The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced an extended schedule for the Stray Round of NEET UG 2026 counselling. The Stray Round is the final opportunity for candidates who were not allotted a seat in earlier rounds to secure admission to MBBS or BDS colleges under the All India Quota. All key activities—registration, payment, choice filling, and choice locking—must be completed on a single day: 16 October 2026. This is a time-critical notice; if you are eligible and have not yet registered, you must act immediately.
All Stray Round registration, payment, and choice-filling activities close on 16 October 2026; results are declared on 19 October, and reporting runs from 19–26 October.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Stray Round?
The Stray Round is the last counselling round in the NEET UG 2026 admission process. It is open to candidates who did not receive a seat allocation in the earlier counselling rounds (Round 1, Round 2, and any previous Stray Rounds). This round allows remaining vacant seats in MBBS and BDS colleges under the All India Quota to be filled.
The Stray Round is your final chance to secure admission in this academic year. If you do not participate or are not allotted a seat in this round, you will not be able to join an MBBS or BDS programme through the national counselling process for 2026–27.
Who Can Register for the Stray Round?
You are eligible for the Stray Round if you have a valid NEET UG 2026 score and have not been allotted a seat in any of the earlier counselling rounds. This includes candidates who participated in earlier rounds but were not selected, as well as those who did not register in earlier rounds.
You must have completed your NEET UG 2026 registration with MCC and have a valid login ID and password. If you have not yet registered with MCC, you must do so immediately—registration closes at 4:00 PM on 16 October 2026.
- Valid NEET UG 2026 score
- Not allotted a seat in earlier rounds
- MCC registration completed (or completed during this Stray Round window)
Important Dates: The Complete Timeline
All Stray Round activities are compressed into a single day—16 October 2026—with the exception of seat processing (17–18 October) and reporting (19–26 October). The notice specifies times in server time, so ensure your device clock is accurate. Missing any deadline means you cannot participate in this round.
After the choice-filling window closes, MCC will process seats on 17–18 October. Results will be declared on 19 October. If you are allotted a seat, you must report to your college between 19 and 26 October 2026.
| Activity | Date & Time (Server Time) |
|---|---|
| Registration for Stray Round | Until 4:00 PM, 16 Oct 2026 |
| RESET Registration option | Until 3:00 PM, 16 Oct 2026 |
| Payment for Stray Round | Until 6:00 PM, 16 Oct 2026 |
| Choice Filling for Stray Round | Until 11:55 PM, 16 Oct 2026 |
| Choice Locking for Stray Round | 7:00 PM to 11:55 PM, 16 Oct 2026 |
| Seat Processing for Stray Round | 17–18 Oct 2026 |
| Result Declaration of Stray Round | 19 Oct 2026 |
| Reporting for Stray Round | 19–26 Oct 2026 |
Step-by-Step: How to Register and Apply
Registration and payment must be completed before you can fill your choices. Log in to the MCC portal using your NEET UG 2026 registration credentials. If you have not yet registered with MCC, you must create an account immediately. Complete your registration and pay the counselling fee (the notice does not specify the fee amount; check the MCC portal for current fees). Payment must be made by 6:00 PM on 16 October.
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Once payment is confirmed, you can begin filling your choices. You have until 11:55 PM on 16 October to select and rank colleges and courses. After you have filled your choices, you must lock them. Choice locking is available from 7:00 PM to 11:55 PM on 16 October. Once locked, your choices cannot be changed. Do not wait until the last minute—the portal may experience traffic congestion near the deadline.
- Log in to the MCC counselling portal with your NEET UG 2026 credentials
- Complete registration (if not already done)
- Pay the counselling fee by 6:00 PM on 16 October
- Fill your choice of colleges and courses by 11:55 PM on 16 October
- Lock your choices between 7:00 PM and 11:55 PM on 16 October
- Verify your locked choices are saved correctly
RESET Registration Option: What It Means
The notice mentions a 'RESET Registration option' available until 3:00 PM on 16 October. This allows you to clear your earlier registration data and start fresh if you made an error or wish to change your registered details (such as category, domicile, or personal information). If you use this option, you will need to re-register and re-pay the counselling fee.
