The Jharkhand Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (JCECEB) has released the merit list for the stray vacancy round of NEET UG counselling 2026. This is the final opportunity for candidates to secure a state quota seat in MBBS, BDS, or BHMS programmes for the 2026–27 academic year. Choice filling has already begun, and candidates named in the merit list must act quickly to lock their college and course preferences. Provisional seat allotment letters will be issued from October 21, 2026, followed by document verification and college reporting.
If your name appears in the Jharkhand stray round merit list, log in immediately to fill and lock your choices—this is your final chance at a state quota medical seat in 2026–27.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Stray Vacancy Round and why does it matter?
The stray vacancy round is the concluding phase of Jharkhand's NEET UG counselling process. It exists to fill seats that remained unoccupied after the main and supplementary rounds of counselling. These are genuine vacancies—seats that no candidate claimed in earlier phases—and they represent a genuine second chance for eligible aspirants.
This round is significant because it is the last window through which state quota MBBS, BDS, and BHMS seats will be allocated for the 2026–27 session. Any seat not filled during this round will remain vacant for the entire academic year. For candidates who narrowly missed out in earlier rounds or who registered late, the stray round is often the only remaining pathway to a medical seat in Jharkhand.
Who can participate in the Jharkhand stray round?
Eligibility for the stray round is restricted to a specific subset of candidates. First, you must have qualified the NEET UG 2026 examination—there is no waiver on this requirement. Second, you must hold a valid domicile certificate issued by the Jharkhand government, as the round allocates only state quota seats. Third, you must have already registered for JCECEB counselling in an earlier phase; candidates who did not register initially cannot join the stray round.
The round covers only state quota seats in MBBS, BDS, and BHMS programmes. Seats under the all-India quota or private institutions are not part of this round. If you meet all three criteria and your name appears in the published merit list, you are eligible to participate.
- Must have qualified NEET UG 2026
- Must possess a valid Jharkhand domicile certificate
- Must have registered for JCECEB counselling earlier
- Only state quota MBBS, BDS, and BHMS seats available
Key dates and deadlines for the stray round
The stray round operates on a compressed timeline, and missing any deadline can result in loss of your seat claim. Online registration for the stray round closed on October 16, 2026. The merit list was released on October 20, 2026, and choice filling began on the same day and continues onwards. This means you should check the merit list and begin filling choices immediately if your name is listed.
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Provisional seat allotment letters will be issued from October 21, 2026. Document verification and college reporting runs from October 21 to October 26, 2026. This is a tight window—you must complete verification and report to your allotted college within these five days, or you risk forfeiting your seat.
- Online registration closed: October 16, 2026
- Merit list released: October 20, 2026
- Choice filling and locking: October 20, 2026 onwards
- Provisional seat allotment letters: October 21, 2026
- Document verification and reporting: October 21–26, 2026
How to check if your name is in the merit list
The merit list is published as a downloadable PDF on the official JCECEB portal. To locate your name, visit jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in and look for the stray vacancy round notice link. Click on it to access the merit list PDF. You can then search for your roll number or application number within the document using your browser's search function (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F).
Once you have confirmed your name is on the list, download and save the PDF for your records. This document will be useful during document verification and college reporting. If your name does not appear, you are not eligible for the stray round, and you should explore other options such as private medical colleges or counselling in other states.
- Visit jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in
- Click on the stray vacancy round notice link
- Open the merit list PDF
- Search for your roll number or application number
- Download and save the file
Steps to fill and lock your choices
Choice filling is the most critical step in the stray round process. You must log in to the dedicated counselling portal at neetug.jceceb.co.in using your credentials (typically your application number and password). Once logged in, navigate to the choice-filling tab on your dashboard. You will see a list of available colleges and courses. Select your preferred colleges and programmes, then arrange them in order of preference—your first choice should be your most preferred option.
After arranging all your choices, review the entire list carefully to ensure there are no errors. Once you are satisfied, lock your choices by clicking the lock button. This action is final and cannot be reversed, so take your time before locking. After locking, take a printout of your locked choices for your records. This printout will serve as proof during document verification and college reporting.
- Log in at neetug.jceceb.co.in with your credentials
- Open the choice-filling tab on your dashboard
- Select preferred colleges and courses from the available list
- Arrange choices in order of preference (most preferred first)
- Review all entries carefully
- Lock your final choice list
- Take a printout for your records
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What happens after seat allotment?
