New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Saturday announced that NEET UG 2026 counselling for the All India Quota (AIQ) will begin on August 4, while the 2026-27 academic session for undergraduate medical courses will commence on September 8.

The NTA also released the counselling schedule for both All India Quota (AIQ) and State Quota admissions.

AIQ and State Quota Counselling Schedule Released

According to the schedule, the first round of All India Quota/Deemed and Central Universities counselling will be conducted from August 4 to August 17. The last date to join allotted colleges is August 22, followed by verification on August 23.

The first round of State Quota counselling will be held from August 13 to August 22, while verification of joined candidates will take place on August 29.

The second round of AIQ counselling is scheduled from August 24 to September 2, whereas the second round of State Quota counselling will be conducted between August 31 and September 8.

After the third round and stray vacancy rounds, the final date for joining under both AIQ and State Quota counselling will be October 10.

Medical Colleges Asked to Work on Holidays

In a circular issued to participating medical colleges, the NTA directed institutions to continue admission-related work even on Saturdays, Sundays and gazetted holidays to ensure the counselling process is completed within the stipulated timeline.

The agency also said that data of candidates who join through State Quota counselling will be shared with the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) to facilitate seat processing during the third round of counselling.

Background

The NTA had declared the NEET UG 2026 re-test results on July 16.

The counselling announcement comes after the Union government recently removed 47 NTA officials and announced legal and criminal action following protests over alleged irregularities in the cancelled NEET UG 2026 examination held on May 3.