The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the seat matrix for the stray vacancy round of NEET UG 2026 counselling. This is the final opportunity for candidates to secure a seat through MCC's central quota (15% All India Quota) after three earlier rounds of allotment. The stray round covers all unfilled MBBS, BDS and BSc Nursing seats across central universities, AIIMS, JIPMER, deemed universities and ESIC colleges. If you have qualified NEET UG 2026 but are not yet admitted, this round is your last chance to join through the national counselling process.
Register by October 14 at 3 PM, fill and lock your choices by October 15 at 10 AM, and check the allotment result on October 17—missing these deadlines closes your door to central quota admission for 2026.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the stray round and why does it matter?
The stray round is the final stage of MCC counselling for NEET UG 2026. It releases all seats that remained vacant after the first three rounds of allotment. These are seats that no candidate accepted or that were not filled during earlier counselling windows. Once the stray round closes, any remaining unfilled seats revert to state-level quota pools and are no longer available through MCC's central quota system.
For a NEET aspirant, the stray round represents the last window to secure admission through the national counselling process. If you did not register in earlier rounds, were not allotted a seat, or were allotted but chose not to join, the stray round is your final opportunity. After October 17, if you are not allotted a seat in this round, you will need to explore state counselling or private college options.
Who can apply for the MCC stray round?
Any candidate who qualified NEET UG 2026 and is not yet admitted can register for the stray round. This includes candidates who did not participate in earlier MCC rounds, those who were not allotted a seat in Rounds 1, 2 or 3, and candidates who were allotted a seat but chose not to report to the college.
However, if you have already been admitted and reported to a college in any earlier MCC round, you cannot participate in the stray round. The rules also state that once you are allotted a seat in the stray round, you must join that college—resignation or withdrawal is not permitted. This is a binding final allotment, so choose carefully.
Key dates and deadlines you must know
The stray round operates on a compressed timeline. Registration and fee payment began on October 12 and close on October 14 at 3 PM for registration and 6 PM for fee payment. Choice filling runs from October 12 to October 15, but you must lock your choices between October 14 at 4 PM and October 15 at 10 AM. Missing the choice-locking deadline means your choices will not be considered.
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After choice locking, MCC will process allotments on October 15 and 16. The final allotment result will be declared on October 17, 2026. If you are allotted a seat, you must report to the college between October 19 and October 26. Each college will issue specific joining instructions, so check the MCC portal and your allotted college's website immediately after the result is announced.
- Registration deadline: October 14, 2026 at 3 PM
- Fee payment deadline: October 14, 2026 at 6 PM
- Choice filling window: October 12–15, 2026
- Choice locking: October 14 (4 PM) to October 15 (10 AM)
- Allotment result: October 17, 2026
- Reporting period: October 19–26, 2026
How to download and use the seat matrix
The seat matrix PDF is available on the MCC official website at mcc.nic.in under the UG Medical Counselling section. This document lists every unfilled seat by college, course (MBBS, BDS, BSc Nursing), category (General, OBC, SC, ST) and quota type (All India Quota, Central Institute, Deemed University). Download it immediately—do not wait until the last day.
Before filling your choices, study the matrix carefully. Filter by course, state and category to identify colleges where seats are available in your eligibility bracket. Note the college codes and seat numbers. This preparation will help you fill your choice list quickly and accurately during the choice-filling window. Save or print the matrix for reference while locking your choices.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and click on UG Medical Counselling
- Download the stray round seat matrix PDF from the current events section
- Filter by course, state and category to find relevant vacancies
- Note college codes and seat numbers for your preferred colleges
- Keep the document open while filling and locking choices
What seats are available in the stray round?
The stray round seat matrix covers MBBS, BDS and BSc Nursing seats across a wide range of institutions: central universities, deemed universities, AIIMS, JIPMER and ESIC colleges. All these seats fall under the 15% All India Quota managed by MCC. The number and type of vacancies vary by college and course. Some colleges may have multiple MBBS seats, while others may have only one or two BDS seats.
The availability of seats depends on how many candidates accepted allotments in earlier rounds and how many chose not to report. Typically, the stray round has fewer seats than earlier rounds, so competition can be intense. Your rank, category and preferences will determine whether you are allotted a seat. Study the matrix to understand realistic options based on your NEET rank and category.
