The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), which oversees NEET UG counselling under India's health ministry, has pushed back the final deadlines for the Stray Vacancy Round of NEET UG 2026 counselling. The Stray Vacancy Round is the last opportunity for qualified NEET candidates to secure an MBBS, BDS, or B.Sc Nursing seat if they were not allotted one in earlier rounds. This extension gives you extra time to register, fill choices, and lock your preferences before the final seat allocation. If you are still waiting for a seat or want to upgrade your college, this round is critical—and the new dates give you a few more days to act.
If you are eligible for the Stray Vacancy Round, you must complete registration, payment, and choice locking by October 16, 2026, with seat results announced on October 19.
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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. It is open to all qualified NEET candidates—whether you were allotted a seat in earlier rounds and want to upgrade, or you were not allotted any seat at all. Seats that remain vacant after the main and special rounds are filled in this round.
This is your last chance to secure an MBBS or BDS seat through the national counselling process. After the Stray Vacancy Round closes, any remaining seats may be filled through state-level or college-specific counselling, which often have different rules and timelines. If you have not yet been allotted a seat, participating in this round is essential.
New registration and payment deadlines for October 16
The MCC has extended the registration window to 4:00 PM on October 16, 2026. This means you can create or update your registration on the official counselling portal until that time. Payment of the counselling fee must be completed by 6:00 PM the same day—giving you an extra two hours after registration closes to pay online.
If you have already registered but need to correct or change any information (such as your name, category, or contact details), you can use the RESET registration option until 3:00 PM on October 16. This allows you to clear your previous entries and re-enter correct data without losing your registration slot. After 3:00 PM, no corrections are possible, so plan ahead if you know you need to make changes.
Choice filling and locking: what you need to do
Once you have registered and paid, you must fill your college and course choices on the portal. The choice-filling window remains open until 11:55 PM on October 16. You can add, remove, or reorder your preferred colleges and courses during this entire window. Many candidates wait until the last few hours to fill choices, but this risks technical issues or internet problems—it is safer to complete this step earlier in the day.
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After you have filled your choices, you must lock them manually between 7:00 PM and 11:55 PM on October 16. Locking confirms your final preference order and prevents accidental changes. If you do not manually lock your choices by 11:55 PM, the system will automatically lock them according to its default rules—which may not reflect your true preference. Always lock your choices yourself to stay in control.
Seat allocation and result announcement timeline
After the choice-locking deadline, the MCC will process all registrations and choices on October 17 and October 18, 2026. During this time, the computer algorithm will match your preferences with available seats based on your NEET rank, category, and the seats' eligibility criteria. You will not see any updates during this period—the system works behind the scenes.
The official seat allotment results will be announced on October 19, 2026. You will be able to log in to the counselling portal and check whether you have been allotted a seat, and if so, which college and course. If you are allotted a seat, you must then report physically to that college for verification and admission completion between October 19 and October 26, 2026. Failure to report within this window may result in forfeiture of your seat.
Physical reporting: the final step to secure your seat
Being allotted a seat on October 19 does not automatically confirm your admission. You must visit your allotted medical or dental college in person between October 19 and October 26, 2026, to complete verification and admission formalities. Bring all required documents—your NEET scorecard, 10th and 12th mark sheets, category certificate (if applicable), and any other documents specified by the college.
During this visit, the college will verify your eligibility, check your original documents, and complete your admission paperwork. If you do not report within the given window, your seat will be cancelled and offered to the next eligible candidate. This is a strict deadline, so plan your travel and document collection well in advance. If you are allotted a seat far from your home, arrange your visit as soon as the result is announced.
Why was the schedule extended?
The MCC extended the Stray Vacancy Round schedule to give candidates more time to register, make informed choices, and complete the process without rushing. Extensions are typically issued when there are technical issues, high volume of registrations, or to ensure fair access for all eligible candidates across India.
This extension is a relief for candidates who may have been waiting for earlier round results or who needed time to arrange documents and plan their college choice. It also reduces the risk of missing deadlines due to unforeseen circumstances. Always check the official MCC website for any further updates, as schedules can change.
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Common mistakes to avoid during the Stray Vacancy Round
One of the most common errors is forgetting to lock choices. Many candidates fill their preferences but assume they are automatically saved—they are not. You must manually lock them between 7:00 PM and 11:55 PM on October 16, or the system will lock them automatically, which may not match your intended order.
Another mistake is not reporting physically to the college after allotment. Some candidates assume that being allotted a seat online is enough, but it is not. You must visit the college in person during the reporting window to complete admission. Failing to do so will result in loss of your seat. Also, do not miss the payment deadline—if you do not pay the counselling fee by 6:00 PM on October 16, your registration will not be processed, and you will not be eligible for seat allotment.
