Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Wednesday reviewed the preparedness for the upcoming NEET UG Counselling 2026, directing officials to ensure a transparent, merit-based, technology-driven and student-friendly admission process for undergraduate medical courses across the country.
The review assessed the readiness of the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) for counselling of All India Quota (AIQ) and other seats under its purview. Nadda examined the counselling schedule, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity arrangements, grievance redressal mechanisms, candidate facilitation measures and coordination with participating institutions.
Emphasising that the counselling process must be seamless and fair, the Health Minister instructed officials to maintain robust technical support, ensure prompt resolution of grievances and keep the counselling portal functioning smoothly throughout the admission process.
“Ensure every proactive measure is taken to address candidates’ concerns,” Nadda said during the review.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said this year’s counselling introduces several technology-enabled and student-centric reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, improving accessibility and reducing procedural burden on students.
A major reform is the introduction of a one-time physical reporting system. Candidates who opt for the Freeze option after seat allotment will report physically only once to their allotted institution to complete admission formalities, including verification of original documents and payment of fees.
Candidates choosing the Float option to participate in subsequent rounds for seat upgradation will be able to complete document verification online without physically reporting to the allotted institute. Their provisional admission will remain valid while they participate in further counselling rounds. Physical reporting, document verification and fee payment will be required only after the third round if they retain an allotted seat.
The revised framework provides for one-time physical reporting, one-time verification of original documents and one-time payment of admission fees, significantly reducing unnecessary travel and simplifying the admission process.
Another key reform is the introduction of an online resignation facility, allowing eligible candidates to surrender their allotted seats through the MCC counselling portal without visiting the institute physically, subject to applicable counselling rules and timelines.
To strengthen transparency, the counselling system will use pre-populated candidate data received from the National Testing Agency (NTA), while seat matrices will be validated by the National Medical Commission (NMC). Document verification and seat validation will also be conducted through digital processes.
The Ministry has also expanded accessibility measures for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). The number of designated disability assessment centres has been increased from 16 to 61 across the country to improve access and ensure uniform assessment.
Under revised National Medical Commission guidelines issued on July 27, 2026, disability certificates issued by designated medical boards will now be known as Eligibility Certificates, reflecting their role in determining candidates’ eligibility for MBBS admissions based on functional assessment. An Appellate Disability Assessment Board has also been introduced to allow eligible candidates to appeal against disability assessments.
The government has also fully digitised the admission process for NRI candidates. Registration and submission of supporting documents will now take place entirely through the online counselling portal, replacing the earlier email-based system. Documents will be verified online by designated verification officers. The Ministry reiterated that applicants under the NRI category must submit documentary evidence establishing that their sponsor is their bona fide legal guardian, in accordance with Supreme Court directions and the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890.
The review also covered cybersecurity preparedness, with the Ministry stating that security measures have 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 nationwide.
To strengthen candidate support, the Ministry has established a 24×7 toll-free helpline (1800-102-7637), along with bilingual guidance material, frequently asked questions and instructional videos. A dedicated email-based grievance redressal system has also been created to assist candidates throughout the counselling process.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) declared the NEET (UG) 2026 results on July 16, and counselling for All India Quota MBBS, BDS and B.Sc. (Hons.) Nursing seats is expected to commence shortly.
The Ministry advised candidates to carefully read the Information Bulletin, counselling scheme and applicable rules before exercising options relating to seat acceptance, upgradation, resignation or disability assessment, and to regularly monitor the official MCC counselling portal for updates and schedules.
