State Counselling for NEET UG 2026: Complete State Wise Admission Guide

State counselling for NEET UG 2026 is the admission process conducted by individual states for allocating 85% State Quota seats in medical and dental colleges. Every state has its own counselling authority, registration process, eligibility criteria, and admission schedule.

Deemed Universities do not participate in state counselling. Admissions to deemed universities are conducted separately through AIQ counselling by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).

Since every state releases its own counselling notification, candidates should regularly check the official counselling website of the state where they wish to apply for the latest updates, important dates, and admission guidelines.

Participating in state counselling for NEET UG gives eligible candidates access to medical and dental seats offered by their respective state. It also allows candidates to explore more admission opportunities in government and participating private colleges based on the state's counselling rules.

Some key benefits include:

• Access to 85% State Quota seats in government medical and dental colleges.
• Opportunity to apply for participating private medical and dental colleges.
• Eligibility for state reservation benefits, where applicable.
• Multiple counselling rounds, including Round 1, Round 2, Mop-Up, and Stray Vacancy rounds.
• A chance to participate in both AIQ counselling and state counselling, if eligible, increasing overall admission opportunities.

Participating in NEET counselling for State Quota ensures that candidates do not miss the opportunity to compete for seats available through their preferred state's counselling process.

The availability of state counselling for NEET UG 2026 depends on the admission rules followed by each state. Some states allow candidates from outside the state to apply for certain medical seats, while others give preference only to candidates who fulfil their domicile requirements.

1. Open States for NEET UG Counselling 2026

Open states are those where eligible candidates from other states may participate in counselling for specific seat categories, mainly in private medical colleges, management quota seats, or other permitted categories. The eligibility conditions and seat availability depend on the guidelines issued by the respective state counselling authority.

States that generally allow outside-state candidates from the beginning of counselling (Round 1) include:

Andhra Pradesh	Bihar	Tripura
Chhattisgarh	Haryana	Uttarakhand
Himachal Pradesh	Jharkhand	Uttar Pradesh
Karnataka	Kerala	West Bengal
Manipur	Puducherry	Sikkim
Tamil Nadu	Telangana	-

Some states allow outside candidates in specific later rounds or selected categories:

• Madhya Pradesh: Outside state candidates may get opportunities from 2 rounds as per counselling rules.
• Rajasthan: Eligibility for non-domicile candidates may be available in 3 rounds depending on seat availability.
• Maharashtra: Non-domicile candidates may be eligible for selected seat categories based on the admission rules and guidelines issued by the state counselling authority.

2. Closed States for NEET UG Counselling 2026

Closed states follow stricter eligibility rules where candidates generally need to fulfil the state's domicile or residency criteria to participate in counselling for specific State Quota and private college seats.

Candidates without the required domicile may not be eligible for these seats unless they fall under other permitted categories mentioned in the official counselling notification.

Major closed states include:

• Gujarat
• Odisha
• Punjab
• Jammu & Kashmir
• Maharashtra (Non-domicile candidates may be eligible for certain seat categories, such as Institutional Quota or other permitted categories, as per the latest state counselling guidelines)

The classification of open and closed states may vary based on yearly counselling policies. Before applying, candidates should check the latest notification released by the respective state counselling authority to confirm eligibility, seat categories, and domicile requirements.

Understanding the difference between Open State Counselling and Closed State Counselling helps candidates identify their eligibility and choose the right counselling process for NEET UG 2026 admission.

Feature	Open State Counselling	Closed State Counselling
Eligibility	Allows eligible candidates from other states to apply for certain seats.	Mainly restricted to candidates who meet the state's eligibility or domicile criteria.
Domicile Requirement	Generally not required for eligible private, management quota, or NRI quota seats.	Usually required for admission under 85% State Quota seats.
Seat Availability	Mostly applicable for private medical colleges, management quota, and NRI quota seats (as per state rules).	Mainly applicable for government medical and dental colleges under State Quota.
Admission Scope	Candidates can apply even without state domicile, depending on eligibility rules.	Admission preference is given to candidates belonging to that state.
Reservation Policy	State-specific reservation policies are followed as per the applicable admission rules.	Reservation and eligibility rules may vary based on the seat category and state guidelines.