- Forgetting to manually lock choices by the deadline
- Not reporting physically to the college within the given window
- Missing the payment deadline
- Providing incorrect or incomplete information during registration
- Waiting until the last minute to register, risking technical issues
How to prepare for the Stray Vacancy Round
Start by gathering all required documents: your NEET admit card, scorecard, 10th and 12th mark sheets, caste certificate (if applicable), and any other documents your state or college requires. Keep digital copies as well, in case you need to upload them during registration. Check the official MCC website and your state counselling authority's website for a complete list of required documents.
Next, research the colleges and courses available in the Stray Vacancy Round. The MCC typically releases a seat matrix showing how many MBBS, BDS, and B.Sc Nursing seats are available at each college. Use this to shortlist colleges you are interested in and rank them in order of preference. Remember that your rank and category determine which seats you are eligible for—do not waste preference slots on seats you cannot access. Finally, plan your travel and accommodation if your allotted college is far from home, so you can report on time if you are allotted a seat.
Key dates at a glance
Here is a quick summary of all the important dates for the Stray Vacancy Round so you can mark them on your calendar and plan accordingly.
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Registration closes | October 16, 2026 – 4:00 PM |
| RESET registration option closes | October 16, 2026 – 3:00 PM |
| Payment deadline | October 16, 2026 – 6:00 PM |
| Choice filling closes | October 16, 2026 – 11:55 PM |
| Choice locking window | October 16, 2026 – 7:00 PM to 11:55 PM |
| Seat processing | October 17–18, 2026 |
| Allotment result announcement | October 19, 2026 |
| Physical reporting at college | October 19–26, 2026 |
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the Stray Vacancy Round in NEET UG counselling?
The Stray Vacancy Round is the final phase of NEET UG counselling. It is open to all qualified NEET candidates and is used to fill any MBBS, BDS, or B.Sc Nursing seats that remain vacant after the main and special rounds. It is your last chance to secure a seat through national-level counselling.
Who is eligible to participate in the Stray Vacancy Round?
All candidates who have qualified NEET UG 2026 are eligible. This includes candidates who were allotted a seat in earlier rounds and want to upgrade, as well as candidates who were not allotted any seat. You must have a valid NEET scorecard to register.
What is the new registration deadline for the Stray Vacancy Round?
Registration closes on October 16, 2026, at 4:00 PM. Payment of the counselling fee must be completed by 6:00 PM the same day. If you need to correct information in your registration, you can use the RESET option until 3:00 PM on October 16.
When do I need to fill and lock my college choices?
You can fill your college and course choices until 11:55 PM on October 16, 2026. You must then manually lock your choices between 7:00 PM and 11:55 PM on the same day. If you do not lock them manually, the system will automatically lock them at 11:55 PM, which may not reflect your true preference order.
When will the seat allotment results be announced?
The official seat allotment results will be announced on October 19, 2026. You can log in to the counselling portal to check whether you have been allotted a seat and which college and course you have been assigned.
What happens after I am allotted a seat?
After allotment, you must report physically to your allotted college between October 19 and October 26, 2026, to complete verification and admission formalities. Bring all required documents, including your NEET scorecard, mark sheets, and category certificate if applicable. If you do not report within this window, your seat will be cancelled.
What documents do I need for the Stray Vacancy Round?
You will need your NEET admit card, NEET scorecard, 10th and 12th mark sheets, and caste certificate (if applicable). Check the official MCC website and your state counselling authority's website for a complete list of required documents, as requirements may vary by state and college.
Can I change my choices after locking them?
No. Once you lock your choices, they cannot be changed. This is why it is important to carefully review your preference order before locking. If you realize you made a mistake, you cannot undo it during the Stray Vacancy Round.
What if I miss the registration or payment deadline?
If you miss the registration deadline (4:00 PM on October 16) or the payment deadline (6:00 PM on October 16), you will not be eligible for the Stray Vacancy Round. Your registration will not be processed, and you will not be considered for seat allotment. Plan ahead and complete these steps well before the deadline.
What should I do if I am allotted a seat far from my home?
If you are allotted a seat at a college far from your home, arrange your travel and accommodation in advance so you can report within the October 19–26 window. Failing to report on time will result in loss of your seat. Consider booking travel tickets and arranging accommodation as soon as the allotment results are announced.
Mark October 16 as your final deadline for registration, payment, and choice locking. Once you are allotted a seat on October 19, prioritize physical reporting to your college between October 19 and October 26—this is the only way to confirm your admission. Stay updated on the official MCC website for any further changes.
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