Gujarat NEET Round 4 Stray Vacancy: Fee Payment & Document Deadlines

The Admission Committee for Professional Undergraduate Medical Education Courses (ACPUGMEC) in Gujarat has opened the fourth and final stray vacancy round for MBBS and BDS admissions in the 2026–27 academic year. Candidates who received allotments in this round must now complete fee payment and document submission within a tight five-day window. Missing these deadlines will result in forfeiture of your seat, so understanding the exact timelines and required documents is critical.

What is the Round 4 Stray Vacancy Round and who is eligible?

The stray vacancy round is the final phase of NEET-UG counselling in Gujarat, designed to fill any remaining seats in government and self-financed MBBS and BDS colleges after earlier rounds of allotment. This round applies to candidates on the ACPUGMEC merit list who are seeking admission under Government quota or Management quota seats.

Unlike earlier rounds, stray vacancy rounds typically have fewer seats available and move quickly. If you have received an allotment letter for Round 4, it means a seat has been reserved for you—but only if you complete the admission formalities on time. Candidates from both general and reserved categories (SC, ST, SEBC, EWS) are eligible, provided they meet the merit criteria.

Critical fee payment deadlines: online and offline options

Fee payment began on October 21, 2026, at 11:00 AM and must be completed by October 26, 2026, at 2:00 PM. This is a hard deadline—payments received after 2:00 PM on October 26 will not be accepted. You have two payment methods available: online payment through the ACPUGMEC admission portal, or offline payment at designated HDFC Bank branches.

If you choose to pay online, you can do so anytime between October 21 and October 26 at 2:00 PM. If you prefer offline payment at an HDFC Bank branch, remember that banks operate only during working hours on weekdays, so plan accordingly. Do not wait until the last day—banking delays or technical issues could cause you to miss the deadline.

• Online fee payment window: October 21, 2026 to October 26, 2026, 2:00 PM
• Offline fee payment at HDFC Bank: October 21, 2026, 11:00 AM to October 26, 2026, 2:00 PM (banking hours only, weekdays only)
• Keep your fee receipt and bank transaction proof—you will need both when submitting documents

Document submission timeline and Help Centre hours

After paying your tuition fee, you must report to your designated Help Centre and submit all original documents. This process runs from October 21, 2026, at 11:00 AM until October 26, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Help Centres operate Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon. They are closed on Sundays and government holidays.

The document submission deadline is 5:00 PM on October 26—one hour later than the fee payment deadline. However, since Help Centres close at 4:00 PM on weekdays and noon on Saturday, you effectively have until Friday, October 25, at 4:00 PM to visit in person. Do not assume you can submit documents on Sunday, October 27, as Help Centres will be closed.

• Reporting and document submission: October 21–26, 2026
• Help Centre hours: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (Monday–Friday); 10:00 AM–12:00 noon (Saturday); Closed Sunday and government holidays
• Plan your visit well before the final day to avoid queues and delays

Complete list of original documents required at Help Centre

ACPUGMEC requires you to bring a comprehensive set of original documents to confirm your admission. All documents must be originals (not photocopies, except where specified), and certificates must be issued by authorized Gujarat State authorities. Bringing incomplete documentation will result in rejection of your admission, so verify this list carefully before visiting the Help Centre.

The mandatory documents include your ACPUGMEC allotment letter, Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets from a Gujarat school, proof of birth and citizenship, NEET-UG 2026 marksheet, bank receipt of fee payment, and the tuition fee receipt generated from the admission portal. Additionally, you must bring your Physical Fitness Certificate (original). If you were previously admitted through ACPUGMEC, bring your NOC or cancellation order.

• ACPUGMEC Allotment Letter (this round)
• Class 10 marksheet (original, from Gujarat school)
• Class 12 marksheet (original, from Gujarat school)
• Proof of Birth & Citizenship: School Leaving Certificate or Transfer Certificate (original); if birth place not mentioned, Birth Certificate (original) or Passport (photocopy); if born outside Gujarat, Domicile Certificate (original) from Gujarat authorities
• NEET-UG 2026 marksheet
• Bank receipt of tuition fee payment
• Tuition fee receipt from admission portal
• Physical Fitness Certificate (original)
• NOC or Cancellation Order (original) if previously admitted through ACPUGMEC

Category-specific documents: SC, ST, SEBC, and EWS candidates

If you belong to a reserved category, you must bring additional certificates. SC and ST candidates need an original Caste Certificate issued by Gujarat State authorities (Mamlatdar, Executive Magistrate, or Police Commissioner). SEBC candidates must bring both an original Caste Certificate and a Non-Creamy Layer Certificate (Parishistha '4'), both issued by Gujarat authorities. EWS candidates need an original EWS Certificate issued by Gujarat State authorities.

