Puducherry's Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC) has extended the registration deadline for the Special Stray Round of NEET UG 2026 MBBS and BDS admissions. The new last date is 9 November 2026 at 5:00 PM — no further extension will be granted. Fresh applications from NEET-qualified candidates are being invited for unfilled seats in both courses from 2 to 9 November. This is your final chance to apply for remaining seats in Puducherry medical colleges if you have not yet secured admission.
Register for Puducherry's Special Stray Round by 9 November 5 PM — this is the final deadline with no further extension.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Special Stray Round?
The Special Stray Round is the final counselling round held after all previous rounds of seat allotment. It is designed to fill any seats that remain vacant after candidates have been allotted in earlier rounds or have not joined their allotted seats. This round gives fresh applicants — those who have not yet applied to CENTAC or those who wish to change their quota choice — a last opportunity to secure admission to MBBS or BDS courses in Puducherry.
In this round, CENTAC will first exhaust the existing merit list (candidates already in the system from earlier rounds). Only after all existing candidates have been considered will fresh applicants be considered for allotment. This means if you are a fresh applicant, your chances depend on how many seats remain after existing candidates are placed.
Important Dates: Registration and Application Window
The registration and application window for fresh candidates is open from 2 November 2026 to 9 November 2026 at 5:00 PM. This is a tight 8-day window, and the deadline is firm — CENTAC has explicitly stated that no further extension will be provided. You must complete your application, submit your willingness and course preferences, and make the required fee payment all within this period.
- Application window opens: 2 November 2026
- Application window closes: 9 November 2026, 5:00 PM
- No further extension will be granted after 9 November 5 PM
Who Can Apply: Eligibility
To apply in the Special Stray Round, you must be a UG NEET-qualified candidate. This means you must have appeared in NEET UG 2026 and obtained a qualifying score. The notice does not specify a minimum score or rank requirement for this round, but you must have a valid NEET UG 2026 qualification.
There are two categories of applicants: (1) Fresh candidates who have never applied to CENTAC before, and (2) Candidates who have already applied to CENTAC for Government Quota seats and now wish to switch to Management Quota seats. Both groups can apply, but fresh candidates will only be considered for allotment after the existing merit list is exhausted.
- Must be NEET UG 2026 qualified
- Can be a fresh applicant (never applied to CENTAC before) or an existing applicant switching from Government Quota to Management Quota
- Fresh applicants will be considered only after existing merit list is exhausted
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
All applications must be submitted online through the CENTAC portal at www.centacpuducherry.in. The process involves three mandatory steps that must be completed within the application window.
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First, submit your fresh application form online. Second, after submitting the application, you must submit your willingness to accept a seat and your course preferences (MBBS or BDS, and your preferred colleges in order). Third, you must make the required fee payment for the Special Stray Round. All three steps must be completed by 9 November 2026 at 5:00 PM for your application to be valid.
- Visit www.centacpuducherry.in and log in or create an account
- Fill and submit the fresh application form online
- Submit your willingness to accept a seat
- Select and rank your course and college preferences
- Make the required fee payment for Special Stray Round
- Ensure all steps are completed by 9 November 2026, 5:00 PM
For Candidates Already Applied to Government Quota: Switching to Management Quota
If you have already applied to CENTAC for Government Quota seats but now wish to opt for Management Quota seats instead, you do not need to submit a fresh application. Instead, you can update your choice through your dashboard login after paying the balance application fee.
This option is available only to candidates who have already registered with CENTAC. You will need to log in to your existing account, pay the additional fee required, and update your quota preference. This must also be done by 9 November 2026 at 5:00 PM.
- Log in to your existing CENTAC dashboard account
- Pay the balance application fee (the difference between Government Quota and Management Quota fees)
- Update your quota preference from Government to Management
- Complete this by 9 November 2026, 5:00 PM
Courses Available: MBBS and BDS
The Special Stray Round is open for both MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) and BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) courses. You can apply for either course or both, depending on your preference and eligibility. When you submit your application, you will need to specify which course(s) you wish to be considered for and rank your preferred colleges.
