The Selection Committee of Tamil Nadu's Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DME) has released the allotment order for the Special Stray Round of MBBS and BDS counselling for the 2026–27 academic session. This round covers Government, Management (including Minority), and NRI quota seats. Candidates who have been allotted a seat must now log in to the official portal and fill their course and college choices online. This is a critical step — if you do not fill choices within the deadline, your allotment may be cancelled and you will lose your seat.
If your name appears in the Special Stray Round allotment order, you must fill your online choices immediately or risk losing your allotted seat.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Special Stray Round?
The Special Stray Round is an additional counselling round held after the main counselling rounds are complete. It is designed to fill any remaining vacant seats in MBBS and BDS colleges across Government, Management (including Minority institutions), and NRI quota categories.
This round gives candidates who were not allotted a seat in earlier rounds, or who did not participate in them, a final opportunity to secure admission. The allotment in this round is based on merit (your NEET UG 2026 score) and your choices, subject to eligibility and category rules.
How to Check Your Allotment Status
The allotment order has been published on the official Tamil Nadu online counselling portal at counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in. You must download the allotment order document (titled '92.5% - CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ALLOTMENT ORDER FOR SPECIAL STRAY ROUND ONLINE COUNSELLING') and search for your name and roll number.
If your name appears in the allotment order with a seat allotted to you, you are eligible to proceed to the choice-filling stage. The allotment order will show your allotted seat number, category, and quota type. Keep a copy of this order for your records — you will need it during admission reporting.
- Visit counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in
- Download the Special Stray Round allotment order PDF
- Search for your name and NEET roll number
- Note your allotted seat number and quota type
Online Choice Filling: What You Must Do
After your allotment is confirmed, you must log into the online counselling portal using your credentials (registration number and password) and fill your course and college choices. This is not optional — the system will use your choices to finalize your admission to a specific college and course.
Choice filling allows you to rank the colleges and courses (MBBS or BDS) you wish to join, in order of preference. The system will then match your allotment seat to the highest-ranked available option from your list. If you do not fill any choices, the system may either cancel your allotment or assign you a seat by default — either way, you lose control over where you study.
- Log in to counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in with your registration number and password
- Navigate to the choice-filling section for Special Stray Round
- Select and rank your preferred colleges and courses
- Save and submit your choices before the deadline
- Download and print your choice confirmation slip
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Important Dates for Choice Filling
The notice does not explicitly state the choice-filling start and end dates. However, based on standard Tamil Nadu counselling practice, choice filling typically opens immediately after the allotment order is released and remains open for 2–3 days. You must check the portal homepage or contact the DME helpline for the exact deadline.
Do not delay. Once the choice-filling window closes, no further changes are allowed. Missing the deadline will result in cancellation of your allotment.
- Check the portal homepage for exact choice-filling dates
- Contact DME Tamil Nadu helpline if dates are not visible
- Fill choices as soon as possible — do not wait until the last day
- Confirm submission and download your choice slip immediately
Quota Categories Covered in This Round
The Special Stray Round allotment covers three quota categories: Government quota (seats in government medical colleges), Management quota (seats in private medical colleges, including minority institutions), and NRI quota (seats reserved for Non-Resident Indian candidates). Your allotment will fall into one of these categories based on your eligibility and the seats available.
If you are allotted a Government quota seat, you will study in a government college and pay government fees. If allotted a Management quota seat, you will study in a private college and pay private fees (which are significantly higher). NRI quota seats are for foreign nationals or Indian citizens with NRI status, and fees are typically in foreign currency or equivalent Indian rupees.
- Government quota: seats in government medical colleges, lower fees
- Management quota: seats in private colleges (including minority institutions), higher fees
- NRI quota: seats for Non-Resident Indians, fees in foreign currency or equivalent
Eligibility to Participate in Special Stray Round
To be eligible for the Special Stray Round, you must have appeared for NEET UG 2026 and obtained a valid score. You must also meet the basic eligibility criteria for MBBS/BDS admission in Tamil Nadu, including Indian citizenship (or NRI status for NRI quota), age requirements, and educational qualifications (12th pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology).
If you were allotted a seat in an earlier round and accepted it, you are generally not eligible for the Special Stray Round. Similarly, if you have already joined a college, you cannot participate. Only candidates who did not receive an allotment in earlier rounds, or who did not participate in them, are eligible for this round.
- Must have a valid NEET UG 2026 score
- Must meet basic MBBS/BDS eligibility (Indian citizen or NRI, age, 12th pass with PCB)
- Must not have been allotted and accepted a seat in an earlier round
- Must not have already joined another college
Documents You Will Need During Admission Reporting
After choice filling and final allotment, you will be required to report to your allotted college with original documents to complete admission. While the notice does not list all required documents, standard Tamil Nadu MBBS/BDS admission requires the following: NEET admit card, NEET score card, 12th mark sheet and pass certificate, Aadhar card or passport, caste/category certificate (if applicable), income certificate (for certain categories), and medical fitness certificate.
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Prepare these documents now and keep them ready. Colleges will not admit you without original documents, and missing even one can delay or cancel your admission. If you have a category certificate, ensure it is issued by the competent authority and is valid for the current academic year.
