The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) under the Directorate General of Health Services has opened a special stray vacancy round to fill approximately 2,000 unfilled MBBS seats across India. This additional counselling opportunity comes after multiple regular rounds left significant vacancies, particularly in private medical colleges and deemed universities, though some government seats also remain empty. If you did not secure a seat in earlier NEET UG 2026 counselling rounds, this stray round offers a final chance to claim an MBBS position. The registration window is tight—just three days—so understanding the exact timeline and process is critical.
Register for the special stray vacancy round between November 2–4 (by 3:00 PM) if you want to compete for ~2,000 vacant MBBS seats; seat allotment results will be declared on November 7.
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Unlock My College ListWhy a Special Stray Vacancy Round Was Needed
Despite conducting multiple counselling rounds, medical colleges and state governments reported persistent vacancies in MBBS seats. States including Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal, and Rajasthan each had more than 100 unfilled seats after regular counselling concluded. The majority of these vacancies were in private medical colleges and deemed universities, but government quota seats also went unfilled in several states.
Medical colleges and state authorities formally requested the National Medical Commission (NMC) to permit an additional counselling round to address this shortage. The MCC responded by announcing this special stray vacancy round, which is designed to give remaining NEET UG 2026 qualified candidates a final opportunity to secure admission before the academic year begins.
Complete Timeline for Special Stray Vacancy Round Registration and Choice Filling
The registration and payment window opens on November 2 and closes on November 4 at 3:00 PM (server time). Candidates must complete both registration and payment within this three-day window to participate. Payment facilities will remain available until the deadline.
Choice filling—the process of selecting and ranking colleges and courses—runs from November 2 to November 5. The choice-locking facility (which finalizes your selections) opens at 4:00 PM on November 4 and closes at 11:00 AM on November 5. Once you lock your choices, they cannot be changed, so review carefully before locking.
- Registration and payment: November 2–4, 3:00 PM
- Choice filling: November 2–5
- Choice locking: November 4, 4:00 PM to November 5, 11:00 AM
- Seat allotment process: November 5–6
- Allotment results declared: November 7
- College reporting deadline: November 7–16, up to 5:00 PM
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Seat Allotment and Reporting Process
The MCC will conduct the seat allotment process on November 5 and 6, using the choices you submitted and locked. Results will be announced on November 7. If you are allotted a seat, you must report to your assigned college between November 7 and November 16 by 5:00 PM (server time). Reporting typically involves submitting original documents, paying fees, and completing admission formalities.
Failure to report within the deadline may result in forfeiture of your allotted seat. Ensure you have all required documents ready—mark sheets, NEET admit card, identity proof, domicile certificate, and any other documents specified by your college—before the reporting window opens.
What This Means for NEET UG 2026 Aspirants
If you qualified for NEET UG 2026 but did not secure a seat in earlier counselling rounds, this stray vacancy round is your last formal opportunity through the MCC counselling process. The ~2,000 vacant seats represent a genuine second chance, though competition may still be significant depending on your rank and category.
The tight timeline—registration closes in just three days—means you must act immediately. Verify your NEET UG 2026 qualification status, ensure your registration details are correct, and prepare your choice list in advance. Do not wait until the last moment to register, as technical delays or payment issues could cause you to miss the deadline.
BDS and B.Sc Nursing Sixth Round Schedule
Alongside the MBBS stray vacancy round, the MCC has also announced the sixth counselling round for BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) and B.Sc Nursing programmes. Registration and payment for these courses will begin on November 17 and close on November 19 at 3:00 PM, with payment facilities open until 6:00 PM on November 19.
Choice filling for BDS and B.Sc Nursing runs from November 17 to November 19, with choice locking from 4:00 PM on November 18 to 9:00 AM on November 19. Seat allotment will occur on November 19, results announced on November 20, and reporting to colleges will take place between November 21 and November 28 by 5:00 PM.
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- BDS and B.Sc Nursing registration: November 17–19, 3:00 PM
- Choice filling: November 17–19
- Choice locking: November 18, 4:00 PM to November 19, 9:00 AM
- Seat allotment: November 19
- Results announced: November 20
- College reporting: November 21–28, up to 5:00 PM
How to Prepare for the Stray Vacancy Round
Begin by confirming your NEET UG 2026 qualification and checking your registration status on the official MCC portal. Gather all required documents—NEET admit card, mark sheet, identity proof, domicile certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), and any other documents your state or college requires. Having these ready will speed up the reporting process if you are allotted a seat.
Research the colleges and courses available in the stray vacancy round. Not all colleges or seats may be available; the round typically includes seats that remained vacant after earlier rounds. Prioritize colleges based on location, reputation, and your career goals. Create a ranked choice list before registration opens, so you can submit it quickly once the window begins.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not delay registration until the last day. Technical glitches, payment failures, or server congestion near the deadline could prevent you from registering. Aim to complete registration and payment by November 3 to allow a buffer.
Do not lock your choices without reviewing them carefully. Once locked, you cannot change them. Verify that your college and course selections are correct and ranked in your order of preference. Also, ensure you understand the difference between locking choices (finalizing your preferences) and the allotment process (MCC assigning seats based on your choices and merit).
What Happens If You Are Not Allotted a Seat
If you are not allotted a seat in this special stray vacancy round, the formal MCC counselling process for NEET UG 2026 will conclude. However, you may still have options: some colleges conduct their own spot counselling or management quota admissions after the MCC process ends. Contact colleges directly to inquire about such opportunities.
Alternatively, if you are not satisfied with your NEET UG 2026 performance, you can prepare for NEET UG 2027 and attempt the exam again. Many aspirants improve their scores significantly in a second attempt with focused preparation.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does registration for the NEET 2026 special stray vacancy round open and close?
Registration and payment open on November 2 and close on November 4 at 3:00 PM (server time). You must complete both registration and payment within this three-day window to be eligible for the round.
How many MBBS seats are available in the special stray vacancy round?
Approximately 2,000 MBBS seats are vacant across India and will be filled through this special stray vacancy round. Most vacancies are in private medical colleges and deemed universities, though some government quota seats are also available.
What is the deadline for locking my choices in the stray vacancy round?
The choice-locking facility opens at 4:00 PM on November 4 and closes at 11:00 AM on November 5 (server time). You must lock your choices within this window; once locked, they cannot be changed.
When will seat allotment results be declared for the special stray vacancy round?
Seat allotment results will be declared on November 7. The allotment process itself takes place on November 5 and 6.
What is the reporting deadline if I am allotted a seat in the stray vacancy round?
If you are allotted a seat, you must report to your assigned college between November 7 and November 16 by 5:00 PM (server time). Failure to report within this deadline may result in forfeiture of your seat.
Are BDS and B.Sc Nursing seats also available in this round?
The special stray vacancy round is specifically for MBBS seats. However, the MCC has announced a separate sixth counselling round for BDS and B.Sc Nursing, with registration opening on November 17 and closing on November 19.
What documents do I need to prepare for reporting to college?
Prepare your NEET UG 2026 admit card, mark sheet, identity proof, domicile certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), and any other documents specified by your college or state. Having these ready will speed up the admission process.
What should I do if I am not allotted a seat in the stray vacancy round?
If you are not allotted a seat, the formal MCC counselling for NEET UG 2026 will end. You may contact colleges directly to inquire about spot counselling or management quota admissions. Alternatively, you can prepare for NEET UG 2027 and attempt the exam again.
Register immediately if you are eligible—the three-day window closes on November 4 at 3:00 PM. Prepare your documents and finalize your choice list now to avoid last-minute delays. Track the official MCC portal for any updates or clarifications on the stray vacancy round process.
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