The Medical Counselling Committee has set a final deadline for NEET UG aspirants to complete registration and lock their college choices in the stray vacancy round. This is the last opportunity for eligible candidates to secure a seat through this round before allotment results are announced. If you have not yet registered or submitted your preferences, today is the day to act—missing this deadline means losing your chance to participate in this round entirely.
Complete your NEET UG stray vacancy round registration, fee payment, and choice-locking by 11:55 PM on October 16, 2026, or you will be excluded from this counselling round.
Your matched MBBS & BDS colleges
LockedEnter your NEET rank to unlock the real colleges you can get — All India Quota and every state — with official closing ranks and fees.
Unlock My College ListWhat is the stray vacancy round and who should apply?
The stray vacancy round is a final opportunity in NEET UG counselling to fill seats that remain vacant after the main and subsequent rounds of seat allocation. These are typically seats that were not filled by candidates in earlier rounds, either because they declined the offer or did not report to the college. Eligible candidates—those who have qualified NEET UG and have not yet been allotted a seat, or who wish to upgrade their current allocation—can participate.
This round is particularly valuable for aspirants who narrowly missed out on their preferred colleges or courses in earlier rounds, or who are seeking a second chance to secure admission. The stray vacancy round often opens up seats across various medical and dental colleges, making it worth attempting even if you have already received an allotment.
Critical dates: Registration, choice-filling, and allotment timeline
The extended schedule for the stray vacancy round compresses all key activities into a single day. Registration and fee payment windows close at different times on October 16, 2026, so timing is essential. The choice-filling window remains open until 11:55 PM the same day, giving candidates the full day to decide and enter their preferences.
- Registration window: closes at 4:00 PM on October 16
- Reset registration option: available until 3:00 PM on October 16 (if you need to start over)
- Fee payment: available until 6:00 PM on October 16
- Choice-filling: available until 11:55 PM on October 16
- Choice-locking: opens at 7:00 PM and closes at 11:55 PM on October 16
- Seat processing: October 17–18, 2026
- Allotment result announcement: October 19, 2026
- Physical reporting at allotted colleges: October 19–26, 2026
Know the exact MBBS/BDS colleges your rank can get
Official 2023–2025 closing ranks and fees, matched to your rank.
How to register and fill your choices: Step-by-step process
The registration and choice-filling process is straightforward but must be completed carefully. Begin by visiting the official MCC counselling portal and clicking on the new registration option. You will need to enter your personal details, upload scanned copies of required documents (such as your NEET admit card, mark sheet, and identity proof), and pay the registration fee.
- Visit the official MCC counselling website
- Click on 'New Registration'
- Enter all required personal and academic details
- Upload scanned copies of required documents
- Submit the registration fee
- Access the choice-filling window
- Enter your preferred colleges and courses in order of preference (most preferred first)
- Review your choices carefully before locking
- Lock your choices between 7:00 PM and 11:55 PM
- Submit your final application
Why choice-locking matters and what happens after
Once you lock your choices, you cannot change them. The system will automatically lock all choices at 11:55 PM if you have not done so manually. This means the order in which you list your colleges and courses is final and will determine which seat you receive based on the allotment algorithm. The MCC will then process all locked choices over October 17–18 and release the allotment result on October 19.
After the allotment result is announced, you must report physically to your allotted college between October 19 and October 26, 2026. Failure to report within this window may result in forfeiture of your seat. Bring all original documents, your allotment letter, and any other documents specified by the college.
What if you have already registered but want to change your choices?
If you registered in an earlier window but now wish to modify your choices, you can use the 'Reset Registration' option available until 3:00 PM on October 16. This allows you to start the registration process again and enter new choices. However, you must complete the entire process—including fee payment—before the respective deadlines. Be aware that resetting your registration means you will lose your previous choices, so use this option only if you are certain you want to change them.
Every kind of MBBS/BDS seat, one rank
See the real seats your NEET rank can reach.
