Bihar UGMAC 2026 Stray Round Cutoff: Final MBBS Seat Chance

The Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) has released the opening and closing NEET ranks for the Stray Vacancy Round (Round 4) of UGMAC 2026 counselling. This is the final opportunity for NEET UG 2026 candidates to secure an MBBS, BDS, or veterinary seat under Bihar's state quota. The round fills seats that remained vacant after the first three counselling phases. Allotted candidates must complete document verification and admission formalities by October 29, 2026—a tight 48-hour window.

What is the UGMAC 2026 Stray Round and why does it matter?

The stray round is the fourth and final phase of UGMAC (Undergraduate Medical Admission Counselling) for 2026. It exists to fill seats that were not filled during the three regular counselling rounds. For many candidates who narrowly missed earlier allotments or registered late, this round represents the last chance to secure a state quota medical seat in Bihar.

This year's stray round opened with 618 MBBS vacancies and 23 BDS vacancies. Of the MBBS seats, 117 are in government colleges and 501 are in private colleges under the state quota. The round also includes vacancies in veterinary (B.V.Sc. and A.H.) and agricultural science (B.F.Sc.) programmes. Nearly 80 percent of available MBBS seats are in private institutions, which is important to note when evaluating your options.

How to check your UGMAC 2026 stray round cutoff ranks

The opening and closing NEET ranks for each college, course, and category are now live on the official BCECEB portal at bceceboard.bihar.gov.in. These ranks tell you the range of candidates who received seats in each programme at each institution during this round.

To access the cutoff data, visit the BCECEB website, navigate to the UGMAC 2026 counselling section, and download the Round 4 opening and closing ranks PDF. The document is organised by college and course, with separate columns for opening rank (the highest rank allotted) and closing rank (the lowest rank allotted). Save this PDF—you will need it for document verification at your allotted college.

• Visit bceceboard.bihar.gov.in
• Open the UGMAC 2026 counselling section
• Click the Round 4 opening and closing ranks PDF link
• Download and search for your category and course
• Note the rank range for colleges of interest

Understanding the cutoff ranks: sample colleges and their ranges

The cutoff data shows significant variation across Bihar's medical colleges. For example, K.M.C. Katihar's MBBS programme had an opening rank of 38,582 and a closing rank of 38,582, meaning only one candidate was allotted. In contrast, Shri Narayan Medical Institute & Hospital in Saharsa had an opening rank of 32,147 and a closing rank of 1,88,208—a much wider range reflecting more vacancies.

Government colleges like N.M.C. & H. in Sasaram show tighter rank ranges (65,594 to 66,499), while private colleges like Buddha Hospital and Research Institute in Gaya and Himalaya Medical College in Patna show much broader ranges, indicating more available seats. Candidates should compare their NEET rank against these ranges to identify colleges where they are likely to be allotted.

Who is eligible for the UGMAC 2026 stray round?

To participate in the stray round, you must have registered during the extended registration window that closed on October 24, 2026. You must also hold a valid NEET UG 2026 scorecard and meet Bihar's state domicile criteria as defined by BCECEB. These eligibility rules ensure that only qualified candidates from the state can compete for these seats.

Importantly, having participated in earlier UGMAC rounds does not disqualify you from the stray round. However, if you have already completed full admission in an earlier round, you cannot use the stray round to upgrade to a different college or course. The stray round is designed for fresh registrants and candidates who did not secure seats in Rounds 1–3.

The 48-hour admission deadline: what you must do by October 29

Once you are allotted a seat in the stray round, you have a very short window to complete admission. All allotted candidates must finish document verification and admission formalities by October 29, 2026. This is a hard deadline; candidates who fail to report within this period will lose their seat, and it will not be offered again.

The process is straightforward: download your provisional seat allotment order from the BCECEB portal, print it on A4 paper, and report directly to your allotted college with original certificates, your NEET scorecard, and the required admission fee. Admission is confirmed only after successful document verification at the college. You do not need to report to BCECEB headquarters—the college handles the entire verification and admission process.

• Download provisional seat allotment order from the portal
• Print the order on A4 paper
• Gather original certificates and NEET scorecard
• Arrange the admission fee
• Report to the allotted college by October 29, 2026
• Complete document verification at the college

Why private colleges dominate the stray round vacancies

Of the 618 MBBS seats available in the stray round, 501 are in private colleges under the state quota. This reflects a broader trend in Bihar's medical education landscape: private institutions have expanded significantly, and many seats remain unfilled even after three rounds of counselling. This can happen for various reasons—high fees, location preferences, or candidates choosing to wait for better options.

For candidates with NEET ranks in the 3,00,000+ range, private colleges in the stray round may be the only realistic pathway to an MBBS seat this year. While private college fees are higher than government institutions, securing a seat is the priority. Candidates should research each college's infrastructure, faculty, and placement record before reporting for admission.

What happens after October 29? Mop-up rounds and future steps

After the October 29 deadline, BCECEB may release a final vacancy update if seats remain unfilled even after the stray round. This could lead to a mop-up round for leftover AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy) or BDS seats. Candidates should monitor the BCECEB portal regularly for any such announcements.

If you do not secure a seat in the stray round, you have other options: pursue AYUSH programmes if interested, consider medical education outside Bihar, or prepare for NEET UG 2027. The stray round is the final state quota opportunity for 2026, so it is worth acting decisively if your rank falls within the cutoff range of any college.

Step-by-step action plan for stray round candidates

If you are eligible for the stray round, follow this sequence to secure your seat. First, download the Round 4 opening and closing ranks PDF from bceceboard.bihar.gov.in and identify colleges where your NEET rank falls within the cutoff range. Next, log into the UGMAC portal using your credentials and check your allotment status under the stray round tab.

Once you confirm your allotment, print the provisional seat allotment order immediately. Gather all required original documents—your NEET scorecard, Class 12 certificate, domicile certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), and any other documents specified by the college. Arrange the admission fee (amount varies by college and course) and report to your allotted college on October 28 or 29, 2026. Complete document verification on the same day to confirm your admission.

• Download and review the Round 4 cutoff PDF
• Identify colleges matching your NEET rank
• Log into the UGMAC portal and check allotment status
• Print the provisional seat allotment order
• Collect all original certificates and documents
• Arrange the admission fee
• Report to the college by October 29, 2026
• Complete document verification on the same day

Frequently asked questions

Download the Round 4 cutoff PDF from bceceboard.bihar.gov.in immediately and check if your NEET rank falls within any college's range. If allotted, act fast: print your seat allotment order, gather all original documents, and report to your college by October 29, 2026. This is your final opportunity to secure a state quota MBBS or BDS seat in Bihar for 2026.