The Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Assam, has opened registration for the stray vacancy round of NEET UG counselling for 2026. 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, this is your opportunity to participate. The entire process—from registration to final reporting—spans just over a week, so timing and attention to deadlines are critical.
Register by October 17 (11:59 PM) on dme.assam.gov.in; fill choices by October 19 (10 PM); report to your allotted college by October 26 with original certificates and admission fees.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Assam NEET UG stray round and who can apply?
The stray vacancy round is the final phase of NEET UG counselling in Assam. It is designed to fill any remaining seats in government MBBS and BDS colleges that were not filled during the main counselling rounds (Rounds 1, 2, and 3). This round gives eligible candidates a second chance to secure admission if they missed out earlier or wish to explore additional college options.
To participate, you must have appeared in NEET UG 2026 and meet the eligibility criteria set by DME Assam. Importantly, if you already hold an allotted seat from any of the three main rounds or from the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), you cannot participate in the stray round. Similarly, candidates who have already been admitted to a college are not eligible.
Complete timeline for Assam stray round registration and counselling
The stray round follows a compressed schedule to fill vacancies quickly. All dates and times are fixed, and missing any deadline means you lose your chance to participate in that step. Below is the exact sequence of events you must follow.
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Online registration | October 17, 2026 (until 11:59 PM) |
| Choice filling | October 18–19, 2026 (until 10:00 PM on October 19) |
| Choice locking | October 19, 2026 (7:00 PM to 11:59 PM) |
| Seat allotment process | October 20, 2026 |
| Allotment results published | October 21, 2026 |
| Physical reporting and admission | October 25–26, 2026 |
How to register and fill your choices
Registration opens on October 17 at dme.assam.gov.in. You will need to log in using your NEET UG credentials and complete the online registration form. Ensure all your personal and academic details are correct before submitting. Registration closes at 11:59 PM the same day, so do not delay.
Once registered, you can begin filling your college and course choices from October 18. You have until 10:00 PM on October 19 to finalize your choices. After 10:00 PM, a choice-locking window opens from 7:00 PM to 11:59 PM on October 19, during which you can lock your choices. Locking is mandatory—it confirms your final preference order and cannot be changed after the deadline. Plan your choices carefully: rank colleges in order of your genuine preference, considering location, infrastructure, and course reputation.
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- Register on dme.assam.gov.in by October 17, 11:59 PM
- Fill choices between October 18–19 (until 10:00 PM)
- Lock your choices between 7:00 PM and 11:59 PM on October 19
- Do not miss any deadline—extensions are unlikely
Understanding seat allotment and how seats are assigned
After choice locking, DME Assam will process all registrations and run the allotment algorithm on October 20. The algorithm matches your NEET rank, category, and choice preferences against available seats. Results are published on October 21. You will be able to check your allotment status on the official portal using your login credentials.
Seats are assigned based on merit (NEET rank), category (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS), and your choice order. If your rank qualifies for your first choice college, you will be allotted there. If not, the system moves to your second choice, and so on. It is crucial to fill choices realistically—include colleges where your rank genuinely qualifies, not just aspirational choices.
- Allotment is merit-based and follows your choice order
- Results are published on October 21
- Check your allotment status on dme.assam.gov.in
- Only provisionally allotted seats are confirmed after physical reporting
What to do after receiving your allotment result
If you are allotted a seat, you must report physically to your assigned college between October 25 and 26, 2026. This is a mandatory step—failure to report will result in forfeiture of your seat. During reporting, you will need to submit original certificates (10th, 12th, NEET admit card, category certificate if applicable), undergo medical verification, and pay the admission fee as prescribed by the college.
Bring all original documents in person. Photocopies alone are not accepted. Medical verification is a standard procedure to ensure you meet the health requirements for medical or dental education. The admission fee varies by college and category; check the official DME Assam website or contact your allotted college for the exact amount. Once you complete reporting and pay the fee, your admission is confirmed.
- Report to your allotted college on October 25–26, 2026
- Bring original certificates: 10th, 12th, NEET admit card, category certificate
- Undergo medical verification at the college
- Pay the prescribed admission fee
- Failure to report forfeits your seat
Re-registration policy: Do you need to register again?
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If you participated in any of the three main counselling rounds (Round 1, 2, or 3) and registered then, you do not need to re-register for the stray round. You can directly proceed to choice filling on October 18. This exemption saves time and reduces administrative burden for candidates who have already gone through the main process.
