Himachal Pradesh NEET UG 2026 Stray Round: Vacant Seats by College & Quota

Atal Medical and Research University (AMRU), Himachal Pradesh, has released the provisional seat vacancy list for the MBBS/BDS Stray Round counselling for the 2026-27 academic session. This document shows exactly how many seats remain unfilled across 11 medical and dental colleges in Himachal Pradesh, broken down by college, admission basis (HP Quota, Management Quota, NRI Quota), and reserved categories. The stray round is your final opportunity to secure a seat if you were not allotted one in the main counselling rounds. Understanding which colleges have vacancies in which quotas and categories is essential to make an informed choice during stray round registration.

What is the Stray Round?

The stray round is the final counselling round in the NEET UG admission process. It is held after the main counselling rounds and is open to all eligible candidates who have not yet been allotted a seat, as well as those who wish to upgrade to a better college or course.

In the stray round, you can apply for any vacant seat across all colleges, quotas, and categories — subject to your eligibility. Seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis or through a merit-based process depending on the state's rules. This is your last chance to secure admission for the 2026-27 session.

Which Colleges Have Vacant Seats?

Eleven colleges across Himachal Pradesh have reported vacant seats in the stray round. These include both government and private institutions offering MBBS and BDS programmes. The colleges are spread across different districts, giving you options across the state.

The colleges with the most vacancies are Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College, Solan (13 MBBS seats), H.P. Government Dental College, Shimla (8 BDS seats), and Dr Yashwant Parmar Government Medical College, Nahan (14 seats across quotas). Smaller vacancies exist at other institutions, but every seat is an opportunity.

• Himachal Institute of Dental Sciences, Paonta Sahib (3 BDS seats)
• Bhojia Dental College and Hospital, Nalagarh (2 BDS seats)
• Himachal Dental College, Sunder Nagar (1 BDS seat)
• H.P. Government Dental College and Hospital, Shimla (8 BDS seats)
• Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla (0 MBBS seats — fully filled)
• Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur (1 MBBS seat)
• Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Nerchowk Mandi (1 MBBS seat)
• Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda Kangra (0 MBBS seats — fully filled)
• Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru Government Medical College, Chamba (1 MBBS seat)
• Dr Yashwant Parmar Government Medical College, Nahan (14 MBBS seats)
• Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College, Solan (14 MBBS seats)

Understanding the Three Admission Bases

Every seat in Himachal Pradesh is allocated under one of three admission bases: HP Quota, Management Quota, or NRI Quota. Your eligibility to apply for a seat depends on which quota it falls under.

**HP Quota (Himachal Pradesh Quota):** These are seats reserved for candidates who are domiciled in Himachal Pradesh or meet the state's residency criteria. Most vacancies fall under this quota. **Management Quota:** These are seats that the college's management can fill directly, often at a higher fee. **NRI Quota:** These seats are reserved for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) candidates and their immediate family members. Very few NRI seats are vacant in this round.

Seat Breakdown by Quota and Category

Each college's vacant seats are further divided by reserved categories: General, EWS (Economically Weaker Sections), SC (Scheduled Caste), ST (Scheduled Tribe), OBC (Other Backward Classes), and special categories like Children of J&K Migrants, Physically Handicapped, and others. The table below shows the exact distribution for each college.

For example, at Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College, Solan, there are 10 General seats, 3 SC seats, and 1 NRI seat available under HP Quota. At Dr Yashwant Parmar Government Medical College, Nahan, there are 10 General seats and 3 SC seats. Understanding which category seats are available is crucial — you can only apply for seats in your eligible category.

Who Can Apply in the Stray Round?

You are eligible to apply in the stray round if: (1) you have a valid NEET UG 2026 score and are registered with the counselling authority; (2) you were not allotted a seat in the main counselling rounds; or (3) you were allotted a seat but wish to participate in the stray round to upgrade to a better college or course.

Your category eligibility (General, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, or special categories) is determined by your NEET application and cannot be changed. You can only apply for seats reserved for your category. If you are an NRI candidate, you are eligible only for NRI quota seats. If you are domiciled in Himachal Pradesh, you are eligible for HP Quota seats. Management quota seats may have different eligibility criteria set by the college — check with the institution directly.

