The Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) has pushed back the registration deadline for the UGMAC 2026 Stray Vacancy Round to October 24, 2026. This is the final counselling phase under UGMAC this year and represents the last opportunity for NEET UG qualifiers to secure a medical or dental seat in Bihar. The board has also adjusted all subsequent milestones—rank card release, choice filling, and seat allotment—to accommodate the extended timeline. If you have qualified NEET UG and hold Bihar domicile, understanding this revised schedule is critical to avoid missing your window.
The Stray Round registration deadline is now October 24 (10 PM), with rank cards released October 25 and provisional seat allotment on October 27—this is your final chance to secure an MBBS, BDS, or AYUSH seat in Bihar for 2026.
Your matched MBBS & BDS colleges
LockedEnter your NEET rank to unlock the real colleges you can get — All India Quota and every state — with official closing ranks and fees.
Unlock My College ListWhat Is the UGMAC Stray Round and Why Does It Matter?
The Stray Vacancy Round is the concluding phase of UGMAC counselling. It exists to fill seats that remain vacant after the main and earlier supplementary rounds. For many aspirants, this round offers a genuine second chance—either to apply for the first time if they were ineligible earlier, or to upgrade their college or course choice if they did not secure a seat previously.
This round is significant because it is the last counselling window under UGMAC for the 2026 academic session. Once the Stray Round concludes, no further counselling will be conducted by BCECEB. Missing this deadline means losing your opportunity to secure a government or private medical seat in Bihar this year.
Revised Timeline: Key Dates You Must Know
BCECEB has issued advisory BCECEB(UGMAC)-2026/16 with the updated schedule. The original registration deadline of October 21 has been extended by three days to October 24. All subsequent events have been shifted proportionally to maintain the counselling workflow.
The compressed timeline means you have very little room for delay. Registration and choice filling happen on the same day (October 25), and the provisional allotment result follows just two days later on October 27. Plan your document verification and choice preparation well in advance.
- Online registration and application editing: October 24, 2026 (up to 10 PM)
- Counselling fee payment: October 24, 2026 (up to 11:59 PM)
- Rank card release: October 25, 2026
- Choice filling, editing, and locking: October 25, 2026
- Provisional seat allotment result: October 27, 2026
Who Can Apply for the Stray Round?
Eligibility is straightforward but has important exclusions. You must have qualified NEET UG 2026 and hold a valid Bihar state domicile certificate. Candidates who were allotted a seat in an earlier UGMAC round (Round 1, 2, or 3) but did not join—either because they resigned or did not report—may also apply, provided they comply with the board's rules on resignation and non-reporting.
Know the exact MBBS/BDS colleges your rank can get
Official 2023–2025 closing ranks and fees, matched to your rank.
However, if you have already secured and taken admission against an allotted seat in Round 3, you are generally barred from participating in the Stray Round. The board's official notice contains detailed eligibility clauses; read them carefully before applying to avoid rejection.
- Must have qualified NEET UG 2026
- Must hold valid Bihar state domicile
- Can apply if allotted but did not join in earlier rounds (subject to board rules)
- Cannot apply if already admitted in Round 3
- Must verify eligibility clauses in the official advisory
What Courses and Seats Are Available?
The Stray Round covers a broad range of medical and allied health courses across government and private institutions in Bihar. The seats on offer are those that remain unfilled after the main and earlier supplementary rounds. The number and distribution of seats vary by course and college.
BCECEB publishes a detailed seat matrix on its portal showing the exact number of vacant seats in each course at each college. You must download and review this matrix before locking your choices. The matrix is updated regularly, so check the official website for the latest version before making your final decision.
- MBBS (government and private medical colleges)
- BDS (government and private dental colleges)
- BAMS (Ayurveda colleges)
- BHMS (Homeopathy colleges)
- BUMS (Unani colleges)
Step-by-Step: How to Register for the Stray Round
The entire process is online and must be completed through the official BCECEB portal at bceceboard.bihar.gov.in. The registration process is similar to earlier UGMAC rounds but is time-sensitive. You will need your NEET UG 2026 roll number and password to log in.
After logging in, you will fill out the application form and upload required documents (typically your NEET scorecard, domicile certificate, and category certificate if applicable). The counselling fee must be paid online before 11:59 PM on October 24. Payment can be made via net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI. Save your fee transaction receipt until your admission is confirmed.
- Visit bceceboard.bihar.gov.in and navigate to the UGMAC 2026 section
- Click on the Stray Vacancy Round registration link
- Log in using your NEET UG 2026 roll number and password
- Fill the application form completely and upload required documents
- Pay the counselling fee online before 11:59 PM on October 24
- Submit the form and save a printout for your records
Locking Your Choices: What You Need to Know
Every kind of MBBS/BDS seat, one rank
See the real seats your NEET rank can reach.
