The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala has opened the stray vacancy round for MBBS and BDS seats under NEET UG 2026 counselling. This round fills seats that remained vacant after the third phase of allotment. Candidates who are eligible must submit fresh choice preferences online by October 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM. This is the final opportunity to secure a medical or dental seat through Kerala's state quota for the current admission cycle.
If you are a NEET UG aspirant eligible for Kerala's stray round, you must register fresh college and course preferences by October 20, 2026 at 6 PM—missing this deadline closes your state-level admission route for 2026.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Kerala NEET UG Stray Round and Why It Matters
The stray vacancy round is the final phase of seat allotment for MBBS and BDS programmes in Kerala government and self-financing medical colleges. It exists to fill seats that were not claimed by candidates in the three earlier phases of counselling. Any vacancies that remain after this round are forfeited for the current admission cycle and cannot be filled.
For aspirants on the borderline of the rank list, the stray round often represents the last realistic chance to secure admission. Candidates with higher ranks may also use this round to upgrade from their current allotted seat to a college or course they prefer more. Once this window closes, no further state-level allotments occur in 2026.
Important Dates and Deadlines for Option Registration
The registration window opened on October 17, 2026 and closes on October 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM. Candidates must complete their choice filling before this hard deadline; late submissions will not be accepted. The provisional allotment result will be published on October 21, followed by the final allotment on October 22.
Candidates who receive an allotment must join their assigned college and pay fees between October 23 and October 26, 2026 by 4:00 PM. The final step—updating admitted candidate details in the online system—must be completed by October 26 at 5:00 PM. Missing any of these deadlines may result in forfeiture of your seat.
- Option registration opens: October 17, 2026
- Option registration closes: October 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM
- Provisional allotment published: October 21, 2026
- Final allotment published: October 22, 2026
- College joining and fee payment: October 23–26, 2026 by 4:00 PM
- Candidate details update deadline: October 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Who Can Participate in the Stray Vacancy Round
Not all NEET UG candidates are eligible for the stray round. CEE Kerala has set strict exclusion criteria. Candidates who received and joined a seat in Phase 3 cannot participate. Similarly, candidates who surrendered a seat after 10:00 AM on October 7, 2026 are barred from this round.
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Candidates currently holding or joining an All India Quota (AIQ) seat are also ineligible. All other candidates on the Kerala NEET rank list with vacant category status may apply. Before registering, carefully verify that you do not fall into any of the excluded categories, as ineligible registrations may be rejected during allotment.
- Ineligible: Candidates who joined a Phase 3 allotted seat
- Ineligible: Candidates who surrendered a seat after October 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM
- Ineligible: Candidates holding or joining an All India Quota seat
- Eligible: All other candidates on the Kerala NEET rank list with vacant category status
How to Register Your Choices for the Stray Round
The entire registration process is online and must be completed on the CEE Kerala candidate portal. You will need your application number and password to log in. Previous choice data from earlier phases is automatically cancelled for the stray round, so you must enter fresh preferences.
Visit cee.kerala.gov.in and locate the KEAM 2026 candidate portal link on the homepage. Log in using your credentials, then select the stray vacancy option registration module. Add your preferred colleges and courses in order of priority—rank them carefully, as the allotment algorithm will match you to the highest-ranked available option. Review all entries before saving to ensure accuracy. Once saved, your choices are locked in until the registration window closes.
- Visit cee.kerala.gov.in
- Open the KEAM 2026 candidate portal
- Log in with your application number and password
- Select the stray vacancy option registration module
- Add preferred colleges and courses in priority order
- Review and save your choices before the deadline
Key Details About Seats and Colleges Covered
The stray round covers vacant MBBS and BDS seats across all government medical and dental colleges in Kerala, as well as self-financing (private) medical and dental institutions. The total number of vacancies available in this round depends on how many seats were not filled in Phase 3. This information is typically published in the official seat matrix on the CEE Kerala website.
Candidates should review the seat matrix and college-wise vacancy data before filling their choices. This helps you understand which colleges and courses have realistic vacancies in your rank range. The official PDF notification and seat matrix are available on cee.kerala.gov.in for download.
- Covers government MBBS and BDS colleges in Kerala
- Covers self-financing (private) medical and dental colleges
- Seat matrix and vacancy data available on cee.kerala.gov.in
- Previous choice data is cancelled; fresh preferences are mandatory
What Happens After You Register Your Choices
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After the registration window closes on October 20 at 6:00 PM, CEE Kerala will process all submitted choices using its allotment algorithm. The provisional allotment result will be published on October 21, 2026. This result is provisional and may be subject to corrections or updates.
