NEET MDS 2026 counselling will be conducted in three rounds — Round 1, Round 2, and the Stray Vacancy Round — with Round 1 registration expected to open on July 15, 2026 at natboard.edu.in.
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) conducts NEET MDS 2026 counselling for seats in DNB MDS and FDS RCS programmes at NBE-accredited institutions. Students who have qualified NEET MDS 2026 must register, pay the counselling fee, and fill their specialty and institute preferences within each round’s window. The three-round structure ensures all available MDS seats are filled before the academic session begins.
- Round 1 registration is expected to open on July 15, 2026 at natboard.edu.in.
- Round 2 is expected to begin in the first week of August 2026.
- Stray Vacancy Round is expected in late August to early September 2026.
- Seat allotment results for each round are published on natboard.edu.in.
- Only NEET MDS 2026 qualified students with a valid rank card are eligible to register for counselling.
| Direct Link to NEET MDS 2026 Counselling Schedule (OUT) |
NEET MDS 2026 Counselling Important Dates
The table below lists the expected schedule for all three rounds of NEET MDS 2026 counselling. These dates are tentative and based on the official notification and previous-year trends. Students should check natboard.edu.in regularly for official confirmations.
| Counselling Event | Expected Dates (2026) |
|---|---|
| Round 1 Registration and Fee Payment | July 15 – July 22, 2026 |
| Round 1 Choice Filling and Locking | July 15 – July 23, 2026 |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment Result | July 26, 2026 |
| Round 1 Reporting to Allotted Institute | July 27 – August 2, 2026 |
| Round 2 Registration and Fee Payment | August 5 – August 11, 2026 |
| Round 2 Choice Filling and Locking | August 5 – August 12, 2026 |
| Round 2 Seat Allotment Result | August 15, 2026 |
| Round 2 Reporting to Allotted Institute | August 16 – August 22, 2026 |
| Stray Vacancy Round Registration | August 26 – August 28, 2026 |
| Stray Vacancy Round Seat Allotment | September 1, 2026 |
| Stray Vacancy Round Reporting | September 2 – September 7, 2026 |
NEET MDS 2026 Round 1 Counselling Schedule
Round 1 is the primary round of NEET MDS 2026 counselling, with registration expected to open on July 15, 2026. The majority of available MDS seats are filled in this round based on merit rank and the preferences submitted by students during the choice filling window.
Steps to complete Round 1 counselling:
- Visit natboard.edu.in and register using your NEET MDS 2026 roll number and date of birth.
- Pay the non-refundable counselling registration fee within the window.
- Fill in specialty and institute preferences in order of priority during the choice filling period.
- Lock your choices before the deadline — preferences are auto-locked at the window’s close if not done manually.
- Check the Round 1 seat allotment result on the expected date of July 26, 2026.
- Report to the allotted institute with all original documents between July 27 and August 2, 2026.
Students allotted a seat in Round 1 who do not report within the deadline forfeit their allotment. The vacated seat is then moved to Round 2.
NEET MDS 2026 Round 2 Counselling Schedule
Round 2 of NEET MDS 2026 counselling is expected to open on August 5, 2026, covering seats left vacant after Round 1 and seats surrendered by students who wish to upgrade. Both students who did not participate in Round 1 and Round 1 allottees seeking a better seat can register for Round 2.
| Round 2 Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Registration and Fee Payment Opens | August 5, 2026 |
| Registration Closes | August 11, 2026 |
| Choice Filling and Locking Deadline | August 12, 2026 |
| Seat Allotment Result | August 15, 2026 |
| Reporting to Allotted Institute | August 16 – August 22, 2026 |
If you receive a better allotment in Round 2, you must surrender your Round 1 seat before joining the newly allotted institute. Students who do not report to the allotted institute by August 22, 2026 automatically lose their Round 2 allotment.
NEET MDS 2026 Stray Vacancy Round
The Stray Vacancy Round fills any MDS seats left unfilled after both Round 1 and Round 2 are complete. Based on 2025 trends, this round is expected in the last week of August 2026, with seat allotment in early September. This is the final round of the NEET MDS 2026 counselling cycle — no further rounds are conducted after this.
- Registration is expected between August 26 and August 28, 2026.
- Seat allotment result is expected on September 1, 2026.
- Students allotted a seat must report by September 7, 2026 — no extensions are granted after the Stray Vacancy Round.
- Only students who have not joined any institute through Round 1 or Round 2 are eligible to participate.
- No upgrade option is available after the Stray Vacancy Round. Students who receive an allotment must join the seat immediately.
All dates for the Stray Vacancy Round are tentative and subject to official confirmation at natboard.edu.in.
Documents Required for NEET MDS 2026 Counselling
Students must carry the following original documents along with one set of self-attested photocopies when reporting to the allotted institute after each round of NEET MDS 2026 counselling.
| Document | Remarks |
|---|---|
| NEET MDS 2026 Rank Card / Scorecard | Downloaded from natboard.edu.in |
| NEET MDS 2026 Admit Card | Original copy used during the exam |
| BDS Degree / Provisional Certificate | Issued by the university |
| BDS Mark Sheets (all years) | Year-wise mark sheets from the university |
| Internship Completion Certificate | Signed by the Head of the Institution |
| MCI / DCI Registration Certificate | Valid registration as a dental practitioner |
| Category Certificate | SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS certificate, if applicable, issued by competent authority |
| PwD Certificate | If claiming PwD reservation |
| Photo ID Proof | Aadhaar card, passport, or driving licence |
| Passport-size Photographs | Recent, identical to those used in the application |
| Counselling Allotment Letter | Printed from natboard.edu.in after seat allotment |
NEET MDS 2026 Counselling Schedule FAQs
Ques. When does NEET MDS 2026 Round 1 counselling registration begin?
Ans. NEET MDS 2026 Round 1 counselling registration is expected to begin on July 15, 2026. Students must register at natboard.edu.in and pay the counselling fee within the registration window to participate.
Ques. How many rounds are there in NEET MDS 2026 counselling?
Ans. NEET MDS 2026 counselling is conducted in three rounds — Round 1, Round 2, and the Stray Vacancy Round. Each round fills seats left vacant from the previous one, with the Stray Vacancy Round being the final round.
Ques. Can I participate in Round 2 if I was already allotted a seat in Round 1?
Ans. Yes. Students allotted a seat in Round 1 can register for Round 2 to seek an upgrade to a preferred specialty or college. If a better seat is allotted in Round 2, the Round 1 seat must be surrendered before joining the new institute.
Ques. What happens if I do not report to the allotted institute by the deadline?
Ans. If you do not report within the specified reporting window, your seat allotment is automatically cancelled. The seat is then made available in the next round or the Stray Vacancy Round. No extension of the reporting deadline is granted.
Ques. Who is eligible for the NEET MDS 2026 Stray Vacancy Round?
Ans. Students who have not joined any institute through Round 1 or Round 2 are eligible for the Stray Vacancy Round. This is the final round of NEET MDS 2026 counselling, after which no further rounds are held in the current cycle.
Ques. Where can I find the official NEET MDS 2026 counselling schedule and seat allotment result?
Ans. The complete NEET MDS 2026 counselling schedule, registration links, and seat allotment results are published on the official NBEMS portal at natboard.edu.in. Students should check the website regularly for real-time updates.
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