NEET counselling in Puducherry — how it actually works for you.
NEET UG counselling in Puducherry runs through two parallel routes: the Pondicherry Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC) fills ~85% of government seats on a state-domicile rank, while MCC's All-India Quota (AIQ) fills ~15% on your all-India rank (AIR) — no domicile required. Indira Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute, Puducherry closed near AIR 17,503 via AIQ but 106,593 via Puducherry state quota in 2025 — two different ranks, one college. Domicile eligibility: IGMCRI NRI: USD 110K LUMP SUM. Private: Govt ₹4L, Mgmt ₹16.8L, NRI ₹21L. PIMS=Christian, SVMCH=Telugu minority. JIPMER NRI: USD 75K lump sum (6 seats). Non-domicile: Mgmt+NRI open all rounds. Based on MCC / CENTAC 2025 data — last year's pattern, not a 2026 guarantee.
You don't file one way — you file two.
AIQ
AIR ~17,503
~15% of govt seatsAll deemed collegesNo domicile barrier
vs
Puducherry state
AIR ~106,593
~85% of govt seatsAll private collegesDomicile-based
Security depositRs 2,00,000 (all categories). FORFEITURE RULE: R1 allotment — free to not join. R2 onwards — deposit forfeited and barred from remaining rounds. Verify from state brochure.
Puducherry runs its own MBBS counselling through Pondicherry Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC). It covers ~85% of government seats and all private MBBS colleges across 4 rounds. Separate from MCC AIQ (which handles ~15% of govt seats).
What is the difference between AIQ and Puducherry state counselling?
AIQ (MCC) uses your All India Rank and covers ~15% of govt seats + all deemed colleges — no domicile barrier. Puducherry state counselling uses a separate state rank and covers ~85% of govt seats + all private colleges. Most families file only AIQ and miss the larger state pool.
Can non-domicile students apply in Puducherry?
Puducherry is an open state — non-domicile candidates can apply for OPN/management seats at private colleges.
What is the domicile requirement for Puducherry NEET counselling?
IGMCRI NRI: USD 110K LUMP SUM. Private: Govt ₹4L, Mgmt ₹16.8L, NRI ₹21L. PIMS=Christian, SVMCH=Telugu minority. JIPMER NRI: USD 75K lump sum (6 seats). Non-domicile: Mgmt+NRI open all rounds.
When does Puducherry NEET UG counselling registration open in 2026?
Puducherry counselling typically begins 4–6 weeks after NEET UG results. In 2025, most state registrations opened July–August. MCC 2026 schedule not yet announced — verify with CENTAC official site.
About Puducherry NEET UG counselling
Puducherry conducts its own NEET UG MBBS admissions through the Pondicherry Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC). This is entirely separate from MCC's All India Quota (AIQ) process. AIQ handles approximately 15% of government seats and all deemed university seats across India, with no domicile requirement. Puducherry's own counselling handles the remaining ~85% of government seats within the state, plus all private MBBS colleges. It runs across 4 rounds: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Stray Vacancy Round.
The key difference most candidates miss: your AIR (All India Rank) determines your AIQ position. Puducherry's counselling runs on a separate state rank — in most states this is more accessible than AIQ for domicile candidates. For example, Indira Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute, Puducherry closes at approximately 17,503 via AIQ, but 106,593 via Puducherry state counselling.
every number from official MCC / state PDFs · ₹0 from colleges · no inflated predictions