What is the difference between All India Quota (AIQ) and State Quota counselling?

This is the most fundamental concept in NEET counselling. The seats in government medical colleges are divided into two main quotas:

• 15% All India Quota (AIQ):
• Who conducts it? The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
• Which seats? It includes 15% of MBBS/BDS seats from all government medical colleges across India (except J&K), 100% of seats in AIIMS, JIPMER, Central Universities, and Deemed Universities.
• Who can apply? Any student from any state who has qualified NEET can apply. Domicile is not a factor. This allows a student from Maharashtra to get a seat in a college in Delhi, for instance.
• Competition: It is generally very high as you are competing with aspirants from the entire country. Your All India Rank (AIR) is used for seat allocation.
• 85% State Quota:
• Who conducts it? The respective State Medical Councils or Directorate of Medical Education (DME) of each state (e.g., UPDGME for Uttar Pradesh, DMER for Maharashtra).
• Which seats? It includes the remaining 85% of MBBS/BDS seats in the government medical colleges within that state. It also includes all seats in private medical colleges within the state.
• Who can apply? Only students who meet the domicile criteria of that particular state are eligible. Domicile rules vary (e.g., period of residence, schooling from the state).
• Competition: You are competing only with other NEET-qualified students from your own state. Your State Rank (derived from your AIR) is the primary factor for seat allocation.

A candidate can, and often should, participate in both the AIQ counselling and their respective State Quota counselling simultaneously to maximize their chances of securing a seat.