Candidates should check the official counselling guidelines of each state before applying, as eligibility rules for Open State Counselling and Closed State Counselling may change every year.

Eligibility for state counselling for NEET UG 2026 may vary depending on the rules and guidelines of each state counselling authority. However, candidates generally need to fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• Must qualify NEET UG 2026 and meet the required qualifying percentile for their category.
• Must fulfil the eligibility conditions specified by the respective state counselling authority.
• Must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination with the required subjects.
• Must meet the age criteria prescribed for medical admissions.
• Must satisfy domicile or residency requirements, if applicable, for admission under 85% State Quota seats.

Candidates applying through Open State Counselling may be eligible without a domicile certificate for certain seats, while Closed State Counselling generally requires candidates to meet the state's domicile criteria. Candidates should always check the official notification of the respective state counselling authority before applying.

The state counselling for NEET UG 2026 usually begins after the release of the NEET UG result and follows the schedule announced by individual state counselling authorities. The exact dates may vary from state to state. Candidates should regularly check the official counselling portal of their preferred state for the latest updates.

Expected State Counselling Timeline for NEET UG 2026

Event	Expected Timeline
State Counselling Notification	After NEET UG 2026 Result
Online Registration	As per state counselling schedule
Choice Filling & Locking	After completion of registration
State Merit List Release	Before seat allotment
Round 1 Seat Allotment	As announced by the state authority
College Reporting	After seat allotment
Round 2 Counselling	After completion of Round 1
Mop-Up Round	If seats remain vacant
Stray Vacancy Round	Final round for vacant seats

Candidates should complete each step within the given deadline to avoid missing admission opportunities through NEET counselling for State Quota seats. They should regularly visit the official counselling portal of the state where they wish to apply for important updates and deadlines.

Candidates who want to participate in state counselling for NEET UG 2026 need to complete the online registration process through their respective state counselling portal. The process may vary slightly depending on the state's admission guidelines.

Step 1: Visit the Official State Counselling Website

Visit the official counselling portal of the state where you want to apply and check the latest counselling notification, eligibility criteria, and important dates.

Step 2: Complete Online Registration

Register using your details, including:

• NEET UG 2026 Roll Number
• Application Number
• Date of Birth
• Email ID
• Mobile Number

Verify all details carefully before submitting the registration form.

Step 3: Fill the Counselling Application Form

Enter the required information, such as:

• Personal details
• Academic details
• NEET UG details
• Category information
• Domicile details (if applicable)

Step 4: Upload Required Documents

Upload the required documents in the prescribed format and size as mentioned by the counselling authority.

Step 5: Pay the Counselling Registration Fee

Pay the applicable counselling fee through available online payment methods. The fee structure may differ from one state to another.

Step 6: Choice Filling and Locking

Select your preferred:

• Medical colleges
• Dental colleges
• Courses

Arrange your choices according to your preference and lock them before the deadline.

Step 7: Seat Allotment

The counselling authority releases the seat allotment result based on:

• NEET UG rank
• Category
• Reservation policy
• Seat availability
• Choices filled by candidates

Step 8: Document Verification

Candidates allotted a seat must complete the document verification process as per the schedule provided by the state counselling authority.

Step 9: Report to the Allotted College

After successful verification, candidates need to report to the allotted college within the given timeline to complete the admission process.

Following these steps helps candidates successfully complete the NEET counselling procedure for State Quota seats and secure admission through the state counselling process.

NEET UG 2026 State Quota Counselling is conducted by respective state authorities for admission to 85% State Quota seats in government medical and dental colleges, along with eligible private college seats. Candidates must register through their state's official counselling portal to complete the admission process.