For SEBC and EWS certificates, validity dates matter. Gujarati-language certificates must have been issued on or after April 1, 2024, to be valid for the 2026–27 academic year. English-language certificates must have been issued on or after April 1, 2026. If your certificate is older or in a different language, it may not be accepted. Verify the issue date and language before submitting.

• SC/ST candidates: Original Caste Certificate from Gujarat authorities
• SEBC candidates: Original Caste Certificate + Non-Creamy Layer Certificate (Parishistha '4'), both from Gujarat authorities; Gujarati certificates issued on/after 01-04-2024; English certificates issued on/after 01-04-2026
• EWS candidates: Original EWS Certificate from Gujarat authorities; Gujarati certificates issued on/after 01-04-2024; English certificates issued on/after 01-04-2026

What happens if you miss the fee payment or document submission deadline?

ACPUGMEC has been explicit: candidates who fail to pay the prescribed tuition fee and submit original documents within the stipulated deadlines will not be granted admission under any circumstances. There are no extensions, no exceptions, and no appeals process. If you miss the October 26 deadline, your allotment is cancelled and your seat will be offered to the next candidate on the merit list.

This is not a warning—it is the rule. Many candidates lose their seats every year because they underestimate the importance of these deadlines or assume they can submit documents later. Once the deadline passes, your admission is forfeited permanently. If you are unable to visit the Help Centre in person due to a genuine emergency, contact ACPUGMEC immediately to explore any possible alternatives, but do not assume any flexibility exists.

• No admission granted if fee is not paid by October 26, 2:00 PM
• No admission granted if original documents are not submitted by October 26, 5:00 PM
• No extensions or exceptions—deadline is absolute
• Failure to comply results in permanent forfeiture of your seat

How to prepare and avoid common mistakes

Start by gathering all original documents immediately. Do not wait until October 25 to search for your Class 10 marksheet or birth certificate. Verify that every document is an original (not a photocopy, unless specified), and that certificates are issued by authorized Gujarat State authorities. If any document is missing or invalid, apply for a duplicate or fresh certificate now—government offices can be slow, and you cannot afford delays.

Create a checklist of all documents required for your category and tick them off as you collect them. Keep your allotment letter, NEET marksheet, and fee receipts in a safe folder. Plan your visit to the Help Centre well in advance—do not leave it to the last day. If you are paying offline at an HDFC Bank branch, visit during the first week (October 21–24) to avoid last-minute queues. Once you have paid the fee, visit the Help Centre with all documents as soon as possible, ideally by October 24 or 25.

• Collect all original documents now—do not wait until the last week
• Verify that every certificate is issued by authorized Gujarat authorities and is valid
• Create a checklist of documents required for your category
• Pay fees early (October 21–24) to avoid last-minute delays
• Visit Help Centre early (October 21–25) to avoid queues and ensure timely submission
• Keep copies of all receipts and documents for your records

What to expect at the Help Centre during document verification

When you arrive at the Help Centre with your fee receipt and original documents, staff will verify each document against your allotment letter and registration details. They will check that your Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets are from Gujarat schools, that your birth and citizenship proof is valid, and that any caste or EWS certificates are current and issued by authorized authorities. This verification process typically takes 15–30 minutes, depending on the queue.

After verification, you will receive a confirmation slip or receipt acknowledging that your documents have been submitted and your admission is confirmed. Keep this receipt safely—it is proof that you have completed the admission process. If any document is found to be invalid or missing, the Help Centre staff will inform you immediately, and you will have a limited time to provide the correct document. Do not assume you can submit missing documents later; clarify the exact deadline with the Help Centre staff on the spot.

• Bring all original documents and fee receipts in a folder
• Expect verification to take 15–30 minutes
• Receive a confirmation slip after successful verification
• If any document is invalid or missing, clarify the deadline for submission immediately
• Keep the confirmation slip as proof of admission

Frequently asked questions

If you have received a Round 4 stray vacancy allotment, treat the October 26 deadline as non-negotiable. Gather all original documents now, pay your tuition fee by October 26 at 2:00 PM, and visit your Help Centre by October 25 at 4:00 PM to submit documents. Missing either deadline will result in permanent loss of your seat—there are no exceptions.