The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is closing the choice-filling and choice-locking window for the NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy round today, October 15, 2026. The stray vacancy round is the final opportunity for candidates to secure MBBS or BDS seats that remain unfilled after the main counselling rounds. If you are participating in this round, you must complete your choice entry and lock your preferences before the 10 AM deadline today—after which no changes will be allowed. Missing this deadline means losing your chance to participate in this round entirely.
Complete your choice entry and lock your preferences for the NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy round by 10 AM today, October 15, 2026, or you will be unable to participate in seat allotment.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the stray vacancy round and who should participate?
The stray vacancy round is a final counselling phase designed to fill MBBS and BDS seats that remain vacant after the main allotment rounds. These vacancies arise when candidates decline their allotted seats, withdraw from counselling, or do not report to colleges. The stray round gives eligible NEET UG candidates a second or final chance to secure admission to a medical college.
You are eligible for the stray vacancy round if you have a valid NEET UG score and have not yet been allotted a seat, or if you wish to upgrade your current allotment. This round is particularly valuable for candidates who narrowly missed seats in earlier rounds or who wish to explore colleges in different states or with different specialization options.
Today's deadline: What you must do before 10 AM
The choice-filling window for the stray vacancy round closes at 10 AM on October 15, 2026. This means you have until 10 AM today to log in to the official NEET UG counselling portal, enter your college and course preferences in order of priority, and submit your choices. After 10 AM, the choice-filling link will no longer be accessible.
Simultaneously, the choice-locking window—which began at 4 PM on October 14—also closes at 10 AM today. If you have already entered your choices, you must lock them before 10 AM to finalize your preferences. Once locked, your choices cannot be changed, rearranged, or modified in any way. The system will automatically lock any unlocked choices at 10 AM, so it is critical to act before this time.
- Choice filling deadline: 10 AM, October 15, 2026
- Choice locking deadline: 10 AM, October 15, 2026
- No changes allowed after locking
- Automatic locking occurs at 10 AM if you have not manually locked
How to enter and lock your choices: Step-by-step process
To participate in the stray vacancy round, visit the official NEET UG counselling website and log in using your credentials. Once logged in, locate the choice-filling link for the stray vacancy round and click it to begin entering your preferences.
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Enter your college and course choices in order of preference—rank your most preferred college first, second choice second, and so on. The system will process allotments based on your ranking, so prioritize carefully. After entering all your choices, review them thoroughly to ensure accuracy. Any errors at this stage cannot be corrected after locking.
Once you are satisfied with your choices, click the lock button to finalize them. After locking, you will receive a confirmation message. Do not close the browser or navigate away until you see this confirmation. Save a screenshot or note of your locked choices for your records.
- Visit the official NEET UG counselling portal
- Log in with your registration credentials
- Click the choice-filling link for the stray vacancy round
- Enter colleges and courses in order of preference
- Review all choices for accuracy
- Click lock to finalize your preferences
- Save confirmation and screenshot for records
What happens after you lock your choices?
Once the choice-locking window closes at 10 AM today, the MCC will process all submitted choices using a computerized merit-based allocation algorithm. Your NEET UG rank, category, state quota eligibility, and your locked choice order will determine which seat you are allotted, if any.
The seat allotment result for the stray vacancy round will be released on October 17, 2026. You will be able to view your allotment status on the official portal using your login credentials. If you are allotted a seat, you must report to the assigned college between October 19 and 26, 2026, to complete admission and document verification.
- Allotment result release date: October 17, 2026
- Reporting period: October 19–26, 2026
- Bring original and photocopy of allotment letter, fee receipt, and all required documents
Documents you will need when reporting to your allotted college
If you are allotted a seat in the stray vacancy round, you must report to your assigned college during the specified reporting window with all required documents. Colleges will verify your eligibility and complete your admission during this period.
Ensure you carry both original and photocopied versions of your allotment letter, fee receipt, NEET UG admit card, mark sheet, and any other documents specified by the MCC or your college. Missing or incomplete documentation may delay or jeopardize your admission, so prepare these well in advance.
