NEET PG 2026: NBEMS issues fresh guidelines on joining deadlines, fees and seat upgradation

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has issued fresh instructions for candidates allotted postgraduate medical seats through the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2026 All India Quota (AIQ) counseling conducted by the Medical Counseling Committee (MCC).

The advisory outlines the procedures for reporting, joining, document verification, first-year course fee payment and commencement of training. It also specifies the responsibilities of NBEMS-accredited institutions and the conditions candidates must meet before beginning their postgraduate medical courses.

The instructions come as Karnataka continues to face vacancies in postgraduate medical admissions despite multiple rounds of counseling. According to the available information, 191 medical seats remained vacant in the state even after an extended or stray vacancy round conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA).

The vacancies have raised concerns about fee structures, the distribution of seats under different quotas and the role of admission agents in influencing candidates' choices. Meanwhile, NBEMS has emphasized compliance with reporting deadlines and admission requirements for candidates allotted seats under its accredited institutions.

NEET PG 2026: Hospitals must update joining status on MCC portal

Under the revised instructions, hospitals allotted postgraduate medical candidates must update their reporting and joining status on the Intra-MCC portal within the prescribed deadline.

Failure to record the status within the stipulated period could result in the allotted seat being treated as vacant and carried forward to the next round of counseling. Institutions must therefore ensure that candidates' admission details are recorded accurately and within the applicable timeline.

NBEMS-accredited hospitals are also required to verify candidates' original documents when they report for admission. The verification must establish that applicants meet the eligibility criteria specified in the NEET PG 2026 information bulletin.

Candidates admitted under reserved categories must produce valid certificates in accordance with the applicable guidelines. These categories include Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

The board has warned that institutions could face action if they knowingly or negligently accept false, fabricated, incorrect or deficient documents. The advisory provides for a monetary penalty of ₹1 lakh per candidate, wherever applicable.

The requirement places responsibility on both candidates and institutions to ensure that the documents submitted during admission are authentic, complete and consistent with the eligibility conditions.

NEET PG 2026: First-year course fee rules for Freeze and Float options

NBEMS has clarified the first-year annual course fee payment procedure under the revised MCC counseling system. The payment requirements depend on whether candidates choose to retain their allotted seats or seek upgradation in subsequent rounds.

Candidates who select the Freeze option indicate that they intend to retain their allotted seats and join the corresponding institution. Such candidates must pay the first-year annual course fee directly to the NBEMS-accredited hospital where they have received the allotment.

Candidates who choose the Float option to seek an upgraded seat in a subsequent counseling round are not required to pay the first-year course fee while awaiting the outcome of the upgradation process.

The fee must be paid directly to the institution where candidates ultimately decide to join after exercising the Freeze option.

NBEMS has specifically instructed participating institutions not to collect the first-year annual course fee from candidates who have selected Float. Hospitals must also ensure that the candidates' reporting and joining status is correctly reflected on the MCC portal.

The following table summarizes the fee requirements under the two options.

Candidates should carefully consider their counseling choices and follow the fee instructions applicable to their final allotment. Institutions must not demand payment from candidates who have opted for Float while they await the result of subsequent rounds.

What happens if a candidate receives an upgraded seat?

Candidates seeking an upgraded seat must follow the counseling procedures and deadlines prescribed by MCC. The date from which their training period is counted depends on the outcome of the upgradation process and the institution they ultimately join.

If a candidate receives an upgraded seat in a subsequent round, the training period will be counted from the date of reporting and joining at the upgraded institution.

However, candidates who do not receive an upgraded seat must report to and join the seat already allotted to them within the reporting window prescribed for the relevant counseling round. Their training period will then be counted from the date they join that institution.

NBEMS has clarified that it will not intervene in the counseling process conducted by MCC. Candidates must therefore follow the counseling authority's instructions and timelines when making decisions about their allotted seats.

The distinction is important for candidates who choose to wait for a possible upgrade. They must monitor the outcome of each round and ensure that they comply with the applicable joining requirements if their existing allotment remains unchanged.

No extension of joining deadline under general instructions

Candidates who decide to join their allotted seats without seeking upgradation must begin their NBEMS training within the reporting and joining window notified by MCC for the relevant counseling round.

The board has stated that the prescribed reporting or joining deadline will not be extended under the general joining instructions. Candidates must therefore complete the admission formalities within the specified period.

Applicants should check their allotment letters and the official counseling schedule to confirm their reporting dates. They should also ensure that they have the required original documents and other admission-related paperwork ready before visiting their allotted institutions.

MCC is conducting the counseling process through four major stages: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and the online stray vacancy round.

The reporting and joining schedule provided in the advisory is as follows.

Candidates should consult the official MCC schedule and their individual allotment letters before making travel or joining arrangements. Any subsequent changes must be verified through official notices rather than unofficial communications.

