Andhra Pradesh NEET UG 2026: 12 MBBS Seats Converted to Self-Financing at New Colleges

On 24 October 2026, Dr. N.T.R. University of Health Sciences (NTRUHS), Andhra Pradesh, announced that 12 unfilled seats originally reserved for NRI (Non-Resident Indian) candidates under the Competent Authority quota have been converted to self-financing seats. These seats are at two newly established government medical colleges in Andhra Pradesh — Vizianagaram and Paderu — and will be filled during Stray Round 2 of NEET UG 2026 counselling. This conversion is significant because it opens these seats to all eligible candidates (not just NRIs) and changes the fee structure from NRI rates to a fixed self-financing fee of ₹12 lakhs per annum. If you are eligible for Stray Round 2 counselling, you now have additional MBBS seats to apply for.

What Has Changed: Seat Conversion Explained

Originally, both Government Medical College Vizianagaram and Government Medical College Paderu had reserved seats under the Competent Authority (NRI) category — these are seats the state fills for Non-Resident Indian candidates at higher fees. However, these NRI seats remained unfilled during the regular counselling rounds.

Rather than leave these seats empty, the state has converted them to Competent Authority (Self-financing) seats. This means they are no longer restricted to NRI candidates; instead, they are now open to all eligible NEET UG 2026 candidates who meet the general eligibility criteria for MBBS admission in Andhra Pradesh. The key difference is the fee: self-financing seats charge a fixed annual fee of ₹12 lakhs, which is lower than typical NRI fees and is set by government order.

This conversion is a practical step to ensure seats are filled and candidates get admission opportunities. For you as a candidate, it means two new colleges and 12 additional MBBS seats are now available in Stray Round 2 counselling.

Which Colleges and How Many Seats?

Two newly established government medical colleges in Andhra Pradesh are affected by this conversion. Both are relatively new institutions, which is why they had unfilled NRI seats in the first place.

When Will These Seats Be Filled?

These 12 converted seats will be filled during Stray Round 2 counselling. Stray Round 2 is the final counselling round in the NEET UG 2026 admission process for Andhra Pradesh, held after the main counselling rounds and earlier stray rounds have concluded.

If you have already been allotted a seat in an earlier round and are satisfied with it, you do not need to participate in Stray Round 2. However, if you are still looking for a seat, or if you wish to upgrade to one of these newly available seats, you will be eligible to participate in Stray Round 2 counselling. The exact dates for Stray Round 2 will be announced separately by Dr. NTR UHS; watch the official website (drntr.uhsap.in) for the schedule.

Who Is Eligible to Apply for These Seats?

Since these seats have been converted from NRI to self-financing seats, they are now open to all eligible candidates — not just NRI candidates. To be eligible, you must:

• Have appeared for NEET UG 2026 and obtained a valid score • Meet the general eligibility criteria for MBBS admission in Andhra Pradesh (Indian nationality, age, educational qualifications as per NEET UG rules) • Be eligible to participate in Stray Round 2 counselling (i.e., you have not already been allotted a seat in an earlier round, or you are choosing to participate in the stray round for an upgrade) • Belong to any category (General, OBC, SC, ST) as per your NEET UG registration

The notice does not specify any additional eligibility restrictions for these particular seats. However, you must ensure you are eligible for Stray Round 2 counselling overall — this typically means you either did not participate in earlier rounds, or you are eligible to participate again. Confirm your eligibility status with the Dr. NTR UHS counselling portal or helpline before Stray Round 2 begins.

Fee Structure: What You Will Pay

The annual fee for these self-financing seats is fixed at ₹12.00 lakhs per annum. This fee is set by Government Order Ms. No. 108 issued by the Health, Medical & Family Welfare Department, Andhra Pradesh, on 19 July 2023.

This is the fee per academic year. For a 5-year MBBS course, the total fee would be approximately ₹60 lakhs (₹12 lakhs × 5 years), though you should verify the exact total fee structure and any additional charges (hostel, examination, development fees, etc.) from the college's official prospectus or the Dr. NTR UHS website.

Self-financing seats typically have higher fees than government-funded seats but lower fees than private medical colleges. Ensure you understand the full fee structure, including any additional charges, before confirming your admission. The college will provide a detailed fee breakdown at the time of admission.

How to Apply in Stray Round 2 Counselling

The notice does not provide detailed step-by-step instructions for applying in Stray Round 2, as those procedures are covered in the main counselling notification. However, here is the general process you should expect:

1. **Wait for Stray Round 2 notification**: Dr. NTR UHS will announce the exact dates, registration window, and procedure for Stray Round 2 on its official website (drntr.uhsap.in). This will typically include the start and end dates for registration, choice filling, and allotment. 2. **Register on the counselling portal**: Log in to the Dr. NTR UHS NEET UG 2026 counselling portal using your NEET roll number and password. 3. **Fill your choices**: During the choice-filling window, you will be able to select colleges and courses. Government Medical College Vizianagaram and Government Medical College Paderu will now appear as options with these newly converted self-financing seats. You can choose to include them in your preference list. 4. **Submit your choices**: Ensure you submit your choices before the deadline. Once submitted, you cannot change them. 5. **Await allotment**: After the choice-filling window closes, Dr. NTR UHS will process the allotments based on your NEET rank, category, and choices. An allotment list will be published. 6. **Report to the college**: If you are allotted one of these seats, you must report to the college on the specified date with all required documents to confirm your admission.

