The Jharkhand Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (JCECEB) has released the seat matrix for the stray round of NEET UG counselling on October 19, 2026. This is the final counselling round for the 2026–27 academic session and lists all remaining vacant MBBS, BDS, and BHMS seats across government and private colleges in the state. If you registered for Jharkhand counselling but did not secure a seat in earlier rounds, this is your last opportunity to apply. The seat matrix is now available as three separate PDFs on the official JCECEB portal, organised by course and category.
The stray round is your final chance to claim a medical or dental seat in Jharkhand—only registered candidates who qualified NEET UG and are state domiciles can participate.
Your matched MBBS & BDS colleges
LockedEnter your NEET rank to unlock the real colleges you can get — All India Quota and every state — with official closing ranks and fees.
Unlock My College ListWhat is the Stray Round and Why Does It Matter?
The stray round is the last phase of the Jharkhand NEET UG counselling cycle. It follows Round 1, Round 2, and the Mop-Up Round, and exists specifically to fill any seats that remain vacant after all previous rounds. This round is critical because it represents the absolute final window for admission to a medical or dental college in Jharkhand for the 2026–27 batch.
Unlike earlier rounds where candidates had multiple chances to upgrade their college or course choice, the stray round is a one-time opportunity. Once this round closes, the admission process for MBBS and BDS in Jharkhand concludes. If you have been waiting for a seat to open up in your preferred college or category, or if you missed earlier rounds due to circumstances, the stray round is your last resort.
Who Can Apply for Jharkhand Stray Round Counselling?
Eligibility for the stray round is strictly defined. You must have appeared in and qualified the NEET UG 2026 exam, and you must have already registered for Jharkhand NEET UG counselling in an earlier phase. Simply qualifying NEET is not enough—you must be on the official Jharkhand merit list and have completed the registration process before the stray round window opens.
Additionally, you must be a domicile of Jharkhand as per state rules, and you must not have already taken admission in a medical college in another state. These conditions are non-negotiable. If you meet all these criteria, you are eligible to participate. If you do not have a valid Jharkhand domicile certificate or have already been admitted elsewhere, you cannot apply.
- Qualified NEET UG 2026 exam
- Registered for Jharkhand counselling earlier
- Listed on the state merit list
- Jharkhand domicile as per state norms
- Not admitted to another state medical college
How to Download and Review the Seat Matrix
The seat matrix has been released as three separate PDF files on the JCECEB website at jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in. Each PDF contains category-wise vacancy data for participating colleges. To access the files, visit the official portal, navigate to the NEET UG 2026 Counselling section, and locate the stray round seat matrix notification on the homepage.
Know the exact MBBS/BDS colleges your rank can get
Official 2023–2025 closing ranks and fees, matched to your rank.
Download all three PDFs and save them locally for reference. Review them carefully to identify which colleges have vacant seats in your category (General, OBC, SC, ST, or EWS) and in your preferred course (MBBS, BDS, or BHMS). This information will help you make informed choices when the choice-filling window opens. Do not wait until the last moment to download—the portal may experience traffic during peak hours.
- Visit jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in
- Go to NEET UG 2026 Counselling section
- Click the stray round seat matrix link
- Download all three PDFs (MBBS, BDS, BHMS)
- Save and review category-wise vacancies
- Identify colleges with seats in your category
Understanding the Seat Matrix: What Each PDF Contains
The three PDFs released by JCECEB are organised by course: one for MBBS, one for BDS, and one for BHMS. Within each PDF, seats are listed by category (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS) and by college. This structure allows you to quickly identify which colleges have openings in your category and course combination.
For example, if you are an OBC candidate seeking an MBBS seat, you would open the MBBS PDF and look for colleges with OBC vacancies. The matrix shows both government and private college seats, so you can see the full range of options available. Pay attention to the number of seats—some colleges may have only one or two vacancies, while others may have more. This information is crucial for prioritising your choices.
- MBBS PDF: all MBBS vacancies by college and category
- BDS PDF: all BDS vacancies by college and category
- BHMS PDF: all BHMS vacancies by college and category
- Includes both government and private colleges
- Shows exact number of seats per category per college
Documents You Must Bring When Reporting to Your Allotted College
If you are allotted a seat in the stray round, you will be required to report to your assigned college within a specified deadline. The college will verify your documents before confirming your admission. It is essential to gather all required documents well in advance and bring originals—photocopies alone will not be accepted.
The documents you need include your NEET UG 2026 admit card and scorecard, Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates, your Jharkhand domicile certificate and category certificate (if applicable), the JCECEB allotment letter, recent passport-size photographs, and a valid ID proof such as an Aadhaar card or passport. Missing even one document can delay or jeopardise your admission. Verify the exact list with your allotted college before reporting.
- NEET UG 2026 admit card and scorecard
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates
- Jharkhand domicile certificate
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- JCECEB counselling allotment letter
- Recent passport-size photographs (4–6 copies)
- Valid ID proof (Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence)
Timeline and Next Steps: What to Expect After Seat Matrix Release
Every kind of MBBS/BDS seat, one rank
See the real seats your NEET rank can reach.
