The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has launched the Special Stray Vacancy Round for NEET UG 2026 on November 2, marking the final opportunity for candidates to secure an MBBS seat through central counselling this year. Registration closes on November 4 at 3 PM, and seat allotment results will be announced on November 7. This round is designed to fill remaining vacant MBBS positions across participating medical colleges. If you have not yet received a seat or missed earlier rounds, this is your last chance under MCC's central counselling process.
The Special Stray Round is your final MCC counselling window to claim an MBBS seat; register by November 4, 3 PM, or lose the opportunity entirely.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Special Stray Round and who can apply?
The Special Stray Round is MCC's final counselling stage for MBBS admission in 2026. It exists to allocate MBBS seats that remain vacant after all previous counselling rounds. Only candidates who have qualified NEET UG 2026 are eligible to participate.
A critical eligibility rule: you cannot apply if you already hold an allotted seat from any earlier MCC counselling round. This includes seats from Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, or any other central counselling phase. Additionally, if you were allotted a seat under the All India Quota in a state counselling process, you must verify your eligibility status before registering, as MCC has directed state bodies to remove such candidates from their lists to prevent duplicate allotments.
Registration and payment deadlines you must know
Registration for the Special Stray Round opened on November 2, 2026, and closes on November 4 at 3 PM. This is a strict deadline—applications submitted after 3 PM will not be accepted. You must complete fresh registration on the MCC portal; your data from earlier rounds will not carry forward automatically.
The online payment facility for the registration and security fee remains open until 6 PM on November 4, giving you a 3-hour window after registration closes to complete payment. Plan ahead: have your fee amount ready and ensure your payment method works before the deadline approaches.
Step-by-step: how to register on the MCC portal
Registration is entirely online and must be done on mcc.nic.in. Begin by visiting the official MCC portal and locating the UG Medical Counselling link on the homepage. Click on it and select the option to register as a new candidate for the Special Stray Round.
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- Log in using your NEET UG 2026 roll number and password
- Fill in all personal, academic, and contact details accurately—errors here can delay your allotment
- Pay the required registration and security fee online
- Proceed immediately to choice filling and lock your college preferences before the deadline
- Download and save your confirmation page for your records and future reference
Choice filling and locking: your window to select colleges
After registration, you enter the choice-filling phase, which runs from November 2 to November 5, 2026. During this period, you can add, edit, or remove colleges and courses from your preference list. This is your opportunity to rank medical colleges in order of your preference—the algorithm will try to match you to the highest-ranked college where a seat is available.
Choice locking begins on November 4 at 4 PM and continues until November 5 at 11 AM. Once you lock your choices, you cannot change them. Lock your preferences only when you are completely satisfied with your ranking. Many candidates make the mistake of locking too early; use the full window to research colleges and finalize your list.
Important dates and the allotment timeline
Understanding the full timeline helps you plan your next steps. After choice locking ends on November 5 at 11 AM, MCC will process seat allotments on November 5 and 6. The seat allotment result will be published on November 7, 2026.
- November 2–4 (3 PM): Registration and payment open
- November 2–5 (11 AM): Choice filling and locking window
- November 5–6: MCC processes allotments
- November 7: Seat allotment result declared
- November 7–16 (5 PM): Reporting period at your allotted college
What happens after you receive your allotment?
Once the result is declared on November 7, check the MCC portal to see if you have been allotted a seat. If you receive an allotment, you must report to your assigned college between November 7 and November 16 by 5 PM (as per server timing). Reporting involves verifying your documents, paying fees, and completing admission formalities. Failure to report within this window will result in forfeiture of your seat.
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If you are not allotted a seat in this round, no further MCC counselling will occur for MBBS. Any remaining vacant seats will lapse under the All India Quota. However, you may still have options through state-level counselling or private medical colleges, depending on your eligibility and preferences.
