The Odisha Joint Entrance Exams (OJEE) committee is closing the online choice-filling window for the stray vacancy round of NEET UG counselling today, October 19, 2026. This is the final opportunity for eligible NEET UG candidates to submit their preferences for MBBS and BDS seats across government and private medical and dental colleges in Odisha. The stray round fills vacancies that remain after the main and subsequent counselling rounds, offering a last chance for qualified candidates to secure admission. If you have qualified for this round and your name appears on the final merit list, you must act immediately to avoid losing your seat opportunity.
Submit your college preferences for Odisha NEET UG stray round today (October 19, 2026) at ojee.nic.in before the portal closes, or you will lose your chance to participate in this final allocation round.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Odisha NEET UG Stray Round and Who Can Apply?
The stray vacancy round is a supplementary counselling phase designed to fill MBBS and BDS seats that remain vacant after the main and intermediate counselling rounds conclude. This round is open only to candidates whose names appear on the official final merit list released by OJEE for stray vacancies. Eligibility is limited to NEET UG qualified candidates seeking admission under the 85% state quota in Odisha's government and private medical and dental institutions.
The stray round provides a critical second chance for aspirants who either did not secure a seat in earlier rounds or wish to upgrade their college or course choice. Since vacancies in this round are typically limited and vary by college and specialisation, the competition can be intense. Candidates must have already registered for NEET UG counselling and possess valid login credentials to participate.
How to Fill Your College Preferences Before Today's Deadline
To submit your choices, visit the official OJEE counselling portal at ojee.nic.in and navigate to the MBBS/BDS counselling section. Locate the stray vacancy round link and log in using your NEET UG application number, password, and any required security credentials. Once logged in, you will access the online choice-filling dashboard where all available colleges and courses are listed.
Carefully review the vacant seats at each institution and arrange your preferred colleges in order of priority. The ranking you assign matters: the allotment algorithm will attempt to match you to the highest-ranked college where you have a realistic chance of admission based on your NEET rank and category. After finalising your list, save your choices, review them one final time, lock them, and download the confirmation page for your records. Do not delay—the portal will become inactive at the end of today.
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- Visit ojee.nic.in and open the MBBS/BDS counselling section
- Click the stray vacancy round link
- Log in with your NEET UG credentials
- Select and rank your preferred colleges
- Save, review, and lock your choices
- Download the confirmation page
What Happens After You Submit Your Choices?
Once the choice-filling deadline closes today, OJEE will process all submitted preferences using a computerised merit-based allocation algorithm. The seat allotment result for the stray round will be published on October 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Candidates who are allotted a seat will receive notification through the portal and must take immediate action to confirm their admission.
If you are allotted a seat, you are required to report in person at the OJEE Cell office in Gandamunda, Bhubaneswar, by October 22, 2026, at 10:30 AM to complete the provisional admission process. You must bring original documents, photocopies for verification, and the prescribed admission fee (if not already paid online). Failure to report within this deadline will result in automatic cancellation of your allotted seat, and the vacancy will be offered to the next eligible candidate.
- Allotment result published: October 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM
- Reporting deadline: October 22, 2026, at 10:30 AM
- Reporting location: OJEE Cell, Gandamunda, Bhubaneswar
- Required documents: originals, photocopies, and admission fee
- Missing the deadline results in seat cancellation
Why the Stray Round Matters for Your MBBS or BDS Admission
For many NEET UG aspirants, the stray round represents the final window to secure a medical or dental seat in Odisha. If you did not receive an allocation in the main or intermediate rounds, or if you wish to upgrade to a better college or course, this round offers that opportunity. Since vacancies are typically limited and highly competitive, your ranking strategy and quick action are crucial.