The final allotment result will be published on October 22, 2026. Once the final result is out, you must check the portal to see if you have been allotted a seat. If allotted, you will receive an allotment memo showing your assigned college, course, and the fees you must pay. You then have until October 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM to join the college, pay the required fees, and complete admission formalities. Failure to join within this window will result in forfeiture of your seat.
- Allotment algorithm processes all registered choices
- Provisional result published October 21, 2026
- Final result published October 22, 2026
- Check your allotment memo for college, course, and fee details
- Join college and pay fees by October 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM
- Update candidate details in the system by October 26 at 5:00 PM
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Registration
Many candidates make preventable errors during choice filling. The most common mistake is not verifying eligibility before registering—if you fall into an excluded category, your registration will be rejected during allotment processing. Another frequent error is failing to save choices before the deadline; unsaved preferences are not considered, leaving you without an allotment.
Candidates often rank colleges poorly, placing unrealistic choices ahead of safer options. This can result in no allotment if your rank does not match any of your listed preferences. Always include a mix of aspirational, realistic, and safe college choices. Finally, do not assume you will remember the deadline—set a reminder well in advance. Missing the October 20, 6:00 PM deadline is irreversible and ends your state-level admission route for 2026.
- Verify your eligibility before registering
- Save your choices before the deadline—unsaved preferences are lost
- Rank colleges strategically: include aspirational, realistic, and safe options
- Do not miss the October 20, 6:00 PM registration deadline
- Keep your application number and password secure
- Monitor the portal daily for allotment results and joining instructions
Contact and Support Resources
If you encounter technical issues or have questions about the registration process, CEE Kerala provides helpline support. You can contact the office at 0471-2332120 or 0471-2338487 during business hours. The official website cee.kerala.gov.in also hosts an FAQ section and downloadable guides for the stray round process.
Keep the official PDF notification and seat matrix downloaded on your device for reference. These documents contain detailed eligibility criteria, seat availability, and step-by-step instructions. Bookmark the CEE Kerala website and check it daily for updates, as any changes to deadlines or procedures will be announced there first.
- Helpline: 0471-2332120 and 0471-2338487
- Official portal: cee.kerala.gov.in
- Download official PDF notification and seat matrix
- Check the portal daily for updates and allotment results
- Refer to FAQ section on the website for common questions
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the Kerala NEET UG stray round and who should apply?
The stray round is the final phase of seat allotment for MBBS and BDS seats in Kerala. It fills vacancies left after the three earlier phases of counselling. Eligible candidates—those not in the excluded categories—should apply if they want to secure a medical or dental seat in Kerala for 2026. This is the last state-level allotment opportunity.
When does the option registration window close?
The registration window closes on October 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM. This is a hard deadline; no late submissions are accepted. Candidates must complete and save their choice preferences before this time. Missing this deadline means you cannot participate in the stray round and your state-level admission route for 2026 closes.
Am I eligible for the stray round if I joined a Phase 3 seat?
No. Candidates who received and joined a seat in Phase 3 are not eligible for the stray round. Similarly, if you surrendered a seat after October 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM, you are barred from this round. Candidates holding or joining an All India Quota seat are also ineligible. Check the official eligibility criteria carefully before registering.
How do I register my choices for the stray round?
Visit cee.kerala.gov.in, open the KEAM 2026 candidate portal, and log in with your application number and password. Select the stray vacancy option registration module, add your preferred colleges and courses in priority order, review your entries, and save them before the October 20, 6:00 PM deadline. Previous choices are cancelled, so you must enter fresh preferences.
When will the allotment result be published?
The provisional allotment result will be published on October 21, 2026. The final allotment result will be published on October 22, 2026. Check the CEE Kerala portal on these dates to see if you have been allotted a seat. If allotted, you must join the college and pay fees by October 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM.
What happens if I do not join the allotted college by the deadline?
If you do not join the allotted college and pay the required fees by October 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM, your seat will be forfeited. You will lose your admission, and the seat will not be reallocated. This is why it is critical to monitor the portal daily for your allotment result and complete joining formalities within the specified timeframe.
Can I change my choices after saving them?
No. Once you save your choices before the October 20, 6:00 PM deadline, they are locked in. You cannot modify them after saving. This is why it is important to carefully plan and rank your college preferences before submitting. If you make an error, contact the CEE Kerala helpline immediately, though changes may not be possible once the registration window closes.
What should I do if I face technical issues during registration?
If you encounter technical problems while registering, contact the CEE Kerala helpline at 0471-2332120 or 0471-2338487 during business hours. Ensure you have your application number and password ready. It is advisable to register well before the deadline to allow time for troubleshooting if issues arise.
The Kerala NEET UG stray round is your final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat through state-level counselling in 2026. Verify your eligibility, prepare your college preferences carefully, and register before October 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM. Monitor cee.kerala.gov.in daily for the allotment result and joining instructions—missing any deadline will forfeit your seat.
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