- NEET UG 2026 admit card and score card
- 12th mark sheet and pass certificate
- Aadhar card or passport
- Caste/category certificate (if applicable, issued by competent authority)
- Income certificate (if required for your category)
- Medical fitness certificate (to be obtained after allotment)
- Allotment order and choice confirmation slip
Common Mistakes That Get Your Allotment Cancelled
The most common reason for allotment cancellation is failure to fill choices within the deadline. If you do not log in and submit your choices before the portal closes, your allotment will be automatically cancelled, even if you were eligible. There is no grace period or second chance.
Another frequent mistake is filling incorrect or incomplete information during choice filling — for example, selecting a course you are not eligible for, or entering a college code incorrectly. Always double-check your choices before submitting. Additionally, if you do not report to your allotted college on the specified date with original documents, your admission will be cancelled and your seat will be forfeited.
- ⚠️ Not filling choices before the deadline — allotment will be cancelled
- ⚠️ Filling incorrect college codes or course selections
- ⚠️ Not reporting to the college on the specified date with original documents
- ⚠️ Submitting incomplete or false information during choice filling
- ⚠️ Not downloading and keeping a copy of your allotment order and choice slip
How to Contact DME Tamil Nadu for Help
If you have questions about your allotment, cannot log into the portal, or need clarification on choice filling, contact the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DME), Tamil Nadu. The official counselling portal (counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in) should display a helpline number and email address on its homepage.
Do not wait until the last moment to seek help. If you encounter a technical issue or have a doubt, reach out immediately so that you have time to resolve it before the choice-filling deadline.
- Visit counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in for contact details
- Call the DME helpline for technical or eligibility questions
- Email the DME with your registration number and issue details
- Contact your school or coaching centre if you need guidance
What Happens After Choice Filling?
After the choice-filling window closes, the DME will process all submitted choices and generate a final allotment list. This list will show which college and course each candidate has been assigned to, based on their merit, choices, and availability. You will be notified of your final allotment via the portal and, in some cases, via SMS or email.
Once you receive your final allotment, you must report to your allotted college on the date specified in the allotment order. Reporting involves submitting original documents, paying the admission fee, and completing formalities. Failure to report on time will result in cancellation of your admission and forfeiture of your seat.
- DME processes all choices and generates final allotment list
- You will be notified via portal, SMS, or email
- Check the portal regularly for your final allotment
- Report to your college on the specified date with original documents
- Pay admission fee and complete college formalities
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
How do I know if I have been allotted a seat in the Special Stray Round?
Download the allotment order from counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in and search for your name and NEET roll number. If your name appears with a seat number, you have been allotted. If your name is not in the list, you have not been allotted in this round.
What happens if I do not fill my choices before the deadline?
If you do not fill choices within the specified time, your allotment will be automatically cancelled. You will lose your seat and will not be able to participate in further rounds. There is no grace period or option to fill choices after the deadline.
Can I change my choices after I have submitted them?
The notice does not explicitly state whether choices can be edited after submission. Typically, Tamil Nadu counselling allows a limited window to modify choices, but once the portal closes, no changes are permitted. Check the portal for the exact policy, and if you need to make changes, do so immediately.
What is the difference between Government, Management, and NRI quota seats?
Government quota seats are in government colleges with lower fees. Management quota seats are in private colleges (including minority institutions) with higher fees. NRI quota seats are for Non-Resident Indians and are priced in foreign currency or equivalent rupees. Your allotment will specify which quota you have been assigned.
Do I have to pay a fee to fill my choices online?
The notice does not mention any fee for choice filling. Choice filling is typically free. However, once you are allotted and report to the college, you will be required to pay the admission fee and tuition fees as per the college's fee structure.
What documents do I need to bring when I report to my allotted college?
You will need your NEET admit card and score card, 12th mark sheet and pass certificate, Aadhar card or passport, caste/category certificate (if applicable), income certificate (if required), and your allotment order. Prepare these documents now and keep originals ready.
Can I participate in the Special Stray Round if I was allotted a seat in an earlier round?
No. If you were allotted and accepted a seat in an earlier round, you are not eligible for the Special Stray Round. Only candidates who did not receive an allotment in earlier rounds can participate.
What is the deadline for choice filling, and where can I find it?
The notice does not specify the exact choice-filling dates. Check the portal homepage at counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in or contact the DME helpline for the precise deadline. Do not delay — choice-filling windows are typically open for only 2–3 days.
If I am allotted a Management quota seat, will I have to pay higher fees than a Government quota seat?
Yes. Management quota seats are in private colleges and have significantly higher fees than Government quota seats. The exact fee structure will be provided by your allotted college. Ensure you can afford the fees before accepting the allotment.
What should I do if I cannot log into the portal to fill my choices?
Contact the DME helpline immediately with your registration number. Do not wait — technical issues must be resolved before the choice-filling deadline. The helpline number should be available on the portal homepage.
Can I withdraw my allotment after I have filled my choices?
The notice does not explicitly address withdrawal after choice filling. Typically, once you have filled choices and they are submitted, withdrawal is not permitted. If you wish to withdraw, contact the DME immediately to understand the consequences and process.
What happens if I do not report to my allotted college on the specified date?
If you do not report on the specified date with original documents, your admission will be cancelled and your seat will be forfeited. You will not be able to join that college or participate in further counselling rounds.
If your name appears in the Special Stray Round allotment order, log into counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in immediately and fill your course and college choices before the deadline. Download and print your choice confirmation slip and allotment order. Prepare all required documents and report to your allotted college on the date specified in your final allotment. Do not delay — missing the choice-filling deadline will result in cancellation of your allotment.
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