- Allotment letter (original and photocopy)
- Fee receipt (original and photocopy)
- NEET UG admit card
- NEET UG mark sheet
- Class 10 and 12 certificates and mark sheets
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Any other documents specified by MCC or your college
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Why the stray vacancy round matters for your MBBS or BDS admission
The stray vacancy round is often the last formal opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat through the national counselling process. If you have not been allotted a seat in earlier rounds, or if you wish to upgrade to a better college or location, this round is critical. Missing today's deadline means you will not be considered for any remaining vacancies in this round.
Many candidates successfully secure seats in the stray round, particularly in colleges that had high cutoffs in earlier rounds but now have vacancies. The round also allows candidates to explore options across different states and college categories. However, the number of available seats is typically limited, so acting quickly and strategically with your choice order is essential.
Common mistakes to avoid before the 10 AM deadline
Do not delay logging in until the last minute. Server traffic often increases as the deadline approaches, which can slow down the portal or cause temporary outages. Log in and complete your choices well before 10 AM to avoid technical issues.
Do not enter choices randomly or without careful thought. Your choice order directly affects your allotment outcome. Rank colleges in genuine order of preference, considering location, infrastructure, reputation, and your career goals.
Do not forget to lock your choices. Simply entering choices is not enough—you must explicitly click the lock button to finalize them. Unlocked choices will be auto-locked at 10 AM, but manual locking ensures you have confirmed your preferences.
Do not assume you will get another chance. The stray vacancy round is typically the final round. If you miss this deadline, you will not be able to participate in further counselling through the national process.
Timeline for the stray vacancy round: What to expect next
Today, October 15, is the final day for choice entry and locking. On October 17, the allotment result will be announced. Between October 19 and 26, you must report to your allotted college if you have been selected. After October 26, the admission process for the stray vacancy round will be complete, and any remaining vacancies may be handled through state-level or college-specific processes outside the national counselling framework.
- October 15: Choice filling and locking deadline (10 AM)
- October 17: Allotment result announcement
- October 19–26: Reporting and admission at allotted colleges
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the final deadline for entering and locking choices in the NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy round?
The deadline is 10 AM on October 15, 2026. Both choice filling and choice locking must be completed by this time. After 10 AM, the portal will close and no further entries or changes will be allowed.
Can I change my choices after I lock them?
No. Once you lock your choices, they cannot be changed, rearranged, or modified under any circumstances. The system will not allow you to log back in and alter your preferences. Choose carefully before locking.
What happens if I do not lock my choices before 10 AM?
If you do not manually lock your choices, the system will automatically lock them at 10 AM. However, it is safer to lock manually to ensure your preferences are finalized as intended. After 10 AM, no further changes are possible.
When will the allotment result be released?
The seat allotment result for the stray vacancy round will be released on October 17, 2026. You can check your result on the official NEET UG counselling portal using your login credentials.
What is the reporting period if I am allotted a seat?
If you are allotted a seat, you must report to your assigned college between October 19 and 26, 2026. During this period, you will complete admission formalities and document verification. Failure to report within this window may result in forfeiture of your seat.
Is the stray vacancy round my last chance to get an MBBS or BDS seat through national counselling?
Yes, the stray vacancy round is typically the final round of national-level counselling. If you do not secure a seat in this round, you may need to explore state-level counselling, management quota seats, or private medical colleges, depending on your eligibility and preferences.
What documents do I need to bring when reporting to my allotted college?
Bring original and photocopied versions of your allotment letter, fee receipt, NEET UG admit card, mark sheet, Class 10 and 12 certificates, and any caste or other certificates as applicable. Check your college's specific requirements as well.
Can I participate in the stray vacancy round if I was allotted a seat in an earlier round?
Yes, you can participate in the stray vacancy round even if you were allotted a seat earlier. However, if you are allotted a new seat in the stray round, you will need to withdraw from your previous allotment and report to the new college instead.
Act immediately: log in to the NEET UG counselling portal, enter your college preferences in order of priority, and lock your choices before 10 AM today. Missing this deadline means losing your opportunity to participate in the stray vacancy round. Check the official portal on October 17 for your allotment result, and if selected, report to your college between October 19 and 26 with all required documents.
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