Tamil Nadu's Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DME) has announced the stray round of online counselling for MBBS and BDS seats reserved under the 7.5% Government School quota for the 2026-27 academic session. This is a special round designed for eligible candidates who studied in government schools and did not secure a seat in the main counselling rounds. The stray round allows candidates to fill their choice of colleges and courses online through the official TN MedSelect portal. This is your final opportunity to secure a government medical or dental seat if you meet the eligibility criteria.
The 7.5% Government School quota stray round is now open for online choice filling — eligible government school students must register and fill their college preferences on the TN MedSelect portal before the deadline.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the 7.5% Government School Quota Stray Round?
The 7.5% Government School quota is a special reservation in Tamil Nadu's MBBS and BDS seats set aside exclusively for students who studied in government schools. The stray round is the final counselling round after the main allotment rounds, designed to fill any remaining seats in this quota category.
In this round, candidates who are eligible but did not receive a seat in earlier rounds can participate. The stray round operates on a first-come, first-served basis — once you fill your choices and a seat is allotted, you must accept it or forfeit your chance. This is not a merit-based round; it is based on the order in which candidates complete their choice filling and the availability of seats.
Who is Eligible for the 7.5% Government School Quota?
To be eligible for this stray round, you must meet ALL of the following criteria:
First, you must have studied in a government school for your Class 10 and Class 12 (or equivalent). This is the core eligibility requirement — private school students are not eligible, even if they scored well in NEET. Second, you must have qualified NEET UG 2026 and obtained a valid NEET score. Third, you must not have been allotted a seat in any of the main counselling rounds for MBBS or BDS in Tamil Nadu. Fourth, you must be a resident of Tamil Nadu or eligible under the state's domicile rules. If you are unsure about your domicile status, check the DME website or contact the counselling helpline before applying.
- Studied in a government school for Class 10 and Class 12
- Qualified NEET UG 2026 with a valid score
- Did not receive a seat in main counselling rounds
- Meet Tamil Nadu domicile or eligibility criteria
Important Dates for Choice Filling
The notice does not specify the exact dates for the stray round choice filling window. This is a critical gap — you must visit the official TN MedSelect portal (counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in) immediately to check the current schedule, or contact the DME counselling helpline for confirmation. Stray rounds typically operate on a tight timeline, sometimes just 1–2 days, so do not delay.
Once the choice filling window closes, the portal will lock and you will not be able to make changes. Allotment results are usually declared within 24–48 hours of the choice filling deadline. Mark your calendar and set a reminder — missing the deadline means losing your chance entirely.
- Check the TN MedSelect portal for exact choice filling dates
- Contact DME counselling helpline if dates are unclear
- Stray rounds typically have very short windows — do not delay
Documents You Must Have Ready
Before you begin the online choice filling process, gather all required documents. You will need to upload or verify these during registration and choice filling. Missing or incorrect documents can result in your application being rejected or your allotment being cancelled.
Ensure that all certificates are original or certified copies, issued by the appropriate authority, and in English or Tamil. If any document is in another language, obtain a certified English translation. Do not attempt to upload blurry, incomplete, or altered documents — the DME system will flag these and your application may be rejected.
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- NEET UG 2026 admit card and score card
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates
- Government school certificate or school leaving certificate (proof of government school attendance)
- Caste certificate (if applicable — SC/ST/OBC/MBC)
- Nativity/domicile certificate (proof of Tamil Nadu residence)
- Community certificate (if applicable)
- Income certificate (if applicable for any special category)
- Aadhar card or passport (identity proof)
- Bank account details (for fee payment and refunds)
- Recent passport-sized photograph (digital format as per portal specifications)
How to Register and Fill Your Choices Online
Step 1: Visit the official TN MedSelect portal at counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in. Look for the link for the 7.5% Government School quota stray round. Click on it to begin registration.
Step 2: Create a new account or log in if you already have one. You will need to provide your NEET roll number, date of birth, and other basic details. Verify your email and mobile number — the portal will send important updates and allotment results to these addresses.
Step 3: Upload all required documents as listed above. Ensure each document is clear, complete, and in the correct format (usually PDF or JPG). The portal will validate your documents; if any are rejected, you will receive an error message. Correct and resubmit immediately.