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The stray round also allows candidates to shift between government and private institutions or to change their course preference (MBBS to BDS or vice versa) if seats are available. However, because this is the last counselling phase before the academic year begins, missing today's deadline means you will have no further opportunity to participate in Odisha's NEET UG counselling for this year. Planning ahead and understanding the timeline is essential to avoid regret.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Your Stray Round Choices
One frequent error is submitting choices without carefully reviewing the available vacancies and your realistic chances of admission. Candidates sometimes rank colleges in a way that does not reflect their NEET rank or category, leading to no allocation even if they had submitted. Always check the previous round's cutoff ranks for each college and course to gauge your likelihood of selection.
Another mistake is waiting until the last moment to fill choices. Technical glitches, internet connectivity issues, or portal overload near the deadline can prevent timely submission. Complete your choice filling well before 11:59 PM today to ensure your preferences are locked and saved. Additionally, do not forget to download and save your confirmation page—this is your proof of submission and will be needed during the reporting process.
- Do not rank colleges unrealistically; check previous cutoff ranks
- Submit your choices early, not at the last minute
- Ensure your choices are locked and saved before the deadline
- Download and keep your confirmation page safe
- Verify your login credentials work before the deadline
What to Do If You Are Not Allotted a Seat in the Stray Round
If your name does not appear in the allotment result on October 20, 2026, it means no seat matching your preferences and eligibility was available in the stray round. This does not mean you cannot pursue MBBS or BDS; it may indicate that you should explore alternative pathways such as private medical colleges outside Odisha, deemed universities, or preparing for NEET UG again in the following year.
Some candidates also consider pursuing BDS if they initially aimed for MBBS, or vice versa, in subsequent counselling rounds if they become available. It is advisable to consult with a counsellor or mentor to understand your options and plan your next steps. Keep monitoring official OJEE announcements in case any additional rounds or spot allocations are announced after the stray round concludes.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the last date to fill choices for Odisha NEET UG stray round 2026?
The last date to submit your college preferences for the Odisha NEET UG stray round is October 19, 2026. The online portal at ojee.nic.in will close at the end of today, and no further submissions will be accepted after that.
Who is eligible to participate in the Odisha NEET UG stray round?
Only candidates whose names appear on the official final merit list released by OJEE for stray vacancies are eligible. You must have qualified NEET UG, registered for Odisha counselling, and be seeking admission under the 85% state quota in government or private medical and dental colleges.
How do I fill my choices for the stray round?
Visit ojee.nic.in, log in with your NEET UG application number and password, navigate to the MBBS/BDS counselling section, click the stray round link, select your preferred colleges, rank them in order of preference, save your choices, and lock them before the deadline. Download your confirmation page for records.
When will the stray round seat allotment result be announced?
The seat allotment result for the stray round will be published on October 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM on the OJEE portal. You can check your result using your login credentials.
What must I do if I am allotted a seat in the stray round?
If you are allotted a seat, you must report in person at the OJEE Cell office in Gandamunda, Bhubaneswar, by October 22, 2026, at 10:30 AM. Bring your original documents, photocopies, and the prescribed admission fee (if not already paid online). Failure to report by this deadline will result in cancellation of your seat.
What happens if I miss the choice-filling deadline today?
If you do not submit your choices by the end of October 19, 2026, you will not be able to participate in the stray round. The portal will close and no further submissions will be accepted. You will lose your opportunity to secure a seat in this final counselling phase.
Can I change my choices after I submit them?
Once you lock your choices, you cannot modify them. Therefore, review your preferences carefully before locking. If you make an error, contact OJEE support immediately, but changes are generally not permitted after the deadline has passed.
What should I do if I am not allotted a seat in the stray round?
If you are not allotted a seat, explore alternative options such as private medical colleges outside Odisha, deemed universities, or preparing for NEET UG again next year. You may also consider switching between MBBS and BDS if additional rounds are announced. Monitor OJEE announcements for any spot allocations or supplementary rounds.
Act today: submit your stray round choices at ojee.nic.in before the portal closes. Mark October 20 for the allotment result and October 22 for the reporting deadline if you are selected. This is your final chance to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Odisha through NEET UG counselling this year.
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