NEET UG Stray Vacancy Round 2026: MCC Extends Deadlines – Key Dates

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), which operates under India's Directorate General of Health Services, has announced an extension to the timeline for the Stray Vacancy Round of NEET UG 2026 counselling. This round is the final opportunity for qualified candidates to secure an MBBS or BDS seat if they were not allotted one in earlier counselling phases. The revised schedule compresses several key steps into a single day—October 16—making it crucial for aspirants to understand the exact deadlines and process to avoid missing out on their chance at admission.

What is the Stray Vacancy Round and who can apply?

The Stray Vacancy Round is the final phase of NEET UG counselling, held after the main and mop-up rounds. It is designed to fill any remaining unfilled MBBS and BDS seats across India's government and private medical and dental colleges. Candidates who were not allotted a seat in earlier rounds, or who wish to upgrade to a better college or course, are eligible to participate.

This round is particularly important because it represents the last formal opportunity through the national counselling system to secure admission. After this round closes, any remaining vacancies may be filled through college-specific or state-level processes, which vary by institution and state.

Revised registration and payment deadlines for October 16

The MCC has consolidated the registration and payment windows into a single day to expedite the process. Candidates must complete fresh registration or update their existing registration by 4:00 PM on October 16, 2026. Payment of the counselling fee must be made by 6:00 PM the same day, giving candidates a two-hour window after registration closes to complete payment.

If you have already registered in an earlier round and wish to modify your details—such as your category, state of eligibility, or other personal information—you must use the RESET registration option. This facility is available only until 3:00 PM on October 16, so plan ahead if you need to make corrections.

• Fresh registration closes: 4:00 PM, October 16
• RESET registration option closes: 3:00 PM, October 16
• Payment deadline: 6:00 PM, October 16

Choice filling and locking: same-day process on October 16

After completing payment, you will enter the choice-filling phase. You can add, modify, or remove colleges and courses from your preference list until 11:55 PM on October 16. This extended window gives you the full day to research options and finalize your choices based on your rank, category, and preferred specialties or locations.

Critically, you must manually lock your choices between 7:00 PM and 11:55 PM on the same day. If you do not lock your choices within this window, the system will automatically lock them at 11:55 PM according to its default rules. Manual locking ensures your preferences are finalized exactly as you intend, so do not rely on automatic locking.

• Choice filling window: until 11:55 PM, October 16
• Choice locking window: 7:00 PM to 11:55 PM, October 16
• Automatic locking occurs at 11:55 PM if you do not lock manually

Seat processing and allotment result timeline

Once the choice-locking deadline passes, the MCC will process all registrations and choices over two days: October 17 and October 18, 2026. During this period, the system runs the allocation algorithm to match candidates with available seats based on their rank, category, choices, and college merit lists.

The official allotment result will be declared on October 19, 2026. You will be able to log into the MCC portal using your credentials to view your allotted college, course, and seat category. If you are allotted a seat, you must proceed to physical reporting at your assigned institution immediately.

• Seat processing: October 17–18, 2026
• Allotment result announcement: October 19, 2026
• Result available on MCC portal with login credentials

Physical reporting and admission completion: October 19–26

Candidates allotted seats in the Stray Vacancy Round must visit their assigned medical or dental college in person between October 19 and October 26, 2026, to complete verification and admission formalities. This is a mandatory step; failure to report within this window may result in forfeiture of your seat.

During physical reporting, you will need to submit original documents for verification (such as your NEET scorecard, 10th and 12th mark sheets, caste certificate if applicable, and other required documents as per your college's list). The college will also collect fees and complete your enrollment in their system. Contact your allotted college in advance to confirm the exact reporting location, timings, and document requirements.

• Physical reporting window: October 19–26, 2026
• Reporting is mandatory; non-reporting forfeits your seat
• Bring original documents for verification
• Confirm college-specific requirements in advance

Complete revised schedule at a glance

To help you plan, here is the full timeline for the Stray Vacancy Round in one place. Mark these dates on your calendar and set reminders, especially for the October 16 deadlines, which are compressed into a single day.

Why the extension matters for your admission chances

The MCC's decision to extend and consolidate the Stray Vacancy Round schedule reflects the high demand for remaining seats and the need to give candidates adequate time to make informed choices. By extending the registration and choice-filling deadlines, the committee has created a final window for aspirants who may have been waiting for results from other counselling phases or who wish to upgrade their college or course.

For you, this extension is an opportunity. If you were not allotted a seat in the main or mop-up rounds, or if you are unhappy with your current allotment, the Stray Vacancy Round is your last chance through the national counselling system. Use the extended timeline to research colleges, compare options, and make strategic choices that align with your career goals.

Critical reminders to avoid missing deadlines

Given that all major steps occur on October 16, it is essential to plan ahead. Do not wait until the last hour to register or pay fees; the portal may experience high traffic, and technical delays could cost you your opportunity. Aim to complete registration and payment by early afternoon to allow buffer time.

Ensure you have all required documents ready before October 16: your NEET scorecard, 10th and 12th certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), and any other documents your state or college requires. Verify the exact list with your state counselling authority or the MCC website. Finally, research your college options thoroughly before choice-filling begins; do not rush this decision on the day itself.

• Register and pay early on October 16; do not wait until the deadline
• Prepare all documents in advance for physical reporting
• Research colleges and courses before October 16
• Manually lock your choices; do not rely on automatic locking
• Mark October 19–26 on your calendar for physical reporting

Frequently asked questions

Mark October 16, 2026, as your critical action date: register, pay, fill choices, and lock them all on this single day. Once you receive your allotment result on October 19, prioritize physical reporting at your college between October 19 and October 26 to secure your MBBS or BDS seat. Plan ahead, prepare your documents, and do not miss this final opportunity.