Step 4: Once your registration and documents are verified, you will be allowed to fill your choices. The portal will display all available MBBS and BDS colleges and courses under the 7.5% Government School quota. Rank the colleges in order of your preference — rank 1 is your first choice, rank 2 is your second, and so on.
Step 5: After ranking all your choices, review them carefully. Once you submit, you cannot change your choices (in most stray rounds). Click 'Submit' or 'Confirm' to finalize your choices.
Step 6: You will receive a confirmation message with a reference number. Save this number — you will need it to track your allotment status.
Understanding the Choice Filling Process
When you fill your choices, you are ranking colleges and courses in order of preference. The allotment algorithm will try to match you to the highest-ranked college where a seat is available. If your first choice is full, the system moves to your second choice, and so on.
In a stray round, seats are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis combined with merit (your NEET score). This means the order in which you submit your choices matters — candidates who submit earlier have a better chance of getting their preferred college if multiple candidates have similar scores. Do not delay; fill your choices as soon as the window opens.
Once you are allotted a seat, you must accept it within the specified time (usually 24–48 hours). If you do not accept, your seat will be cancelled and offered to the next candidate. If you accept and then do not join the college by the joining date, you will forfeit your seat and may face a ban from future counselling rounds.
Colleges and Courses Available Under 7.5% Government School Quota
The notice does not list the specific colleges or courses available in this stray round. The available seats depend on how many seats remain unfilled after the main counselling rounds. Typically, government medical colleges and some private colleges participate in the stray round.
To see the full list of colleges, courses, and available seats, log into the TN MedSelect portal. The portal will display only those colleges and courses where seats are still available under the 7.5% Government School quota. This list is updated in real time, so check it frequently as seats fill up quickly in a stray round.
Fees and Payment
The notice does not specify the counselling fee or seat acceptance fee for this stray round. Typically, Tamil Nadu charges a counselling fee (around ₹500–₹1,000) and a seat acceptance fee (around ₹5,000–₹10,000 for government colleges, higher for private colleges). These fees are non-refundable if you accept a seat and then do not join.
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Once you are allotted a seat, the portal will display the fee amount and payment deadline. You must pay online through the portal using a debit card, credit card, or net banking. Keep your payment receipt — you will need it for admission at the college.
What Happens After Choice Filling?
After the choice filling window closes, the DME will run the allotment algorithm. This typically takes 24–48 hours. The allotment result will be published on the TN MedSelect portal and announced via email and SMS to all registered candidates.
If you are allotted a seat, you will see the college name, course (MBBS or BDS), and the date by which you must accept the seat. You must log into the portal and click 'Accept' within this time. If you do not accept, your seat will be cancelled.
If you are not allotted a seat in this stray round, your counselling process ends. You will not be eligible for any further rounds unless the DME announces an additional stray round (which is rare).
Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
Mistake 1: Uploading documents from a private school. The 7.5% quota is ONLY for government school students. If your Class 10 or Class 12 certificate shows a private school, you will be rejected immediately. Do not attempt to apply if you are not eligible.
Mistake 2: Submitting incomplete or blurry documents. The portal's automated system will reject documents that are cut off, too dark, or unreadable. Ensure all documents are clear, complete, and properly scanned before uploading.
Mistake 3: Using an incorrect caste certificate. If you are applying under SC/ST/OBC/MBC, your caste certificate must be issued by the competent authority and must clearly state your sub-caste (if applicable). An old or incorrectly formatted certificate will be rejected.
Mistake 4: Missing the choice filling deadline. Stray rounds have very short windows — sometimes just 24 hours. If you miss the deadline, you cannot participate. Set a reminder and fill your choices on the first day itself.
Mistake 5: Not accepting your allotted seat on time. If you are allotted a seat but do not accept it within the specified time, your seat will be cancelled. Check your email and SMS regularly for allotment notifications.
Mistake 6: Providing incorrect contact details during registration. If your email or mobile number is wrong, you will not receive allotment notifications and may miss the acceptance deadline. Double-check these details before submitting your registration.
