‘Perfect’ Strategy for NEET Counselling Rounds (AIQ + State) for MBBS/BDS Admission 2025

A perfect strategy for the NEET counselling rounds is all you need in order to improve your chances of securing an MBBS or BDS seat in your preferred medical college in India. Post the NEET result announcement, the next steps which is going on is counselling process, which involves critical steps like registration, choice filling and locking, participation and documentation.

However, navigating the NEET counselling process successfully requires a structured and well-informed approach. 

Steps in NEET Counselling Process 2025: Quick Overview

Candidates who score the NEET cutoff are eligible for the NEET counselling round. Below mentioned is a step-by-step process for NEET counselling 2025. 

• Registration: Candidates must begin by registering for NEET 2025 counselling on the official website of the Medical Counselling Committee. 
• Choice Filling: Students are then required to list and prioritize their preferred colleges and courses.
• Choice Locking: It is considered to be the final step in which students need to confirm their desired colleges and programs after choice filling.
• Participation: Qualified applicants must register on the Medical Counselling Committee's (MCC) official website at mcc.nic.in, to take part in NEET counselling for admission to medical or dentistry colleges.
• Documentation: Qualified candidates must submit the required documents, as only then are they eligible for further NEET counselling rounds.
• Seat Allotment: The seat allotment process is done on the basis of candidate's NEET rank, their category, NEET reservation policy and the choices they have opted for while web entry option.

Don't Miss: NEET MBBS Seats in Government Medical Colleges

Strategy for NEET Counselling Rounds for MBBS/BDS Admission 2025

The expert guidance to candidates who will be participating in the NEET 2025 counselling process is listed below:

1. Become familiar with AIQ & State Quota Admission Process

All India Quota (AIQ) – 15% of Total Seats

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) manages the AIQ counselling, which includes:

• 15% seats in government medical and dental colleges across India 
• 100% seats in Deemed Universities, Central Universities (e.g., AMU, BHU), AIIMS, and JIPMER

Each round has specific eligibility criteria and rules regarding NEET seat allotment and withdrawal of the seats.

State Quota – 85% of Total Seats

State counselling authorities manage the remaining 85% of seats in government colleges and 100% in private institutions in their respective states. The state-wise eligibility criteria, reservation policies, and domicile requirements vary state by state. 

2. Registration & Documentation Strategy

Students need to first register themselves with their personal and contact details (roll number, name, date of birth, mobile number, and email address). After registering, a login ID and password are generated and are sent to their mobile number and email.

The following documents are essential, and candidates must keep them ready and handy for submission and verification:

• NEET 2025 Admit Card
• NEET 2025 Scorecard
• Class 10 and 12 Mark Sheets and Certificates
• Domicile Certificate (for state quota)
• Category Certificate (if applicable)
• Identity Proof (Aadhar, Passport, etc.)
• Passport-sized Photographs

Read More: Documents Required for NEET Counselling 2025

3. Choice Filling Strategy

• Realistic Preferences based on your NEET rank and previous years' cut-offs.
• Course preferences must be prioritized based on career goals

4. Locking Choice

In NEET UG counselling, locking choices ensures that your selected college and specialization options are decided. To complete your selections, you must first log in to the official MCC website and then click the "Lock" option.

5. Don’t ignore Reservation Benefits

Candidates must understand the domicile requirements and reservation policies of the states they are applying for, as the states have stringent domicile criteria, affecting eligibility for state quota seats.

NEET Reservation Categories and Percentages

The NEET reservation policies according to category are listed below:

6. Don’t Miss Any Round, including mop-up and stray vacancy

To increase your chances of getting a medical or dental seat, attend every NEET counselling round, including the mop-up and stray vacancy rounds. These rounds provide additional possibilities to get a seat, particularly if you were unsuccessful in previous rounds.

7. Monitor Developments and Stay up to Date

Students should stay up to date and keep track of the NEET counselling rounds so that they do not miss out on any major developments.

Don't Miss: Top Medical Colleges in India Accepting NEET 2025

Mistakes You Must Avoid During NEET Counselling Rounds 2025

• Many students decide their medical college choices solely on the reputation of the institute, failing to consider crucial factors like as past cutoffs, cost structures, and bond obligations.
• Some students fail to lock their choices, which causes the system to auto-lock (which may not correctly reflect their true preferences) or lock their choices too quickly without carefully considering all of the options.  
• Make all the necessary adjustments until the last day, and then manually lock your selections once you're satisfied.

Also Read: Top Pharmacy Colleges Accepting NEET Score

A perfect strategy for NEET counselling rounds for MBBS/BDS admission in 2025 includes knowing the AIQ (All India Quota) and state counselling processes thoroughly. To maximize admission chances, students register for both AIQ and state counselling, submit all the necessary documents during document verification, know about the choice filling and locking, followed by seat allotment.