Use the RESET option only if you made a critical error in your earlier registration. Once you reset, you must complete the entire registration and payment process again before 6:00 PM on 16 October. Do not reset unless absolutely necessary, as it consumes time you need for choice filling.
- Available until 3:00 PM on 16 October only
- Clears your earlier registration data
- Requires you to re-register and re-pay the fee
- Use only if you made a registration error
Choice Filling and Locking: Critical Details
Choice filling allows you to select colleges and courses in order of preference. You can add as many choices as you wish, but you must rank them in the order you prefer them. The seat allocation algorithm will match you to the highest-ranked choice for which you are eligible based on your NEET score, category, and state quota eligibility.
Choice locking is mandatory. Once you lock your choices, they cannot be edited. The locking window is 7:00 PM to 11:55 PM on 16 October. If you do not lock your choices by 11:55 PM, your application will not be processed. Many candidates lose their seat opportunity by forgetting to lock. Set a reminder and lock your choices well before 11:55 PM.
- Rank colleges and courses in order of preference
- You can add multiple choices
- Locking is mandatory and must be done between 7:00 PM and 11:55 PM on 16 October
- Once locked, choices cannot be changed
- Failure to lock means your application will not be processed
Seat Processing and Result Declaration
After the choice-filling window closes at 11:55 PM on 16 October, MCC will process all applications and allocate seats based on your NEET score, category, and choice ranking. This processing takes place on 17–18 October 2026. You will not be able to make any changes during this period.
Results will be declared on 19 October 2026. You will receive your allotment result (if any) on the MCC portal. Check your login immediately after the result is declared. If you are allotted a seat, note the college name, course, and reporting instructions carefully.
- Seat processing: 17–18 October 2026
- Result declaration: 19 October 2026
- Check the MCC portal for your allotment result
- Note your college, course, and reporting deadline
Reporting to Your College: Dates and What to Bring
If you are allotted a seat in the Stray Round, you must report to your college between 19 and 26 October 2026. Reporting means physically visiting the college (or following the college's online reporting procedure if applicable) to confirm your admission and complete document verification. The notice does not specify the exact documents required; check your allotment letter and the college's website for the full list.
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Failure to report by 26 October 2026 will result in forfeiture of your seat. The college will then offer the seat to the next eligible candidate. Do not delay—report as soon as possible after the result is declared on 19 October.
- Reporting period: 19–26 October 2026
- Report to your allotted college in person or as per college instructions
- Bring all required documents (check your allotment letter and college website)
- Failure to report by 26 October results in loss of seat
Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
The most common error is failing to lock choices by 11:55 PM on 16 October. Many candidates fill their choices but forget to lock them, and their application is not processed. Set a phone reminder at least 30 minutes before the deadline.
Another frequent mistake is not paying the counselling fee on time. Payment must be completed by 6:00 PM on 16 October. If payment is not confirmed, your registration will not be valid, and you cannot proceed to choice filling. Verify your payment receipt immediately after paying.
Candidates also sometimes register with incorrect personal or category information and do not use the RESET option to correct it. If you notice an error in your registration (wrong category, wrong domicile, wrong name spelling), use the RESET option before 3:00 PM on 16 October to correct it. After 3:00 PM, you cannot change your registration.
Finally, do not miss the reporting deadline. If you are allotted a seat but do not report by 26 October, your seat will be cancelled. Mark the reporting dates on your calendar and plan to visit your college as soon as the result is declared.
- ⚠️ Forgetting to lock choices by 11:55 PM on 16 October
- ⚠️ Not paying the counselling fee by 6:00 PM on 16 October
- ⚠️ Registering with incorrect personal or category information and not using RESET to correct it
- ⚠️ Missing the reporting deadline of 26 October 2026
Server Time: Why It Matters
All deadlines in this notice are specified in 'Server Time'—the time on MCC's official server, not your local device time. If your computer or phone clock is ahead or behind, you may miss a deadline. Before 16 October, synchronize your device clock with an official time source (e.g., time.nist.gov or your phone's automatic time sync).
