The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has opened the choice-filling window for the stray vacancy round of NEET UG 2026. This is the final opportunity for candidates who did not secure a seat in earlier counselling rounds to claim one of the 4,068 remaining MBBS, BDS, and BSc Nursing positions across government and private medical institutions. Registration closed on October 14 at 3 PM, but choice filling remains active until October 15 at 10 AM. If you registered before the deadline, you must now lock in your college and course preferences to be considered for allotment.
If you registered for the stray vacancy round by 3 PM on October 14, you have until 10 AM on October 15 to fill and lock your choices—this is your last chance to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in 2026.
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Unlock My College ListWhat Is the Stray Vacancy Round and Who Can Apply?
The stray vacancy round is the final phase of NEET UG counselling, designed to fill seats that remain vacant after all previous rounds of allotment. These vacancies arise when candidates decline their allotted seats, fail to report on time, or do not complete admission formalities. The MCC conducts this round entirely online through its official portal, mcc.nic.in.
Only candidates who registered and paid the fee by the October 14 deadline are eligible to participate in choice filling. If you missed the registration window, you cannot enter this round. However, if you did register, you now have a narrow but critical window to submit your preferences.
How Many Seats Are Available in the Stray Vacancy Round?
The MCC released a 64-page seat matrix listing 4,068 vacant positions across MBBS, BDS, and BSc Nursing courses. These seats span government medical colleges, dental colleges, AIIMS institutions, and ESIC medical centres. The matrix provides institute-wise breakdowns, including quota allocations and reservation categories (General, OBC, SC, ST, and others).
Before you begin filling choices, download and review the seat matrix from mcc.nic.in. This step is crucial: it tells you exactly which colleges have seats in your preferred course and category. Many candidates waste choices on colleges that have already filled all positions. A careful review of the matrix helps you build a strategic preference list.
Step-by-Step Guide to Filling and Locking Your Choices
The choice-filling process is straightforward but time-sensitive. Begin by visiting mcc.nic.in and navigating to the UG Medical Counselling section. Log in using your NEET UG roll number and the password you created during registration. Keep your registered mobile number handy for verification if needed.
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Once logged in, select the choice-filling option. You will then browse colleges and courses state by state. The system allows you to add as many choices as you wish—there is no upper limit. However, the order matters: the allotment algorithm assigns seats based on your merit rank and your saved preference sequence. Arrange your choices from most to least preferred.
After finalizing your list, save it and take a screenshot or printout for your records. Then lock your choices. If you do not manually lock them before the October 15, 10 AM deadline, the system will auto-lock them when the window closes. Once locked, you cannot modify your preferences.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and click on the UG Medical Counselling tab
- Log in with your NEET UG roll number and password
- Select the choice-filling option for the stray vacancy round
- Browse and select colleges and courses by state
- Arrange choices in order of preference (most preferred first)
- Save your list and take a screenshot
- Lock your choices before the deadline
- Choices auto-lock at 10 AM on October 15 if not manually locked
Critical Dates and Deadlines You Must Know
The timeline for the stray vacancy round is compressed, leaving little room for error. Registration and fee payment closed on October 14—registration at 3 PM and fee payment at 6 PM. If you missed these windows, you cannot participate in this round.
Choice filling is now live and will remain open until October 15 at 10 AM. This is a hard deadline; the portal will close automatically, and no extensions are granted. After choice locking closes, the MCC will process allotments and announce results on mcc.nic.in. Candidates selected in the allotment must report to their assigned college with original documents and pay the admission fee within the specified reporting period. Any seat not claimed by the deadline is cancelled.
- Registration window: October 12–14, 2026 (closed at 3 PM on October 14)
- Fee payment deadline: October 14, 2026 (closed at 6 PM)
- Choice filling window: Open until October 15, 2026 at 10 AM
- Seat allotment result: To be announced after choice locking closes
- Reporting deadline: To be announced with allotment results
What Happens After You Lock Your Choices?
Once the choice-locking window closes, the MCC's computer system processes all registered candidates' preferences against available seats. The allotment is based on your NEET UG merit rank and the order in which you ranked your choices. A candidate with a higher rank gets priority; if two candidates have the same rank, the system follows a tie-breaking rule (usually date and time of registration).
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The allotment result will be published on mcc.nic.in. You must check the portal regularly for updates. If your name appears in the allotment list, note your assigned college, course, and reporting deadline. You will then need to visit the college in person with your original documents (admit card, ID proof, mark sheet, etc.) and pay the admission fee to confirm your seat. If you do not report within the deadline, your seat is forfeited and offered to the next candidate on the waiting list.