Choice filling and locking occur on October 25, 2026. You will log in using your rank card credentials (which are released the same day) and select colleges and courses in order of preference. The system allows you to edit your choices multiple times until the end of the day, after which all unlocked choices are automatically locked.
This is a critical step. Once a seat is allotted to you in the Stray Round, resignation is not permitted under BCECEB rules. Therefore, list only those colleges and courses where you are genuinely prepared to report for admission. Do not include options you are unsure about or unwilling to join.
- Log in on October 25 using rank card credentials
- Select colleges and courses in order of preference
- You can edit choices multiple times until end of day
- Unlocked choices are automatically locked at day's end
- No resignation allowed after seat allotment in Stray Round
- List only colleges where you are ready to report
What Happens After Provisional Allotment?
The provisional seat allotment result will be released on October 27, 2026. This result shows which seat (if any) has been allotted to you based on your NEET rank, category, and choice order. Check the official portal immediately after the result is published to confirm your allotment.
If you are allotted a seat, the next step is to report to the college on the date specified by BCECEB. Bring all original documents (NEET scorecard, domicile, category certificate, 10th and 12th mark sheets, etc.) and complete the admission formalities. Failure to report on time may result in forfeiture of your seat.
- Provisional allotment released on October 27, 2026
- Check the official portal immediately for your result
- If allotted, note the reporting date and college
- Bring all original documents to the college
- Complete admission formalities on time to confirm your seat
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many aspirants miss the Stray Round deadline because they underestimate the compressed timeline. October 24 is the final date for both registration and fee payment. If you wait until the last few hours, you risk technical glitches, payment delays, or server overload. Complete your registration and payment well before the deadline.
Another frequent error is not reading the seat matrix carefully. Aspirants sometimes lock choices for colleges that have no vacant seats in their category, wasting their opportunity. Always cross-check the seat matrix and verify that your chosen college-course combination has available seats before locking your choices. Finally, do not list colleges you are unwilling to join; once allotted, you cannot resign.
- Do not wait until the last hour to register; complete it by October 23 if possible
- Verify the seat matrix before locking choices
- Ensure your chosen college-course has vacant seats in your category
- Do not list colleges you are unwilling to join
- Save all receipts and confirmations for future reference
- Read the official advisory in full to avoid eligibility issues
See the exact MBBS colleges your NEET rank can get
Free 2-minute preview — official closing ranks and fees for every seat your rank can reach, All India and your state.
See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the new registration deadline for UGMAC 2026 Stray Round?
The registration deadline has been extended to October 24, 2026, up to 10 PM. The counselling fee must be paid by 11:59 PM on the same date. The original deadline was October 21, but BCECEB extended it by three days.
When will the rank card be released for the Stray Round?
The rank card will be released on October 25, 2026. You will need your rank card credentials to log in and fill your choices on the same day.
Can I apply for the Stray Round if I was allotted a seat in Round 3 but did not join?
Yes, you can apply if you were allotted a seat in an earlier round but did not join, provided you comply with BCECEB's rules on resignation and non-reporting. However, if you have already taken admission in Round 3, you cannot apply for the Stray Round.
What courses are available in the UGMAC 2026 Stray Round?
The Stray Round covers MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, and BUMS courses across government and private colleges in Bihar. The exact number of vacant seats in each course and college is listed in the seat matrix on the BCECEB portal.
When will the provisional seat allotment result be announced?
The provisional seat allotment result will be released on October 27, 2026. You must check the official portal immediately after the result is published to confirm your allotment.
Can I resign from a seat allotted in the Stray Round?
No, resignation is not permitted after a seat is allotted in the Stray Round. Therefore, list only those colleges and courses where you are genuinely prepared to report for admission.
What documents do I need to upload during registration?
You typically need to upload your NEET UG 2026 scorecard, Bihar domicile certificate, and category certificate (if applicable). Verify the exact list of required documents in the official advisory before uploading.
How can I pay the counselling fee?
You can pay the counselling fee online through net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI. Payment must be completed by 11:59 PM on October 24, 2026. Save your transaction receipt until your admission is confirmed.
If you are a NEET UG 2026 qualifier with Bihar domicile, treat October 24 as a hard deadline—register and pay your fee well before 11:59 PM to avoid last-minute technical issues. Download the seat matrix, verify your eligibility, and prepare your choice list carefully; once you lock your choices on October 25, your decision is final. Check bceceboard.bihar.gov.in on October 27 for your provisional allotment result and be ready to report to your allotted college immediately.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.