NEET PG 2026 Counselling: NBEMS revises first year fee rules for seat upgradation

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has revised the first-year course fee payment rules for candidates allotted postgraduate medical seats through NEET PG 2026 counselling. Under the revised procedure, candidates seeking seat upgradation in subsequent counselling rounds will not have to pay the first-year course fee while waiting for the outcome.

The clarification applies to candidates allotted NBEMS seats through the All India Quota counselling process conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). The change is intended to ease the financial burden on candidates who wish to explore better seat options before finalising their admission. 

What has changed in the fee rules?

The revised guidelines distinguish between candidates who want to retain their allotted seats and those who wish to participate in further rounds for possible upgradation.

Candidates selecting the ‘freeze’ option to retain their allotted seat must pay the first-year annual course fee directly to the NBEMS-accredited hospital where they have secured admission. They must also complete the prescribed reporting and joining formalities within the given deadline.

Candidates opting for ‘float’ can participate in subsequent counselling rounds for a possible upgrade without paying the first-year course fee in advance. If they receive an upgraded seat and decide to join the new institute, they must pay the applicable fee directly to that institution.

The revised procedure also clarifies that candidates retaining their allotted seats no longer need to deposit the first-year course fee into NBEMS accounts during counselling. 

NEET PG 2026 counselling: Important dates

According to the published MCC schedule, round 1 reporting and joining are scheduled from October 26 to November 2, 2026. The round 2 result is scheduled for November 14, followed by reporting and joining from November 16 to 23.

The round 3 result is scheduled for December 4, with reporting from December 5 to 12. The online stray vacancy round result is scheduled for December 24, and reporting will take place from December 24 to 31. Candidates should check the official MCC website for any schedule changes. 

NBEMS has clarified that the fee revision does not extend the prescribed reporting or joining deadlines. Candidates who do not receive an upgraded seat must join their existing allotment within the applicable window.

For candidates whose seats are upgraded, the training period will be counted from the date they report to and join the upgraded institution.