State-Wise NEET Counselling Authorities & Websites 2026: Official Portals, Domicile Rules, and Registration Timelines
·Admission Guardian Editorial Team
Last updated: May 30, 2026
State-Wise NEET Counselling Authorities & Websites 2026: Official Portals, Domicile Rules, and Registration Timelines
TL;DR: Indian government MBBS seats split into 15% AIQ (administered centrally by MCC at mcc.nic.in) and 85% State Quota (administered by each state's designated counselling authority). NEET candidates must register separately on both MCC and the relevant state portal — MCC registration does NOT cover state quota seats. The fifteen major state authorities listed in this guide each operate distinct portals (upneet.gov.in · cetcell.mahacet.org · cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea · cee.kerala.gov.in · bceceboard.bihar.gov.in · wbmcc.nic.in · tnmedicalselection.net · medadmgujarat.org · dme.mponline.gov.in · and others), with domicile rules ranging from "Class 10-12 schooling in state" (UP, Delhi) to "7-year continuous residence" (Karnataka) to "Keralite community certificate" (Kerala). The "open states" vs "closed states" distinction at private medical colleges determines whether non-domicile candidates can access State Quota private seats in later rounds. Re-NEET 2026 on 21 June shifts state registrations to August 2026.
If you are a NEET 2026 aspirant working with parents asking the same three questions in a loop — "Which website do we register on?" "Do we need a domicile certificate?" "Can our child apply to private colleges in other states?" — this guide is the single reference that closes those questions. Every state operates its own counselling board with its own portal, fee structure, domicile test, and round-wise rules. The MCC portal at mcc.nic.in does not cover the 85% state quota at any state government college. A candidate registered only on MCC cannot access their home state's MBBS seats. Before reading the state-by-state directory, plug your projected NEET 2026 score and home-state status into the to check your admission chances → so you know which state portals are worth registering on for your AIR band once the Re-NEET result lands.
This guide is written for NEET UG 2026 aspirants and families navigating multiple state counselling portals, candidates targeting cross-state private medical college options through "open state" pathways, and anyone confused by the MCC-versus-state-board boundary. It walks through the AIQ-vs-state-quota seat division refresher, the structural reason state portal registration is mandatory and non-negotiable, the comprehensive directory of 15 major state counselling authorities with verified official portal URLs and a summary domicile-rule for each, the open-vs-closed-state framework for private medical college access (which states let non-domicile candidates apply for management quota in Round 2 or Mop-Up; which states slam the door shut even on private seats), the security deposit structures by state with the exact forfeiture rules (UP ₹2L, Karnataka ₹1L, Maharashtra ₹1L, Gujarat ₹50,000), historical 2024 and 2025 closing AIRs at premier state government colleges for benchmark calibration, the phishing-portal warning that competitor coverage routinely omits (every counselling season produces fake domains like upneetgov.org or kea-karnataka.in that steal candidate data and solicit fraudulent booking fees), the document checklist that every state board accepts, and the Re-NEET 2026 timeline that compresses state registrations into August.
Key takeaways
MCC ≠ state counselling. MCC at mcc.nic.in covers 15% AIQ + 100% central and deemed institutions. 85% state quota requires separate registration on each state's portal.
Fifteen major state authorities operate distinct portals: UP (DGME at upneet.gov.in), Maharashtra (CET Cell at cetcell.mahacet.org), Karnataka (KEA), Kerala (CEE), Bihar (BCECEB), West Bengal (WBMCC), Tamil Nadu (DME), Rajasthan, Gujarat (ACPUGMEC), Madhya Pradesh (DME MP), Delhi (MCC for Delhi quota), Andhra Pradesh (Dr. YSRUHS), Telangana (KNRUHS), Punjab (BFUHS), Haryana (DMER).
Domicile rules vary structurally by state. UP requires Class 10-12 schooling in state or domicile certificate. Maharashtra requires SSC + HSC in state PLUS domicile certificate. Karnataka requires 7-year continuous schooling. Kerala uses the Keralite / NK I / NK II framework. Delhi uses Class 11-12 schooling only.
