The Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Madhya Pradesh, has issued an official advisory for the Stray Vacancy Round of the NEET UG 2026 state combined counselling. This advisory clarifies the rules and procedures that candidates must follow to secure a seat in this round. The stray vacancy round fills remaining MBBS and BDS seats after the main counselling rounds. Candidates who have registered online but did not get a seat in earlier rounds, or who wish to upgrade their college or course, can participate. This advisory is critical because it explains what will disqualify an application, how attendance works, and what documents you must have ready.
You must register online, fill your college choices by the deadline, and physically attend only the college you are allotted — failure to attend or attending the wrong college will result in forfeiture of your seat.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Stray Vacancy Round?
The Stray Vacancy Round is the final phase of NEET UG 2026 counselling in Madhya Pradesh. It fills seats that remain vacant after the main counselling rounds are complete. These are typically seats that were not filled in earlier rounds, or seats that became available because candidates did not join or withdrew.
This round is open to all NEET UG 2026 qualified candidates who have registered online. You do not need to have participated in earlier rounds to apply in the stray vacancy round. However, if you already have a seat from an earlier round, you can participate only if you wish to upgrade to a better college or course.
Who Can Apply in the Stray Vacancy Round?
Any candidate who has a valid NEET UG 2026 online registration can apply. Your registration must be complete and your NEET score must be valid. If you registered in an earlier round but did not get a seat, you are eligible. If you got a seat in an earlier round and wish to try for a better option, you can also participate.
The advisory does not specify any additional eligibility criteria beyond having a valid online registration. However, you must ensure your registration details are correct and your documents are in order before the choice-filling deadline.
- Valid NEET UG 2026 online registration required
- Valid NEET score required
- Candidates from earlier rounds who did not get a seat are eligible
- Candidates with a seat from an earlier round can participate to upgrade
Online Registration and Choice Filling
You must register online through the official portal. The advisory states that candidates can access the portal using their Candidate Login credentials. Once logged in, you will see an option to submit your college and course choices. The advisory emphasizes that you can submit choices for multiple colleges, but you must do so before the deadline.
The choice-filling process is critical. You must list the colleges and courses in order of your preference. The system will then generate a merit list based on your NEET score and the choices you have filled. Only colleges and courses you have listed will be considered for allotment. If you do not fill choices, you cannot be allotted a seat in this round.
- Log in using your Candidate Login credentials
- Access the choice-filling link from the university website
- List colleges and courses in order of preference
- Submit all choices before the deadline
- You can submit choices for multiple colleges
- Only listed colleges will be considered for allotment
Important Dates and Portals
The advisory mentions two official portals where information and updates will be posted: dme.mponline.gov.in (the DME online portal) and medicaleducation.mp.gov.in (the state medical education website). Candidates must check these portals regularly for announcements, time slots, and allotment results.
The advisory does not specify exact dates for choice filling, allotment, or joining in this notice. However, it states that a time slot will be announced for candidates to fill their choices. You must check the portals regularly or watch for email/SMS notifications to know when your time slot is available. Missing your time slot means you cannot fill choices and will not be considered for allotment.
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- Official portals: dme.mponline.gov.in and medicaleducation.mp.gov.in
- Check portals regularly for announcements and time slots
- A specific time slot will be assigned for choice filling
- Missing your time slot means you cannot participate in this round
- Allotment will be based on merit and your filled choices
How Allotment Works: Merit-Based Selection
Allotment in the stray vacancy round is merit-based. This means seats are filled in order of NEET scores — the highest scorer gets their first choice (if available), the next highest gets their first choice or second choice (depending on availability), and so on. Your NEET rank and the choices you have filled determine which college and course you are allotted.
The advisory states that allotment will be based on 'Real Time choice filled based Merit'. This means the system processes choices in real time as they are submitted, and allotment is determined by merit. You will see your allotment result on the portal once the allotment process is complete. The advisory does not mention separate merit lists for different categories (General, OBC, SC, ST), but standard NEET counselling rules typically apply.
- Allotment is based on NEET score (merit)
- Highest scorers get priority for their preferred colleges
- Your allotment depends on your rank and your filled choices
- Allotment results will be displayed on the official portal
- Check the portal for your allotment status after the round closes
Attendance is Mandatory — This is a Critical Rule
This is one of the most important rules in the advisory: **you must physically attend the college you are allotted**. The advisory states that candidates will be required to fill an 'Online Attendance Module' on the portal. However, this online module is only for candidates whose allotted college has an online attendance option. For all other candidates, attendance must be done in person at the college.
If your allotted college does not offer online attendance, you must go to the college in person during the specified time and register your attendance. The advisory is clear: attendance is mandatory. If you do not attend (either online or in person), your seat will be forfeited. You cannot attend a different college than the one you are allotted — doing so will also result in forfeiture of your seat.
