The Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Assam, has opened registration for the stray vacancy round of NEET UG 2026 counselling. This round fills remaining seats in government MBBS and BDS colleges across Assam after the main counselling rounds. If you did not secure a seat in earlier rounds or wish to explore additional options, the stray round is your opportunity—but the timeline is tight, with registration, choice filling, and allotment all happening within days.
Assam stray round registration opened October 17, 2026; you must complete choice filling by October 19 evening and report physically by October 26 to secure your seat.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Assam NEET UG stray round and who can apply?
The stray round is the final phase of NEET UG counselling in Assam, designed to fill any vacant seats that remain after the main counselling rounds (Round 1, 2, and 3) conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and state-level rounds. These are typically seats that were not filled during earlier phases, either because no eligible candidate chose them or because candidates did not report for admission.
You are eligible for the stray round if you have a valid NEET UG score and have not already been allotted a seat in any previous round. Importantly, if you participated in earlier rounds but were not allotted a seat, you do not need to register again—you can proceed directly to choice filling. However, if you were allotted a seat in Round 3 or any state round, you cannot participate in the stray round.
Complete timeline for Assam stray round: October 17–26, 2026
The entire stray round process in Assam will unfold over just 10 days. Understanding each deadline is critical because missing even one step can disqualify you from admission. The schedule is compressed compared to earlier rounds, so mark these dates clearly and set reminders.
- October 17, 2026 (until 11:59 PM): Online registration opens on dme.assam.gov.in. New candidates must register; those who registered in earlier rounds skip this step.
- October 18–19, 2026 (until 10:00 PM on October 19): Choice filling window. You rank colleges and courses in order of preference.
- October 19, 2026 (7:00 PM to 11:59 PM): Choice locking period. After you lock your choices, you cannot modify them.
- October 20, 2026: Seat allotment process is conducted by the system.
- October 21, 2026: Provisional allotment results are published on the DME portal.
- October 25–26, 2026: Physical reporting and admission at your allotted college. You must bring original certificates, undergo medical verification, and pay admission fees.
How to register and fill choices: Step-by-step process
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Registration for the stray round is straightforward if you are a first-time participant. Visit dme.assam.gov.in, provide your NEET roll number, date of birth, and other required details, and complete the registration by 11:59 PM on October 17. If you registered in Round 1, 2, or 3, you will not see a registration option—instead, you will be directed to log in using your existing credentials and proceed to choice filling.
Once registered or logged in, you will access the choice-filling portal. Here, you will see a list of available MBBS and BDS seats in government colleges across Assam. Rank these colleges and courses in your order of preference. The system will allot you a seat based on your rank, your NEET score, and the availability of seats. Remember: the order matters. Place your most preferred college first, even if it is highly competitive. The allotment algorithm will try to match you to the highest-ranked college for which you are eligible.
What happens after allotment: Reporting and admission
On October 21, the DME will publish the provisional allotment list. Check the portal using your login credentials to see which college and course you have been allotted. If you are satisfied, you must report physically to that college between October 25 and 26, 2026. Reporting is mandatory; if you do not report within this window, your seat will be cancelled and offered to the next eligible candidate.
During reporting, bring all original certificates (10th and 12th mark sheets, NEET admit card, category certificate if applicable, and any other documents specified by DME). You will undergo medical fitness verification conducted by the college. Finally, you will pay the admission fee as prescribed by the college. Only after completing all three steps—document verification, medical check, and fee payment—will your admission be confirmed.
Key eligibility rules and disqualification conditions
Before you apply, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. The primary rule is straightforward: you must have a valid NEET UG 2026 score and must not have been allotted a seat in any previous round of counselling (Round 1, 2, 3, or any state-level round). If you were allotted a seat earlier but did not report, you are still considered allotted and cannot participate in the stray round.
One important exception: if you registered in an earlier round but were not allotted a seat, you are eligible for the stray round. You do not need to re-register; simply log in and proceed to choice filling. This rule saves time for candidates who participated but were unsuccessful in earlier phases.
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Why the stray round matters for NEET aspirants
The stray round is often overlooked, but it can be a lifeline. If you narrowly missed a seat in earlier rounds, or if you were allotted a college far from home and chose not to report, the stray round offers a second chance. Seats that open up in the stray round are typically in colleges that had vacancies—sometimes due to candidates withdrawing or not reporting. These are genuine government seats, not private or deemed seats.
