The Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) has announced the counselling schedule for the first stray vacancy round in Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Unani medicine programmes across government and private colleges in the state. This round will fill seats that remained vacant after the third regular counselling round concluded in early November. NEET UG aspirants who did not secure admission in earlier rounds now have another opportunity to apply based on their all-India rank (AIR). Understanding the timeline and process is crucial to avoid missing registration and choice-filling deadlines.
Registration for Bihar AYUSH stray vacancy round 1 opens November 14 and closes November 18 at 11:59 PM; seat allotment results will be published on November 21, 2026.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the stray vacancy round and who can apply?
The stray vacancy round is a supplementary counselling phase designed to fill seats that remain unoccupied after all regular counselling rounds conclude. In Bihar, this round applies to undergraduate programmes in Ayurveda (BAMS), Homeopathy (BHMS), and Unani medicine (BUMS) offered by both government and private AYUSH colleges across the state.
Any NEET UG candidate who appeared in the entrance exam and has a valid all-India rank is eligible to participate in this round, regardless of whether they applied in earlier counselling phases. This is particularly valuable for aspirants who either missed earlier deadlines, were not satisfied with their previous allotment, or are applying for the first time to fill remaining vacancies.
Important dates for registration and choice filling
The counselling authority will publish the complete list of vacant seats on November 14, 2026, on the official BCECEB website. On the same day, online registration and choice-filling will begin. Candidates must complete their registration, pay the counselling fee, and submit their application by November 18, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Any corrections to personal data or choices must also be finalised by this deadline.
After registration closes, the board will generate and publish rank cards on November 19, 2026. Candidates must then lock their college choices by 11:59 PM on the same day. The provisional seat allotment results will be announced on November 21, 2026, and candidates can download their allotment orders from November 21 to 24. Document verification and admission reporting will take place from November 23 to 24, 2026.
- Seat matrix released: November 14, 2026
- Registration and choice filling open: November 14, 2026
- Registration deadline: November 18, 2026 (11:59 PM)
- Fee payment and application submission deadline: November 18, 2026 (11:59 PM)
- Rank card publication: November 19, 2026
- Choice locking deadline: November 19, 2026 (11:59 PM)
- Provisional seat allotment result: November 21, 2026
- Allotment order download window: November 21–24, 2026
- Document verification and admission: November 23–24, 2026
Counselling fee structure for government and private colleges
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The counselling fee varies depending on the candidate's category and the type of college (government or private). For government AYUSH colleges, candidates from the unreserved, economically weaker section (EWS), backward class (BC), and extremely backward class (EBC) categories must pay ₹1,200. Candidates from scheduled caste (SC), scheduled tribe (ST), and differently abled (DQ) categories pay a reduced fee of ₹600.
For private AYUSH colleges, all candidates, regardless of category, must pay ₹1,200 as the counselling fee. Payment is accepted only through online modes; no offline or cash payment options are available. It is essential to complete fee payment within the registration deadline to ensure your application is processed and you remain eligible for seat allotment.
- Government colleges: ₹1,200 (unreserved, EWS, BC, EBC); ₹600 (SC, ST, DQ)
- Private colleges: ₹1,200 (all categories)
- Payment method: Online only
- Payment deadline: November 18, 2026 (11:59 PM)
How the stray vacancy round differs from regular counselling
The stray vacancy round operates on the same merit-based system as regular counselling but is limited to seats that remain vacant. Allotments are made strictly according to NEET UG all-India rank (AIR), with no separate state-level ranking. This means candidates are ranked nationally, and seats are filled in order of merit across all eligible applicants in this round.
Unlike regular counselling rounds where a large number of seats are available, the stray round typically has fewer vacancies. This makes it more competitive, as fewer seats are distributed among potentially many applicants. However, it remains an important opportunity for candidates who did not secure a seat earlier or who wish to upgrade their college or course choice.
Step-by-step process for applying in stray vacancy round 1
Begin by visiting the official BCECEB website on November 14, 2026, to view the available seats in each college and course. Register yourself using your NEET UG roll number and other required credentials. Fill in your personal and academic details accurately, as errors may lead to rejection or complications during document verification.
After registration, proceed to fill your choice of colleges and courses in order of preference. You can edit your choices until the deadline on November 19 at 11:59 PM. Once you lock your choices, they cannot be changed. Pay the counselling fee online before the November 18 deadline. On November 19, download your rank card and verify all details. If you were already registered in an earlier round, you may only need to provide consent and pay the fee for this stray round rather than re-registering completely.
