Puducherry's Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC) has extended the registration deadline for the Stray Round of NEET UG 2026 medical counselling. The new last date is 21 October 2026 at 5:00 PM—one day later than the original deadline. This is your final opportunity to register if you did not secure a seat in the earlier counselling rounds (merit-based and special rounds). The Stray Round allows candidates who were not allotted a seat previously to apply for any remaining vacant MBBS and BDS seats across Puducherry's medical colleges. No further extension will be granted after 21 October 5 PM, so this is a hard deadline.
Register for Puducherry's Stray Round by 21 October 5 PM—this is the last and final chance to get an MBBS or BDS seat; no more extensions will be given.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Stray Round?
The Stray Round is the final counselling round in Puducherry's NEET UG admission process. It is open to candidates who were not allotted a seat in the earlier merit-based and special rounds of counselling. In this round, you can apply for any MBBS or BDS seats that remain vacant after all previous rounds are complete.
The Stray Round gives you a second (or final) chance to secure admission to a medical college in Puducherry. Unlike the earlier rounds, where seats are filled strictly by merit and category, the Stray Round typically allows more flexibility in choice and may have fewer restrictions. However, availability depends entirely on which seats have not been filled by candidates in the previous rounds.
Who Can Register for the Stray Round?
You are eligible to register for the Stray Round if you have a valid NEET UG 2026 score and have not been allotted a seat in the earlier counselling rounds conducted by CENTAC. This includes candidates who participated in earlier rounds but were not selected, as well as those who did not register for the earlier rounds at all.
Your NEET score must be valid and you must meet the basic eligibility criteria for MBBS or BDS admission in Puducherry. If you are unsure whether you are eligible, contact the CENTAC helpline (details provided below) before the deadline.
- You have a valid NEET UG 2026 score
- You were not allotted a seat in earlier counselling rounds
- You meet the basic eligibility criteria for MBBS or BDS in Puducherry
Critical Deadline: 21 October 2026, 5:00 PM
The registration and fee payment deadline for the Stray Round is 21 October 2026 at 5:00 PM. This is a hard deadline—CENTAC has explicitly stated that no further extension will be provided. Any registration or fee payment submitted after 5:00 PM on 21 October will not be accepted.
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Today is 20 October 2026. You have only one day to complete your registration and pay the required fee. Do not delay. If you are planning to register, do it immediately to avoid last-minute technical issues or payment failures.
- Last date: 21 October 2026
- Last time: 5:00 PM (17:00 hours)
- No further extensions will be granted
- Both registration AND fee payment must be completed by this deadline
How to Register: Step-by-Step
Registration for the Stray Round is done online through the CENTAC portal. You will need to log in with your credentials (typically your NEET roll number and password, or as specified by CENTAC). Once logged in, you will find the Stray Round registration option in your dashboard.
After completing your registration, you must pay the required fee to finalize your application. The fee payment is part of the registration process and must be done within the same deadline. Without fee payment, your registration will not be complete and you will not be considered for seat allotment.
The exact steps and any additional documents or information required will be available on the CENTAC portal. If you face any technical issues during registration or payment, contact the helpline immediately (do not wait until the last hour).
- Visit www.centacpuducherry.in
- Log in with your credentials
- Select Stray Round registration option
- Fill in your details and choices
- Pay the required fee online
- Ensure you receive a confirmation receipt
- Keep your registration number and receipt safe for future reference
Fee Payment
The notice does not specify the exact fee amount for Stray Round registration. You will need to check the CENTAC portal or contact the helpline to confirm the fee before you begin registration. Ensure you have the required amount ready and that your payment method (debit card, credit card, net banking, etc.) is working.
Fee payment must be completed online through the portal. Keep a record of your transaction ID and payment confirmation. If your payment fails, try again immediately—do not assume it will go through on a second attempt without checking.
- Check the portal for the exact fee amount
- Ensure your payment method is active and has sufficient balance
- Pay online through the portal only
- Save your payment confirmation and transaction ID
- If payment fails, retry immediately; do not wait
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Important: This is Your Final Chance
CENTAC has made it clear that no further extension will be granted after 21 October 5 PM. This is not a warning—it is a firm statement. If you miss this deadline, you will not be able to register for the Stray Round, and you will lose your opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Puducherry for the 2026-27 academic year.
Do not assume there will be another round or another chance. Plan your registration now. If you have any doubts about your eligibility or the process, contact CENTAC today, not tomorrow.
