The Medical Counselling Committee has extended the registration window for the NEET UG stray vacancy round, with the final deadline set for October 16, 2026. This round offers a last opportunity for eligible candidates to secure an MBBS or BDS seat through the online counselling process. If you have not yet registered or filled your college preferences, you must act today—the registration portal closes at 4 PM, and choice locking ends at 11:55 PM. Understanding the extended timeline and the steps to complete your registration is critical to avoid missing this final chance.
Complete your NEET UG stray vacancy round registration, choice filling, and choice locking by 11:55 PM on October 16, 2026, or you will lose your opportunity to participate in this 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 NEET UG stray vacancy round and who should apply?
The stray vacancy round is the final phase of NEET UG counselling, designed to fill any remaining MBBS and BDS seats that were not allocated in earlier rounds. These vacancies arise when candidates decline their allotted seats, withdraw from the process, or do not report to their assigned colleges. This round is open to all eligible NEET UG candidates who have not yet secured a seat or who wish to upgrade their college or course choice.
Participation in the stray vacancy round is voluntary. If you were allotted a seat in an earlier round and reported to your college, you cannot participate. However, if you missed earlier rounds, were not satisfied with your allotment, or did not report, this is your final window to enter the counselling process and claim an available seat.
Extended registration and choice-filling deadlines for October 16, 2026
The Medical Counselling Committee extended the original deadlines to give candidates more time to register and make their college choices. On October 16, 2026, multiple critical windows close on the same day, each with a different time limit. It is essential to understand these separate deadlines to avoid missing any step.
The registration window—where you create your account and submit your basic details—closes at 4 PM. If you have not yet registered, you must do so before this time. The option to reset your registration (if you need to correct details) closes at 3 PM. The fee payment facility remains open until 6 PM, giving you a slightly longer window to complete your payment after registration.
- Registration window: closes at 4:00 PM on October 16, 2026
- Reset registration option: closes at 3:00 PM on October 16, 2026
- Fee payment facility: closes at 6:00 PM on October 16, 2026
- Choice filling window: closes at 11:55 PM on October 16, 2026
- Choice locking window: opens at 7:00 PM and closes at 11:55 PM on October 16, 2026
How to register and fill your college choices: step-by-step guide
Know the exact MBBS/BDS colleges your rank can get
Official 2023–2025 closing ranks and fees, matched to your rank.
The registration and choice-filling process is conducted entirely online through the official Medical Counselling Committee portal. Follow these steps carefully to ensure your application is submitted correctly and on time. Begin by visiting the official counselling website and clicking on the 'New Registration' option.
Enter all required personal and academic details as prompted. You will then need to upload scanned copies of your required documents—typically your NEET admit card, scorecard, and identity proof. After uploading documents, pay the registration fee. Once your registration is confirmed, you can proceed to the choice-filling window.
In the choice-filling section, you will see a list of available colleges and courses. Rank them in order of your preference—the system will allocate seats based on your ranking and availability. After entering all your choices, you must lock them. The choice-locking window opens at 7 PM and closes at 11:55 PM. Any choices not locked by 11:55 PM will be automatically locked by the system, and you will not be able to make further changes.
- Visit the official MCC counselling website
- Click 'New Registration' and enter your details
- Upload scanned copies of required documents
- Pay the registration fee
- Access the choice-filling window
- Enter colleges and courses in order of preference
- Lock your choices between 7 PM and 11:55 PM
- Submit your application
Timeline for allotment result and college reporting
After the choice-filling and locking window closes on October 16, the Medical Counselling Committee will process all applications and seat allocations. The seat processing will take place on October 17 and 18, 2026. During this period, the system matches your preferences with available seats based on your NEET rank and the choices you locked.
The allotment result will be declared on October 19, 2026. On the same day, you must begin reporting to your allotted college. The reporting window remains open from October 19 to October 26, 2026. You will need to visit your assigned college in person, submit your original documents, and complete the admission formalities. Failure to report within this window may result in forfeiture of your seat.
- Seat processing: October 17–18, 2026
- Allotment result declaration: October 19, 2026
- Physical reporting at allotted college: October 19–26, 2026
Why the extended deadline matters for your admission
The extension of the registration and choice-filling deadlines reflects the Medical Counselling Committee's recognition that many candidates face logistical or personal challenges in meeting tight timelines. This extension is your final opportunity—there will be no further extensions after October 16, 2026. If you miss this deadline, you will not be able to participate in the stray vacancy round and will lose your chance to secure an MBBS or BDS seat through this counselling process.
Every kind of MBBS/BDS seat, one rank
See the real seats your NEET rank can reach.
The extended timeline also allows you to make a more thoughtful decision about your college and course preferences. Rather than rushing through the choice-filling process, you now have until 11:55 PM to carefully rank your options. This is particularly important because your ranking directly influences which seat you receive. Take time to research colleges, compare their facilities and reputation, and rank them according to your priorities.
