Today marks a critical deadline for NEET UG 2026 aspirants still in the stray vacancy round counselling process. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will close registration for this final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat at 3 PM today, October 14. Immediately after, at 4 PM, the choice-locking window opens—a process that allows you to confirm your college and course preferences before seat allotment. If you have not yet registered or locked your choices, time is running out, and missing this deadline means losing your chance in this round.
Register before 3 PM today and lock your college choices between 4 PM today and 10 AM tomorrow to be eligible for seat allotment on October 17.
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Unlock My College ListWhat Is the Stray Vacancy Round and Why Does It Matter?
The stray vacancy round is the final counselling phase in NEET UG 2026 admission. It is designed to fill any remaining MBBS and BDS seats that were not filled in earlier counselling rounds. For many aspirants, this round represents a last chance to secure admission to a medical college, especially if they did not get a seat in the main or special rounds.
Unlike earlier rounds, the stray vacancy round typically has fewer seats available, but it also means less competition in some cases. Colleges participating in this round may have seats across different categories and merit positions. If you have been waiting for an opportunity or if your earlier allotment did not work out, this round is your final window in the 2026 counselling cycle.
Today's Registration Deadline: What You Must Do Right Now
Registration for the stray vacancy round began on October 13 and closes today, October 14, at 3 PM. This is a hard deadline—no extensions are typically granted. To register, you must visit the official MCC website at mcc.nic.in, log in with your NEET credentials, and complete the registration form. Ensure that all your details are accurate and that you have uploaded any required documents.
If you have not yet registered, do so immediately. Delaying until the last hour risks technical issues, server overload, or accidental submission errors. Once registration closes at 3 PM, you will not be able to enter this round, even if you attempt to register one minute later. Check your confirmation email or portal message to verify that your registration was successful.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and log in with your NEET roll number and password
- Complete all required fields in the registration form
- Upload documents if prompted
- Submit and save your confirmation page
- Do not wait until 2:59 PM—register now
Choice-Locking: The Critical Step Between Registration and Seat Allotment
After registration closes, choice-locking begins at 4 PM today. This is the process by which you confirm the colleges and courses you wish to be considered for. During choice-filling (which is already underway), you select your preferred colleges and courses in order of preference. Choice-locking means you are saying, 'These are my final choices—please allot me a seat based on these preferences and my merit position.'
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Choice-locking is not optional. If you do not lock your choices, you will not be considered for seat allotment, even if you registered. The choice-locking window remains open from 4 PM today until 10 AM on October 15. This gives you approximately 18 hours to review your preferences carefully and lock them. Once locked, your choices cannot be changed, so think through your college and course preferences before you finalize them.
- Choice-locking confirms your college and course preferences
- You must lock your choices to be eligible for seat allotment
- Locking window: 4 PM October 14 to 10 AM October 15
- Once locked, choices cannot be modified
- Review all preferences carefully before locking
Step-by-Step Guide to Locking Your Choices
Locking your choices is straightforward if you follow the official process. First, visit mcc.nic.in and log in using your NEET credentials. Navigate to the UG Medical Counselling section and select the choice-filling option. You will see a list of colleges and courses you have selected during the choice-filling phase. Review each one carefully—check the college name, course (MBBS or BDS), and the order of your preferences.
Once you are satisfied with your selections, use the choice-locking option provided on the portal. This is usually a button or link labeled 'Lock Choices' or similar. After you click it, the system will ask for confirmation. Confirm your action, and the portal will display a confirmation message. Save or download this confirmation page as proof that you have locked your choices. Keep this document safe until the seat allotment result is released.
- Log in to mcc.nic.in with your NEET credentials
- Go to UG Medical Counselling section
- Open the choice-filling area and review your selected colleges and courses
- Verify the order of your preferences
- Click the choice-locking option
- Confirm the action when prompted
- Save or download the confirmation page
- Do not close the browser until you see the final confirmation
Important Dates: From Today to Seat Allotment and Reporting
Understanding the full timeline helps you plan your next steps. Today, October 14, registration closes at 3 PM and choice-locking begins at 4 PM. Tomorrow, October 15, choice-locking and choice-filling both close at 10 AM. After that, there is a gap of two days while the MCC processes all registrations and choices. On October 17, the seat allotment result will be released on the official portal.
If you are allotted a seat, you must report to your assigned college between October 19 and October 27 to complete admission formalities such as document verification, fee payment, and hostel registration. Missing the reporting deadline may result in forfeiture of your seat. Mark these dates on your calendar and plan accordingly.
- October 14, 3 PM: Registration closes
- October 14, 4 PM: Choice-locking begins
- October 15, 10 AM: Choice-locking and choice-filling close
- October 17: Seat allotment result released
- October 19–27: Reporting period at allotted colleges
What Happens If You Miss Today's Deadline?