Employed candidates must submit NOC and relieving documents

Candidates who are employed or have a service bond with the Central or state government, the Railways, public sector undertakings (PSUs), the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) organization or another government body must obtain the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC).

The required documents must include the applicable approval for study leave or a relieving order from the candidate's parent organization. NBEMS has clarified that candidates cannot begin a course before being properly relieved from their existing organization.

Candidates who require additional time to obtain their relieving documents may report to their allotted institutions and complete document verification. They may also pay the first-year annual course fee while submitting a request for an extension.

However, an extension is not automatic. It may be granted for a maximum of 90 days from the date of seat allotment, subject to the prescribed conditions and submission of the required NOC or acknowledgment of a resignation letter.

The additional time is intended for candidates who need to complete the necessary formalities with their existing employers. They must still satisfy the conditions specified by NBEMS before commencing training.

DNB training can begin only after the candidate submits a relieving letter covering the entire duration of the training. Candidates should therefore ensure that their employment-related documents meet the board's requirements before starting the course.

Medical fitness mandatory for admission and training

Candidates allotted seats at NBEMS-accredited institutions must undergo a medical examination conducted by the medical board of the concerned hospital.

Only candidates declared medically fit will be permitted to join the course, according to the advisory. The requirement forms part of the admission process for candidates allotted postgraduate medical seats.

Institutions must also verify candidates' eligibility and authenticate the documents submitted during admission before permitting them to begin training.

Candidates should ensure that they meet the applicable eligibility conditions and provide all required documents within the reporting period. Failure to complete these requirements could affect their ability to join the allotted institution within the prescribed deadline.

NBEMS OPJR portal to remain inactive until counseling concludes

The Online Portal for Joining and Registration (OPJR) will remain inactive until all rounds of NEET PG 2026 counseling conducted by MCC have concluded.

According to NBEMS, the portal will subsequently allow candidates and hospitals to submit joining status and relevant documents to the board.

The agency has said that a separate, detailed notification will be issued regarding the portal's activation and the document submission process. Candidates and participating institutions should wait for that notification before relying on the portal for joining-related submissions.

Until then, candidates must continue to follow the reporting and admission instructions issued by MCC and NBEMS. Hospitals must also comply with the prescribed procedures for verifying documents and updating joining status on the relevant counseling portal.

The board's instructions cover the key stages of admission, from reporting and fee payment to document verification and commencement of training. Candidates must follow the requirements applicable to their individual circumstances, particularly if they seek an upgraded seat or need to obtain relieving documents from an employer.

Karnataka records 191 vacant medical seats despite extended counseling

While NBEMS has issued detailed joining instructions for postgraduate medical admissions, Karnataka continues to face a separate challenge involving unfilled medical seats.

Even after four extended rounds of counseling, 191 medical seats remained vacant in the state during the current academic year. The situation marks the first time in five years that medical seats have gone unfilled in Karnataka, according to the supplied report.

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) had decided to conduct an extended or stray vacancy round after 656 seats remained vacant following an unprecedented third round of seat allotment. However, the additional round did not fill all the available seats.

According to experts, the introduction of a 15% Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quota in government medical colleges was a major factor behind the vacancies in private colleges under the management quota.

The government introduced the NRI quota at government medical colleges to strengthen their financial position. The change also expanded the availability of seats under that category, creating a different fee structure for candidates choosing between government and private institutions.

An official of the Medical Education Department said, “The government introduced the NRI-quota at government colleges last year to strengthen them financially. This is one of the reasons why management quota seats have no takers this year,”

The official further explained how the quota had been expanded across government institutions.

“In the first year, the quota was only on the enhanced seats and this year, this has been extended to all government medical colleges,” the official said.

The remarks point to a possible link between the expansion of NRI quota seats in government colleges and the difficulty private institutions have faced in filling management quota seats.

Seven rounds of counseling leave 191 medical seats vacant

KEA Executive Director H Prasanna highlighted the unusual outcome of the admission process, noting that multiple rounds had not eliminated all medical vacancies.

“This year, a record seven rounds of counselling was held with no seats remaining in dental and 191 seats vacant in medical,” said H Prasanna, Executive Director, KEA.

The figures indicate that dental seats were filled while medical vacancies persisted. The state had conducted additional rounds to accommodate candidates and prevent seats from remaining unused, but the extended process still left 191 medical seats unfilled.

The remaining vacancies were reported in the management quota at private medical colleges. These institutions have been attempting to fill their seats through agents, while KEA officials have raised concerns about the advice some candidates receive when entering their choices.

The issue has drawn attention to the differences in fees between private management quota seats and NRI quota seats at government medical colleges.

Fee differences between government NRI quota and private management quota seats

Private medical colleges reportedly charge between ₹30 lakh and ₹45 lakh annually for a seat under the management quota. The fees are higher than those for NRI quota seats in government medical colleges, which cost ₹25 lakh per seat, according to the report.

