Tamil Nadu NEET UG 2026: Round 1 Counselling Schedule for 7.5% Government School Quota Announced

The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), Tamil Nadu Selection Committee, has released the tentative schedule for Round 1 offline counselling for MBBS and BDS admissions for the 2026–2027 academic year. This counselling is specially arranged under the 7.5% preferential reservation quota for students who studied in government schools. Eligible candidates can now check the announced schedule to know the important dates, venue details, and process for participation. This step helps government school students get better opportunities in medical and dental courses through a reserved quota system designed to support their educational advancement.

Overview

The 7.5% preferential reservation is an important policy introduced by the Government of Tamil Nadu under the Tamil Nadu Admission to Undergraduate Medical Degree Courses Act. Its main aim is to support students from weaker socio-economic backgrounds and give them fair opportunities. Under this rule, 7.5% of seats in MBBS and BDS courses are reserved for students who have studied continuously in Tamil Nadu government schools from Class 6 to Class 12.

For the 2026 academic session, the Selection Committee has announced the initial Round 1 offline counselling schedule. Candidates whose names are included in the 7.5% merit rank list must attend the counselling in person at the specified venue in Chennai.

Important notice for candidates and parents: Since this is offline counselling, students must be physically present. They should bring all original documents, including academic certificates, nativity proof, community certificate, and proof of studying in government schools, for on-the-spot verification.

Key Highlights: Tamil Nadu NEET UG 2026 Counselling

The summary table below details the venue, schedule, conducting authority, and official download links for the 7.5% government quota counselling:

Understanding the 7.5% Preferential Reservation Policy

To benefit from the 7.5% reservation quota, candidates must follow certain rules set by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

1. Eligible School Types
Students must have studied continuously from Class 6 to Class 12 in Tamil Nadu without any break. They should have completed their education in one or more of the following schools:

• Government Schools run by the School Education Department
• Corporation and Municipal Schools
• Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare (ADTW) Schools
• Forest Department Schools
• Kallar Reclamation Schools and other Tamil Nadu Government-run institutions

Note: Students from aided private schools, semi-government institutions, Central Government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan or Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, and private CBSE/ICSE schools are not eligible, even if they received fee concessions.

2. Full Fee Support (100% Scholarship)
One of the biggest advantages of this scheme is complete financial support by the Tamil Nadu Government:

• Tuition Fees: Fully covered in both government and private medical/dental colleges
• Hostel and Mess Charges: Paid for the entire duration of the MBBS/BDS course
• Caution Deposit and University Fees: Also included under the government funding system

This scheme reduces the financial burden and helps deserving students complete their medical education successfully.

Date, Venue, and Location Guide

Candidates allotted to report on 13 August 2026 must plan their travel to arrive well before the scheduled time slot (10:00 AM to 12:01 PM).

Venue Details

• Building Name: Tamil Nadu Government Multi-Super Speciality Hospital (TNGMSSH)
• Specific Location inside Campus: Lecture Hall – II
• Address: Omandurar Government Estate, Mount Road (Anna Salai), Chennai – 600 002
• Landmark: Directly opposite the LIC Building on Anna Salai / adjacent to Government Estate Metro Station.

Transportation & Accessibility

• By Metro: Get down at Government Estate Metro Station on the Blue Line. The hospital is just a 2-minute walk from Exit 1 or 2.
• By Train: Chennai Central Railway Station is around 3 km away, and Chennai Egmore Railway Station is about 2.5 km away. Both stations have easy connections by auto, bus, and metro.
• By Bus: You can take local MTC buses that stop at “Omandurar Hospital” or “Government Estate.” These buses run directly from Koyambedu Mofussil Bus Terminus and nearby areas, making it convenient for daily travel.

Essential Documents Checklist for Offline Counselling

Physical document verification is conducted prior to seat locking. Candidates must carry the original certificates along with at least two sets of self-attested photocopies and 6 recent passport-size photographs.

Primary Academic & Identity Certificates

• NEET UG 2026 Admit Card issued by NTA.
• NEET UG 2026 Scorecard / Rank Letter.
• Class 10 Marksheet / Passing Certificate (proof of date of birth).
• Class 11 Marksheet.
• Class 12 (HSC) Marksheet or Equivalent.
• Transfer Certificate (TC) from the school last attended.

Special Quota & Nativity Certificates

• Bonafide / Study Certificate for 7.5% Quota: Certificate signed by the Chief Educational Officer (CEO) and Headmaster confirming continuous study from Class 6 to Class 12 in Tamil Nadu Government Schools.
• Nativity Certificate of Tamil Nadu: Issued by the Revenue Authority (Tahsildar).
• Community Certificate: Issued by the competent authority of Tamil Nadu for BC, BCM, MBC/DNC, SC, SCA, or ST categories.
• Parent's Community Certificate & Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Ration Card).
• Income Certificate: Required for parents claiming fee concessions or specific scholarships (if applicable).

Step-by-Step Offline Counselling Process

Step 1: Reporting & Token Collection

Candidates should report at Lecture Hall – II, Omandurar Hospital at least 45 minutes before the scheduled time (around 9:15 AM). Entry tokens are given based on attendance and merit rank.

Step 2: Document Verification

Officials from the Selection Committee will check all original documents. These include mark sheets, NEET scorecard, nativity certificate, community certificate, and the 7.5% bona fide certificate approved by the CEO.

Step 3: Seat Availability Display

Inside the counselling hall, a live seat matrix is shown. This displays the number of available MBBS and BDS seats in government and private medical colleges in real time.

Step 4: Seat Selection Based on Rank

Candidates are called one by one according to their 7.5% quota state rank. When called, they can choose their preferred college from the available seats.

Step 5: Allotment Letter Issued

After selecting and confirming the seat, the Selection Committee provides a provisional allotment letter. Candidates must report to the allotted college within the given time to complete the admission process.

Tamil Nadu Medical Reservation Breakdown

State Quota medical admissions in Tamil Nadu strictly observe the state's 69% reservation policy. The overall 7.5% government school quota operates as a horizontal reservation, distributed across all major social categories:

This horizontal setup guarantees that government school students compete fairly within their respective community brackets, making high-demand medical seats much more accessible.

Do's and Don'ts for Candidates & Parents

Do’s

• Carry all original documents: Keep your certificates arranged in order inside a clear folder, following the official checklist.
• Keep extra photocopies: Bring at least 2–3 self-attested copies of every document for safety.
• Carry passport-size photos: Take 6 to 8 recent photos, the same as used in your NEET UG 2026 application.
• Check official updates regularly: Visit the official website of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, Tamil Nadu, to stay updated on schedule changes or rank-based reporting times.

Don’ts

• Don’t arrive late: Entry closes strictly as per the given time. Late arrival may cause you to lose your chance to choose a seat based on your rank.
• Don’t bring incomplete certificates: Make sure your 7.5% bonafide certificate has signatures from both the School Headmaster and the Chief Educational Officer (CEO), or it will be rejected.
• Don’t send someone else in your place: The candidate must attend in person, along with a parent or legal guardian.
• Don’t trust agents or brokers: Seat allotment is done only on merit and proper document verification by the Selection Committee.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

The announcement of the Round 1 offline counselling schedule for the 7.5% Government Quota is an important step for medical aspirants in Tamil Nadu. The counselling will be held on 13 August 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:01 PM at Omandurar Government Estate, Chennai. Candidates and their parents should prepare in advance by collecting all required original documents, planning their travel route, and reaching the venue on time. Being well-prepared and punctual will help avoid any last-minute issues and ensure a smooth counselling process for seat selection.