Open vs Closed States: "Open" states (UP, Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar, West Bengal, Haryana) admit non-domicile candidates to private medical colleges through state counselling. "Closed" states (Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP, Rajasthan, Punjab) restrict private medical seats to domiciles or open them only in Round 2 / Mop-Up if vacant.
Security deposits range from ₹50,000 (Gujarat) to ₹2,00,000 (UP private, Bihar private) depending on state and seat type.
Phishing domains target candidates every counselling season. Stick to .gov.in / .nic.in / state-verified official domains. Avoid any site asking for "booking fees" outside the official portal.
Re-NEET 2026 on 21 June 2026 shifts state counselling registrations to late July through August 2026 across the board.
What "state-wise NEET counselling authorities" actually means
State-wise NEET counselling authorities are the state government bodies (typically the Directorate of Medical Education, the State Common Entrance Test Cell, a state Examinations Authority, or a state-recognised counselling board) legally designated to administer the 85% State Quota MBBS/BDS admission process for medical colleges within their state. Each authority operates a dedicated online registration portal, publishes the state's medical seat matrix, conducts choice filling and round-wise allotment, and runs document verification independently of the central MCC.
Three clarifications before the directory:
Registration is per-state, not nationwide. MCC handles the central pool; each state handles its state pool. A candidate seeking seats in two states' state quota (rare but possible for cross-domicile candidates) registers on both state portals separately.
Authority names and portals can change. Indian state administrative bodies occasionally rename, restructure, or move their portals. Always verify the current URL through the NMC seat-register listing or the official MCC directory before paying any registration fee.
Cross-state private college access depends on "open" status. A non-domicile candidate cannot access another state's government MBBS seats through that state's 85% quota — but in "open" states, they CAN access private medical college seats through state counselling, typically in later rounds or under management quota.
Why state portal registration is non-negotiable
The single most common candidate error in NEET medical counselling is assuming that MCC registration covers state seats. It does not. The MCC and state boards run parallel tracks with separate registration windows, fees, choice forms, and merit lists.
As articulated in standard state board guidelines:
"Under no circumstances will a candidate be allotted a state quota seat without registration on the official state counselling portal. Ranks allotted through the MCC are purely for All India Quota, Central Institutions, and Deemed Universities. State merit lists are calculated independently based on state registrations." — paraphrased from typical State DME guidelines.
The practical consequence: a Bihar-domicile candidate at AIR 12,000 who registers only on MCC and skips BCECEB will get an AIQ government college somewhere in India, but cannot access PMCH, IGIMS, or any Bihar government medical college through state quota. The candidate's home state seats are simply closed to them due to the missed registration.
The fix is straightforward and inexpensive: register on both MCC and your home state portal within the respective registration windows. The combined upfront cost typically ranges ₹3,000-₹13,500 (depending on state) plus the refundable deposits.
The state counselling directory 2026
The comprehensive map of state-level authorities and their official portals. All URLs verified as live and operational as of May 2026.
Native of Tamil Nadu (Class 6-12 in TN OR parent native).
Reading the directory correctly
Always click through to the .gov.in or .nic.in domain. Cross-verify the URL against the NMC seat-register listing and the MCC official directory before paying any registration fee or uploading documents.
Domicile rule summaries above are condensed. Each state has additional sub-categories (e.g., Bihar's Government Employee child, MP's 5% GS quota, Rajasthan's three URA/URB/Government Employee tiers, Kerala's communal categories) that affect specific candidate scenarios. Read the state's information bulletin in full before registration.
Portal URLs sometimes rotate. Rajasthan, for instance, has used different domains across years (rajneetug2024.org, rajneetug2025.org, rajneetug2026.org). Always use the current year's domain.
The open-versus-closed-state framework
A structural detail that determines whether a non-domicile candidate has any path into a state's private medical colleges. The classification cuts across the directory above.
Open states for private medical colleges
These states allow non-domicile candidates to register for State Quota private medical college seats (typically the State Quota subsidised tier or the Management Quota tier) through the state's central counselling portal:
Uttar Pradesh: Private medical college seats open to non-domiciles through DGME's UPNEET registration.
Karnataka: Private medical college seats open to non-domiciles through KEA counselling under "Government Quota / Open" and Management seats.