Key Points About Reserved Categories

Himachal Pradesh reserves seats for several categories beyond the standard SC/ST/OBC/General/EWS divisions. These include Children of J&K Migrants, Children of Tibetan Refugees, Physically Handicapped candidates, Single Girl Child, Ward of Freedom Fighters, Wards/Wives of Defence Personnel, Widows/Wards of Ex-Servicemen, and IRDP/BPL candidates. If you belong to any of these categories, you must have the appropriate certificate at the time of counselling.

In this stray round, most of these special category seats show zero vacancies, meaning they have been filled in earlier rounds. However, always check the official counselling portal for the most up-to-date information, as seats can become available if candidates withdraw or fail to report.

NRI Quota Seats — Limited Availability

NRI quota seats are reserved for Non-Resident Indian candidates and their immediate family members. In this stray round, only a handful of NRI seats remain vacant: 1 seat each at Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College Hamirpur, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College Nerchowk Mandi, Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru Government Medical College Chamba, Dr Yashwant Parmar Government Medical College Nahan, and Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College Solan.

If you are an NRI candidate, you must have valid NRI documentation and proof of relationship to an Indian citizen. NRI seats typically come with higher fees. Check with each college for their specific NRI fee structure and eligibility requirements before applying.

Management Quota Seats

Management quota seats are filled by the college's management and are typically available at private or deemed-to-be-university institutions. In this stray round, management quota vacancies are minimal. Bhojia Dental College, Nalagarh has 1 management quota seat (OBC category), and Himachal Institute of Dental Sciences, Paonta Sahib has 1 management quota seat (General category).

Management quota seats usually have higher fees than HP quota seats. If you are interested in a management quota seat, contact the college directly for fee details, eligibility criteria, and the application process. Some colleges may have their own merit lists or selection criteria for management seats.

How to Use This Vacancy List

This provisional vacancy list is a snapshot as of 22 October 2026. It shows which seats are available for the stray round. However, the actual number of vacancies may change if candidates withdraw, fail to report, or if the counselling authority makes adjustments.

**Step 1:** Identify which colleges have vacancies in your eligible category and quota. **Step 2:** Check the official AMRU counselling portal (amruhp.ac.in) for the stray round registration window and detailed instructions. **Step 3:** Register and fill your choices in order of preference. **Step 4:** Wait for the stray round allotment result. **Step 5:** If allotted, report to the college within the specified time to secure your seat.

Important Dates and Next Steps

This notice was released on 22 October 2026. The stray round registration window, allotment date, and reporting deadline have not been specified in this document. You must check the official AMRU website (amruhp.ac.in) or the state counselling portal for the exact dates.

Do not delay — stray round seats are filled quickly, and the window is typically short. Keep your NEET admit card, category certificate, domicile certificate (if applicable), and other required documents ready. Once the stray round portal opens, log in immediately, fill your choices, and submit your application before the deadline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

**Mistake 1: Applying for seats outside your category.** You can only apply for seats reserved for your category. If you are General category, you cannot apply for SC or ST seats. If you are SC, you can apply for SC seats and also for General seats (if you meet the merit cutoff), but not for ST or OBC seats.

**Mistake 2: Missing the registration deadline.** Stray round windows are short. If you miss the deadline, you cannot participate. Mark the dates on your calendar and register as soon as the portal opens.

**Mistake 3: Not having required documents.** Ensure you have your NEET admit card, category certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate (for HP quota), and any other documents the counselling authority requires. Missing documents can lead to rejection.

**Mistake 4: Not checking college-specific requirements.** Some colleges may have additional eligibility criteria or fees. Visit the college website or contact them directly before applying.

**Mistake 5: Ignoring the reporting deadline.** If you are allotted a seat, you must report to the college within the specified time. Failure to report will result in forfeiture of the seat.

Frequently asked questions

This provisional vacancy list is your roadmap for the stray round. Identify colleges with vacancies in your eligible category and quota, then watch the official AMRU website (amruhp.ac.in) for the stray round registration window. Register immediately when it opens, fill your preferences carefully, and ensure you have all required documents ready. Report to your allotted college on time to secure your seat — this is your final opportunity for admission in 2026-27.