Common mistakes to avoid in the final hours
Many aspirants make preventable errors in the rush to meet deadlines. Do not wait until the last minute to register; the portal may experience traffic congestion, and technical issues could prevent you from completing your application. Ensure your documents are scanned clearly and in the correct format before you begin. Double-check all personal details—errors in your name, date of birth, or roll number can cause problems later.
When filling choices, list colleges and courses in genuine order of preference, not randomly. The allotment algorithm works on your preference order, so if you list a college you do not actually want first, you may be allotted there even if a better option was available lower on your list. Finally, do not forget to lock your choices; if you do not lock them manually, they will auto-lock at 11:55 PM, but it is safer to lock them yourself to confirm the action.
What to do if you miss the deadline
If you miss the October 16 deadline, you will not be able to participate in the stray vacancy round. There is no grace period or late registration window for this round. Your only option would be to wait for any future counselling rounds announced by the MCC, if they occur. This is why acting today is critical—do not assume another chance will come.
Preparing for allotment and college reporting
Once you receive your allotment result on October 19, check it immediately on the official portal. Note your allotted college, course, and any specific reporting instructions. Gather all original documents—your NEET admit card, mark sheet, allotment letter, identity proof, address proof, and any other documents mentioned in the allotment letter or on the college's website. Some colleges may also require a medical fitness certificate or other college-specific documents.
Plan your travel and accommodation if your allotted college is in a different city. Reporting is mandatory between October 19 and October 26; missing this window forfeits your seat. Contact the college in advance if you have any questions about the reporting process or required documents.
See the exact MBBS colleges your NEET rank can get
Free 2-minute preview — official closing ranks and fees for every seat your rank can reach, All India and your state.
See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the final deadline for NEET UG stray vacancy round registration and choice-filling?
Registration closes at 4:00 PM on October 16, 2026. Choice-filling remains open until 11:55 PM the same day. You must lock your choices between 7:00 PM and 11:55 PM on October 16. After 11:55 PM, all choices are auto-locked and cannot be changed.
Can I change my choices after I have locked them?
No. Once you lock your choices, they are final and cannot be modified. The system will use your locked choices to generate your allotment. If you wish to change your choices before locking, you must do so before 11:55 PM on October 16. After that, no changes are possible.
What happens if I miss the October 16 deadline?
If you miss the deadline, you will not be able to participate in the stray vacancy round. There is no late registration or grace period. You would have to wait for any future counselling rounds announced by the MCC, if they occur. It is critical to complete your registration and choice-filling today.
When will the allotment result be announced, and what do I do after receiving it?
The allotment result will be announced on October 19, 2026. Once you receive your result, check your allotted college and course immediately. You must then report physically to your allotted college between October 19 and October 26, 2026, with all original documents. Failure to report within this window forfeits your seat.
Can I use the Reset Registration option if I have already registered?
Yes. If you registered earlier but want to change your choices, you can use the Reset Registration option available until 3:00 PM on October 16. This allows you to start the registration process again. However, you must complete the entire process—including fee payment—before the respective deadlines.
What documents do I need to upload during registration?
You will need to upload scanned copies of required documents, typically including your NEET admit card, mark sheet, and identity proof. Check the official MCC portal for the complete list of required documents before you begin registration to avoid delays.
Is the stray vacancy round my last chance to get a seat through NEET UG counselling?
The stray vacancy round is typically the final round of counselling for a given year. However, the MCC may announce additional rounds if seats remain vacant. It is advisable to participate in the stray vacancy round if you have not yet secured a seat, as it may be your last opportunity in the current counselling cycle.
What should I do if I face technical issues while registering?
If you encounter technical problems, try accessing the portal from a different device or browser. Ensure you have a stable internet connection. If issues persist, contact the MCC helpline or support team immediately. Do not wait until the last minute; register early to allow time for troubleshooting.
Today, October 16, 2026, is your final opportunity to register and lock your choices for the NEET UG stray vacancy round. Complete all steps—registration, fee payment, and choice-locking—before 11:55 PM to secure your participation. Mark October 19 on your calendar for the allotment result, and prepare your documents for college reporting between October 19 and 26.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.