Detailed instructions, including the exact portal link, dates, and document requirements, will be provided in the Stray Round 2 notification. Do not miss the registration and choice-filling deadlines.

Important: These Are New Government Colleges

Government Medical College Vizianagaram and Government Medical College Paderu are newly established institutions. This is important to know because:

• **Infrastructure and facilities**: As new colleges, they may still be developing their full infrastructure, laboratories, hostels, and other facilities. Before applying, check the college's official website or contact the college directly to understand what facilities are currently available. • **Faculty and academic setup**: New colleges may have recently recruited faculty and may still be building their academic departments. Verify that the college is fully recognized and accredited by the Medical Council of India (now National Medical Commission) and that it meets all regulatory standards. • **Placement and reputation**: As new institutions, they may not have an established track record of placements or alumni network. Research the college's current status and any available information about its academic performance. • **Location**: Vizianagaram and Paderu are in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. Consider the location, accessibility, and availability of accommodation if you are from outside the district.

These factors should not deter you from applying — government medical colleges are highly valued — but you should be aware of them and make an informed decision.

Key Dates and What to Watch For

This notice was issued on 24 October 2026. The conversion of seats is effective immediately, and these seats will be available in Stray Round 2 counselling.

**What you need to do now:** • Note the names and seat counts: Government Medical College Vizianagaram (3 seats) and Government Medical College Paderu (9 seats). • Bookmark the Dr. NTR UHS website (drntr.uhsap.in) and check it regularly for the Stray Round 2 notification, which will contain the exact dates for registration, choice filling, and allotment. • Prepare your documents (NEET admit card, score card, 10th and 12th certificates, category certificate if applicable, etc.) in advance, as you will need them for registration and admission. • If you are eligible for Stray Round 2, plan to participate if you are still seeking a seat or wish to upgrade.

The notice does not specify the exact date of Stray Round 2, so you must wait for the official announcement. Do not rely on dates from previous years, as counselling schedules can change.

Why This Matters: Your Opportunity

This conversion is significant for NEET UG 2026 candidates in Andhra Pradesh for several reasons:

• **Additional seats**: 12 more MBBS seats are now available in the state, increasing your chances of admission if you are still seeking a seat. • **Government colleges**: These are government medical colleges, which means they are recognized, regulated, and offer quality medical education at a reasonable cost compared to private institutions. • **Self-financing option**: If you have the financial capacity to pay ₹12 lakhs per annum, these seats offer a pathway to MBBS admission at government colleges without waiting for a general or reserved category seat. • **Last chance**: Stray Round 2 is typically the final counselling round. If you have not been allotted a seat by then, this is your last opportunity to secure admission in Andhra Pradesh for the 2026-27 academic year.

If you are eligible and interested, do not miss the Stray Round 2 registration window.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• **Assuming you are automatically eligible for Stray Round 2**: You must check your eligibility status on the Dr. NTR UHS portal. If you have already been allotted a seat in an earlier round and have confirmed your admission, you may not be eligible to participate in Stray Round 2. Verify before attempting to register. • **Missing the registration deadline**: Stray Round 2 will have a fixed registration and choice-filling window. If you miss it, you cannot participate. Mark the dates on your calendar and register well before the deadline. • **Not including these colleges in your choices**: If you are interested in these seats, you must actively select these colleges during choice filling. They will not be automatically considered. • **Ignoring the fee structure**: These are self-financing seats at ₹12 lakhs per annum. Ensure you and your family can afford this fee before applying. Do not apply if you cannot pay the fee, as it will lead to rejection at the admission stage. • **Forgetting to report to the college**: If you are allotted a seat, you must report to the college on the specified date with all required documents. Failure to report will result in forfeiture of the seat. • **Not verifying college details**: Before applying, visit the college's website or contact it directly to understand its current facilities, faculty, and infrastructure. Do not apply based on assumptions.

Frequently asked questions

This notice opens 12 additional MBBS seats at two new Andhra Pradesh government medical colleges during Stray Round 2 counselling. If you are eligible for Stray Round 2 and interested in these seats, watch the Dr. NTR UHS website (drntr.uhsap.in) for the Stray Round 2 notification, which will contain the exact dates for registration and choice filling. Ensure you understand the ₹12 lakhs per annum fee and the colleges' current facilities before applying. Register and fill your choices before the deadline — Stray Round 2 is typically the final counselling round for NEET UG 2026 in Andhra Pradesh.