After the seat matrix release on October 19, 2026, JCECEB will soon open the choice-filling window. This is when you log into the counselling portal, review the available seats, and submit your preferred college and course choices in order of preference. The exact dates for choice filling will be announced on the JCECEB website, so monitor the portal regularly.
After choice filling closes, JCECEB will process all submissions and release the final seat allotment result. Once you receive your allotment letter, you will have a limited time window (usually 2–3 days) to report to your assigned college with original documents. Missing the reporting deadline will result in forfeiture of your seat. Plan ahead, keep your documents ready, and mark the key dates on your calendar.
- Choice-filling window opens soon (date to be announced)
- Log in to JCECEB portal during the window
- Submit college and course preferences in order
- Final allotment result released after choice filling closes
- Reporting deadline typically 2–3 days after allotment
- Report with original documents to secure admission
Strategic Tips for Choosing Your Preferences in the Stray Round
In the stray round, you are choosing from whatever seats remain after all previous rounds. This means the options may be limited compared to earlier rounds. However, strategy still matters. Review the seat matrix carefully and list all colleges where seats are available in your category. Prioritise based on your preferences: location, college reputation, course (MBBS vs. BDS), and whether you prefer government or private institutions.
Remember that in the stray round, you typically get only one chance to submit your choices—there is no option to change after submission. Therefore, think carefully about your preference order. If you have a strong preference for a particular college or course, rank it higher. If you are flexible, rank colleges that have more vacancies higher, as they are more likely to result in an allotment. Do not leave any preference blank if you are genuinely interested in that option.
- List all colleges with vacancies in your category
- Prioritise by location, reputation, and course preference
- Rank government colleges higher if that is your preference
- Consider colleges with more vacancies for better chances
- Do not leave preferences blank if genuinely interested
- Submit only after careful deliberation—no changes allowed
Important Reminders: Do Not Miss This Final Opportunity
The stray round is the absolute last chance to secure a medical or dental seat in Jharkhand for 2026–27. Once this round closes, the counselling process ends. If you do not participate or do not report after allotment, you will not have another opportunity to join a Jharkhand medical college this year. This is not a round to take lightly or postpone.
Stay alert to announcements on the JCECEB website. The choice-filling window will open for a limited time only—typically a few days. If you miss it, you cannot participate. Keep your login credentials safe, ensure your contact details are updated on the portal, and check your email and phone regularly for official notifications. Treat this round with the urgency it deserves.
- This is the final counselling round for 2026–27
- No further rounds or opportunities after stray round closes
- Choice-filling window is time-limited
- Missing the window means missing admission this year
- Monitor JCECEB website daily for announcements
- Keep contact details updated on the portal
See the exact MBBS colleges your NEET rank can get
Free 2-minute preview — official closing ranks and fees for every seat your rank can reach, All India and your state.
See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the stray round in Jharkhand NEET UG counselling?
The stray round is the final phase of Jharkhand NEET UG counselling, held after Round 1, Round 2, and the Mop-Up Round. It is designed to fill any remaining vacant MBBS, BDS, and BHMS seats in government and private colleges. It is the last opportunity for registered candidates to secure a medical or dental seat for the 2026–27 academic session.
Am I eligible for the Jharkhand stray round if I qualified NEET UG?
Qualifying NEET UG alone is not sufficient. You must also have registered for Jharkhand NEET UG counselling earlier, be listed on the state merit list, hold a valid Jharkhand domicile certificate, and not have already taken admission in another state medical college. All these conditions must be met simultaneously.
Where can I download the stray round seat matrix?
The seat matrix is available on the official JCECEB website at jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in. It has been released as three separate PDFs—one each for MBBS, BDS, and BHMS—organised by college and category. You can download them from the NEET UG 2026 Counselling section on the homepage.
What documents do I need to bring when reporting to my allotted college?
You must bring original copies of your NEET UG admit card and scorecard, Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates, Jharkhand domicile certificate, category certificate (if applicable), JCECEB allotment letter, recent passport-size photographs, and a valid ID proof. Photocopies are not accepted; only originals will be verified.
When will the choice-filling window open for the stray round?
The exact dates for the choice-filling window have not yet been announced. JCECEB will announce the schedule on its official website. You should monitor jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in regularly and check your registered email and phone for official notifications.
Can I change my choices after submitting them in the stray round?
No. In the stray round, you typically get only one opportunity to submit your preferences. Once submitted, changes are not allowed. Therefore, carefully review the seat matrix and think through your preference order before submitting.
What happens if I do not report to my allotted college within the deadline?
If you do not report within the specified deadline, your seat will be forfeited and offered to the next candidate on the merit list. You will lose your admission opportunity. It is critical to report on time with all required documents.
Is there another counselling round after the stray round?
No. The stray round is the final counselling round for NEET UG 2026–27 in Jharkhand. Once it closes, the admission process ends. If you do not secure a seat in this round, you will not have another opportunity to join a Jharkhand medical college this year.
Download the seat matrix PDFs now, review them carefully, and prepare all your documents. The choice-filling window will open soon—stay alert to JCECEB announcements and do not miss this final opportunity to secure your MBBS or BDS seat in Jharkhand.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.