How to Build a Smart Choice List Using the Seat Matrix
A strategic approach to choice filling significantly improves your chances of securing a seat. Start by downloading the seat matrix and identifying all colleges that have vacancies in your preferred course (MBBS or BDS) and your category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.). Cross-reference this with your NEET UG rank to estimate which colleges are realistic options for you.
Organize your choices into three tiers: reach choices (colleges where your rank is borderline), realistic choices (colleges where your rank comfortably qualifies), and safe choices (colleges where your rank is well above the expected cutoff). Include choices from different states and both government and private institutions to maximize your options. Avoid adding colleges that have no vacant seats in your category—these are wasted choices that reduce your effective preference list.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Choice Filling
Many candidates rush through choice filling and make costly errors. Do not fill choices without reviewing the seat matrix; you may select colleges that have no available seats. Do not arrange your choices randomly; always place your most preferred college first. Do not wait until the last minute to lock your choices; technical glitches or internet issues could prevent you from submitting in time.
Another frequent mistake is adding too few choices. While there is no penalty for adding many choices, having fewer options reduces your chances of allotment. Conversely, do not add colleges you would never attend just to inflate your list—if you are allotted a seat you do not want and do not report, you lose the opportunity and cannot participate in subsequent rounds. Be honest and strategic about your preferences.
Support and Resources If You Have Questions
The MCC provides official support channels for candidates with queries or technical issues. You can call the helpline at 7824848020 during business hours or email mcc2026@gov.in with your question. Include your NEET UG roll number and a clear description of your issue to expedite a response.
All official information is published on mcc.nic.in. Avoid relying on unofficial sources, social media, or unverified websites for counselling updates. The MCC website is the single source of truth for dates, seat matrices, allotment results, and reporting instructions.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
I registered for the stray vacancy round before the October 14 deadline. Can I still fill choices?
Yes, if you registered and paid the fee by 3 PM on October 14, you are eligible to fill choices. The choice-filling window is open until October 15 at 10 AM. Log in to mcc.nic.in with your NEET UG roll number and password to access the choice-filling portal immediately.
What if I missed the registration deadline on October 14?
Unfortunately, if you did not register and pay the fee by the October 14 deadline, you cannot participate in the stray vacancy round. The registration window has closed, and no late registrations are accepted. You will have to wait for any future counselling rounds or consider other options.
How many choices can I add in the stray vacancy round?
There is no upper limit on the number of choices you can add. You can include as many colleges and courses as you wish. However, the order of your choices matters—the allotment system assigns seats based on your merit rank and your preference sequence. Arrange your choices from most to least preferred.
What is the seat matrix, and why do I need to review it before filling choices?
The seat matrix is a detailed document released by the MCC that lists all 4,068 vacant seats across colleges, courses, and categories. It shows which colleges have openings in MBBS, BDS, or BSc Nursing and how many seats are available in each category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.). Reviewing it helps you avoid wasting choices on colleges with no vacancies and build a realistic preference list based on your rank and category.
What happens if I do not lock my choices before the October 15 deadline?
If you do not manually lock your choices, the system will automatically lock them at 10 AM on October 15 when the choice-filling window closes. However, it is safer to lock them yourself before the deadline to avoid any last-minute technical issues. Once locked, you cannot modify your preferences.
When will the allotment results be announced, and what do I need to do if I am selected?
The MCC will announce the allotment results on mcc.nic.in after the choice-locking window closes. The exact date will be published on the website. If you are allotted a seat, you must report to the assigned college in person with your original documents (NEET admit card, ID proof, mark sheet, etc.) and pay the admission fee within the specified reporting deadline. If you do not report on time, your seat is forfeited.
Can I change my choices after locking them?
No, once you lock your choices, you cannot modify them. The system does not allow any changes after locking. This is why it is important to review your preference list carefully before locking and to arrange your choices in the correct order of preference.
What should I do if I face technical issues while filling or locking choices?
If you encounter technical problems, contact the MCC helpline at 7824848020 or email mcc2026@gov.in with your NEET UG roll number and a description of the issue. Try accessing the portal from a different device or browser, and ensure your internet connection is stable. Attempt to resolve the issue as soon as possible, as the choice-filling deadline is October 15 at 10 AM.
Are there any seats reserved for candidates from specific categories?
Yes, the seat matrix includes seats reserved for General, OBC, SC, and ST categories, as well as other reserved categories as per government norms. When filling choices, ensure you select colleges and courses for which you are eligible based on your category. The allotment system will only consider you for seats in your eligible category.
The stray vacancy round is your final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in 2026. With 4,068 seats available and a choice-filling deadline of October 15 at 10 AM, act immediately if you registered before October 14. Download the seat matrix, build a strategic preference list, and lock your choices well before the deadline to avoid last-minute complications.
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