The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the final schedule for the Stray Round of NEET UG 2026 counselling for MBBS and BDS seats across India. This is the last opportunity for candidates who were not allotted a seat in earlier rounds or who wish to upgrade their seat. All key activities — registration, payment, choice filling, and seat processing — happen between 16 and 19 October 2026. If you are eligible and have not yet secured a seat, this round is your final chance to participate in the national counselling process.
Stray Round registration, payment, and choice filling all close on 16 October 2026; results come out 19 October; you must act immediately if you want to apply.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Stray Round?
The Stray Round is the final counselling round in the NEET UG 2026 admission process. It is open to candidates who either did not participate in earlier counselling rounds, were not allotted a seat in previous rounds, or wish to change their allocated seat. This round allows remaining vacant MBBS and BDS seats across all participating colleges in India to be filled.
The Stray Round is managed by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), which conducts national-level counselling for All India Quota (AIQ) seats and seats in central universities and deemed universities. Seats filled through state counselling or private colleges may have their own separate stray rounds — check your state's official portal for those.
Who Can Apply 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 (Round 1, Round 2, or any mop-up rounds). You must also meet the eligibility criteria for MBBS or BDS — Indian nationality (or OCI/PIO status for certain seats), age, and qualification requirements as per the NEET UG regulations.
If you were allotted a seat in an earlier round but did not report or join, you can still apply for the Stray Round. Similarly, if you reported to a college but wish to upgrade to a better college or course, you may participate. However, once you report and join a college in the Stray Round, you cannot participate in any further rounds.
- Have a valid NEET UG 2026 score
- Not allotted a seat in earlier rounds, OR wish to upgrade
- Meet MBBS/BDS eligibility criteria (nationality, age, qualification)
- Willing to report and join immediately after allotment
Important Dates: Timeline You Must Follow
All dates and times below are in server time (IST). Mark these on your calendar immediately — missing even one deadline will disqualify you from this round.
The entire Stray Round process is compressed into just four days. Registration and payment must be completed by 16 October; results are declared on 19 October; and reporting happens from 19 to 26 October. There are no extensions or second chances in this round.
| Activity | Deadline / Date | What You Must Do |
|---|---|---|
| Registration for Stray Round | 16 Oct 2026, 4:00 PM | Log in to MCC portal and register; provide your NEET roll number and other details |
| RESET Registration option | 16 Oct 2026, 3:00 PM | If you made an error during registration, use this to reset and re-register (closes 1 hour before main registration closes) |
| Payment for Stray Round | 16 Oct 2026, 6:00 PM | Pay the counselling fee (amount not specified in this notice; check MCC portal) |
| Choice Filling for Stray Round | 16 Oct 2026, 11:55 PM | Select and rank colleges and courses in order of preference |
| Choice Locking for Stray Round | 16 Oct 2026, 7:00 PM to 11:55 PM | Lock your choices once you are satisfied; you can unlock and edit until 11:55 PM |
| Seat Processing for Stray Round | 17–18 Oct 2026 | MCC processes all applications and generates allotment list (no action needed from you) |
| Result Declaration of Stray Round | 19 Oct 2026 | Check MCC portal for your allotment result |
| Reporting for Stray Round | 19–26 Oct 2026 | Report to your allotted college with original documents and join |
Step-by-Step: How to Register and Apply
The Stray Round application process is entirely online through the MCC portal. You will need your NEET UG 2026 roll number, registration number, and password. If you do not have these, retrieve them from the official NEET website before you begin.
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Follow these steps in order. Do not skip any step, and do not wait until the last minute — the portal may experience heavy traffic on 16 October.
- Visit the official MCC counselling portal (mcc.nic.in or the link provided in your NEET admit card)
- Log in using your NEET roll number and password
- Click 'Register for Stray Round' and fill in all required details (name, category, state of eligibility, etc.)
- Review your registration details carefully; if you made an error, use the RESET option (available until 3:00 PM on 16 Oct) to correct it
- Pay the counselling fee online (debit card, credit card, or net banking) by 6:00 PM on 16 Oct
- After payment confirmation, proceed to 'Choice Filling'
- Search for colleges and courses you wish to apply for; add them to your preference list
- Rank all your choices in order of preference (1st choice is your highest priority)
- Review your choices carefully — you can edit them until 11:55 PM on 16 Oct
- Click 'Lock Choices' once you are satisfied; your choices are now final
- Take a screenshot or print your confirmation page for your records
Critical Trap: Registration vs. Payment vs. Choice Filling — Three Different Deadlines
Many candidates make the mistake of thinking registration and payment have the same deadline. They do not. Registration closes at 4:00 PM on 16 October, but payment closes at 6:00 PM — giving you a 2-hour window to pay after registration closes. If you register at 3:50 PM, you will have only 10 minutes to complete payment before the payment window closes at 6:00 PM.