- This is the final Stray Round for 2026-27
- No extensions will be granted under any circumstances
- Missing the deadline means losing your seat opportunity for this year
- Register today if you are eligible
Contact Information and Support
If you have questions or face technical issues, CENTAC provides multiple ways to get help. You can visit the official website, use the Grievances option in your login dashboard, or call the helpline. Do not hesitate to reach out—it is better to clarify now than to make a mistake during registration.
The helpline numbers are 0413-2655570 and 0413-2655571. These are the official contact points for all registration-related queries. SMS notifications have also been sent to candidates, so check your phone for any updates from CENTAC.
- Website: www.centacpuducherry.in
- Helpline: 0413-2655570 or 0413-2655571
- Grievances option: Available in your login dashboard
- SMS updates: Check your phone for notifications from CENTAC
What Happens After Registration?
The notice does not provide details about the next steps after registration (such as when seat allotment will happen, how choices will be processed, or when you will know your result). You will need to check the CENTAC portal or contact the helpline for the complete Stray Round schedule and timeline.
Typically, after the registration deadline closes, CENTAC will process all applications and allot remaining seats based on merit, category, and your choices. The exact process and dates will be communicated separately. Keep checking the portal and your registered email/phone for updates.
- Check the portal regularly for updates after 21 October
- Watch for announcements about seat allotment dates
- Keep your registration number and contact details updated
- Be ready to join your allotted college within the specified timeframe
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the new deadline for Stray Round registration?
The new deadline is 21 October 2026 at 5:00 PM. This is an extension from the original deadline. Both registration and fee payment must be completed by this time. No further extension will be granted.
Am I eligible for the Stray Round if I did not register in earlier rounds?
Yes, you are eligible for the Stray Round if you have a valid NEET UG 2026 score and meet the basic eligibility criteria for MBBS or BDS in Puducherry, even if you did not participate in earlier counselling rounds. The Stray Round is open to all candidates who were not allotted a seat previously.
What do I need to do to register?
Visit www.centacpuducherry.in, log in with your credentials, select the Stray Round registration option, fill in your details and seat choices, and pay the required fee online. Ensure you receive a confirmation receipt. The entire process must be completed by 21 October 5 PM.
What is the registration fee for the Stray Round?
The notice does not specify the exact fee amount. You will need to check the CENTAC portal or call the helpline (0413-2655570 or 0413-2655571) to confirm the fee before you register.
What happens if I miss the 21 October deadline?
If you miss the deadline, you will not be able to register for the Stray Round. CENTAC has stated that no further extension will be granted. This means you will lose your opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Puducherry for the 2026-27 academic year.
Can I register and pay the fee after 5:00 PM on 21 October?
No. The deadline is 5:00 PM on 21 October, and no registrations or fee payments will be accepted after this time. The portal will close at 5:00 PM, and no extensions will be provided.
I received an SMS from CENTAC. What does it say?
CENTAC has sent SMS notifications to candidates informing them of the extended deadline. The SMS likely contains the new deadline (21 October 5 PM) and instructions to register. Check your phone for the exact message.
What should I do if I face technical issues during registration?
Contact the CENTAC helpline immediately at 0413-2655570 or 0413-2655571. You can also submit a query through the Grievances option in your login dashboard. Do not wait until the last moment to report issues—contact them as soon as you encounter a problem.
When will I know if I have been allotted a seat?
The notice does not provide details about the seat allotment date or process. After the registration deadline closes on 21 October, CENTAC will process applications and allot remaining seats. Check the portal regularly and watch for announcements about the allotment schedule.
Can I change my choices after registering?
The notice does not mention whether choices can be changed after registration. Contact CENTAC through the helpline or the Grievances option in your dashboard to clarify the policy on choice modification.
Is the Stray Round only for MBBS, or can I apply for BDS as well?
The Stray Round is for both MBBS and BDS courses. You can apply for either or both, depending on your eligibility and preference. Specify your choices during registration.
What if I have already been allotted a seat in an earlier round?
If you have already been allotted a seat in an earlier round and have joined the college, you should not register for the Stray Round. The Stray Round is only for candidates who were not allotted a seat in previous rounds.
Register for Puducherry's Stray Round immediately—you have until 21 October 2026 at 5:00 PM. Visit www.centacpuducherry.in, log in, complete your registration, and pay the fee. This is your final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Puducherry for 2026-27. If you have any questions, call the helpline at 0413-2655570 or 0413-2655571 today. Do not wait until the last moment.
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