- Attendance is mandatory — online or in person
- Check if your allotted college offers online attendance
- If online attendance is available, use the Online Attendance Module on the portal
- If online attendance is not available, attend in person at the college
- Attend only the college you are allotted — attending a different college forfeits your seat
- Failure to attend forfeits your seat immediately
Admission Based on Attendance
Once you have registered your attendance (online or in person), your admission will be processed. The advisory states that admission will be based on 'Attendance based Merit'. This means that only candidates who have attended will be considered for final admission. If you do not attend, you will not be admitted, even if you were allotted a seat.
After attendance, the college will verify your documents and complete the admission process. You will then be enrolled as a student. The advisory emphasizes that attendance is the gateway to admission — without it, your allotment means nothing.
- Admission is granted only to candidates who have attended
- Attendance must be registered before admission can be processed
- College will verify your documents after attendance
- Final enrollment happens after document verification
Documents You Must Have Ready
The advisory mentions several documents that you must have ready before attending your allotted college. These include: (1) a valid original document proving your eligibility (such as your NEET admit card or score card), (2) a Domicile Certificate (Aanusuuchee-3, Madhya Pradesh Domicile Certificate as per the Madhya Pradesh Medical Education Domicile Rules 2018), and (3) a Caste Certificate if you are applying under a reserved category (SC, ST, OBC).
Additionally, you must have a valid Aadhaar card or other government-issued ID, and a DI (Detailed Information) certificate or online certificate from your school/college. The advisory also mentions that you must submit a 'Shulk Jama' (admission fee deposit) before or at the time of attendance. Ensure all original documents are with you when you attend — photocopies alone will not be accepted for verification.
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- Valid NEET admit card or score card (original)
- Domicile Certificate (Aanusuuchee-3, MP Domicile Certificate per MP Medical Education Domicile Rules 2018)
- Caste Certificate (if applying under SC/ST/OBC category)
- Valid government-issued ID (Aadhaar card preferred)
- DI Certificate or online certificate from school/college
- Admission fee deposit (Shulk Jama) — check college for amount
- All documents must be originals; photocopies are not accepted for verification
Critical Trap: Domicile Certificate Requirements
The advisory specifically mentions that your Domicile Certificate must be issued under 'Aanusuuchee-3' (Schedule 3) of the Madhya Pradesh Medical Education Domicile Rules 2018. This is a specific type of domicile certificate, and a general domicile certificate will NOT be accepted. If you have a domicile certificate but it is not issued under Aanusuuchee-3, your admission will be rejected.
This is a common reason for rejection. If you are unsure whether your domicile certificate is the correct type, contact the issuing authority (your district administration) immediately and request a certificate under Aanusuuchee-3. Do not wait until the day of attendance to discover this issue.
- ⚠️ Domicile Certificate MUST be issued under Aanusuuchee-3 (Schedule 3), MP Medical Education Domicile Rules 2018
- ⚠️ A general domicile certificate will NOT be accepted
- ⚠️ Verify your certificate type NOW — do not wait until attendance day
- Contact your district administration if you need the correct certificate
Caste Certificate Trap: Correct Sub-Group Required
If you are applying under a reserved category (SC, ST, or OBC), your Caste Certificate must clearly show your sub-group or category. The advisory does not specify exact sub-group names, but standard practice requires that your certificate match the category you have claimed in your NEET registration. If your certificate shows a different category or sub-group than what you claimed, your admission will be rejected.
For example, if you claimed OBC in your NEET registration but your certificate shows a different caste that is not recognized as OBC in Madhya Pradesh, you will not be admitted. Verify your certificate matches your claimed category before attending. If there is a mismatch, contact the issuing authority to get a corrected certificate.
- ⚠️ Caste Certificate must match your claimed category in NEET registration
- ⚠️ Certificate must clearly show your sub-group (SC/ST/OBC)
- ⚠️ Mismatch between certificate and registration = rejection
- Verify your certificate NOW — do not assume it is correct
What Happens After You Attend?
Once you have attended and your attendance is registered, the college will verify all your documents. If everything is in order, you will be admitted and enrolled as a student. The college will then issue you an admission letter and other enrollment documents. You will be required to pay the admission fee (Shulk Jama) and any other fees as per the college's fee structure.
After enrollment, you will be assigned to a course (MBBS or BDS) and a batch. You will then begin your studies as per the college's academic calendar. The advisory does not provide details on fees or the academic calendar, so contact your allotted college directly for this information.
- College verifies all your documents
- If documents are in order, you are admitted
- You receive an admission letter and enrollment documents
- Pay admission fee and other applicable fees
- You are assigned to a course and batch
- Academic calendar and fee details: contact your college
What Disqualifies You: Common Mistakes to Avoid
The advisory makes it clear that several actions will result in immediate disqualification or forfeiture of your seat. First, if you do not fill your choices online by the deadline, you will not be allotted a seat. Second, if you are allotted a seat but do not attend (either online or in person), your seat is forfeited. Third, if you attend a college other than the one you are allotted, your seat is forfeited. Fourth, if your documents are incomplete or incorrect (especially your domicile or caste certificate), your admission will be rejected.
