The Odisha Joint Entrance Examination Board (OJEEB) has released the seat matrix for the NEET UG Stray Vacancy Round 2026 on its official portal. This is the final counselling window for leftover MBBS and BDS seats under Odisha state quota. If you registered for earlier counselling rounds but did not secure a seat, or if you are looking for a last-minute opportunity to join a medical or dental college in Odisha, this round is critical. Any seats remaining after this round will be forfeited under state rules.
The Odisha stray round is your last chance to secure an MBBS or BDS seat under state quota for 2026—download the seat matrix from ojee.nic.in and register before the deadline.
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Unlock My College ListWhat Is the Odisha Stray Round and Why Does It Matter?
Odisha conducts three regular rounds of NEET UG counselling each year. After all three rounds conclude, a final stray vacancy round is held to fill any remaining seats. This round exists because some candidates either do not report to their allotted colleges, withdraw after allotment, or choose not to participate in earlier rounds.
The stray round is your last admission window under Odisha state quota. Any MBBS or BDS seat that remains vacant after this round cannot be filled through state counselling and will lapse. For candidates who missed earlier rounds or are still searching for a seat, this is a critical opportunity.
How Many Seats Are Available in the Stray Round?
After Round 3 (the mop-up round, which concluded on October 10, 2026), Odisha had 313 vacant seats across participating colleges. Of these, 226 were MBBS seats and 87 were BDS seats. The stray round seat matrix reflects these vacancies, though the exact number may change slightly based on final reporting and withdrawals.
Both government and private medical and dental colleges participate in the stray round. Government colleges offer seats under the general state quota, while private institutions also include NRI quota seats. The seat matrix breaks down vacancies by institution, course, and category, allowing you to identify which colleges have openings in your preferred programme.
Which Colleges Participate in the Odisha Stray Round?
Government medical colleges across Odisha offer MBBS seats in the stray round. SCB Dental College, Cuttack, is the primary government dental institution participating. Private medical colleges in the state also offer MBBS seats, including reserved positions for NRI candidates. Hi-Tech Dental College, Bhubaneswar, is among the private dental colleges offering BDS seats with NRI quota options.
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The seat matrix released by OJEEB lists all participating institutions and their available seats by course and category. This allows you to see exactly which colleges have openings and make an informed choice based on your rank, category, and preferences.
Who Is Eligible to Apply for the Stray Round?
Only candidates who registered for Odisha NEET UG counselling in earlier rounds are eligible for the stray round. You must hold a valid NEET UG 2026 scorecard and satisfy Odisha domicile requirements. If you did not register in any of the three earlier rounds, you cannot participate in the stray round.
Importantly, if you were allotted a seat in Round 3 but failed to report to the college, you are barred from the stray round. OJEEB does not permit withdrawal after the final Round 3 allotment. This rule ensures that seats are reserved for candidates who genuinely intend to join. If you have already been allotted a seat and reported, you cannot participate in the stray round.
How to Download and Review the Seat Matrix
The seat matrix is available on the official OJEEB portals: ojee.nic.in and odishajee.com. To access it, visit either portal, locate the latest notification for the NEET UG Stray Round 2026, and click on the seat matrix PDF link. Download and save a copy for your records.
Once you have the matrix, review it carefully. Check which colleges have vacant MBBS or BDS seats in your category (General, OBC, SC, ST, or other reserved categories). Cross-reference your NEET rank with the expected cutoffs for each college to identify realistic options. This preparation will help you make quick, informed choices during registration and choice-filling.
- Visit ojee.nic.in or odishajee.com
- Click on the NEET UG Stray Round 2026 notification
- Open and download the seat matrix PDF
- Check vacant seats by college, course, and category
- Save a copy for reference during registration
What Are the Next Steps After the Seat Matrix Release?
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The seat matrix release is the first step. OJEEB will soon announce the stray round registration schedule, choice-filling dates, and allotment timeline on its official portal. You must monitor ojee.nic.in regularly for these announcements. Missing a registration or choice-filling deadline will disqualify you from the round.