BDS and BSc Nursing: parallel rounds happening now
Alongside the MBBS Special Stray Round, MCC is conducting the 5th Round for BDS and BSc Nursing seats on the same timeline. If you are interested in dentistry or nursing, registration and choice filling follow identical deadlines, and the allotment result will also be declared on November 7.
MCC has also announced a 6th Round for BDS and BSc Nursing, with registration beginning on November 17 and allotment results on November 20. If you miss the current round, you may have another opportunity for dental or nursing seats, but not for MBBS.
Why this is your final chance for MBBS through MCC
The Special Stray Round is explicitly the last central counselling stage for MBBS admission in 2026. After November 7, MCC will not conduct any further rounds for MBBS seats. This means if you do not secure a seat now, you will have no further opportunity through central counselling.
Any MBBS seats remaining vacant after this round will lapse and revert to the All India Quota pool. From that point, only state counselling bodies or private medical colleges may have seats available. For most candidates, this round represents the final realistic pathway to an MBBS seat through the national counselling system.
Common mistakes to avoid during registration
Many candidates lose their opportunity by making preventable errors. Do not delay registration until the last day—the portal may experience traffic congestion on November 4. Register early, ideally on November 2 or 3, to avoid technical issues. Ensure your NEET roll number and password are correct before you begin; incorrect credentials will block your registration.
Double-check all personal and academic details before submitting. Errors in your name, date of birth, or NEET score can lead to allotment cancellation. When filling choices, rank colleges thoughtfully—do not leave the list incomplete or rank colleges randomly. Finally, lock your choices only after careful consideration; once locked, changes are impossible.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the last date to register for the NEET UG Special Stray Round 2026?
Registration closes on November 4, 2026, at 3 PM. This is a strict deadline. You must complete your registration and pay the fee before this time. The payment facility remains open until 6 PM on the same day, but registration itself closes at 3 PM.
Can I apply for the Special Stray Round if I already have an allotted MBBS seat?
No. You are ineligible if you already hold an allotted seat from any earlier MCC counselling round or from state counselling. Only candidates without any allotted seat can participate in this round. If you are unsure about your eligibility, check the MCC portal or contact your state counselling authority before registering.
When will the seat allotment result be declared?
The seat allotment result for the Special Stray Round will be published on November 7, 2026. You can check your result on the MCC portal using your NEET roll number and password. If you receive an allotment, you must report to your college between November 7 and November 16 by 5 PM.
What happens if I do not get a seat in the Special Stray Round?
If you are not allotted a seat in this round, no further MCC counselling will occur for MBBS in 2026. Any remaining vacant MBBS seats will lapse. However, you may explore options through state-level counselling, private medical colleges, or other pathways depending on your eligibility and preferences.
Can I change my choice of colleges after locking them?
No. Once you lock your choices (between November 4, 4 PM, and November 5, 11 AM), you cannot modify them. Lock your preferences only when you are completely satisfied with your ranking. Use the full choice-filling window (November 2–5, 11 AM) to research colleges and finalize your list before locking.
Is this the final counselling round for MBBS seats in 2026?
Yes. The Special Stray Round is explicitly the last MCC counselling stage for MBBS admission in 2026. After the allotment result on November 7, no further central counselling rounds will be held for MBBS. This is your final opportunity through MCC.
Do I need to do fresh registration, or can I use my earlier MCC registration?
You must complete fresh registration for the Special Stray Round. Your data from earlier counselling rounds will not carry forward automatically. Log in to mcc.nic.in and register as a new candidate using your NEET UG 2026 credentials.
What if I miss the November 4 registration deadline?
If you miss the November 4, 3 PM deadline, you cannot register for the Special Stray Round. There is no extension or late registration window. Since this is the final MCC counselling round for MBBS, missing this deadline means you will have no further opportunity through central counselling for MBBS seats in 2026.
Register immediately on mcc.nic.in—do not wait until November 4. This is your final MCC counselling window for MBBS; after November 7, no further central rounds will occur. Check the portal on November 7 for your allotment result and report to your college by November 16 if you receive a seat.
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