Kerala: Private SFI seats accessible to NK II (non-Keralite) candidates via the Management Quota / NRI Quota route.
Bihar: Private medical college seats (Katihar, Narayan Sasaram, Lord Buddha Koshi, Madhubani, etc.) open to non-domiciles through BCECEB UGMAC registration.
West Bengal: Private medical college State Quota and Management seats open to non-domicile candidates through WBMCC.
Tamil Nadu: Private medical college Management Quota open to non-domiciles through the TN Selection Committee.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: Private Category B seats open to non-domiciles through Dr. YSRUHS and KNRUHS respectively.
Haryana: Private medical college seats open to non-domiciles through DMER.
For a non-domicile candidate from a "closed" home state who has the financial means for a private MBBS, the open-state route is a meaningful alternative — a Gujarat-domicile candidate (closed state) at AIR 1,50,000 General can pursue a Bihar private college (Katihar or Narayan Sasaram) or a Karnataka private college through the respective state's open counselling.
Closed states for private medical colleges
These states restrict private medical college access to home-state domiciles, or open the private seats only in later rounds if seats remain vacant:
Maharashtra: Closed for general private seats. The 15% "Institutional Quota" at private medical colleges is open to non-domiciles, but at materially higher fees than the state quota tier (typically 3-5x the standard state quota fee).
Gujarat: Fully closed. ACPUGMEC restricts both state quota and private medical college counselling to Gujarat-domicile candidates only.
Madhya Pradesh: Technically closed in Round 1. Non-domicile candidates can register but are considered only in Round 2 or Mop-Up rounds if vacancies remain after domicile-eligible candidates clear.
Rajasthan: Similar Round 2 / Mop-Up restriction. Non-domiciles can apply for Management Quota seats at private medical colleges starting from Round 2, typically with restricted seat availability.
Punjab: Fully closed. BFUHS counselling restricted to Punjab domiciles.
Practical implications for cross-state planning
For families considering cross-state private MBBS options:
Best open-state options (in order of accessibility and fee economics): Karnataka (Bangalore, Mangalore deemed-tier colleges; ₹10.9L-₹22L/yr), West Bengal (KPC Jadavpur, IQ City, ICARE; ₹18L-₹22L/yr), Uttar Pradesh (₹11.5L-₹16.5L/yr), Bihar (₹12L-₹18.5L/yr).
Restricted Round 2 open-states: Madhya Pradesh (try L.N. Bhopal, Chirayu, Index Indore from Round 2), Rajasthan (Geetanjali Udaipur, MGMC Jaipur, NIMS Jaipur from Round 2 MQ).
Closed states (skip if not a domicile): Maharashtra general, Gujarat, Punjab.
Security deposit benchmarks by state
The financial commitment to participate in state counselling varies dramatically across the country. Most coverage understates the deposit requirements.
Table 2: State counselling security deposit benchmarks
State
State Classification
Typical Private MBBS Tuition
Security Deposit Requirement
Karnataka
Open
₹10.9L/yr - ₹22.0L/yr
₹1,00,000 (Management)
Uttar Pradesh
Open
₹11.5L/yr - ₹16.5L/yr
₹2,00,000 refundable (private choices)
Kerala
Open
₹6.8L/yr - ₹8.5L/yr (FRCMC)
₹50,000 option registration for private choices
Bihar
Open
₹12.0L/yr - ₹18.5L/yr
₹2,00,000 (BCECEB private choices)
West Bengal
Open
₹18.0L/yr - ₹22.0L/yr
₹1,00,000
Maharashtra
Closed (Institutional Open)
₹8.0L/yr - ₹16.0L/yr
₹1,00,000
Gujarat
Closed
₹8.5L/yr - ₹18.0L/yr
₹50,000 (private choice)
Madhya Pradesh
Restricted Open
₹8.3L/yr - ₹15.7L/yr
₹1,00,000 (DME MP private)
Rajasthan
Restricted Open
₹15.0L/yr - ₹26.75L/yr
₹10,00,000 (private choice)
Tamil Nadu
Open
₹10.0L/yr - ₹15.0L/yr
Variable (₹50K-₹1L)
The highest deposit in Indian state counselling is Rajasthan's ₹10,00,000 for any candidate listing private medical colleges in the choice form — designed explicitly to discipline applications and prevent non-serious bidders. The lowest are Gujarat (₹50,000) and Tamil Nadu (variable ₹50K-₹1L) depending on the year.
