The Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC) in Puducherry has launched a Special Stray Round for MBBS and BDS admissions, offering 62 unfilled seats across private medical and dental colleges in the union territory. This round is open to NEET-qualified candidates who have not yet secured a seat or who wish to explore additional options. The application window runs from 2 to 8 November 2026, with a 5 p.m. deadline. Candidates must submit their willingness, course preferences, and pay the full tuition fee to be considered for allotment in this final counselling phase.
If you are a NEET-qualified candidate without a seat or seeking a change, you have until 8 November 2026 to apply for 62 available MBBS and BDS seats in Puducherry's Special Stray Round—but you must pay the full tuition fee upfront.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Special Stray Round and who can apply?
The Special Stray Round is a final counselling phase designed to fill seats that remain vacant after earlier rounds of allotment. CENTAC has opened this round specifically for MBBS and BDS courses in private medical and dental colleges across Puducherry. The round is open to all NEET-qualified candidates, including those who applied in earlier rounds but were not allotted, as well as fresh applicants who did not participate before.
However, certain candidates are ineligible. You cannot participate if you are already on the Round 3 or Stray Round allotment list of CENTAC counselling, if you have been admitted under All India Quota or State Quota in Round 3, or if you have already been allotted a seat in any stray round conducted by MCC or AYUSH counselling. Additionally, candidates who are currently admitted and have joined a seat cannot resign and re-enter this round.
How many seats are available and where?
A total of 62 seats remain unfilled across three institutions in Puducherry. The breakdown is as follows: 35 MBBS seats under Management Quota at Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College and Research Institute (SVMCRI), 26 BDS seats under Management Quota at Sri Venkateshwaraa Dental College (SVDC), and 1 BDS seat under Government Quota at MINDS in Mahe. All MBBS vacancies are in the private (Management Quota) category, while the single government-quota BDS seat offers an opportunity for candidates seeking a government-funded option.
- SVMCRI, Puducherry: 35 MBBS (Management Quota)
- SVDC, Puducherry: 26 BDS (Management Quota)
- MINDS, Mahe: 1 BDS (Government Quota)
| College | Course | Quota Type | Vacant Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| SVMCRI, Puducherry | MBBS | Management Quota | 35 |
| SVDC, Puducherry | BDS | Management Quota | 26 |
| MINDS, Mahe | BDS | Government Quota | 1 |
What is the application and payment process?
To participate, you must complete three steps between 2 and 8 November 2026 by 5 p.m. First, submit a fresh online application if you are a new candidate, or log in with your existing CENTAC credentials if you applied earlier. Second, submit your willingness to participate and your course preferences. Third, pay the full tuition fee for your chosen course and quota. The fee amount varies by college and course; you must check the CENTAC website for the exact fee applicable to each institution.
Payment must be made through net banking or by generating an NEFT/RTGS challan via your dashboard login. It is critical to pay the exact amount shown in the challan to avoid rejection or delays. If you participated in earlier rounds and already paid a registration fee, you must now pay the balance amount due for the Special Stray Round. Candidates who have already paid fees in previous rounds should verify the outstanding balance before making payment.
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- Register or log in using CENTAC credentials by 8 November 2026, 5 p.m.
- Submit willingness and course preferences by 8 November 2026, 5 p.m.
- Pay full tuition fee via net banking, NEFT, or RTGS challan
- Verify exact fee amount on CENTAC website before payment
- Keep payment confirmation for records
Important rules and consequences of joining or not joining
If you are allotted a seat in the Special Stray Round and you join it, you are committed to that seat. If you fail to join after allotment, the full tuition fee you paid will be forfeited. For candidates from Puducherry belonging to SC/ST/EBC or GSS categories who are allotted under Government Quota, a registration fee of ₹50,000 for MBBS or BDS will be forfeited if they do not join.
The consequences of non-joining are severe. You will be barred from participating in any further counselling rounds, if they are conducted. You will also be debarred from appearing in the NEET-UG exam in the following year. CENTAC will publish a list of ineligible candidates on its website, and this status will remain on record. This rule is designed to ensure that seats are filled by serious candidates and to prevent misuse of the counselling system.
- Full tuition fee is forfeited if you do not join an allotted seat
- You cannot participate in further counselling rounds
- You are barred from taking NEET-UG the following year
- Your name will be published on the ineligible candidates list
- No sliding (changing course after allotment) is allowed in this round
How course preferences work in the Special Stray Round
Course preferences submitted in earlier rounds are not valid for the Special Stray Round. You must submit your course preferences afresh between 4 and 8 November 2026 by 5 p.m. This means you have the opportunity to change your choices based on the available vacancies and your current priorities. However, once you are allotted a seat, you cannot slide or switch to a different course or college—the allotment is final.
The available courses for preference submission will depend on the seat conversion algorithm applied by CENTAC. Unfilled Government Quota seats may be converted to Management Quota seats if no eligible government-quota candidates remain on the merit list. This conversion happens automatically, and the course options enabled in the dashboard will reflect the final available seats after conversion.
- Previous course preferences are null and void
- Submit fresh preferences between 4–8 November 2026, 5 p.m.
- Preferences are based on available vacancies after seat conversion
- No sliding allowed after allotment
- Allotment is final and binding
Merit list priority and fresh candidate eligibility
CENTAC will first exhaust the existing merit list of candidates who applied in earlier rounds before considering fresh applications. This means if you are already on the merit list from a previous round, you will be considered for allotment before new candidates who are applying for the first time in this Special Stray Round. Fresh candidates will only be considered if seats remain after all existing merit-list candidates have been processed.