The difference between server time and your local time can be several minutes. If you are filling choices at 11:50 PM on your device, the server may already show 11:55 PM, and the portal will close. Always complete critical actions (especially choice locking) at least 10 minutes before the deadline.
- All times are in Server Time, not local time
- Synchronize your device clock before 16 October
- Complete choice locking at least 10 minutes before 11:55 PM server time
Contact and Support
If you encounter technical issues or have questions about the Stray Round, contact the MCC office. The official email is adgme@nic.in. The MCC office is located at the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi.
Do not rely on unofficial sources or social media for information. Always refer to the official MCC portal and notices for accurate, up-to-date information.
- Email: adgme@nic.in
- Office: Medical Counselling Committee, DGHS, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi
- Check the official MCC portal for updates and support
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the Stray Round, and who can apply?
The Stray Round is the final counselling round for NEET UG 2026. You can apply if you have a valid NEET score and were not allotted a seat in earlier rounds. It is your last chance to secure an MBBS or BDS seat under the All India Quota for 2026–27.
When do I need to register and pay the fee?
Registration and payment must both be completed by 16 October 2026. Registration closes at 4:00 PM, and payment closes at 6:00 PM. If you miss these deadlines, you cannot participate in the Stray Round.
What is the RESET Registration option, and should I use it?
The RESET option (available until 3:00 PM on 16 October) allows you to clear your registration and start fresh if you made an error. Use it only if you registered with incorrect information (wrong category, domicile, or name). If you reset, you must re-register and re-pay the fee before 6:00 PM.
When do I fill my choices, and what happens if I don't lock them?
You can fill choices until 11:55 PM on 16 October. You must then lock your choices between 7:00 PM and 11:55 PM on the same day. If you do not lock your choices, your application will not be processed, and you will not be allotted a seat.
What does 'Server Time' mean, and why does it matter?
All deadlines are in Server Time—the time on MCC's official server, not your local device time. Your device clock may differ by several minutes. Synchronize your clock before 16 October, and complete all actions at least 10 minutes before the deadline to avoid missing it.
When will I know if I have been allotted a seat?
Results will be declared on 19 October 2026. Log in to the MCC portal on that date to check your allotment. If you are allotted a seat, you must report to your college between 19 and 26 October.
What happens if I don't report to my college by 26 October?
If you are allotted a seat but do not report by 26 October 2026, your seat will be cancelled, and the college will offer it to the next eligible candidate. Reporting is mandatory to confirm your admission.
Can I change my choices after I lock them?
No. Once you lock your choices, they cannot be changed. Choose carefully and lock only when you are certain of your preferences.
What if I have a technical problem during registration or choice filling?
Contact the MCC office at adgme@nic.in. However, do not wait until the last minute to seek help. Complete your registration and choices well before the deadline so you have time to resolve any issues.
Is the Stray Round only for All India Quota seats?
Yes, the Stray Round under MCC counselling is for All India Quota seats in MBBS and BDS colleges. State-specific seats are filled through separate state counselling processes.
Can I participate in the Stray Round if I already have a seat from an earlier round?
No. The Stray Round is only for candidates who were not allotted a seat in earlier rounds. If you already have a seat, you should not participate in the Stray Round.
What documents will I need to bring when I report to my college?
The notice does not specify the exact documents required. Check your allotment letter and your college's website for the complete list of documents needed for reporting and admission.
The Stray Round is your final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in 2026–27. All registration, payment, and choice-filling activities must be completed on 16 October 2026—today. Register immediately if you have not already done so, pay the fee by 6:00 PM, fill your choices by 11:55 PM, and lock them before the deadline. Results will be declared on 19 October; if you are allotted a seat, report to your college between 19 and 26 October. Do not delay—every minute counts.
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