Maharashtra's medical admissions authority has opened a stray vacancy round for NEET-UG 2026 candidates seeking MBBS and BDS seats. This round fills seats that remain vacant after the main counselling phases. If you have qualified NEET-UG and are eligible to participate, the window to submit your college and course preferences is closing soon. Missing this deadline means losing the chance to secure a seat in this round.
If you are eligible for Maharashtra's stray vacancy round, submit your choice of colleges and courses before the deadline ends — this is likely your last opportunity to claim a remaining seat.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is a stray vacancy round in NEET counselling?
After the main counselling phases conclude, some MBBS and BDS seats remain unfilled due to candidate withdrawals, non-reporting, or other reasons. A stray vacancy round is designed to fill these leftover seats quickly. It is typically the final phase of counselling for a given year.
In a stray vacancy round, eligible candidates who did not secure a seat in earlier phases, or who wish to upgrade to a better college, can participate. The process is faster and the window shorter than main counselling, so timing is critical.
Who is eligible to participate in Maharashtra's stray vacancy round?
Eligibility depends on your NEET-UG score, category, and whether you have already been allotted a seat in an earlier counselling phase. Candidates who did not participate in main counselling, or who were not allotted a seat, are generally eligible. Some candidates who secured a seat may also be allowed to participate if they wish to change their college or course.
Check the official Maharashtra medical counselling authority's website or notification for the exact eligibility criteria, as rules can vary by year and category (general, OBC, SC, ST, etc.).
Why is the choice-filling deadline so important?
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The choice-filling window is your only chance to tell the counselling authority which colleges and courses you are willing to accept. If you do not fill your choices before the deadline, you cannot participate in the round, even if you are eligible.
Once the deadline passes, the authority will process the remaining choices and allot seats based on merit, category, and availability. Submitting your choices on time is non-negotiable.
How to fill your choices for the stray vacancy round
Log in to the official Maharashtra medical counselling portal using your NEET roll number and password. Navigate to the choice-filling section for the stray vacancy round. Select your preferred colleges and courses in order of preference — rank them from your first choice to your last.
Review your selections carefully before submitting. Once submitted, you cannot edit your choices. Ensure you have filled at least one choice; leaving the form blank will disqualify you from the round.
- Use your NEET admit card and login credentials to access the portal.
- Rank colleges and courses in genuine order of preference.
- Double-check all entries before final submission.
- Keep a screenshot or confirmation of your submission for records.
What happens after you submit your choices?
After the choice-filling deadline, the counselling authority will process all submitted choices. Seats will be allotted based on your NEET rank, category, and the availability of seats in your chosen colleges and courses. Allotment results are usually published within a few days.
If you are allotted a seat, you will receive a notification with details of your college, course, and reporting date. You must report to the college on or before the specified date with all required documents. Failure to report will result in forfeiture of your seat.
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What if you miss the choice-filling deadline?
If you do not submit your choices before the deadline, you will not be considered for the stray vacancy round. This is a hard cutoff — extensions are rarely granted. You will lose the opportunity to secure a seat in this round.
If you miss the deadline, your only option is to wait for the next counselling phase (if one is announced) or explore other pathways, such as private medical colleges or management quota seats, depending on your eligibility and financial capacity.
Key dates and documents you will need
Mark the choice-filling deadline on your calendar and set a reminder a day before. Have your NEET admit card, roll number, and password ready before you log in. You may also need your category certificate or other documents depending on your eligibility.
Keep all confirmation emails and screenshots of your submitted choices. These are proof of your participation and will be useful if you need to follow up with the counselling authority.
- NEET admit card and roll number
- Login password for the counselling portal
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- List of colleges and courses you are interested in
- Confirmation screenshot after submission
Common mistakes to avoid in the stray vacancy round
Do not wait until the last hour to fill your choices — the portal may experience traffic or technical issues. Submit at least a few hours before the deadline. Do not leave your choices blank or submit without ranking them; this will disqualify you.
Do not assume you will get your first choice — rank colleges and courses realistically based on your NEET rank and category. Do not ignore the reporting date or documents required; missing either will result in loss of your seat even after allotment.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the stray vacancy round in NEET-UG counselling?
The stray vacancy round is the final phase of counselling that fills MBBS and BDS seats left vacant after main counselling phases. Candidates who did not secure a seat earlier, or who wish to upgrade, can participate. It is a fast-track process with a short choice-filling window.
Am I eligible for Maharashtra's stray vacancy round?
You are generally eligible if you have qualified NEET-UG and did not secure a seat in main counselling, or if you wish to change your college or course. Check the official Maharashtra medical counselling authority's notification for exact eligibility criteria based on your category and score.
What happens if I miss the choice-filling deadline?
If you do not submit your choices before the deadline, you cannot participate in the stray vacancy round. This is a hard cutoff with no extensions. You will lose the opportunity to secure a seat in this round.
How do I fill my choices for the stray vacancy round?
Log in to the official Maharashtra medical counselling portal using your NEET roll number and password. Select your preferred colleges and courses, rank them in order of preference, review carefully, and submit before the deadline. You cannot edit choices after submission.
When will I know if I have been allotted a seat?
After the choice-filling deadline, the counselling authority will process all choices and publish allotment results, usually within a few days. You will receive a notification with your allotted college, course, and reporting date.
What should I do after I am allotted a seat?
Report to your allotted college on or before the specified reporting date with all required documents (admit card, category certificate, etc.). Failure to report will result in forfeiture of your seat. Keep all confirmation documents and screenshots for your records.
Can I change my choices after submitting them?
No, you cannot edit or change your choices after submission. Review all your selections carefully before clicking the final submit button. Ensure you have ranked colleges and courses in genuine order of preference.
What if I do not get any of my preferred colleges?
Allotment is based on your NEET rank, category, and seat availability. If none of your choices are available, you may not be allotted a seat in the stray vacancy round. In that case, explore other options such as private colleges or management quota seats if eligible.
The stray vacancy round is your final chance to secure an MBBS or BDS seat through counselling for this year. Submit your choices well before the deadline — do not wait until the last moment. Once the window closes, no further participation will be possible.
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