- MBBS (5-year course)
- BDS (5-year course)
- You can express preference for one or both courses
Quota Types: Government and Management Seats
Puducherry medical colleges offer seats under two quota categories: Government Quota and Management Quota. Government Quota seats are filled through the state's counselling process and are typically more affordable. Management Quota seats are filled by the colleges directly and usually have higher fees. In the Special Stray Round, both types of unfilled seats are being offered.
If you are applying for the first time, you will choose which quota type you wish to apply for when you submit your application. If you have already applied for Government Quota and wish to switch to Management Quota, you can do so by updating your dashboard as described above. The notice does not specify the exact number of seats available under each quota or the fee structure, so you should check the CENTAC website for this information.
- Government Quota: State-funded seats, typically lower fees
- Management Quota: College-managed seats, typically higher fees
- Both quota types have unfilled seats in this round
- You can apply for one or both quota types
Merit List Priority: Existing Candidates First
A critical point to understand: CENTAC will first consider all candidates already on the existing merit list (those who applied in earlier rounds) before considering fresh applicants. This means if you are a fresh applicant, you will only be allotted a seat if seats remain after all existing candidates have been placed.
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This is important because it affects your chances of getting a seat. If many existing candidates are still waiting for allotment, there may be very few seats left for fresh applicants. However, if the existing merit list has been largely exhausted, fresh applicants will have better chances. The notice does not specify how many seats are available or how many existing candidates are still in the merit list, so you should contact CENTAC or check the website for this information.
- Existing merit list candidates are considered first
- Fresh applicants are considered only after existing merit list is exhausted
- Your chances depend on how many seats remain after existing candidates are placed
Fee Payment: What You Must Pay
The notice mentions that you must make a fee payment for the Special Stray Round, but it does not specify the exact amount. The fee amount may differ depending on whether you are applying for Government Quota or Management Quota, and may also vary by course (MBBS vs. BDS). You must check the CENTAC website or contact the helpline to confirm the exact fee before you apply.
If you have already applied to CENTAC for Government Quota and are now switching to Management Quota, you will need to pay the 'balance application fee' — the difference between what you have already paid and what is required for Management Quota. Again, the exact amount is not stated in this notice, so verify it on the portal or by calling the helpline.
- Fee payment is mandatory to complete your application
- Exact fee amount is not specified in this notice — check www.centacpuducherry.in
- Fee may vary by quota type (Government vs. Management) and course (MBBS vs. BDS)
- For existing applicants switching quotas, pay only the balance fee
- Payment must be made by 9 November 2026, 5:00 PM
Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
Missing the deadline is the most obvious trap: 9 November 2026 at 5:00 PM is final, with no extension. Even if you submit your application form on time but forget to submit your willingness, preferences, or fee payment, your application will be incomplete and may not be considered. All three steps — application form, willingness/preferences, and fee payment — must be done by the deadline.
Another common error is incomplete or incorrect information in the application form. Ensure all your personal details, NEET roll number, and other required information are entered correctly. If you are an existing applicant switching quotas, make sure you update through the dashboard and pay the balance fee, rather than submitting a duplicate fresh application.
Finally, if you are a fresh applicant, remember that you will only be considered after the existing merit list is exhausted. Do not assume you will get a seat just because you apply — your chances depend on how many seats remain. If you have any doubts about your eligibility or the process, contact CENTAC before the deadline rather than after.
- Missing the 9 November 5 PM deadline — no extension will be granted
- Submitting the application form but forgetting to submit willingness, preferences, or fee payment
- Entering incorrect or incomplete information in the application form
- Existing applicants submitting a fresh application instead of updating through the dashboard
- Not verifying the exact fee amount before paying
- Assuming you will get a seat without checking how many seats are available
How to Get Help: Contact Information
If you have questions or face any issues during the application process, CENTAC provides multiple ways to get help. You can visit the official website at www.centacpuducherry.in for detailed information, FAQs, and updates. You can also submit queries through the Grievances option in your login dashboard — this is a direct way to contact CENTAC with your specific issue.
