The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has opened registration for the NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round, a final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat from colleges with unfilled positions after earlier counselling rounds. If you did not receive a seat in previous rounds or wish to explore additional options, this round may offer a second chance. Registration began on October 13 and closes on October 14, 2026, so the window is narrow. Understanding the timeline, registration process, and choice-filling deadlines is critical to avoid missing this opportunity.
Register immediately at mcc.nic.in by October 14, 2026, and lock your college choices by 10 AM on October 15 to participate in the Stray Vacancy Round seat allotment.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Stray Vacancy Round and who should apply?
The Stray Vacancy Round is conducted by the MCC to fill medical and dental seats that remain vacant after the completion of all earlier counselling rounds. These vacancies arise when candidates decline their allotted seats, do not report to colleges, or when colleges have unfilled positions due to insufficient eligible applicants in previous rounds.
This round is open to all NEET UG 2026 qualified candidates who have not yet secured a seat or who wish to explore alternative college options. It is particularly valuable for candidates who narrowly missed seats in earlier rounds or who wish to upgrade to a different college or course. Participation is voluntary, and candidates can choose to apply even if they already hold a seat from a previous round.
Critical dates for NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round
The timeline for the Stray Vacancy Round is compressed, with most key events occurring within a single week. Registration opened on October 13 and will close on October 14, 2026. Candidates must complete their registration and pay any applicable counselling fees within this two-day window.
Choice filling—the process of selecting your preferred colleges and courses—runs from October 12 to October 15. Choice locking begins at 4 PM on October 14 and closes at 10 AM on October 15. This means you must finalize your college preferences and lock them before 10 AM on October 15 to be considered for allotment. The seat allotment result will be announced on October 17, and candidates must report to their allotted colleges between October 19 and October 26.
- Registration: October 13–14, 2026
- Choice filling: October 12–15, 2026
- Choice locking: October 14, 4 PM to October 15, 10 AM
- Seat allotment result: October 17, 2026
- College reporting: October 19–26, 2026
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Registration begins | October 13, 2026 |
| Registration closes | October 14, 2026 |
| Choice filling window | October 12–15, 2026 |
| Choice locking begins | October 14, 4 PM |
| Choice locking closes | October 15, 10 AM |
| Seat allotment result | October 17, 2026 |
| Reporting to college | October 19–26, 2026 |
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How to register for the Stray Vacancy Round at mcc.nic.in
Registration for the Stray Vacancy Round is conducted entirely online through the official MCC portal. Begin by visiting mcc.nic.in and locating the NEET UG Counselling 2026 section. From there, find and click the registration link specifically for the Stray Vacancy Round.
Enter your required details and log in using your NEET credentials. Complete the registration form, which may require you to pay a counselling fee if applicable. After registration is confirmed, proceed to the choice-filling section where you will select your preferred colleges and courses in order of preference. Review all your entries carefully before submitting or locking your choices, as errors cannot be corrected after the locking deadline. Save or download your confirmation page for your records.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and open the NEET UG Counselling 2026 section
- Click the Stray Vacancy Round registration link
- Log in with your NEET credentials
- Complete the registration form and pay any required fee
- Fill in your choice of colleges and courses in preference order
- Review your choices carefully
- Lock your choices before the October 15, 10 AM deadline
- Download and save your confirmation page
Understanding choice filling and choice locking
Choice filling is the process of listing the colleges and courses you wish to be considered for, in order of your preference. You can add multiple colleges and courses to your list. The MCC system will use this preference list to allocate seats based on availability and your NEET rank.
Choice locking is a critical step that finalizes your preferences. Once you lock your choices, you cannot make any changes. The locking window for the Stray Vacancy Round closes at 10 AM on October 15, 2026. It is essential to complete your choice filling and locking well before this deadline to avoid technical delays or missing the cutoff. Do not wait until the last moment, as server congestion or internet issues could prevent you from locking your choices in time.
What happens after seat allotment?
Once the seat allotment result is announced on October 17, 2026, you will be able to view your allotted college and course on the MCC portal. If you receive an allotment, you must report to your assigned college between October 19 and October 26, 2026, to complete the admission process. Reporting typically involves document verification, fee payment, and hostel registration if applicable.
