NEET Counseling Step-by-Step Guide

Hello NEET aspirants. Now that the result is out, the counseling is expected to begin soon. Even though the results have been controversial and the possibility of #ReNEET exists, we must stay prepared for the counseling. It does not matter if NTA has said that the 1500 students who recieved grace marks will have to retake the exam, the fight does not stop there. We have to keep fighting.

It has come to our notice that the state counselling processes have started, even in the middle of all the controversy. It is thus necessary to stay prepared.

In this article, you will get a thorough understanding of the NEET counseling process.

Understanding AIQ vs State Quota

Firstly, you need to understand that every medical college that registers for centralized counseling has to reserve 15% of its seats for All India Quota (AIQ). This means that students from all over the country can appear for counseling to claim these seats.

The other 85% seats are reserved for students who live in that state (have a domicile certificate for that state). 

Based on this, there are two separate counseling processes. One is for the AIQ seats and the other is for the state quota seats.

You can choose to appear for AIQ counseling if you want a college from another state than your residential state. If you wish to get a college within your residential state, you can opt for state counseling..

You can appear for both too, there is no compulsion to only appear for one. The only rule is that you cannot take admission in the college allotted in both state and AIQ counseling seats.

How to Register for NEET Counseling

Step 1: Go to the Official Counseling Website

To begin, visit the official Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) website for All India Quota (AIQ) counseling. You can visit the respective state counseling authority’s website for state quota counseling. Each state has a different counseling body.

Step 2: New Registration

When you reach the website, you have to click on the “New Registration” link. You will need to enter your NEET roll number, application number, name, date of birth, and other details that are needed. 

Step 3: Generate Login Credentials

When you put in your details, you will be able to generate a login number and password. Write down and remember these login details. These credentials will be used for all future logins.

You will have separate login details for state counseling if you choose to appear for them.

Step 4: Fill Personal and Academic Details

Now that you have created a registration, you will have to fill in all the other details. You will get some time to complete this registration form.

The following documents will have to be submitted:

1. NEET UG Admit Card  
2. NEET Score Card  
3. Birth Certificate
4. Domicile Certificate of State for state quota
5. Caste Certificate if applying for reservation
6. Fee Receipt that has been paid online during registration for counseling
7. Provisional Seat Allotment Letter received online
8. Class 10 Marksheet and Passing Certificate  
9. Class 12 Marksheet and Passing Certificate  
10. AADHAR Card for proof of address  
11. Migration Certificate (if applicable)
12. Proof of Family Income  
13. A copy of the parents’ PAN Card  
14. Non-Creamy Layer Certificate (if applicable)  
15. Recent passport-sized photographs of the candidate 
16. Medical Fitness Certificate 
17. Transfer Certificate from the most recently attended school or college
18. Character Certificate from the most recently attended school or college
19. Gap Certificate (if applicable)

Step 5: Verify Information

Double-check all the entered details. If you mess up some critical information piece, you will face a lot of problems in the counseling process and document verification later.

Step 6: Submit and Print Confirmation

Submit the registration form. A confirmation page will pop up. Print the confirmation page and also save a soft copy for future reference. This will complete your registration and bring you to the next step.

How to Fill and Lock Your Choices in NEET Counseling

Step 1: Login to Your Account

Using your login credentials (the one that I asked you to write down). Log in to your account on the counseling portal. 

Step 2: Choice Filling

The choice filling section can be seen. You will have to create a list of all the colleges that you would like to take admission in. Arrange them according to your priority and look for the college code as well.

Make a list of only the colleges that you can actually go to, do not just copy paste someone else’s list. You can add as many colleges as you want, even as many as 100. But, it is advised to conduct thorough research before making the list.

Step 3: Arrange Preferences

Make sure to prioritize the colleges and put them in order of your preference. This is an important step. The one on the top will be considered as your first preference. If seats are available and your rank fits the college’s cutoff, you will get admission into that college. 

