The AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) stream offers a distinct and growing pathway in medical education in India. For the 2026-27 academic session, admissions to undergraduate AYUSH courses like BAMS, BHMS, and BUMS will be conducted through a centralized counselling process overseen by the Ayush Admissions Central Counseling Committee (AACCC), which operates under the Ministry of Ayush. This guide provides a clear overview of the AYUSH counselling process, its key components, and what aspiring students need to know.

Centralized counselling ensures a fair, transparent, and streamlined admission process for seats in government, government-aided, and private AYUSH colleges across the country. The entire procedure is conducted online, from registration to final seat allotment. It is crucial for candidates to understand that participation in this counselling is mandatory for securing a seat in most AYUSH colleges under the central quota and participating states.

Understanding the AYUSH Counselling Authority: AACCC

The Ayush Admissions Central Counseling Committee (AACCC) is the nodal body responsible for conducting the counselling for 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, 100% seats of Central & National Institutes, and seats of participating states for AYUSH courses. The committee functions under the directives of the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. Its primary role is to manage the online counselling portal, publish the seat matrix, conduct multiple rounds of seat allotment, and resolve grievances related to the admission process.

The official website for AYUSH counselling is aaccc.gov.in. All crucial notifications, schedules, registration links, and seat allotment results are published exclusively on this portal. The Ministry of Ayush’s main website (ayush.gov.in) also hosts important policy updates and circulars related to medical education in these streams.

Eligibility Criteria for AYUSH Counselling 2026

To be eligible for AYUSH counselling, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:

• NEET UG Qualification: The candidate must have appeared and qualified in the NEET UG 2026 examination. The NEET UG 2026 exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is the single entrance test for AYUSH admissions.
• Minimum Qualifying Percentile: Candidates must secure marks equal to or above the minimum qualifying percentile (UR/EWS – 50th percentile, OBC/SC/ST – 40th percentile, PwD – 45th percentile) as declared by the NTA.
• Age Limit: The candidate must be at least 17 years of age as of December 31, 2026. There is no upper age limit for NEET UG as per current norms.
• Educational Qualification: Passed Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects, with minimum aggregate marks as prescribed (usually 50% for UR, 40% for reserved categories).

The Step-by-Step AYUSH Counselling Process

The AYUSH counselling process is conducted in distinct phases. Candidates should be prepared to follow these steps meticulously once the official schedule is announced.

1. Registration and Payment

The first step is to register on the AACCC portal using your NEET UG 2026 application number and password. After logging in, candidates must fill in and verify their personal and academic details. A non-refundable registration fee must be paid online to complete this stage. The fee varies for different categories (e.g., General/OBC and SC/ST/PwD).

2. Choice Filling and Locking

Once registered, candidates gain access to the online choice filling module. Here, the AACCC publishes a detailed seat matrix listing all participating institutes, courses (BAMS, BHMS, etc.), and the number of seats available in each category. Candidates must carefully research colleges and list their preferences in order of priority. It is critical to ‘lock’ the choices before the deadline; un-locked choices are not considered for allotment.

3. Seat Allotment Rounds

The AACCC typically conducts multiple rounds of seat allotment (Round 1, Round 2, and a Mop-Up Round) based on candidates’ NEET ranks, category, filled choices, and seat availability. The result for each round is published on the portal. Candidates allotted a seat must download their provisional allotment letter.

4. Reporting to the Allotted College

After seat allotment, candidates have a fixed period to physically report to the allotted college with the allotment letter, original documents, and fees for admission. Failure to report within the stipulated time leads to forfeiture of the allotted seat. After reporting, the college submits data to AACCC, confirming the candidate’s admission.

Important Documents Required

Candidates must keep the following original documents and their photocopies ready for verification during counselling and college reporting:

• NEET UG 2026 Admit Card and Scorecard
• Class 10 and Class 12 Mark Sheets and Certificates
• Category Certificate (if applicable) issued by competent authority
• Domicile Certificate (if required for state quota)
• Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card, Passport, etc.)
• Passport-size photographs
• Provisional Allotment Letter (downloaded from AACCC portal)

Key Dates and Schedule for 2026 (Expected)

Given the rescheduling of NEET UG 2026 to June 21, the AYUSH counselling schedule is also expected to be delayed compared to previous years. The process usually begins a few weeks after the declaration of NEET results. Candidates should monitor the official AACCC website regularly for the exact schedule. The provisional timeline is likely to follow this pattern:

State Quota vs. All India Quota in AYUSH

It’s vital to understand the seat distribution. For AYUSH courses, 85% of seats in state government colleges are reserved for the respective state’s domicile holders and are filled through state counselling authorities. The remaining 15% AIQ seats, along with 100% seats in central institutions, are filled through AACCC counselling. Candidates can participate in both central and state counselling, but they can hold only one seat at a time.

What to Do After NEET UG 2026 Results

Once the NEET UG 2026 results are declared by NTA, candidates aiming for AYUSH courses should immediately take the following steps:

1. Download and carefully check your NEET scorecard and All India Rank.
2. Visit the official AACCC website (aaccc.gov.in) daily for the counselling notification.
3. Gather and organize all required original documents.
4. Research AYUSH colleges, courses, fees, and infrastructure to make an informed choice list.
5. Do not share your registration credentials with anyone and beware of phishing websites claiming to offer admissions.

The AYUSH sector represents a significant and traditional pillar of Indian healthcare. Securing admission through a systematic and transparent counselling process is the first step toward a rewarding career in these fields. Always rely on information from the official AACCC and Ministry of Ayush portals to avoid misinformation.

Important Dates

Important Links