Choice filling is even later — it closes at 11:55 PM on 16 October. However, you cannot fill choices until you have paid. So the correct order is: (1) Register by 4:00 PM, (2) Pay by 6:00 PM, (3) Fill and lock choices by 11:55 PM. If you miss any of these three deadlines, you cannot participate in this round.
The RESET Registration option closes at 3:00 PM — one hour before main registration closes. If you need to correct your registration, do it before 3:00 PM, not after.
- ⚠️ Registration deadline: 4:00 PM on 16 Oct
- ⚠️ RESET Registration deadline: 3:00 PM on 16 Oct (closes 1 hour earlier)
- ⚠️ Payment deadline: 6:00 PM on 16 Oct (2 hours after registration closes)
- ⚠️ Choice Filling deadline: 11:55 PM on 16 Oct (7 hours after payment closes)
What Happens After You Apply: Processing and Results
Once you lock your choices by 11:55 PM on 16 October, your application is complete. You cannot make any changes after this point. The MCC will then process all applications on 17 and 18 October using a computerised merit-based algorithm. Your allotment is based on your NEET score, your category, your state of eligibility, and your choice ranking.
Results are declared on 19 October 2026. You must log in to the MCC portal and check your allotment status. If you are allotted a seat, the portal will show the college name, course (MBBS or BDS), and seat category. If you are not allotted, you will see 'Not Allotted' — this means no seat matching your choices and eligibility was available.
If you are allotted a seat, you must report to the college between 19 and 26 October 2026 with your original documents (admit card, NEET scorecard, 10th and 12th certificates, category certificate if applicable, etc.). Reporting is mandatory — if you do not report within this window, your seat will be cancelled and offered to the next candidate.
- Seat processing happens 17–18 Oct (automated, no action from you)
- Results declared 19 Oct — check portal immediately
- If allotted: note your college, course, and seat category
- If not allotted: no further rounds available; you may approach your state counselling authority or private colleges
- Reporting window: 19–26 Oct (mandatory; bring original documents)
Documents You Will Need for Reporting
If you are allotted a seat in the Stray Round, you must report to your college with specific original documents. The college will verify these before you are admitted. Missing or incorrect documents can result in your seat being cancelled.
This notice does not specify the exact list of documents required, as that is typically provided in the detailed counselling information brochure. However, standard documents for NEET UG counselling include the following. Check the MCC website or your allotment letter for the complete list specific to your category and state.
- NEET UG 2026 Admit Card (original)
- NEET UG 2026 Score Card / Result (original)
- 10th Class Certificate (original and photocopy)
- 12th Class Certificate (original and photocopy)
- Category Certificate (if applicable — SC/ST/OBC/EWS; original and photocopy)
- Domicile Certificate (if required by your state; original and photocopy)
- Passport-size photographs (4–6 copies)
- Identity proof (Aadhaar, PAN, or passport; original and photocopy)
- Medical fitness certificate (to be obtained from the college after admission)
- Any other document specified in the allotment letter or college prospectus
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Counselling Fee: What You Must Pay
This notice does not specify the exact amount of the counselling fee for the Stray Round. The fee amount is typically mentioned in the detailed counselling information brochure or on the MCC portal itself. You must check the MCC website (mcc.nic.in) or the portal login page for the current fee amount before you attempt to pay.
The fee is non-refundable, even if you are not allotted a seat or if you do not report. Payment must be made online through the portal using a debit card, credit card, or net banking. The payment gateway will provide a receipt — save this for your records.
- Fee amount: Check MCC portal (not specified in this notice)
- Payment method: Online only (debit card, credit card, or net banking)
- Payment deadline: 6:00 PM on 16 Oct 2026
- Refund policy: Non-refundable
- Receipt: Save your payment receipt for records
Category and Quota Information
The Stray Round is conducted for All India Quota (AIQ) seats, which are filled through national counselling by the MCC. These seats are available in government medical colleges and deemed universities across India. Seats are allocated to candidates based on their NEET score, category (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS), and state of eligibility.
State-specific seats and private college seats are not part of MCC counselling and have their own separate stray rounds. If you are eligible for state counselling or wish to apply to private colleges, you must contact your state medical authority or the colleges directly. This notice covers only the national MCC Stray Round.
- This round is for All India Quota (AIQ) seats only
- Seats available in government medical colleges and deemed universities
- Allotment based on NEET score, category, and state of eligibility
- State seats and private college seats have separate stray rounds — check with your state authority
What If You Are Not Allotted a Seat?
If you check the results on 19 October and see 'Not Allotted', it means no seat matching your choices and eligibility was available in the MCC Stray Round. This does not mean you cannot get admission — it means you must explore other options.
Your next steps depend on your eligibility and preferences. If you are eligible for state counselling (based on your state of domicile), contact your state medical authority to check if they are conducting a stray round. Many states conduct their own separate counselling for state-quota seats. Alternatively, you can directly approach private medical colleges that may still have vacant seats and conduct their own admissions. Some colleges may also conduct management quota or NRI quota admissions — check their websites for details.