Once the provisional seat allotment letters are issued on October 21, 2026, you will be assigned a seat based on your locked choices and merit rank. You will receive notification of your allotted college and programme. However, receiving an allotment letter does not guarantee your seat—you must complete document verification and report to the college within the specified window (October 21–26, 2026) to confirm your admission.
During document verification, you must present original copies of your NEET UG scorecard, domicile certificate, Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets, and a valid photo identity proof (such as Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence). The college will verify these documents and confirm your eligibility. After verification, you will be required to pay the admission fee and complete any remaining formalities. Failure to report within the deadline will result in cancellation of your allotment, and your seat will be offered to the next candidate on the merit list.
- Provisional seat allotment letter issued October 21, 2026
- Report to allotted college between October 21–26, 2026
- Carry original NEET scorecard, domicile certificate, Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, and photo ID
- Complete document verification at the college
- Pay admission fee and complete formalities
- Missing the deadline results in cancellation of allotment
Why acting quickly is essential in the stray round
The stray round operates on a first-come, first-served basis in terms of choice locking and reporting. Although merit rank determines seat allotment, the speed at which you lock your choices and report to your college can affect your overall experience and reduce the risk of administrative delays. More importantly, the compressed timeline means there is no room for procrastination—every day counts.
Additionally, because this is the final round, any seat not filled now will remain vacant. This creates urgency for the board to process allotments and for candidates to report quickly. Delays on your part could result in missing the reporting window entirely, which would mean losing your seat permanently. Treat the stray round with the same seriousness you would have given to the main counselling round.
Common mistakes to avoid in the stray round
One frequent error is failing to check the merit list promptly. Candidates sometimes assume they will receive an email or SMS notification, but the safest approach is to visit the portal yourself and verify your name. Another mistake is not locking choices before the deadline. If you fill choices but forget to lock them, your preferences will not be saved, and you will not receive a seat allotment.
A third common error is not carrying all required original documents to the college during verification. Photocopies or digital copies are not accepted; you must bring originals. Finally, some candidates miss the reporting deadline because they underestimate the time needed for travel or document verification. Plan to report at least one day before the deadline to avoid last-minute complications.
- Do not assume you will receive automatic notification—check the portal yourself
- Always lock your choices; filling alone is not sufficient
- Carry original documents only; photocopies will not be accepted
- Report well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues
- Keep a printout of your locked choices and allotment letter
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the Jharkhand NEET UG stray round?
The stray round is the final phase of Jharkhand's NEET UG counselling. It fills seats that remained vacant after the main and supplementary rounds. It covers state quota MBBS, BDS, and BHMS seats only. This is the last opportunity to secure a state quota medical seat for the 2026–27 academic year.
How do I check if my name is in the stray round merit list?
Visit jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in, click on the stray vacancy round notice link, and open the merit list PDF. Use your browser's search function (Ctrl+F) to find your roll number or application number. Download and save the PDF for your records.
What are the eligibility criteria for the stray round?
You must have qualified NEET UG 2026, possess a valid Jharkhand domicile certificate, and have registered for JCECEB counselling in an earlier phase. Only state quota MBBS, BDS, and BHMS seats are available.
When does choice filling close, and what happens if I miss it?
Choice filling began on October 20, 2026, and continues onwards. The exact closing date is not specified in the official notice, but you should lock your choices as soon as possible. If you do not lock your choices before the deadline, you will not receive a seat allotment.
What documents do I need to carry for document verification?
Carry original copies of your NEET UG scorecard, domicile certificate, Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets, and a valid photo identity proof (Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence). Photocopies are not accepted.
What is the reporting deadline, and what happens if I miss it?
You must report to your allotted college between October 21 and October 26, 2026. If you do not report within this window, your seat allotment will be cancelled, and your seat will be offered to the next candidate on the merit list.
Can I change my choices after locking them?
No. Once you lock your choices, the action is final and cannot be reversed. Review your choices carefully before locking.
What if I do not receive a seat allotment in the stray round?
If you do not receive an allotment, it means either your name was not in the merit list or all available seats were filled by candidates ranked higher than you. You may explore private medical colleges, counselling in other states, or consider reappearing for NEET in the future.
If your name appears in the Jharkhand stray round merit list, log in to neetug.jceceb.co.in immediately and lock your choices. Remember that the reporting deadline is October 26, 2026—plan to visit your allotted college well before this date with all original documents. This is your final opportunity for a state quota medical seat in 2026–27.
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