For immediate assistance, you can call the CENTAC helpline at 0413-2655570 or 0413-2655571. CENTAC has also sent SMS notifications to candidates, so check your phone for any updates. Do not wait until the last day to seek help — contact them early if you have any doubts.
- Website: www.centacpuducherry.in
- Grievances/Queries: Submit through your login dashboard
- Helpline: 0413-2655570 or 0413-2655571
- SMS notifications have been sent to candidates
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the final deadline for Special Stray Round registration?
The final deadline is 9 November 2026 at 5:00 PM. CENTAC has explicitly stated that no further extension will be provided after this date and time. You must complete your application form, submit your willingness and course preferences, and make the fee payment all by this deadline.
I am a fresh candidate who has never applied to CENTAC before. Can I apply in the Special Stray Round?
Yes, fresh candidates are invited to apply from 2 to 9 November 2026. However, you will only be considered for allotment after all candidates on the existing merit list have been placed. This means your chances depend on how many seats remain after existing candidates are allotted.
I already applied to CENTAC for Government Quota but now want Management Quota. Do I need to submit a fresh application?
No, you do not need to submit a fresh application. Instead, log in to your existing CENTAC dashboard, pay the balance application fee (the difference between Government and Management Quota fees), and update your quota preference. This must be done by 9 November 2026 at 5:00 PM.
What courses are available in the Special Stray Round?
Both MBBS and BDS courses are available. You can apply for one or both courses and rank your preferred colleges. When you submit your application, you will specify which course(s) you wish to be considered for.
What is the application fee for the Special Stray Round?
The notice does not specify the exact fee amount. The fee may vary depending on whether you are applying for Government Quota or Management Quota, and may also differ by course. You must check the CENTAC website at www.centacpuducherry.in or call the helpline (0413-2655570 or 0413-2655571) to confirm the exact fee before applying.
What documents do I need to submit with my application?
The notice does not list specific documents required for the Special Stray Round application. You should check the CENTAC website or contact the helpline to find out what documents (such as NEET admit card, mark sheet, category certificate, etc.) you need to have ready or upload with your application.
I submitted my application form but forgot to submit my willingness and preferences. Is my application still valid?
No. You must complete all three steps: submit the application form, submit your willingness and course preferences, and make the fee payment. If any step is missing, your application may be considered incomplete and you may not be considered for allotment. Ensure all steps are done by 9 November 2026 at 5:00 PM.
How many seats are available in the Special Stray Round?
The notice does not specify the exact number of unfilled seats available. The number depends on how many seats were not filled in earlier rounds and how many candidates have not joined their allotted seats. You should check the CENTAC website or contact the helpline for this information.
When will allotment results be announced?
The notice does not mention when allotment results will be announced. You should check the CENTAC website or contact the helpline to find out the expected date for allotment results and the next steps after allotment.
Can I apply for both Government Quota and Management Quota in the same application?
The notice does not explicitly state whether you can apply for both quotas simultaneously. You should check the CENTAC website or contact the helpline to clarify whether you can express preference for both quota types or whether you must choose one.
What if I miss the 9 November deadline?
If you miss the 9 November 2026 at 5:00 PM deadline, you will not be able to apply in the Special Stray Round. CENTAC has explicitly stated that no further extension will be provided. You will have to wait for any future counselling rounds, if announced.
How do I contact CENTAC if I have questions?
You can visit the website www.centacpuducherry.in, submit queries through the Grievances option in your login dashboard, or call the helpline at 0413-2655570 or 0413-2655571. CENTAC has also sent SMS notifications to candidates, so check your phone for updates.
If you are a NEET UG 2026 qualified candidate and have not yet secured admission to an MBBS or BDS course in Puducherry, this is your final opportunity. Visit www.centacpuducherry.in immediately, complete your application, submit your preferences, and pay the fee by 9 November 2026 at 5:00 PM. Do not delay — this deadline will not be extended. If you have any questions, contact the CENTAC helpline at 0413-2655570 or 0413-2655571 before the deadline.
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