The wait is finally over for thousands of medical graduates in Tamil Nadu. The Selection Committee of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), Chennai, has opened Round 1 registration and choice filling for Tamil Nadu NEET PG Counselling 2026 today, October 31. Candidates whose names appear on the state merit list can now register on the official portal, tnmedicalselection.net, and lock their college preferences before the window closes on November 3.
This round covers postgraduate degree (MD/MS) and diploma seats for the 2026-27 academic session across government medical colleges, government-quota seats in self-financing colleges, and management-quota seats. With the all-India counselling already in its reporting phase, the state round is the next big milestone for doctors hoping to specialise in Tamil Nadu.
Who can register in Round 1
Only candidates listed on Tamil Nadu’s provisional state merit lists, published on October 28, are eligible for this round. Two separate rank lists were released:
- Government Quota (GQ): General Rank 1 to 7,952, with NEET PG marks ranging from 705.64 down to 226.
- Management Quota (MQ): General Rank 1 to 3,643, with NEET PG marks ranging from 625 down to 226.
The management quota covers management, minority and NRI seats in self-financing colleges. Candidates must check which list they fall under before filling choices, because the two quotas run on separate rank ranges and fee structures.
Key dates for TN NEET PG Round 1
- Registration, payment and choice filling and locking: October 31, 12:01 pm to November 3, 5 pm
- Processing of seat allotment: November 4
- Seat allotment result: November 5
- Downloading provisional allotment order: November 5 to November 10, 3 pm
- Last date of joining: November 10, 5 pm
The window is short, just over three days, and the portal typically sees heavy traffic on the final day. Candidates are advised to register early and lock choices well before the November 3 deadline rather than waiting for the last hours.
Fees and security deposit
Registration carries a non-refundable processing fee of Rs 1,000, payable online through net banking, debit or credit card, or UPI. On top of that, candidates must pay a refundable security deposit that varies by seat type: Rs 30,000 for government colleges, Rs 1 lakh for government-quota seats in self-financing colleges, and Rs 2 lakh for management, minority and NRI seats.
The deposit is refunded as per the counselling rules if the candidate does not take up a seat or follows the prescribed withdrawal process. Candidates should read the prospectus on the official portal carefully before paying, since the deposit rules differ by category.
How to register and fill choices
- Visit tnmedicalselection.net and open the link for “Online Counselling for PG Degree / Diploma Courses 2026-2027 Session”.
- Log in with your credentials and complete the registration form.
- Pay the Rs 1,000 processing fee and the applicable security deposit online.
- Fill your preferred colleges and courses in order of priority, then lock the choices before November 3, 5 pm.
- Wait for the allotment result on November 5, then download the provisional allotment order and report to the allotted college by November 10.
Choice filling deserves real thought. Candidates should weigh the branch, the college, the location and the fee together, and list as many genuine preferences as possible. A short, careless preference list is the most common reason candidates miss out in Round 1 even with a decent rank.
What happens after Round 1
Once the allotment result is out on November 5, allotted candidates must download their provisional allotment order between November 5 and November 10 and join the college by November 10, 5 pm. Those who do not get a seat, or who want to try for a better option, can look forward to the subsequent rounds, which the Selection Committee will notify separately.
For now, though, the message is simple: the portal is open, the clock is running, and November 3 at 5 pm is a hard stop. Medical graduates on the Tamil Nadu merit list should not leave registration to the final day.
FAQs
When does TN NEET PG Round 1 registration close?
Registration, payment and choice filling close on November 3, 2026, at 5 pm. The window opened on October 31 at 12:01 pm.
Where do I register for TN NEET PG Counselling 2026?
On the official portal tnmedicalselection.net, under the link for PG Degree / Diploma Courses 2026-2027 Session.
Who is eligible for Round 1?
Candidates on the Tamil Nadu provisional merit lists published on October 28: Government Quota ranks 1 to 7,952 and Management Quota ranks 1 to 3,643.
What is the registration fee?
Rs 1,000 as a non-refundable processing fee, plus a refundable security deposit of Rs 30,000 to Rs 2 lakh depending on the seat type.
When will the Round 1 allotment result be declared?
The seat allotment result is scheduled for November 5, 2026, with joining to be completed by November 10, 5 pm.
Note: Candidates should always verify dates, fees and eligibility on the official portal tnmedicalselection.net before applying, as the Selection Committee may issue updates or corrigenda.