Forfeiture rules
In general:
Deposit is forfeited if a candidate is allotted a seat in Round 2 or later rounds and fails to join.
Deposit is refunded if the candidate joins the allotted seat (typically adjusted against first-year tuition fee) OR if no seat is allotted across all rounds.
Some states (UP, Bihar, Maharashtra) apply additional forfeiture penalties for late withdrawal or seat-blocking attempts.
NEET · Free Tool
Predict Your NEET College
Enter your rank — instantly see which colleges you can get into with real admission probability scores.
The phishing portal warning: a real fraud pattern
Every NEET counselling season produces a wave of phishing domains mimicking official state portals. The fraud pattern is consistent:
A fraudulent domain (typically a .org, .in, or .com rather than .gov.in / .nic.in) is set up with a name resembling the official state portal.
Common impersonations: upneetgov.org, up-neet.org.in, kea-karnataka.in, keralacee-counselling.org, bcece-bihar.com, mcc-counselling.in, and similar variants.
The phishing site solicits "registration fees", "booking fees", "priority slot fees", or "advance seat blocking deposits" via UPI, bank transfer, or credit card.
Candidate documents (Aadhaar, NEET scorecard, mark sheets) uploaded to the phishing site are stolen for downstream fraud (loan scams, identity theft).
How to identify a legitimate portal
Domain extension: Must be .gov.in or .nic.in (Indian government domain extensions). State examinations authorities sometimes use sub-domains under .gov.in (e.g., cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea, dme.mponline.gov.in). NMC-listed deemed institutions may use their official institutional domains.
SSL certificate: Legitimate government portals carry valid SSL certificates issued to the state government. Check the certificate authority — fraud sites often use Let's Encrypt or self-signed certs.
Cross-reference: Verify the URL against the NMC official seat-register listing at nmc.org.in or the MCC official notifications.
Never pay via Personal UPI / Direct Bank Transfer. Official state counselling payment gateways are integrated with major payment processors (SBI ePay, HDFC payment gateway, MP Online, Karnataka KEA portal). They never request payment to a personal UPI ID or a private bank account.
No "booking fee" outside the portal. Legitimate state counselling charges registration and security deposit through the portal only. Any request for an additional "advance booking" or "priority slot" payment is fraudulent.
Reporting fraud
If you encounter a suspected phishing site:
Stop all communication with the site and any associated phone numbers / WhatsApp accounts.
Per the National Testing Agency, NEET UG 2026 is a 180-question paper across Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, scored at +4 correct, -1 incorrect, 0 unattempted, out of 720. The Re-NEET on 21 June 2026 follows the identical pattern and syllabus as the cancelled 3 May 2026 exam, with no re-registration and no extra fee.
The Re-NEET 2026 counselling timeline
The compressed cycle:
Re-NEET 2026 exam:21 June 2026.
NEET 2026 result declaration: Mid to late July 2026 (NTA tentative).
MCC Round 1 registration: Late July 2026 at mcc.nic.in.
State board registration windows: Late July through August 2026 across all major states.
State Round 1 allotments: Mid-August through early September 2026.
MCC Round 1 allotment: Mid-August 2026.
Round 2 cycles (both MCC and state): September 2026.
Mop-Up and Stray Vacancy: October to early November 2026.
Academic session commences: Late November to early December 2026.
Three operational consequences:
Document refresh in early July. Domicile certificate, category certificate (OBC-NCL / EWS dated after 1 April 2026), school location certificate (Delhi), PRC (Bihar), nativity certificate (Kerala), Bonafide Resident (Rajasthan), all need turnaround before the state registration window opens.
Multiple registration fees and deposits to budget. A dual MCC + home state registration UR candidate needs ₹11,000 (MCC) + state registration (varies: ₹1,200 Bihar, ₹2,500 Delhi/IPU, ₹2,000 WBMCC, ₹1,500 BCECEB) + state deposit (₹10,000 to ₹2,00,000) = anywhere from ₹15,000 to ₹3,15,000 total upfront.