- Check your state's medical counselling authority for state-quota stray rounds
- Contact private medical colleges directly for vacant seats
- Explore management quota or NRI quota options if eligible
- Keep your NEET scorecard and admit card ready for any future applications
Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
Many candidates lose their chance in the Stray Round due to preventable errors. Here are the most common mistakes — avoid them at all costs.
First, missing the registration deadline (4:00 PM on 16 Oct) is the most common error. Candidates often assume they have until the choice-filling deadline to register, but registration closes much earlier. Second, registering but forgetting to pay by 6:00 PM means your application is incomplete and you cannot fill choices. Third, filling choices but forgetting to lock them by 11:55 PM means your choices are not final and you will not be considered for allotment. Fourth, providing incorrect information during registration (wrong category, wrong state of eligibility, wrong NEET roll number) can lead to rejection or allotment of an ineligible seat. Fifth, not reporting to your allotted college within the 19–26 October window results in automatic cancellation of your seat.
- ⚠️ Missing registration deadline (4:00 PM on 16 Oct) — application not submitted
- ⚠️ Registering but not paying by 6:00 PM — application incomplete
- ⚠️ Filling choices but not locking them by 11:55 PM — choices not final
- ⚠️ Providing wrong category or state of eligibility — allotment cancelled or ineligible
- ⚠️ Not reporting to college by 26 Oct — seat cancelled
- ⚠️ Forgetting to bring original documents to college — admission refused
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the Stray Round and who should apply?
The Stray Round is the final counselling round for NEET UG 2026 MBBS and BDS seats. You should apply if you were not allotted a seat in earlier rounds, did not participate in earlier rounds, or wish to upgrade your seat. Once you report and join in the Stray Round, no further rounds are available.
What are the three key deadlines I must remember?
Registration closes at 4:00 PM on 16 Oct; payment closes at 6:00 PM on 16 Oct; choice filling and locking closes at 11:55 PM on 16 Oct. All three must be completed by their respective deadlines, or your application will be rejected.
Can I reset my registration if I made a mistake?
Yes, but only until 3:00 PM on 16 October. After 3:00 PM, the RESET option is no longer available. If you made an error after 3:00 PM, you cannot correct it in this round.
What happens if I register and pay but forget to fill and lock my choices?
Your application will be incomplete and you will not be considered for allotment. Choice filling and locking are mandatory steps. You must fill your choices by 11:55 PM on 16 Oct and lock them before the deadline.
When will I know if I am allotted a seat?
Results are declared on 19 October 2026. Log in to the MCC portal on that date to check your allotment status. If allotted, the portal will show your college name, course, and seat category.
What if I am allotted a seat but cannot report by 26 October?
Your seat will be automatically cancelled if you do not report within the 19–26 October window. Reporting is mandatory and there are no extensions. If you have a genuine emergency, contact the college immediately, but cancellation is likely.
What documents do I need to bring when I report to the college?
This notice does not specify the exact list, but typically you need your NEET admit card, score card, 10th and 12th certificates, category certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate (if required), identity proof, and passport-size photographs. Check the MCC website or your allotment letter for the complete list.
What is the counselling fee and how do I pay it?
This notice does not specify the fee amount. Check the MCC portal (mcc.nic.in) for the current fee. Payment is online only (debit card, credit card, or net banking) and must be completed by 6:00 PM on 16 Oct. The fee is non-refundable.
What if I am not allotted a seat in the Stray Round?
Check with your state medical counselling authority for state-quota stray rounds. You can also contact private medical colleges directly for vacant seats. Some colleges may offer management quota or NRI quota admissions — check their websites.
Can I participate in the Stray Round if I already reported to a college in an earlier round?
If you reported but did not join (did not complete admission formalities), you can participate in the Stray Round. However, once you join a college in the Stray Round, you cannot participate in any further rounds.
Is this Stray Round for All India Quota seats only, or does it include state seats?
This MCC Stray Round is for All India Quota (AIQ) seats in government medical colleges and deemed universities only. State-quota seats and private college seats have separate stray rounds conducted by state authorities and colleges respectively.
What if I miss the choice-filling deadline but have already paid?
If you do not fill and lock your choices by 11:55 PM on 16 Oct, your application will be incomplete and you will not be allotted a seat. Your payment will not be refunded. You must complete all steps — registration, payment, and choice filling — by their respective deadlines.
Act immediately: register on the MCC portal by 4:00 PM on 16 October, pay by 6:00 PM, and fill and lock your choices by 11:55 PM. Results come out on 19 October; if allotted, report to your college by 26 October with original documents. This is your final chance in the national counselling process — do not miss these deadlines. For the MCC portal and more details, visit mcc.nic.in or contact adgme@nic.in.
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