. If a candidate wishes to accept an allotted seat without opting for an upgrade, they must join the respective NBEMS-accredited institution within the reporting timeline specified by the MCC.

In the event that a candidate secures an upgraded seat in a later counseling round, their training period will commence from the date they join the new, upgraded seat. Therefore, candidates should carefully evaluate their preferences, the college they have been allotted, and their intentions regarding participation in further counseling rounds when deciding between the 'float' and 'freeze' options.

NBEMS OPJR Portal Status

The NBEMS has also announced that the Online Portal for Joining and Registration (OPJR) will remain closed until the completion of all rounds of the NEET PG 2026 counseling process. It will reopen once the counseling concludes, allowing candidates and the respective hospitals or institutions to submit joining details and necessary documentation. Detailed instructions regarding this process will be issued separately by the NBEMS.

Understand the rules for the 'float' and 'freeze' options before accepting an allotted seat.

If you choose to 'freeze' your seat, be prepared to deposit the first-year fees at the respective institution.

If you opt for the 'float' option, ensure you follow the official instructions regarding fee payment and the upgrade process.

Report to the allotted college within the designated reporting period—from October 26 to November 2, 2026.

Regularly check the official websites of the MCC and NBEMS for updates regarding the OPJR portal and requirements for joining-related documentation.