Calendar overlap. MCC and state Round 1 allotments land within 2-3 weeks of each other in August. A candidate registered on both must track both portals daily during the August allotment window.
Historical NEET cutoffs: 2024 and 2025 state benchmarks
The reference data that anchors expectations for NEET 2026. AIRs below are General-category Round 1 or final closing under the 85% State Quota at premier state government colleges.
Table 3: 2024 and 2025 General-category closing AIRs at state premier government medical colleges
A few patterns to pull out. KEM Mumbai is the tightest state government MBBS in India (closing under AIR 2,000 consistently). SMS Jaipur and KGMU Lucknow defend the 2,000-3,000 General band across difficulty cycles. The 2024-to-2025 loosening averaged ~15% across most state premier colleges due to the tougher 2025 paper compressing the candidate pool downward. For 2026, expect closing AIRs to track the 2024-2025 band as the calibration anchor.
Document checklist for state counselling registration
A comprehensive list that applies broadly across state portals (with minor state-specific additions):
NEET UG 2026 scorecard showing All India Rank and percentile.
NEET UG 2026 admit card (as issued for the 21 June 2026 exam).
Class 10 mark sheet and passing certificate (Date of Birth proof).
Class 12 mark sheet and passing certificate (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English marks).
Domicile certificate from competent state authority (specific to each state's format).
Category certificate (SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS) — central format for MCC, state format for state quota. Both must be dated after 1 April 2026.
Sub-category certificate if applicable (PwD with UDID, CW for Defence wards, Freedom Fighter, ESIC IP, etc.).
Character certificate and migration certificate from the last attended school.
Identity proof: Aadhaar Card (preferred), PAN Card, Passport, or Voter ID.
Passport-sized photographs (minimum 8 copies) matching the photo uploaded on the NEET 2026 application form.
State-specific additional documents may include: school location certificate (Delhi), Bonafide Resident certificate (Rajasthan), Keralite nativity certificate + community certificate + non-creamy-layer income (Kerala), AWES Appendix A/B for ACMS (Delhi Army wards), PRC from Circle Officer (Bihar), and so on.
Choice-filling strategy across multiple state portals
For candidates considering registration on more than one state portal:
Identify home state portal first. Register on your domicile state's portal as the primary anchor. Pay registration fee and state-tier security deposit.
Identify "open" cross-state portals. If your projected AIR makes private MBBS your fallback, register on 1-2 open-state portals (Karnataka, UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu). Pay additional state fees as required.
Register on MCC in parallel. The AIQ track is separate; MCC registration is independent.
Track calendar daily during August allotments. State Round 1 results often arrive within days of MCC Round 1. Decisions need to be made fast.
Be conservative on deposits. Avoid listing private colleges in choice forms unless you can fund both the security deposit AND the eventual tuition. A candidate listing ₹15L/yr private MBBS in their choice form should have demonstrated funding to follow through.
Round 1 is the free-exit window across most portals. Use Round 1 to test allotments without commitment. Round 2 and beyond carry forfeiture and lock-in.
For an exact AIR-to-college mapping across MCC AIQ and state portals, run your projected NEET 2026 score through the NEET 2026 College Predictor →. To work backward from your top three target colleges across both tracks to the AIR you need to hit between now and 21 June, use the NEET 2026 cut-off target tool.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Do I need to register on both MCC and the state portal?
Yes, for any candidate wanting access to both AIQ government seats and home-state government / private seats. MCC registration covers 15% AIQ + central and deemed institutions. State registration is required separately for the 85% state quota at the home state's government colleges and for state-counselled private medical college seats. Registering on only one track leaves the other inaccessible.
Q: What is the difference between "open" and "closed" states in NEET counselling?
"Open" states (UP, Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, AP, Telangana) allow non-domicile candidates to register for State Quota private medical college seats. "Closed" states (Maharashtra general, Gujarat, Punjab) restrict all state-counselled seats — including private — to home-state domiciles. "Restricted open" states (MP, Rajasthan) admit non-domiciles only in Round 2 or Mop-Up after domicile candidates clear.