- MBBS seats across central universities, AIIMS, JIPMER and deemed universities
- BDS seats at participating dental colleges
- BSc Nursing seats at nursing colleges under MCC
- All seats are part of the 15% All India Quota
- Seat availability varies by college and course
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Step-by-step action plan for the stray round
First, download the seat matrix from mcc.nic.in today and identify colleges where seats match your rank and category. Next, complete your registration and pay the counselling fee before 6 PM on October 14. Do not delay this step—late registrations will not be accepted. Once registered, log into the MCC portal and begin filling your choice list.
Fill your choices in order of preference by October 15. You can list as many colleges and courses as you wish. After filling, lock your choices between October 14 at 4 PM and October 15 at 10 AM. Once locked, your choices cannot be changed. On October 17, check the allotment result on mcc.nic.in. If allotted, note your college, course and reporting date. Report to the college between October 19 and October 26 with all required documents to confirm your admission.
- Download the stray round seat matrix from mcc.nic.in immediately
- Shortlist colleges and courses based on your rank and category
- Register and pay the counselling fee by October 14 at 6 PM
- Fill your choice list by October 15
- Lock your choices by October 15 at 10 AM
- Check the allotment result on October 17
- Report to your allotted college by October 26
What happens after the stray round closes?
If you are allotted a seat in the stray round and report to the college, your admission is confirmed. You will then proceed with document verification, hostel allocation (if applicable) and course registration as per the college's schedule. Your admission through MCC is final and binding.
If you are not allotted a seat in the stray round, your options are limited. You can explore state-level counselling if your state is still conducting rounds, or you can apply directly to private medical and dental colleges. Some colleges may also conduct their own merit-based or entrance-based admissions after MCC counselling closes. Act quickly if you are not allotted, as seats fill fast in private institutions.
Common mistakes to avoid in the stray round
Do not miss the registration deadline of October 14 at 3 PM. Many candidates delay registration thinking they have more time, only to find the portal closed. Similarly, do not forget to lock your choices by October 15 at 10 AM. Unlocked choices are not considered in allotment, and you will lose your chance.
Avoid filling your choice list randomly. Study the seat matrix carefully and list colleges in genuine order of preference. Do not list a college just because it has a vacancy if you are unlikely to be allotted there based on your rank. Also, ensure you report to your allotted college within the reporting window. Failure to report will result in cancellation of your admission, and the seat will be forfeited.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the last date to register for the MCC NEET UG 2026 stray round?
The last date to register is October 14, 2026 at 3 PM. Fee payment must be completed by 6 PM on the same day. After these deadlines, registration will close and no late applications will be accepted.
Can I participate in the stray round if I was allotted a seat in Round 3 but did not report?
Yes, you can participate in the stray round if you were allotted a seat in an earlier round but chose not to report to the college. However, once you are allotted a seat in the stray round, you must report—resignation is not permitted.
When will the stray round allotment result be declared?
The final allotment result will be declared on October 17, 2026. You can check your result on the MCC website at mcc.nic.in using your login credentials.
What is the deadline to lock my choices in the stray round?
You must lock your choices between October 14 at 4 PM and October 15 at 10 AM. After 10 AM on October 15, the choice-locking window closes and your choices cannot be changed.
What courses are available in the stray round?
The stray round offers MBBS, BDS and BSc Nursing seats across central universities, AIIMS, JIPMER, deemed universities and ESIC colleges. All seats are part of the 15% All India Quota managed by MCC.
When do I need to report to my allotted college?
If you are allotted a seat, you must report to the college between October 19 and October 26, 2026. Each college will issue specific joining instructions, so check the MCC portal and your college's website immediately after the result is announced.
What happens if I do not report to my allotted college in the stray round?
If you do not report within the specified window (October 19–26), your admission will be cancelled and the seat will be forfeited. You will not be eligible for any further MCC counselling in 2026.
Where can I download the stray round seat matrix?
The seat matrix PDF is available on the MCC official website at mcc.nic.in under the UG Medical Counselling section in the current events area. Download it before filling your choices to identify available seats in your category.
The stray round is your final opportunity to secure a seat through MCC's central quota for NEET UG 2026. Register immediately, study the seat matrix carefully, fill and lock your choices on time, and be ready to report to your allotted college by October 26. Do not miss these deadlines—after the stray round closes, central quota admission for 2026 is no longer available through MCC.
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