Additionally, if you do not have the correct type of domicile certificate (Aanusuuchee-3), or if your caste certificate does not match your claimed category, you will be rejected. The advisory also mentions that if you have already been admitted to another college in an earlier round and you do not withdraw from that college before joining the stray vacancy round, there may be complications. Always ensure you have the correct documents and attend the correct college.
- ⚠️ Not filling choices online by deadline = no allotment
- ⚠️ Not attending (online or in person) = seat forfeited
- ⚠️ Attending wrong college = seat forfeited
- ⚠️ Incomplete or incorrect documents = admission rejected
- ⚠️ Wrong type of domicile certificate = rejected
- ⚠️ Caste certificate mismatch = rejected
- ⚠️ Already admitted elsewhere without withdrawal = complications
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the stray vacancy round and who can apply?
The stray vacancy round is the final phase of NEET UG 2026 counselling in Madhya Pradesh that fills remaining MBBS and BDS seats. Any candidate with a valid online registration can apply. If you did not get a seat in earlier rounds, you are eligible. If you already have a seat and want to upgrade, you can also participate.
How do I register and fill my college choices?
Log in to the official portal using your Candidate Login credentials. You will see an option to fill your college and course choices. List your preferred colleges in order of preference and submit before the deadline. Only colleges you list will be considered for allotment. The advisory does not specify the exact deadline date, so check the portals dme.mponline.gov.in and medicaleducation.mp.gov.in for the time slot assigned to you.
How is allotment decided in the stray vacancy round?
Allotment is merit-based, meaning it is decided by your NEET score. The highest scorers get priority for their preferred colleges. Your allotment depends on your NEET rank and the choices you have filled. Once allotment is complete, you will see your result on the official portal.
Is attendance mandatory, and what happens if I don't attend?
Yes, attendance is mandatory. You must either fill the Online Attendance Module on the portal (if your college offers it) or attend in person at your allotted college. If you do not attend, your seat is forfeited immediately. You cannot attend a different college than the one you are allotted.
What documents do I need to bring when I attend?
You must bring: (1) valid NEET admit card or score card (original), (2) Domicile Certificate issued under Aanusuuchee-3 (MP Medical Education Domicile Rules 2018), (3) Caste Certificate if applying under SC/ST/OBC, (4) valid government ID (Aadhaar preferred), (5) DI Certificate or online certificate from school/college, and (6) admission fee (Shulk Jama). All documents must be originals.
What type of domicile certificate do I need?
Your Domicile Certificate MUST be issued under Aanusuuchee-3 (Schedule 3) of the Madhya Pradesh Medical Education Domicile Rules 2018. A general domicile certificate will NOT be accepted. If you have a different type, contact your district administration immediately to get the correct certificate.
What if my caste certificate doesn't match my NEET registration?
Your Caste Certificate must match the category (SC/ST/OBC) you claimed in your NEET registration. If there is a mismatch, your admission will be rejected. Verify your certificate now — do not wait until attendance day. If there is a mismatch, contact the issuing authority to get a corrected certificate.
What happens after I attend and my documents are verified?
If your documents are in order, you will be admitted and enrolled as a student. The college will issue you an admission letter and enrollment documents. You will pay the admission fee and other applicable fees, and then begin your studies as per the college's academic calendar.
Where do I check for updates, time slots, and allotment results?
Check the official portals regularly: dme.mponline.gov.in (DME online portal) and medicaleducation.mp.gov.in (state medical education website). These portals will post announcements, time slots for choice filling, and allotment results. You may also receive email or SMS notifications.
What if I miss my time slot for filling choices?
If you miss your assigned time slot, you will not be able to fill choices and will not be considered for allotment in this round. Check the portals regularly to know when your time slot is available. Do not miss it.
Can I attend a different college than the one I am allotted?
No. You must attend only the college you are allotted. If you attend a different college, your seat will be forfeited immediately. Allotment is final for the college assigned to you.
What if I already have a seat from an earlier round?
You can participate in the stray vacancy round to try for a better college or course. However, if you are allotted a new seat and you join it, you will lose your earlier seat. Ensure you understand the implications before participating. If you decide not to join the new seat, your earlier seat remains valid.
Check the official portals dme.mponline.gov.in and medicaleducation.mp.gov.in immediately for your assigned time slot to fill choices. Ensure you have all required documents (especially the correct Domicile Certificate under Aanusuuchee-3 and a matching Caste Certificate if applicable) ready before your time slot. Fill your choices by the deadline, and when you are allotted a seat, attend your college on the specified date — attendance is mandatory and forfeiture of your seat is automatic if you do not attend.
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