However, if you did not register in any previous round, you must complete the full registration process on October 17. Check your registration status on the DME Assam portal before October 17 to confirm whether you need to register or can skip directly to choice filling.
- Previously registered candidates: skip registration, go directly to choice filling
- New candidates: must register on October 17
- Verify your registration status on dme.assam.gov.in before October 17
Who is NOT eligible for the stray round?
Certain candidates are barred from participating in the stray round. If you have already been allotted a seat in any of the three main rounds of Assam counselling, you cannot apply. Similarly, if you have been allotted a seat through the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) national-level counselling, you are ineligible. The rule is straightforward: one seat per candidate. Once you hold an allotted seat, you cannot participate in further rounds.
Additionally, candidates who have already completed admission formalities and joined a college are not eligible. The stray round is only for those who do not yet have a confirmed seat. If you are unsure about your eligibility, contact DME Assam or check the official notification on dme.assam.gov.in.
- Already allotted a seat in Rounds 1, 2, or 3: ineligible
- Already allotted through MCC national counselling: ineligible
- Already admitted and joined a college: ineligible
- Contact DME Assam if unsure about your eligibility
Practical tips to maximize your chances in the stray round
Start by researching which colleges have vacancies in the stray round. While DME Assam does not always publish a detailed vacancy list in advance, you can infer from previous years' data or contact colleges directly. Prioritize colleges where your NEET rank is competitive. Filling choices for colleges where your rank is far below the cutoff wastes your preference slots.
Fill all available choice slots—do not leave blanks. The more choices you provide, the higher your chances of allotment. Arrange your choices in genuine order of preference, not randomly. If you are allotted a seat you did not truly want, you will be bound by it. Finally, set reminders for all deadlines. Missing even one deadline (registration, choice filling, choice locking, or reporting) can cost you your seat. Use your phone calendar or a written checklist to stay on track.
- Research college vacancies and your rank competitiveness
- Fill all available choice slots
- Rank colleges in genuine order of preference
- Set reminders for all deadlines
- Prepare documents (certificates, ID proof) in advance
- Confirm the exact admission fee with your allotted college beforehand
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the Assam NEET UG stray round?
The stray round is the final phase of NEET UG counselling in Assam. It fills any remaining seats in government MBBS and BDS colleges that were not filled during the three main counselling rounds. It is open to eligible candidates who do not yet hold an allotted seat.
When does registration for the Assam stray round open and close?
Registration opens on October 17, 2026, and closes at 11:59 PM the same day. You must register on dme.assam.gov.in within this window. If you registered in any of the three main rounds, you do not need to re-register.
What are the key dates I must remember for the stray round?
Registration: October 17 (11:59 PM). Choice filling: October 18–19 (until 10:00 PM). Choice locking: October 19 (7:00 PM to 11:59 PM). Allotment results: October 21. Physical reporting: October 25–26. Missing any deadline means you lose that step.
Can I participate in the stray round if I already have an allotted seat?
No. If you have been allotted a seat in any of the three main rounds or through MCC national counselling, you are ineligible for the stray round. The rule is one seat per candidate. Once you hold an allotted seat, you cannot apply further.
What documents do I need to bring for physical reporting?
Bring original certificates: 10th mark sheet, 12th mark sheet, NEET admit card, and category certificate (if applicable). Photocopies are not accepted. You will also undergo medical verification and pay the admission fee at the college.
What happens if I do not report to my allotted college by October 26?
If you do not report within the deadline, your seat will be forfeited. You will lose your allotment and cannot claim it later. Physical reporting is mandatory to confirm your admission.
How are seats assigned in the stray round?
Seats are assigned based on your NEET rank, category (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS), and your choice order. The allotment algorithm matches your rank and preferences against available seats. If your rank qualifies for your first choice, you are allotted there; otherwise, the system moves to your next choice.
Can I change my choices after locking them on October 19?
No. Once you lock your choices between 7:00 PM and 11:59 PM on October 19, they cannot be changed. Plan your choices carefully before locking. Rank colleges in genuine order of preference.
If you are eligible and did not secure a seat in the main rounds, the stray round is your final opportunity for admission to a government MBBS or BDS college in Assam. Register immediately on October 17, fill your choices thoughtfully by October 19, and prepare all documents for reporting by October 25–26. Stay alert to deadlines—there are no extensions.
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