If not, your second preference (the second college in your preference list) will be considered. This process goes on down your list until you fit into a college’s expectations.

Step 4: Lock Your Choices

Once you are satisfied with your choices, lock them. You won’t be able to make changes once choices are locked. So, be careful.

Step 5: Print Your Choices

After locking your choices, save the page and get it printed.

How to Pay the NEET Counseling Fee

Step 1: Fee Payment Link

Now, proceed to the fee payment section. You will have to pay a registration fee which is not refundable. 

Also, you will have to pay admission fee which is refundable if: 

• you do not get allotted a seat, 
• or if you take free exit (that is, you do not take admission in the first round in AIQ or in some other states), 
• or you have successfully taken admission into a college.

It is not refundable if you exit counseling after the free-exit round. 

Step 2: Select Payment Mode

You can pay using debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI. You will receive the refund in this same bank account.

Step 3: Fee Structure

The fee varies depending on the category and type of quota. For example, the AIQ counseling fee is different from the state quota counseling fee. 

Step 4: Complete the Payment

Enter the required payment details and make sure that the transaction has been processed.

Step 5: Print Fee Receipt

Make sure that you keep every receipt and form with you. Once the payment is successful, print the fee receipt. You will need it later.

What to Expect During NEET Counseling

Step 1: Seat Allotment

Based on your NEET rank, choices filled, and reservation criteria, the counseling authority will create the first round allotment list. It will be posted online on the MCC website for AIQ and respective state website.

Step 2: Provisional Allotment Letter

If you are allotted a seat, you will be able to download the provisional allotment letter from the website. This letter is important for the next steps.

Step 3: Reporting to the Allotted College

You will be given dates for reporting to the allotted college. Carry all the necessary documents, including the provisional allotment letter, fee receipt, NEET scorecard, admit card, and other relevant certificates. 

• If you wish to take admission into the college, report, undergo document verification and fill the retention form.
• You will have to report to the college even if you want to go ahead with the second round of counseling. Just make sure that you do not fill the retention form.
• If you wish to exit counseling, do not report to college.

Step 4: Document Verification

At the college, undergo document verification. Ensure you have both the originals and copies of all required documents. You will have to submit the original documents while taking admission. 

If you retain the college, you will get back the documents after completing the bond that comes with MBBS. If you choose to go ahead for the second round of counseling then you will have to go back to the college, collect your documents and then submit them to the next college allotted. 

You will have to continue this process until you choose to retain a college or the counseling rounds are over.

Step 5: Admission Fee Payment

Again, similar to the documents, you will have to pay the fees in every college that you get allotted. If you choose to go ahead with a college allotted in a further round, you will have to collect your payment from the previous college.

The amount and payment mode might be different for every college. Government medical college fees are significantly lower than private medical colleges.

Step 6: Confirmation of Admission

After completing the above steps, your admission will be confirmed. You will get an admission receipt from the college. You can ask for ‘Retention’ in case you want to withdraw from counseling and fix your admission in the college. 

In AIQ, you will have to fill your choices again for the second round. If you fail to do so, you will automatically be exited from the counseling process. The rules in state wise counseling are different, your choice filling from the first round is carried forward for all the rounds.

Step 7: Mop-Up Round

If you were not allotted a seat in the initial rounds you can participate in the mop-up round. This round helps fill any remaining vacant seats. 

The rounds will take place in this format:

• AIQ Round 1
• State Round 1
• AIQ round 2
• State Round 2 and so on.

You can participate in as many rounds as you want until you get your desired college. 

This was an overview of the entire process. I have broken down each step in detail and also addressed every doubt in the counseling process. A lot of students get confused between the AIQ and State counseling processes. There is also a lot of confusion in the mop up and stray vacancy rounds. 

I have broken down the entire process of counseling in other articles.

Read up everything before you appear for the counseling. It is not a simple process.

All the best guys, wishing the best for you.