For thousands of medical graduates vying for coveted postgraduate seats across India, today, November 2, 2026, marks a decisive milestone. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will close the Round 1 reporting and joining window tonight for candidates allotted seats under the 50% All India Quota (AIQ), Deemed Universities, Central Universities, and AFMS institutions.

Following the October 24 seat allotment result, aspirants were granted an eight-day window starting October 26 to formalise their admissions. Additionally, the Primary Assessment Board portal for PwBD candidates closes today at 6:00 PM, while the Appellate portal remains open until November 5.

Decoding Freeze, Float, and Reporting Guidelines

Your immediate course of action hinges entirely on the option exercised after Round 1 allotment. While uploading scanned certificates on the MCC portal is mandatory for everyone, verification protocols differ significantly:

  • Freeze Option: Candidates satisfied with their allotted seat must report physically to the institute today with original documents—including their MBBS degree, mark sheets, internship completion certificate, medical registration, NEET PG scorecard, and valid photo ID—to complete verification and remit tuition fees. Freezing renders you ineligible for Round 2 upgradation.

  • Float Option: Aspirants eyeing a better seat in Round 2 generally need not visit the allotted college physically, as institutes verify uploaded documents online. Notably, for NBEMS (DNB) seats, Float candidates are exempt from paying first-year course fees until they eventually freeze a seat.

  • Free Exit: Unsatisfied candidates who skip Round 1 admission retain full eligibility to participate afresh in Round 2.

MCC AIQ vs State Quota: Avoid Deadline Confusion

Aspirants must not conflate central and state counselling timelines. Today’s November 2 deadline applies strictly to MCC-conducted seats. Candidates allotted seats under State Quota Round 1 enjoy a comfortable buffer, with their joining window open until November 10, 2026. Likewise, State Quota Round 2 operates on an independent schedule from November 14 to November 23, allowing joining until November 30.

MCC Round 2 Revised Schedule: Key Dates

After participating institutes verify the tentative seat matrix on November 4 and 5, MCC will commence Round 2 for fresh registrants, Free Exit candidates, unallotted aspirants, and Round 1 Float holders:

  • Registration & Fee Payment: November 6 to November 11 (Registration closes at 12:00 Noon; fee payment ends at 3:00 PM).

  • Choice Filling: November 7 to November 12 (up to 10:00 AM).

  • Choice Locking: November 11 (4:00 PM) to November 12 (10:00 AM).

  • Seat Allotment Result: November 14, 2026.

  • Reporting and Joining: November 16 to November 23, 2026.

The Road Ahead for Aspirants

With the 2026–27 academic session commencing on November 20—followed by Round 3 from November 26 and the Stray Vacancy Round concluding on December 31—vigilance is paramount. Ensure all uploaded scans are crystal clear, as unresolved category or document discrepancies risk abrupt seat cancellation. Since portals strictly follow MCC server time, young doctors are advised to lock their Round 2 preferences well before the eleventh-hour rush and rely exclusively on official MCC (mcc.nic.in) and NBEMS (natboard.edu.in) websites for authentic updates.