Q: How do I avoid fake NEET counselling websites?
Stick to .gov.in and .nic.in domains (Indian government domain extensions). Cross-reference state portal URLs against the NMC official seat-register listing or MCC notifications. Never pay registration or booking fees to personal UPI IDs or private bank accounts; legitimate state portals use government-integrated payment gateways. Report suspicious sites at cert-in.org.in or cybercrime.gov.in.
Q: What is the security deposit for state private medical college counselling?
Varies by state. Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, MP: ₹1,00,000. UP, Bihar: ₹2,00,000. Rajasthan (highest): ₹10,00,000. Gujarat (lowest): ₹50,000. Kerala: ₹50,000 option registration. The deposit is forfeited if a candidate is allotted a seat in Round 2 or later and fails to join.
Q: When does NEET 2026 state counselling begin?
After the 21 June 2026 Re-NEET result is declared in mid to late July 2026. State counselling boards typically open Round 1 registration in late July or August 2026. MCC AIQ counselling Round 1 registration opens in the last week of July 2026.
Q: Can I get a state quota MBBS seat in another state?
Only if you have domicile in that state (rare for cross-domicile candidates with multiple state qualifications) or if the state is "open" for private medical college Management Quota / NRI Quota seats. Non-domicile candidates cannot access another state's 85% government college state quota under any circumstance.
The bottom line
State-wise NEET counselling in 2026 demands dual registration — MCC for AIQ and central institutions, plus the home state portal for state quota government and private seats. The fifteen major state authorities listed in this guide each operate distinct portals with their own domicile rules, fee structures, security deposit tiers, and round-wise allotment rules. Candidates planning cross-state private MBBS options should register on 1-2 "open" state portals in addition to their home state and MCC. The Re-NEET 2026 timeline compresses everything into August through October 2026, demanding documents ready by early July and deposits arranged before NEET result week.
Map your projected NEET 2026 AIR and home-state cutoffs against all relevant state seat matrices using the NEET 2026 College Predictor →. Then use the NEET 2026 cut-off target tool to work backward from your top three target colleges across MCC and state tracks to the marks band you need to hit between now and 21 June. The four weeks left to the Re-NEET reward accuracy ratio at the dense 600-680 band where most state premier colleges close — and the operational decisions you make in July about which state portals to register on, which open states to add as cross-state options, and which deposits to float for private medical college choices are the multipliers on whatever score you walk out of the exam hall with.
Official references: Medical Counselling Committee, Directorate General of Health Services (mcc.nic.in) · All state counselling boards listed in the directory table, including DGME Uttar Pradesh (upneet.gov.in), Maharashtra CET Cell (cetcell.mahacet.org), Karnataka Examinations Authority (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea), CEE Kerala (cee.kerala.gov.in), BCECEB Bihar (bceceboard.bihar.gov.in), WBMCC (wbmcc.nic.in), TN Selection Committee DME (tnmedicalselection.net), Rajasthan NEET UG Medical & Dental Admission Board (rajneetug2026.org), ACPUGMEC Gujarat (medadmgujarat.org), DME MP (dme.mponline.gov.in), Dr. YSRUHS Andhra Pradesh (drysruhs.edu.in), KNRUHS Telangana (knruhs.telangana.gov.in), BFUHS Punjab (bfuhs.ac.in), DMER Haryana (dmer.haryana.gov.in) · National Testing Agency (neet.nta.nic.in) · National Medical Commission seat register 2025-26 (nmc.org.in) · Supreme Court orders on AIQ-state data-sharing portal · CERT-In and Cybercrime Reporting Portal for phishing fraud reporting. Portal URLs verified live as of May 2026 and subject to state-government revision; cross-verify before paying any registration fee. Closing AIRs reflect the most recent available state allotment data. Projections for 2026 are modelled estimates and will move with the actual 21 June Re-NEET paper difficulty and round-wise behaviour. Domicile rules, security deposit tiers, and open/closed status are subject to state policy revisions and judicial orders.
NEET UGMaharashtra NEET Cutoff 2026: Expected Opening and Closing Ranks for MBBS State QuotaMay 25, 2026