The Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC) in Puducherry has opened registration for the Special Stray Round of NEET UG 2026 counselling. This round fills any remaining vacant MBBS and BDS seats across Government and Management Quota colleges in the union territory. It is also accepting fresh applications for Management Quota positions. For NEET UG 2026 qualifiers who did not secure a seat in earlier rounds, this represents the final opportunity to gain admission to a medical or dental programme in Puducherry.
If you qualified NEET UG 2026 and did not get a seat in Rounds 1–3, register immediately for the Special Stray Round on centacpuducherry.in by 5:00 PM on November 8, 2026.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the CENTAC Special Stray Round and who can apply?
The Special Stray Round is the final counselling phase conducted by CENTAC when MBBS and BDS seats remain unfilled after the main three rounds of seat allotment. Unlike earlier rounds, this round also welcomes fresh applications from candidates seeking Management Quota positions, widening the pool of eligible applicants.
Any candidate who qualified NEET UG 2026 and meets CENTAC eligibility criteria can apply. This includes aspirants who did not receive a seat in Rounds 1, 2, or 3; fresh applicants for Management Quota seats; reserved category candidates (EBC, SC, ST, GSS); and Puducherry residents seeking Government Quota admission. You do not need to have applied in previous rounds to participate in the Special Stray Round.
- Open to all NEET UG 2026 qualifiers meeting CENTAC eligibility norms
- Candidates who missed earlier rounds can apply afresh
- Fresh Management Quota applications are invited
- Reserved category candidates and Puducherry residents are eligible
- No prior counselling participation required
Key dates and deadlines for CENTAC Special Stray Round 2026
The registration window is tight, so mark these dates carefully. Payment of the registration fee and submission of willingness to participate must be completed by 5:00 PM on November 8, 2026. Course preference submission also closes on the same date at 5:00 PM. Fresh applications for Management Quota seats must also be submitted by November 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Note that preference submission can begin on November 4, 2026, giving you a four-day window to decide which colleges and courses to list. It is critical to submit both your fee payment and preferences before the deadline; late submissions will not be accepted.
- Registration fee payment and willingness submission: November 2–8, 2026 (by 5:00 PM)
- Course preference submission: November 4–8, 2026 (by 5:00 PM)
- Fresh Management Quota applications: by November 8, 2026 (by 5:00 PM)
- All deadlines are strict; no extensions are granted
| Activity | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Pay registration fee and submit willingness | November 8, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Submit course preferences | November 8, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Submit fresh Management Quota applications | November 8, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
Registration fee structure and payment options
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The registration fee varies by category and is adjusted against your tuition fee once you join an allotted seat. General and Open category candidates must pay ₹1,00,000, while reserved category candidates (EBC, SC, ST, GSS) pay ₹25,000. If you have already paid a fee in an earlier round, you will pay only the balance amount due.
Payment is accepted through multiple online modes: net banking, debit card, credit card, and UPI. Only candidates who successfully pay the applicable fee will be considered for seat allotment. Ensure your payment is processed and confirmed before the deadline.
- General and Open category: ₹1,00,000
- Reserved category (EBC, SC, ST, GSS): ₹25,000
- Fee is adjusted against tuition charges upon admission
- Candidates who paid earlier need to pay only the balance
- Payment methods: net banking, debit card, credit card, UPI
| Category | Registration Fee (MBBS and BDS) |
|---|---|
| General and Open | ₹1,00,000 |
| Reserved (EBC, SC, ST, GSS) | ₹25,000 |
Documents you must prepare and upload
Before you begin registration, gather and scan all required documents. The portal will ask you to upload these files, and they must meet the specified file size limits. Having everything ready in advance will speed up your registration and reduce the risk of missing the deadline.
Essential documents include your NEET UG 2026 admit card and scorecard, Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets and passing certificates, a transfer certificate from your last school or college, and a recent passport-size photograph and signature. If you are a Puducherry resident applying for Government Quota, you will also need a nativity certificate. Reserved category candidates must provide a community certificate. All candidates must upload proof of identity such as an Aadhaar card or government-issued ID.
- NEET UG 2026 admit card and scorecard
- Class 10 marksheet and passing certificate
- Class 12 marksheet and passing certificate
- Transfer certificate from last institution
- Nativity certificate (Puducherry residents only)
- Community certificate (reserved category candidates only)
- Recent passport-size photograph and signature
- Aadhaar card or government-issued ID proof
Step-by-step registration process on the CENTAC portal
Registration is conducted entirely online through the CENTAC Puducherry website. The process is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail. Start by visiting centacpuducherry.in and locating the Special Stray Round registration link on the homepage.
Log in using your existing CENTAC credentials if you have registered before, or complete a fresh registration if this is your first time. Fill in all academic and NEET UG 2026 details accurately. Upload scanned copies of all required documents, ensuring they meet the portal's file size specifications. Select and pay your applicable registration fee through the available online payment methods. Finally, submit the form and save the confirmation page for your records.
