Rajasthan NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Merit List: What You Need to Know

Rajasthan's NEET UG Medical and Dental Admission Board has made the provisional state merit list for the stray vacancy round available to candidates. This is the final opportunity for eligible NEET UG aspirants to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Rajasthan state universities through the remaining vacant positions. If you participated in earlier counselling rounds and did not get a seat, or if you are looking to upgrade your college choice, this round is critical. The merit list is now live on the official portal, and you have a narrow window to fill your choices and lock your preferences before the allotment process begins.

What Is the Stray Vacancy Round and Why Does It Matter?

The stray vacancy round is the final phase of NEET UG counselling in Rajasthan. It fills seats that remain unoccupied after all previous rounds of allotment and candidate reporting. These are genuine vacancies—seats that were either not filled by candidates who did not report to their allotted colleges, or positions that opened up due to candidates withdrawing from admission.

For you as an aspirant, this round represents a last chance to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in a Rajasthan state university. If you did not get a seat in earlier rounds, or if you want to try for a better college or course, the stray vacancy round allows you to participate based on your NEET UG score and state merit rank. The competition is typically lower than in main rounds, but seats are limited and merit-based allocation is strict.

How to Check Your Provisional Merit List and State Rank

The provisional state merit list has been published on the official Rajasthan NEET UG portal at ug.neetrajasthan.com. This list contains your state merit rank, NEET UG roll number, category information, and your qualification status for the stray vacancy round. Checking this list is your first step—it tells you whether you are eligible to participate and what your position is among all candidates.

To find your details, visit the portal and look for the notification link labeled 'Provisional State Merit List (Stray Vacancy Round)'. The merit list is published as a PDF file. You can use the search function (Ctrl + F on your keyboard) to quickly locate your NEET UG roll number or name within the document. Download the PDF and save it for your records, as you will need to refer to it during choice filling and later during document verification.

• Visit ug.neetrajasthan.com
• Find the 'Provisional State Merit List (Stray Vacancy Round)' link in the notifications section
• Open the PDF file
• Use Ctrl + F to search for your roll number or name
• Download and save the PDF for future reference

Critical Dates: Choice Filling and Auto-Locking Deadline

Timing is everything in the stray vacancy round. The choice filling window opened on October 19, 2026 and will close on October 21, 2026. This means you have only a few days to log in, review available seats, and submit your preferences. If you miss this window, you will not be able to participate in this round at all.

Even more important is the auto-locking deadline: October 21, 2026 at 11:45 PM. If you fill your choices but do not manually lock them before this time, the system will automatically lock your choices at the deadline. Locking means you are confirming your final preference order and cannot make further changes. Do not wait until the last moment—fill and lock your choices well before the deadline to avoid technical issues or accidental errors.

• Choice filling window: October 19–21, 2026
• Auto-locking deadline: October 21, 2026 at 11:45 PM
• Provisional seat allotment result: October 22, 2026
• Allotment letter download and college reporting: October 22–26, 2026

Understanding Seat Allotment and How Your Rank Affects Your Outcome

Once you lock your choices, the allotment algorithm will process all candidates' preferences in order of their state merit rank. Your state merit rank is determined by your NEET UG score and is adjusted for category-based reservations (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.). Seats are allocated based on three factors: your state merit rank, your category and the reservation applicable to you, the availability of seats in the stray vacancy matrix (which shows how many seats are open in each college and course), and the order in which you have ranked your college and course choices.

This means that even if you rank a particular college first, you will only get that seat if your merit rank qualifies for it and if seats are available. The allotment is merit-based and automatic—there is no manual intervention. Your state merit rank is your most important asset in this round. If you have a strong rank, you have a better chance of getting your preferred college; if your rank is lower, you may be allotted a college further down your preference list or may not get a seat if all available seats are filled by higher-ranked candidates.

What Happens After Seat Allotment: Reporting and Document Verification

On October 22, 2026, the provisional seat allotment results will be declared. You must download your allotment letter from the portal immediately. The letter will specify which college, course (MBBS or BDS), and seat category you have been allotted. This is not yet final—it is provisional, meaning you must complete the next steps to confirm your admission.

Between October 22 and October 26, 2026, you must report to your allotted college in person with your allotment letter and original documents. At the college, you will undergo document verification, where the admissions office will check your NEET UG scorecard, 10+2 mark sheet, category certificate (if applicable), and other required documents. You will also pay the admission fee during this period. Only after successful document verification and fee payment will your admission be confirmed. If you do not report within the deadline, your seat will be cancelled and offered to the next eligible candidate on the waiting list.

• Download allotment letter on October 22, 2026
• Report to your allotted college between October 22–26, 2026
• Bring original documents and allotment letter
• Complete document verification
• Pay admission fee
• Failure to report by the deadline will result in seat cancellation

How to Make Smart Choices During Choice Filling

During choice filling, you will be presented with a list of available seats in the stray vacancy round. You can rank these seats in order of your preference. The key is to be strategic: rank colleges and courses in the order you genuinely want them, starting with your most preferred option. Do not rank a college or course you would not accept, because if it is allotted to you, you are expected to report and join.

Consider factors such as college reputation, location, infrastructure, and whether you prefer MBBS or BDS. If you are unsure about a particular college, research it beforehand using college rankings, alumni feedback, and official college websites. Remember that your choices are locked once the deadline passes, so think carefully before submitting. If you have a very high merit rank, you have more flexibility and can aim for top colleges; if your rank is moderate to lower, be realistic and include colleges that match your rank to maximize your chances of getting a seat.

• Rank colleges and courses in genuine order of preference
• Do not rank options you would not accept
• Research colleges before filling choices
• Consider location, reputation, and course preference
• Be realistic about your merit rank and chances
• Lock your choices well before the deadline

What If You Don't Get a Seat in the Stray Vacancy Round?

If your merit rank does not qualify for any of the available seats in the stray vacancy round, or if all seats matching your preferences are filled by higher-ranked candidates, you will not be allotted a seat. This is the final round of counselling for NEET UG in Rajasthan, so there are no further rounds after this.

If this happens, you have other options to explore. You can apply to private medical and dental colleges in Rajasthan or other states, which conduct their own admissions based on NEET UG scores. You can also consider management quota seats (if available) at government or private colleges, though these typically involve higher fees. Alternatively, you can defer your admission to the next year and prepare to retake NEET UG to improve your score. Speak with your parents, school counsellor, or an education advisor to discuss the best path forward based on your circumstances.

Important Reminders and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not ignore the merit list once it is published. Many candidates assume they will not qualify and do not check, only to miss the choice filling window. Even if your rank seems low, check the available seats—you might be surprised. Do not wait until the last day to fill choices; the portal may experience traffic or technical issues, and you could miss the deadline. Fill and lock your choices at least a day before the deadline.

Ensure you have all required documents ready before the reporting date. Missing documents can delay or prevent your admission. Do not assume you will get your first choice; be prepared to accept any seat allotted to you based on your merit rank. Finally, keep all your login credentials, allotment letter, and other documents safe. You will need them for document verification and future reference.

• Check the merit list even if you think your rank is low
• Fill and lock choices well before the deadline
• Prepare all required documents in advance
• Be ready to accept any allotted seat
• Keep all documents and login credentials safe
• Do not miss the reporting deadline

Frequently asked questions

Act immediately: check your merit rank on ug.neetrajasthan.com, research available colleges, and fill and lock your choices well before October 21, 2026 at 11:45 PM. Once allotment results are declared on October 22, download your letter and report to your college by October 26 to secure your MBBS or BDS seat.