Before registration opens, prepare your documents: your NEET UG 2026 scorecard, earlier allotment letters (if any), proof of Odisha domicile, and any other certificates required by OJEEB. Arrange the counselling fee and be ready with the tuition fee structure of your preferred colleges. Having these ready will allow you to complete registration and choice-filling quickly when the portal opens.
- Monitor ojee.nic.in for registration schedule and choice-filling dates
- Gather NEET scorecard, domicile proof, and earlier allotment letters
- Confirm counselling and tuition fees for shortlisted colleges
- Prepare a ranked list of colleges based on your rank and preferences
- Register and fill choices as soon as the portal opens
Why This Is Your Final Opportunity Under State Quota
After the stray round concludes, no further state-level counselling will occur for 2026. Any seat left vacant will not be filled through Odisha state quota. This means if you do not secure a seat in the stray round and are eligible, your only remaining options would be through central counselling (if applicable) or private college direct admissions outside the state counselling process.
For candidates with a valid NEET score and Odisha domicile, the stray round represents the last formal pathway to an MBBS or BDS seat under state quota. Taking action now—downloading the matrix, shortlisting colleges, and preparing for registration—is essential to maximize your chances.
Key Dates and Timeline for Odisha NEET UG 2026 Counselling
Odisha's NEET UG counselling for 2026 has progressed through three regular rounds. Round 1 and Round 2 were completed earlier, and Round 3 (the mop-up round) concluded with final allotments on October 10, 2026. The stray vacancy round seat matrix was released on October 17, 2026. The detailed registration and choice-filling schedule for the stray round will be announced shortly on the OJEEB portal.
Mark your calendar and check ojee.nic.in daily for the stray round registration start date, choice-filling window, and allotment date. These timelines are typically tight, so prompt action is necessary.
- Round 1: Completed
- Round 2: Completed
- Round 3 (Mop-Up): Final allotment on October 10, 2026
- Stray Vacancy Round: Seat matrix released October 17, 2026; registration schedule to follow
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the Odisha NEET UG Stray Round 2026?
The stray round is the final counselling window for MBBS and BDS seats under Odisha state quota. It is held after the three regular counselling rounds to fill any remaining vacant seats. Seats not filled in the stray round are forfeited and cannot be allocated through state counselling.
How many MBBS and BDS seats are available in the stray round?
After Round 3, Odisha had 313 vacant seats: 226 MBBS seats and 87 BDS seats. The exact number in the stray round may vary slightly based on final reporting and withdrawals, but the seat matrix released on October 17, 2026, provides the current vacancy count.
Where can I download the Odisha stray round seat matrix?
The seat matrix is available on the official OJEEB portals: ojee.nic.in and odishajee.com. Visit either site, locate the NEET UG Stray Round 2026 notification, and download the seat matrix PDF.
Am I eligible for the stray round if I did not register in earlier counselling rounds?
No. Only candidates who registered for Odisha NEET UG counselling in Rounds 1, 2, or 3 are eligible for the stray round. You must also hold a valid NEET UG 2026 scorecard and meet Odisha domicile requirements.
Can I participate in the stray round if I was allotted a seat in Round 3 but did not report?
No. If you were allotted a seat in Round 3 and failed to report, you are barred from the stray round. OJEEB does not permit withdrawal after the final Round 3 allotment.
What should I do to prepare for the stray round registration?
Download the seat matrix and identify colleges with vacant seats in your category and rank range. Gather your NEET scorecard, domicile proof, and earlier allotment letters. Confirm counselling and tuition fees for your preferred colleges. Monitor ojee.nic.in for the registration schedule and be ready to register and fill choices immediately when the portal opens.
When will the stray round registration schedule be announced?
OJEEB will announce the registration schedule, choice-filling dates, and allotment timeline on ojee.nic.in shortly after the seat matrix release. Check the portal regularly for these announcements.
Is this the last chance to secure an MBBS or BDS seat under Odisha state quota?
Yes. The stray round is the final state-level counselling window for 2026. Any seat remaining after this round will not be filled through Odisha state quota. After the stray round, your only options would be central counselling (if applicable) or private college direct admissions.
Download the seat matrix from ojee.nic.in today and shortlist colleges matching your rank and category. Watch the OJEEB portal closely for the stray round registration schedule—this is your final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat under Odisha state quota for 2026.
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