However, the stray round is also highly competitive and fast-moving. Because the timeline is compressed and fewer seats are available, the competition is intense. Candidates with higher NEET scores are more likely to secure seats. If you are on the borderline of eligibility, act quickly: register on October 17 itself, prepare your choice list in advance, and be ready to lock your choices by October 19 evening.
Common mistakes to avoid in the stray round
Many candidates lose seats in the stray round due to preventable errors. First, do not miss the registration deadline if you are a new participant. October 17 at 11:59 PM is the cutoff; registering even one minute late will disqualify you. Second, do not leave choice filling to the last moment. The portal may experience traffic on October 19, and if you wait until the evening, you risk being locked out. Fill your choices by October 18 afternoon and lock them well before 11:59 PM on October 19.
Third, do not ignore the reporting deadline. October 25–26 is your only window to report physically. If you are out of station or unable to travel, arrange for a representative or contact the college in advance—but do not assume you can report late. Fourth, do not forget to bring original certificates. Photocopies are not accepted during reporting. Finally, do not assume you will be allotted your first choice. Prepare mentally for any of your ranked colleges; if you are allotted a college lower on your list, you must still report if you wish to secure a seat.
How to prepare your choice list strategically
Before October 18, research the colleges and courses available in the stray round. Visit the DME Assam website to see which colleges have vacancies and in which courses (MBBS or BDS). Check the location, infrastructure, and reputation of each college. Rank them based on your genuine preference, not just on perceived prestige. A college closer to home or with better facilities for your needs may be a better choice than a distant, highly-ranked college.
Consider your NEET score and the expected cutoff for each college. If your score is on the lower end, prioritize colleges that typically have lower cutoffs. If your score is competitive, you can aim higher. However, always include at least one or two colleges where you are confident of getting a seat based on past cutoff trends. This balanced approach maximizes your chances of securing admission.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Do I need to register again if I already registered in Round 1, 2, or 3 of Assam counselling?
No. If you registered in any earlier round, you are exempt from re-registration. You can log in directly using your existing credentials and proceed to choice filling. Re-registration is only for candidates who are participating in the stray round for the first time and did not register in earlier rounds.
What is the last date to fill and lock my choices in the stray round?
Choice filling is open from October 18 to October 19, 2026, until 10:00 PM. Choice locking happens on October 19 from 7:00 PM to 11:59 PM. You must lock your choices by 11:59 PM on October 19; after that, you cannot modify them.
When will the seat allotment results be announced?
The provisional allotment results will be published on October 21, 2026. You can check the DME Assam portal using your login credentials to see which college and course you have been allotted.
What documents do I need to bring during physical reporting?
Bring all original certificates, including your 10th and 12th mark sheets, NEET admit card, category certificate (if applicable), and any other documents specified by the DME or your allotted college. Photocopies are not accepted. You will also undergo medical fitness verification and pay the admission fee during reporting.
Can I participate in the stray round if I was allotted a seat in Round 3 but did not report?
No. If you were allotted a seat in any earlier round (Round 1, 2, 3, or state-level round), you are not eligible for the stray round, even if you did not report. The stray round is only for candidates who were not allotted a seat in earlier phases.
What happens if I do not report by October 26?
If you do not report physically to your allotted college by October 26, 2026, your seat will be cancelled. Your admission will not be confirmed, and the seat will be offered to the next eligible candidate. Reporting is mandatory and there is no extension.
Can I change my choice after locking it on October 19?
No. Once you lock your choices by 11:59 PM on October 19, you cannot modify them. The allotment will be based on your locked choices. Therefore, ensure your choices are correct before locking.
Where do I register and fill choices for the stray round?
All registration and choice filling is done online on the DME Assam official portal at dme.assam.gov.in. You will need your NEET roll number and date of birth to log in or register.
The Assam stray round is a genuine opportunity to secure a government MBBS or BDS seat, but only if you act decisively within the tight timeline. Register by October 17, prepare your choice list in advance, lock your choices by October 19 evening, and be ready to report physically by October 26. Missing any deadline will cost you the seat.
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