The introduction of NRI quota seats in government colleges has therefore changed the options available to candidates comparing institutions and admission categories.

Experts believe that the price difference has contributed to the difficulty private colleges face in attracting candidates to management quota seats. The availability of government college seats under the NRI quota has given candidates another option at a lower reported annual fee.

KEA officials have also expressed concern that some candidates are missing opportunities because they rely on agents when selecting colleges.

An official of KEA said, “If students enter options according to their rank, they stand a chance of getting a seat. In the second extended round, a total of 180 students entered options, but only 20 got seats. The problem is, agents try to admit students only to colleges with which they are associated, with no regard to students’ interests,” said a KEA official.

The official's remarks suggest that candidates may not always be considering the full range of available institutions when entering their preferences. The concern is that agents may direct applicants toward colleges with which they have existing associations instead of advising them according to their ranks and admission prospects.

Candidates are therefore being encouraged to consider their rank and the available seat options when making choices. The outcome of the extended round, in which 180 students entered options but only 20 secured seats, has added to concerns about how applicants navigate the admission process.

Private medical colleges face financial pressure from unfilled seats

The vacant seats have also created financial challenges for private medical colleges. According to data available from KEA, some institutions are losing more than ₹10 crore annually because seats remain unfilled.

To reduce the financial impact, some colleges have reportedly begun offering lower fees for the next academic year. However, they cannot provide discounts for the current admission cycle because students must pay the prescribed fees through KEA.

An official of KEA said, “Since colleges cannot offer discounts this year as students have to pay the fees through the KEA, they are promising students reduced fees from next year,” said a KEA official.

The reported fee reductions are intended for the next academic year rather than the current one. Colleges are attempting to attract future applicants while dealing with the immediate financial consequences of unfilled management quota seats.

The issue has become more pressing as the number of available medical seats has increased, including through the expansion of seats at government institutions. Private colleges are competing for candidates in an environment where the available options and relative costs have changed.

A management representative of a private medical college in Bengaluru also described the additional seats as a challenge for institutions.

Speaking to DH, the management representative of a private medical college from Bengaluru said, “This year, there was no fee hike either. But there were more seats, adding to our ordeal, as seats were enhanced even at government colleges.”

The representative's comments indicate that the absence of a fee increase did not prevent financial pressure, as the number of seats rose across the state. The increase in available seats has added to the competition among institutions seeking to fill their approved intake.

Karnataka has 76 medical colleges and 15,745 seats

For the 2026-27 academic year, Karnataka has 76 medical colleges, including 25 government and 51 private institutions. Together, these colleges offer a total of 15,745 medical seats, making the state the leader in India in terms of medical seat availability, according to the report.

Of the 4,600 seats available across the 25 government medical colleges, 690 are under the NRI quota.

The distribution of institutions and seats is summarized below.

The state's large medical education network has increased the overall availability of seats, but the latest admission figures show that availability alone has not guaranteed that every seat will be filled.

The vacancies have been attributed in part to the fee differences between admission categories, the expansion of NRI quota seats at government institutions and concerns about the guidance candidates receive when selecting colleges.

All 191 vacant seats reportedly belong to the management quota at private medical colleges. These institutions have been attempting to fill the remaining seats through agents, while KEA officials have urged students to make choices based on their ranks and available options.

The financial implications are substantial for institutions that cannot fill their approved intake. Some colleges are reportedly losing more than ₹10 crore annually because of unfilled seats, prompting them to consider reduced fees for the following academic year.

KEA continues allotment efforts to prevent seats from going unused

The KEA continued its allotment process to reduce the number of vacant seats and prevent available medical education places from going unused.

According to the schedule, Monday was the final day for students to report to medical colleges. KEA continued allotting seats until 6 p.m. to prevent vacancies from persisting.

The extended counseling process followed an earlier round in which 656 seats remained vacant. Although additional rounds reduced the number of unfilled seats, 191 medical seats remained vacant after the extended process.

The state-level situation highlights the challenges of balancing seat availability, fee structures and candidate preferences. The expansion of seats at government institutions has increased competition, while private colleges continue to face difficulties filling management quota seats.

KEA officials have also raised concerns about candidates relying on agents who may not prioritize their interests when advising them about college choices. Students have been encouraged to enter options according to their ranks to improve their chances of securing available seats.

Meanwhile, NBEMS has emphasized the need for candidates allotted postgraduate medical seats to follow the applicable admission procedures, meet reporting deadlines and submit valid documents.

The national joining advisory and Karnataka's vacant-seat figures concern different parts of the postgraduate medical admission process. The former establishes requirements for candidates and accredited institutions, while the latter illustrates the continuing challenge of filling all available seats despite repeated counseling rounds.