- Visit centacpuducherry.in
- Click the Special Stray Round registration link
- Log in with existing credentials or register afresh
- Fill in academic and NEET UG 2026 details
- Upload all required scanned documents
- Pay the applicable registration fee online
- Submit the form and save the confirmation page
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How CENTAC counselling rounds work and why the Stray Round matters
CENTAC conducts NEET UG counselling in four phases: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and the Special Stray Round. Each round allocates seats based on merit, category, and candidate preferences. After Rounds 1–3, if seats remain vacant due to candidates declining allotments or not reporting to colleges, those seats are filled in the Special Stray Round.
The Special Stray Round is your last chance to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Puducherry for the 2026 academic year. Once this round concludes and seats are allotted, the counselling process ends. If you do not participate or are not allotted a seat, you will need to explore admission options outside Puducherry or consider other pathways. This round is critical for aspirants who narrowly missed seats in earlier phases.
- CENTAC conducts four counselling phases in sequence
- Special Stray Round fills seats vacant after Rounds 1–3
- This is the final opportunity for Puducherry MBBS/BDS admission
- Candidates must submit fresh course preferences for each round
- Allotment is based on merit, category, and preferences
What happens after you register: allotment and reporting
After the registration and preference submission deadline, CENTAC will process all applications and generate a seat allotment list. The timing of this result will be announced on the official portal. Once the allotment list is released, you must check whether you have been allocated a seat and to which college and course.
If you receive an allotment, you will have a specified reporting window to visit your allotted college, complete admission formalities, and submit original documents. Failure to report within the deadline will result in forfeiture of your seat. Keep monitoring the CENTAC portal and your registered email and phone number for updates on allotment results and reporting dates.
- CENTAC will release the seat allotment list after processing
- Check the portal for your allotment status and college assignment
- A reporting window will be announced for document submission
- You must report to your allotted college within the deadline
- Failure to report will result in loss of your seat
- Monitor the portal and your contact details for updates
Support and helpline contact information
If you encounter any issues during registration or have questions about the process, CENTAC operates a dedicated helpdesk. You can contact them at 0413 2655570 or 0413 2655571. The helpline is available from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on working days only, so plan your calls accordingly.
Before calling, verify the exact deadlines and requirements on the official CENTAC Puducherry portal, as any updates or clarifications will be posted there first. The helpdesk staff can assist with technical issues, eligibility queries, and document-related questions.
- Helpline numbers: 0413 2655570 and 0413 2655571
- Operating hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on working days
- Contact for technical issues, eligibility queries, and document questions
- Always verify information on the official portal first
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the CENTAC Special Stray Round and when is it held?
The Special Stray Round is the final phase of CENTAC NEET UG counselling, held after Rounds 1, 2, and 3 to fill any remaining vacant MBBS and BDS seats. It is conducted when seats are not filled in earlier rounds due to candidates declining allotments or not reporting to colleges. For 2026, registration opened on November 3, 2026, with a deadline of November 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Who is eligible to apply for the CENTAC Special Stray Round 2026?
Any candidate who qualified NEET UG 2026 and meets CENTAC eligibility criteria can apply. This includes aspirants who did not receive a seat in Rounds 1–3, fresh applicants for Management Quota seats, reserved category candidates (EBC, SC, ST, GSS), and Puducherry residents seeking Government Quota admission. You do not need to have participated in earlier rounds.
How much is the registration fee and how is it adjusted?
General and Open category candidates pay ₹1,00,000, while reserved category candidates (EBC, SC, ST, GSS) pay ₹25,000. The fee is adjusted against your tuition charges once you join an allotted seat. If you paid a fee in an earlier round, you will pay only the balance amount due. Payment is accepted through net banking, debit card, credit card, and UPI.
What documents do I need to upload during registration?
You must upload your NEET UG 2026 admit card and scorecard, Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets and passing certificates, a transfer certificate from your last institution, a recent passport-size photograph and signature, and proof of identity (Aadhaar or government ID). If you are a Puducherry resident, include a nativity certificate. If you belong to a reserved category, include a community certificate.
What is the deadline for registering and submitting preferences?
Both registration fee payment and course preference submission must be completed by 5:00 PM on November 8, 2026. Preference submission can begin on November 4, 2026, giving you a four-day window. Fresh Management Quota applications must also be submitted by the same deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted.
How do I register on the CENTAC portal?
Visit centacpuducherry.in, click the Special Stray Round registration link, and log in with existing credentials or register afresh. Fill in your academic and NEET UG 2026 details, upload all required scanned documents, pay the applicable fee online, and submit the form. Save the confirmation page for your records.
What happens after I submit my registration and preferences?
CENTAC will process all applications and release a seat allotment list. You must check the portal to see if you have been allocated a seat and to which college. If allotted, you will have a specified reporting window to visit your college, complete admission formalities, and submit original documents. Failure to report within the deadline will result in loss of your seat.
Is this the last chance to get an MBBS or BDS seat in Puducherry for 2026?
Yes, the Special Stray Round is the final counselling phase for NEET UG 2026 admissions in Puducherry. Once this round concludes and seats are allotted, the counselling process ends. If you do not participate or are not allotted a seat, you will need to explore admission options outside Puducherry or consider other pathways.
Register immediately on centacpuducherry.in if you are a NEET UG 2026 qualifier seeking an MBBS or BDS seat in Puducherry. With the deadline set for November 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM, gather your documents, arrange your registration fee, and complete the process without delay. Monitor the CENTAC portal closely for the allotment result and reporting dates.
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