How to Track Your Application Status
After you submit your choices, you can track your application status on the TN MedSelect portal. Log in with your NEET roll number and password, and navigate to the 'Application Status' or 'My Application' section. The portal will show whether your documents have been verified, whether you are eligible, and the status of your choice filling.
You can also check the allotment result on the portal once it is published. The portal will display your allotted college, course, and the date by which you must accept. If you do not see your name in the allotment list, it means you were not allotted a seat in this round.
Contact Information and Support
If you have questions or face technical issues during choice filling, contact the DME counselling helpline. The notice does not provide specific phone numbers or email addresses, so visit the official DME website (www.tnmedicalonline.co.in) or the TN MedSelect portal for current contact details.
The helpline is typically available during business hours on weekdays. If you are calling during the stray round, expect long wait times — try calling early in the morning or late in the afternoon. For urgent issues, email the DME with your NEET roll number and a clear description of your problem.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Am I eligible for the 7.5% Government School quota if I studied in a private school?
No. The 7.5% Government School quota is exclusively for students who studied in government schools for both Class 10 and Class 12. If you attended a private school for either class, you are not eligible for this quota, even if you scored well in NEET. You may be eligible for other general or category-based quotas, but not this one.
What is the difference between the main counselling round and the stray round?
The main counselling round allocates the majority of seats based on merit (NEET score) and preferences. The stray round is held after the main round to fill any remaining seats. In the stray round, seats are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis — the order in which you submit your choices matters. Stray rounds typically have a very short window (1–2 days) and operate quickly.
Can I change my choices after I submit them in the stray round?
The notice does not explicitly state whether changes are allowed after submission. In most Tamil Nadu stray rounds, once you submit your choices, they are locked and cannot be changed. Therefore, review your choices very carefully before clicking 'Submit'. If you are unsure, contact the DME helpline before submitting.
What happens if I do not accept my allotted seat within the specified time?
If you do not accept your allotted seat within the deadline (usually 24–48 hours), your seat will be cancelled and offered to the next candidate. You will lose your chance to join that college. Therefore, monitor your email and SMS closely for allotment notifications and accept your seat immediately if you wish to proceed.
Can I participate in the stray round if I was allotted a seat in the main round but did not join?
The notice does not explicitly address this scenario. Typically, if you were allotted a seat in the main round and did not join, you are not eligible for the stray round. Contact the DME helpline to confirm your eligibility before attempting to register.
How many colleges can I rank in my choice list?
The notice does not specify the maximum number of choices you can rank. Typically, Tamil Nadu allows candidates to rank all available colleges (often 20–50 choices). Once you log into the portal, you will see the full list of available colleges and the option to rank them. Rank as many as possible to maximize your chances of getting a seat.
What documents do I need to upload to prove I studied in a government school?
You must upload your Class 10 and Class 12 certificates or mark sheets that clearly show the name of your government school. You may also need to upload a school leaving certificate or a certificate from the school confirming your attendance. Ensure these documents are original or certified copies and clearly legible.
If I am allotted a seat in the stray round, can I defer my admission to the next year?
The notice does not mention deferment options. Typically, Tamil Nadu does not allow deferment for MBBS/BDS seats. If you accept a seat and then do not join by the joining date, you will forfeit your seat and may face a ban from future counselling rounds. Contact the DME if you have a genuine reason for deferment.
What is the joining date after the stray round allotment?
The notice does not specify the joining date. The joining date will be announced along with the allotment result. Typically, candidates must join within 7–10 days of the allotment announcement. Check the portal and your email for the exact date once allotment results are published.
Can I apply for both MBBS and BDS in the stray round?
Yes. You can rank both MBBS and BDS colleges in your choice list. The allotment algorithm will try to match you to the highest-ranked college where a seat is available, regardless of whether it is MBBS or BDS. Rank your preferences in order of your actual preference.
The 7.5% Government School quota stray round is your final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat if you studied in a government school and did not receive a seat in the main rounds. Visit the TN MedSelect portal immediately to check the exact dates for choice filling, as stray rounds operate on very tight timelines. Gather all required documents now, register as soon as the window opens, and submit your choices on the first day to maximize your chances. Contact the DME counselling helpline if you have any doubts about your eligibility or the process.
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