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If you do not register by 3 PM today, you will be excluded from the stray vacancy round entirely. There are no second chances, no late registrations, and no appeals based on technical issues or personal circumstances. The deadline is absolute. Similarly, if you register but fail to lock your choices by 10 AM tomorrow, you will not be considered for seat allotment.
Missing this round means you will not receive an MBBS or BDS seat through the 2026 NEET UG counselling process. Your only option would be to wait for the next year's NEET exam or explore alternative pathways such as private medical colleges (if you meet their criteria) or studying medicine abroad. For most aspirants, this stray vacancy round is the final opportunity of the year.
- No registration after 3 PM today
- No choice-locking after 10 AM tomorrow
- Missing either deadline excludes you from this round
- No extensions or exceptions are granted
- Plan to complete both steps well before the deadlines
How to Choose Your Colleges Wisely Before Locking
Before you lock your choices, take time to research the colleges available in the stray vacancy round. Check the seat matrix released by the MCC or your state counselling authority to see which colleges have vacancies and in which categories. Consider factors such as college reputation, location, infrastructure, placement record, and whether the college is government or private. Your merit position and category (General, OBC, SC, ST) will determine which colleges you are eligible for.
Arrange your preferences strategically. List colleges in order of your genuine preference, not randomly. If you have a strong merit position, you might list top colleges first. If your position is lower, balance your list with colleges where you have a realistic chance of getting a seat. Remember, the allotment algorithm will try to match you with the highest-ranked college on your list where you have a seat available based on your merit and category. Locking a poorly thought-out list can result in an undesirable allotment or no allotment at all.
- Check the seat matrix for available colleges and vacancies
- Research college reputation, location, and facilities
- Verify your eligibility based on merit position and category
- List colleges in genuine order of preference
- Balance your list with realistic and aspirational choices
- Do not lock choices hastily
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Registration and Choice-Locking
Many aspirants make preventable errors during this critical phase. One common mistake is entering incorrect personal details during registration—ensure your name, date of birth, and NEET roll number match your official documents exactly. Another mistake is not uploading required documents or uploading unclear or incomplete files. Check the portal instructions carefully to see what documents are needed and ensure they are in the correct format and size.
During choice-locking, some aspirants lock choices without reviewing them properly, leading to regret later. Others forget to lock their choices altogether, thinking that filling choices is enough. Some also wait until the very last minute, risking technical failures or server crashes. Avoid all these pitfalls by completing registration and choice-locking early, reviewing everything carefully, and keeping confirmation documents safe.
- Double-check all personal details during registration
- Upload documents in the correct format and size
- Do not assume choice-filling is the same as choice-locking
- Review choices thoroughly before locking
- Complete both steps well before the deadline
- Save confirmation pages and screenshots
- Do not rely on last-minute submissions
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between choice-filling and choice-locking?
Choice-filling is the process of selecting colleges and courses you wish to be considered for. Choice-locking is the final confirmation of those selections. You must do both: first fill your choices, then lock them. If you fill choices but do not lock them, you will not be considered for seat allotment.
What time does registration close today, and what happens if I miss it?
Registration closes at 3 PM on October 14, 2026. If you do not register by this time, you will be excluded from the stray vacancy round. There are no extensions or late registrations. You must register before 3 PM today to participate in this round.
When can I lock my choices, and how long do I have?
Choice-locking begins at 4 PM today, October 14, and closes at 10 AM on October 15. You have approximately 18 hours to lock your choices. It is recommended that you lock them as soon as the window opens to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Can I change my choices after locking them?
No. Once you lock your choices, they cannot be modified. This is why it is crucial to review your preferences carefully before locking. Think through your college and course selections thoroughly before finalizing them.
When will the seat allotment result be released?
The seat allotment result for the stray vacancy round will be released on October 17, 2026. You can check the result on the MCC website (mcc.nic.in) by logging in with your NEET credentials.
What should I do if I am allotted a seat?
If you are allotted a seat, you must report to your assigned college between October 19 and October 27, 2026, to complete admission formalities. This includes document verification, fee payment, and hostel registration. Missing the reporting deadline may result in forfeiture of your seat.
Is the stray vacancy round my last chance to get an MBBS or BDS seat in 2026?
Yes. The stray vacancy round is the final counselling phase for NEET UG 2026. If you do not secure a seat in this round, you will not receive an MBBS or BDS seat through the 2026 NEET UG counselling process. Your options would then be to appear for NEET again next year or explore alternative pathways.
How do I know which colleges have vacancies in the stray vacancy round?
The MCC releases a seat matrix for the stray vacancy round, which lists all participating colleges and the number of vacancies available in each category. Check the official MCC website (mcc.nic.in) or your state counselling authority's website to download the seat matrix and see which colleges have seats available.
Today is your final opportunity to register and lock your choices for the NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy round. Complete registration before 3 PM and lock your choices between 4 PM today and 10 AM tomorrow. Check the MCC website regularly for updates, and prepare to report to your allotted college if you receive a seat on October 17.
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