Common mistakes to avoid during registration and choice filling
One of the most frequent errors candidates make is failing to lock their choices before the deadline. Locking is a separate action from filling—simply entering your preferences is not enough. You must explicitly click the 'lock' button during the designated locking window (7 PM to 11:55 PM on October 16). If you do not lock, the system will auto-lock your choices at 11:55 PM, but any changes you intended to make after that time will be lost.
Another common mistake is providing incorrect or incomplete information during registration. Double-check all personal details, your NEET roll number, and your score before submitting. Uploading poor-quality or incomplete document scans can also delay processing. Ensure all documents are clearly visible and meet the specified format. Finally, do not assume you have time until the last moment—the portal may experience high traffic as the deadline approaches, potentially causing delays or technical issues. Complete your registration and choice filling well before the final deadline.
- Forgetting to lock your choices—locking is mandatory and separate from filling
- Entering incorrect personal or academic details
- Uploading unclear or incomplete document scans
- Waiting until the last moment to register, risking technical delays
- Not ranking colleges in genuine order of preference
- Failing to pay the registration fee on time
What happens after allotment: next steps for admitted candidates
Once the allotment result is declared on October 19, you will receive notification of your allotted college and course. You must then report to that college in person between October 19 and October 26, 2026. Bring all your original documents—your NEET scorecard, admit card, class 10 and 12 certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), and any other documents specified by the college.
Upon reporting, you will complete the admission process, which typically includes document verification, fee payment, and hostel allocation (if applicable). Once you have reported and completed these formalities, your seat is confirmed, and you will be enrolled as a student. If you do not report within the specified window, your seat will be cancelled, and it will be offered to the next candidate in the merit list.
- Check your allotment result on October 19, 2026
- Gather all original documents required by your allotted college
- Report to the college between October 19 and October 26, 2026
- Complete document verification and fee payment
- Finalize hostel and other administrative arrangements
- Confirm your enrollment as an MBBS or BDS student
Frequently asked questions about the stray vacancy round
Many candidates have questions about eligibility, the registration process, and what happens if they miss the deadline. This section addresses the most common concerns to help you navigate the stray vacancy round with confidence.
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
Can I participate in the stray vacancy round if I was allotted a seat in an earlier round?
No. If you were allotted a seat in an earlier round and reported to your college, you cannot participate in the stray vacancy round. The stray vacancy round is only for candidates who have not yet secured a seat or who did not report to their earlier allotment. If you reported to your allotted college, you are now a confirmed student and cannot change your seat.
What is the difference between choice filling and choice locking?
Choice filling is the process of entering your preferred colleges and courses in order of preference. Choice locking is the final step where you confirm and lock your choices so they cannot be changed. You must lock your choices during the designated window (7 PM to 11:55 PM on October 16) to finalize your preferences. If you do not lock manually, the system will auto-lock at 11:55 PM, but you will not be able to make any further changes after that.
What happens if I miss the October 16 deadline?
If you miss the October 16 deadline, you will not be able to participate in the stray vacancy round. There will be no further extensions. You will lose your opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat through this counselling process. It is critical that you complete registration, choice filling, and choice locking before the deadline.
When will I know which college I have been allotted?
The allotment result will be declared on October 19, 2026. You will receive notification of your allotted college and course on that date. You can check the result on the official Medical Counselling Committee portal using your login credentials.
What should I do if I do not report to my allotted college by October 26?
If you do not report to your allotted college between October 19 and October 26, 2026, your seat will be cancelled. Your seat will then be offered to the next candidate in the merit list. Reporting is mandatory to confirm your admission. Make sure you have all required documents ready and plan to visit your allotted college within the reporting window.
Can I change my choices after I have locked them?
No. Once you lock your choices, you cannot change them. The locking action is final. If you realize you made an error after locking, you cannot modify your preferences. This is why it is important to carefully review your choices before locking them. The choice-locking window is open from 7 PM to 11:55 PM on October 16, so use this time to make sure your ranking is correct before you lock.
What documents do I need to upload during registration?
You will typically need to upload scanned copies of your NEET admit card, NEET scorecard, class 10 certificate, class 12 certificate, and a valid identity proof (such as Aadhaar or passport). Some colleges may require additional documents such as a caste certificate or domicile certificate. Check the official counselling portal for the complete list of required documents before you begin registration.
Is there a registration fee for the stray vacancy round?
Yes, there is a registration fee. The fee payment facility is available until 6 PM on October 16, 2026. You must pay this fee to complete your registration. The exact amount of the fee will be displayed on the portal during the registration process. Ensure you pay the fee before the deadline to avoid your registration being cancelled.
If you are eligible for the NEET UG stray vacancy round, do not delay—register and fill your choices today before the October 16 deadline. Once you receive your allotment result on October 19, ensure you report to your college within the specified window to secure your MBBS or BDS seat. For any technical issues or clarifications, contact the Medical Counselling Committee through the official portal.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.