This prioritization ensures that candidates who have been waiting for a seat throughout the counselling process are given preference. If you are a fresh applicant, your chances depend on how many existing candidates are ahead of you on the merit list and how many seats are available.
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- Existing merit-list candidates are considered first
- Fresh candidates are considered only after merit list is exhausted
- Merit is based on NEET score and category
- Allotment follows the order of merit and seat availability
What happens if you are already admitted in another round?
If you have already been allotted and joined a seat in Round 1, Round 2, or Round 3 of CENTAC counselling, or if you have been allotted a seat in any stray round of MCC or AYUSH counselling, you are not eligible for this Special Stray Round. CENTAC does not permit candidates to resign from an admitted seat to participate in further rounds. This rule prevents seat wastage and ensures stability in the admission process.
The only exception is if you are on the allotment list but have not yet joined—in that case, you may be eligible depending on your specific status. It is advisable to check your current admission status on the CENTAC website or contact the committee directly if you are unsure whether you are eligible.
- Admitted candidates cannot resign to participate in Special Stray Round
- Candidates allotted in Round 3 are ineligible
- Candidates allotted in MCC or AYUSH stray rounds are ineligible
- Check your admission status on CENTAC website before applying
Key dates and deadlines to remember
The application window for fresh candidates opens on 2 November 2026 and closes on 8 November 2026 at 5 p.m. Course preference submission is available from 4 to 8 November 2026, also closing at 5 p.m. Payment of the full tuition fee must be completed by 8 November 2026 at 5 p.m. All three steps—application, preference submission, and payment—must be completed within this window. After 5 p.m. on 8 November, the portal will close and no further applications or payments will be accepted.
Mark these dates on your calendar and plan ahead. Do not wait until the last day, as technical issues or delays in payment processing could cause you to miss the deadline. Verify your application status and payment confirmation immediately after submission to ensure everything is recorded correctly.
- Application window: 2–8 November 2026, 5 p.m.
- Course preference submission: 4–8 November 2026, 5 p.m.
- Payment deadline: 8 November 2026, 5 p.m.
- All steps must be completed by the deadline
- No extensions or late submissions are permitted
Why this round matters for NEET aspirants
The Special Stray Round represents a final opportunity for NEET-qualified candidates to secure a seat in MBBS or BDS if they have not been allotted in earlier rounds. With 62 seats available, this round can be a lifeline for candidates who narrowly missed out or who wish to explore options in Puducherry's private medical colleges. The presence of one government-quota BDS seat also offers an affordable option for eligible candidates.
However, this round comes with strict conditions. The requirement to pay the full tuition fee upfront and the severe penalty for non-joining (forfeiture of fees and debarment from next year's NEET) mean that candidates must be certain of their commitment before applying. This is not a round to apply to casually; it is a final, binding step in the admission process. Candidates should carefully review their eligibility, confirm their interest in the available colleges and courses, and ensure they have the financial capacity to pay the full fee before submitting their application.
- Final opportunity to secure MBBS or BDS seat in Puducherry
- 62 seats across three institutions
- Strict eligibility and commitment requirements
- Full fee payment required upfront
- Non-joining results in fee forfeiture and NEET debarment
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Am I eligible for the CENTAC Special Stray Round if I was allotted a seat in Round 3 but did not join?
No. If you are on the Round 3 or Stray Round allotment list of CENTAC counselling—whether you joined or not—you are ineligible for the Special Stray Round. The rule applies to all candidates on the allotment list, regardless of whether they actually joined the seat.
What happens if I pay the full tuition fee but do not join the allotted seat?
If you are allotted a seat and fail to join, the entire tuition fee you paid will be forfeited. Additionally, you will be barred from participating in any further counselling rounds and will be debarred from appearing in NEET-UG the following year. Your name will be published on CENTAC's ineligible candidates list.
Can I change my course preferences after I submit them in the Special Stray Round?
You can modify your course preferences until 8 November 2026 at 5 p.m., as long as you have not yet been allotted a seat. Once you are allotted, your course is final and no sliding (changing to a different course) is permitted.
I applied in earlier CENTAC rounds but was not allotted. Am I eligible for the Special Stray Round?
Yes, if you are on the existing merit list from earlier rounds and were not allotted, you are eligible. You will be considered before fresh candidates. However, if you were allotted in any earlier round (even if you did not join), you are ineligible.
How much is the full tuition fee I need to pay?
The tuition fee varies by college and course. You must check the CENTAC official website to find the exact fee for SVMCRI (MBBS), SVDC (BDS), or MINDS (BDS). Pay the exact amount shown in the challan to avoid payment rejection.
What is the deadline for submitting my application and paying the fee?
The deadline is 8 November 2026 at 5 p.m. All three steps—application submission, course preference submission, and fee payment—must be completed by this time. No extensions are granted.
If I already paid a registration fee in an earlier round, do I need to pay again?
Yes. You must pay the balance amount due for the Special Stray Round. Check your dashboard to see how much you have already paid and what balance remains. Pay only the outstanding amount to complete your participation.
Can I apply for both MBBS and BDS in the Special Stray Round?
You can submit course preferences for multiple courses if seats are available in both. However, you will be allotted only one seat based on your merit rank and preferences. Once allotted, you cannot change your course.
If you are a NEET-qualified candidate without a seat, review your eligibility carefully and apply by 8 November 2026 at 5 p.m. Ensure you have the full tuition fee ready and are genuinely committed to joining, as non-joining will result in fee forfeiture and debarment from next year's NEET. Check the CENTAC website regularly for updates and the final allotment list.
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