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- Visit BCECEB official website on November 14
- Register using NEET UG credentials
- Fill personal and academic information
- Select and rank colleges and courses by preference
- Pay counselling fee online by November 18 (11:59 PM)
- Download rank card on November 19
- Lock choices by November 19 (11:59 PM)
- Download allotment order on November 21–24
- Complete document verification by November 24
What happens after seat allotment and document verification
Once your provisional seat allotment is published on November 21, you must download your allotment order and report to the assigned college for document verification between November 23 and 24, 2026. Bring all original documents, including your NEET UG admit card, mark sheet, 10th and 12th certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), and any other documents specified by the college.
During verification, the college will confirm that your documents match the information provided in your application and that you meet all eligibility criteria. If discrepancies are found or documents are incomplete, your admission may be cancelled or deferred. After successful verification, you will be issued a final admission letter and can proceed with fee payment and enrolment at the college.
Why AYUSH programmes matter for NEET UG aspirants
AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) programmes are regulated medical courses recognised by the Indian government and the National Medical Commission. BAMS, BHMS, and BUMS are four-year undergraduate degrees that lead to professional medical practice and are equivalent in status to MBBS in many respects. Graduates can register with their respective regulatory councils and practice independently.
For NEET UG aspirants who do not secure MBBS or BDS seats, AYUSH programmes offer a credible alternative to pursue a medical career. The stray vacancy round is an excellent opportunity to secure admission to these programmes if you missed earlier counselling phases or wish to upgrade your college choice. Many government AYUSH colleges in Bihar offer quality education at affordable fees, making this round particularly valuable for aspirants from economically weaker backgrounds.
Common mistakes to avoid during registration and choice filling
One of the most frequent errors is missing the registration deadline. Mark November 18 at 11:59 PM as a hard deadline and complete all steps well before this time to avoid last-minute technical issues or internet failures. Do not wait until the final hours to register or pay fees.
Another critical mistake is not locking your choices by the November 19 deadline. If you do not lock your choices, the system may not process your application for seat allotment. Additionally, ensure that you fill your choices in the correct order of preference, as the allotment algorithm will assign seats based on your ranked preferences and merit rank. Verify all information before submission, as corrections after the deadline are not permitted. Finally, do not ignore the document verification step; failure to report on time or with incomplete documents can result in cancellation of your allotment.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Who is eligible to apply for the Bihar AYUSH stray vacancy round 1 counselling?
Any candidate who appeared in NEET UG and has a valid all-India rank (AIR) is eligible to apply. You do not need to have participated in earlier counselling rounds. This round is open to all NEET UG aspirants, whether they are applying for the first time or seeking to upgrade their previous allotment.
What is the registration deadline for stray vacancy round 1?
Online registration, fee payment, and application submission must be completed by November 18, 2026, at 11:59 PM. This is a strict deadline; no extensions are granted. Ensure you complete all steps, including fee payment, before this time.
How much is the counselling fee, and does it vary by category?
For government AYUSH colleges, the fee is ₹1,200 for unreserved, EWS, BC, and EBC candidates, and ₹600 for SC, ST, and DQ candidates. For private colleges, all candidates pay ₹1,200. Payment is online only and must be completed by the registration deadline.
When will seat allotment results be announced?
Provisional seat allotment results will be published on November 21, 2026. You can download your allotment order from November 21 to 24, 2026. Document verification and admission reporting must be completed by November 24, 2026.
What should I do if I was already registered in an earlier counselling round?
If you participated in an earlier round, you may not need to re-register completely. Instead, you can provide consent for the stray vacancy round and pay the counselling fee between November 14 and 18, 2026. Check the BCECEB website for specific instructions for previously registered candidates.
Can I change my college choices after locking them on November 19?
No. Once you lock your choices by 11:59 PM on November 19, 2026, they cannot be edited or changed. You can edit your choices only before the locking deadline. Choose carefully and verify your preferences before locking.
What documents do I need to bring for document verification?
Bring your original NEET UG admit card, mark sheet, 10th and 12th certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), and any other documents specified by the college. Incomplete or mismatched documents may result in cancellation of your allotment. Verify the exact list of required documents from your assigned college.
What happens if I do not report for document verification by November 24?
If you fail to report for document verification within the specified dates, your seat allotment will be cancelled, and you will lose your admission. It is mandatory to complete verification on time. Plan your travel and ensure you can reach the college by the deadline.
Mark all key dates on your calendar, especially the November 18 registration deadline and November 19 choice-locking deadline. Visit the official BCECEB website regularly for updates, and ensure you have all required documents ready before document verification begins on November 23. This stray vacancy round is your final opportunity to secure an AYUSH seat in Bihar for 2026; do not miss it.
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