State-Wise NEET UG 2026 Counselling Official Websites

State / UT	Official Counselling Website
AP NEET UG Counselling 2026	drntr.uhsap.in
Arunachal Pradesh NEET UG Counselling 2026	apdhte.nic.in
Assam NEET UG Counselling 2026	dme.assam.gov.in
Bihar NEET UG Counselling 2026	bceceboard.bihar.gov.in
Chandigarh NEET UG Counselling 2026	gmch.gov.in
Chhattisgarh NEET UG Counselling 2026	cgdme.admissions.nic.in
Goa NEET UG Counselling 2026	dte.goa.gov.in
Gujarat NEET UG Counselling 2026	medadmgujarat.org
Haryana NEET UG Counselling 2026	dmer.haryana.gov.in
Himachal Pradesh NEET UG Counselling 2026	amruhp.ac.in
Jammu & Kashmir NEET UG Counselling 2026	jkbopee.gov.in
Jharkhand NEET UG Counselling 2026	jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in
Karnataka NEET UG Counselling 2026	kea.kar.nic.in
Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026	cee.kerala.gov.in
MP NEET UG Counselling 2026	dme.mponline.gov.in
Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026	cetcell.mahacet.org
Manipur NEET UG Counselling 2026	manipurhealthdirectorate.mn.gov.in
Meghalaya NEET UG Counselling 2026	meghealth.gov.in
Mizoram NEET UG Counselling 2026	dhte.mizoram.gov.in
Nagaland NEET UG Counselling 2026	dtenagaland.org.in
Odisha NEET UG Counselling 2026	ojee.nic.in
Puducherry NEET UG Counselling 2026	centacpuducherry.in
Punjab NEET UG Counselling 2026	bfuhs.ac.in
Rajasthan NEET UG Counselling 2026	rajugneet2026.com
Sikkim NEET UG Counselling 2026	sikkimhrdd.org
Tamil Nadu NEET UG Counselling 2026	tnmedicalselection.net
Telangana NEET UG Counselling 2026	knruhs.telangana.gov.in
Tripura NEET UG Counselling 2026	dme.tripura.gov.in
UP NEET UG Counselling 2026	upneet.gov.in
Uttarakhand NEET UG Counselling 2026	hnbumu.ac.in
West Bengal NEET UG Counselling 2026	wbmcc.nic.in

Note: Candidates should check the latest official notification of their respective state counselling authority for updated dates, eligibility criteria, and registration details.

The NEET counselling fees for State Quota vary depending on the state counselling authority and the type of admission process. Candidates need to pay the required fee during the registration process to participate in NEET UG 2026 state counselling.

The counselling fee may differ based on:

• Candidate category (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, etc.)
• State counselling authority
• Foreign students
• Type of college or seat category
• Security deposit requirements (if applicable)

Some states charge only a registration fee, while others may require candidates to submit a refundable security deposit along with the counselling fee.

Candidates should check the official notification released by their respective state counselling authority for updated details regarding the fee amount, payment method, and refund rules.

Before registering for NEET UG counselling, candidates should keep all the required documents ready. The documents required for NEET state counselling may vary slightly between states, but the following documents are commonly required during registration and document verification.

Documents Required for State Counselling in NEET

NEET UG 2026 Admit Card	NEET UG 2026 Scorecard/Rank Card
Class 10 Mark Sheet and Passing Certificate	Class 12 Mark Sheet and Passing Certificate
Income Certificate (if applicable under state rules)	Valid Government-issued Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Driving Licence, or Voter ID)
Passport-size Photographs	Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS), if applicable
PwD Certificate (if applicable)	Domicile Certificate (if required)
Migration Certificate (if applicable)	Character Certificate (if required)

These are the commonly accepted documents required for NEET state counselling. Candidates should verify the final list from the official counselling authority of their chosen state before applying.

The requirement of a domicile certificate depends on the type of seat and the admission rules of the respective state. Each state follows its own guidelines for eligibility and document requirements during NEET UG counselling.

For 85% State Quota Seats

For admission under 85% State Quota seats, many states require a domicile certificate to confirm that the candidate meets the state's eligibility criteria. The rules related to domicile requirements may vary from one state to another.

For Private College Seats

For certain private medical college seats, management quota seats, or NRI quota seats, some states may allow candidates from other states without a domicile certificate, depending on their counselling guidelines and eligibility rules.

Since domicile requirements differ across states, candidates should carefully check the official counselling notification of their preferred state before applying for NEET UG State Counselling 2026.

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State counselling for NEET UG 2026 is an important step for candidates seeking admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other medical courses through State Quota and participating private colleges. Understanding the eligibility criteria, registration process, choice filling, seat allotment, documents required, and domicile rules can help candidates complete the counselling process smoothly.

Since every state follows its own counselling guidelines, candidates should carefully check the official notification of their preferred state before applying. Participating in both state counselling and AIQ counselling, if eligible, can provide more opportunities to secure a medical seat.

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