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If you do not report within the specified dates, your seat will be forfeited and offered to the next eligible candidate. Therefore, it is crucial to plan your travel and document submission in advance. If you do not receive an allotment in the Stray Vacancy Round, no further counselling rounds will be conducted, and your NEET UG 2026 admission process will conclude.
Why the Stray Vacancy Round matters for NEET aspirants
The Stray Vacancy Round represents a final opportunity for candidates who did not secure a seat in earlier rounds or who wish to change their college choice. Many candidates receive allotments in this round because seats become available as other candidates decline or fail to report. For some aspirants, this round is the difference between securing an MBBS or BDS seat and not gaining admission in the current year.
Additionally, the Stray Vacancy Round sometimes offers seats in colleges that were fully booked in earlier rounds, or it may provide access to courses or specializations that were not available to you previously. Even if you already hold a seat from an earlier round, you may choose to participate in the Stray Vacancy Round to explore better college options, though you must be prepared to forfeit your current seat if you receive a new allotment.
Common mistakes to avoid during registration and choice filling
One of the most common errors is missing the registration or choice-locking deadline. Because the windows are short, many candidates delay and then find themselves unable to complete the process. Set reminders well in advance and complete your registration and choice filling at least 24 hours before the deadline.
Another frequent mistake is not carefully reviewing your choice list before locking. Typos, incorrect college codes, or preferences listed in the wrong order can result in an undesired allotment or no allotment at all. Take time to verify each entry. Additionally, some candidates fail to pay the required counselling fee, which can invalidate their registration. Ensure you have completed payment and received a confirmation receipt before proceeding to choice filling.
Checking for updates and official notifications
The MCC may issue updates or clarifications regarding the Stray Vacancy Round schedule or process. It is your responsibility to regularly check the official MCC website and your registered email for any announcements. The source material notes that the registration window was originally scheduled to open on October 12 but was moved to October 13, demonstrating that dates can change.
Bookmark mcc.nic.in and check it daily during the counselling period. Do not rely solely on news articles or social media for official information, as these may contain outdated or incorrect details. Always verify critical dates and procedures directly from the MCC portal.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round registration close?
Registration for the Stray Vacancy Round closes on October 14, 2026. You must complete your registration and pay any applicable fees by this date. Registration began on October 13, so the window is only two days long.
What is the deadline to lock my college choices in the Stray Vacancy Round?
The choice-locking deadline is 10 AM on October 15, 2026. You must finalize and lock your college preferences by this time. Once locked, you cannot make any changes, so review your choices carefully before locking.
When will the Stray Vacancy Round seat allotment result be announced?
The seat allotment result for the Stray Vacancy Round will be announced on October 17, 2026. You can check your allotment status on the MCC portal using your login credentials.
What is the last date to report to my allotted college after the Stray Vacancy Round?
You must report to your allotted college between October 19 and October 26, 2026. If you do not report within this period, your seat will be forfeited and offered to another candidate.
Can I participate in the Stray Vacancy Round if I already have a seat from an earlier round?
Yes, you can participate in the Stray Vacancy Round even if you already hold a seat from an earlier round. However, if you receive a new allotment in the Stray Vacancy Round, your previous seat will be forfeited. Participate only if you are willing to accept this risk in exchange for a potentially better college option.
Where do I register for the NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round?
Registration is conducted online at mcc.nic.in. Visit the official MCC website, navigate to the NEET UG Counselling 2026 section, and click the Stray Vacancy Round registration link. Log in with your NEET credentials to proceed.
What happens if I miss the choice-locking deadline?
If you miss the choice-locking deadline of 10 AM on October 15, 2026, your choices will not be locked and you will not be considered for seat allotment in the Stray Vacancy Round. There is no extension for this deadline, so it is critical to lock your choices well before the cutoff time.
Will there be another counselling round after the Stray Vacancy Round?
No, the Stray Vacancy Round is the final counselling round for NEET UG 2026. If you do not receive an allotment in this round, your admission process will conclude, and you will not have another opportunity to secure a seat through MCC counselling in the current year.
Act immediately: register at mcc.nic.in by October 14 and lock your college choices by 10 AM on October 15. This is your final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat through NEET UG 2026 counselling. Check the MCC portal regularly for any updates or changes to the schedule.
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