Tamil Nadu's Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DME) has released the allotment order for the Stray Round of MBBS and BDS counselling for the 2026-27 academic session. This round allocates remaining seats across Government, Management (including Minority), and NRI quotas after the main counselling rounds. If you participated in the Stray Round and your name appears in the allotment order, you must now fill your choices and complete the admission process. This is a critical step — missing the deadlines or failing to report can result in forfeiture of your seat.
The Stray Round allotment order is now live; eligible candidates must download it, verify their allotment, fill choices online, and report to their allotted college by the specified deadline.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Stray Round and why does it matter?
The Stray Round is the final counselling round in Tamil Nadu's NEET UG admission process. It is held after the main counselling rounds (General and Special Rounds) and allocates seats that remain vacant across Government colleges, Management colleges (including Minority institutions), and NRI quota seats. Candidates who were not allotted a seat in earlier rounds, or who wish to upgrade to a better college or course, are eligible to participate.
The Stray Round is your last opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Tamil Nadu for the 2026-27 session. If you have been allotted a seat in this round, you must act immediately — the choice-filling window and reporting deadline are typically short, and any delay can result in your seat being cancelled and offered to the next candidate on the waiting list.
How to download and check your allotment order
The allotment order has been released on the official TN MedSelect portal at counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in/ugmedgqstray/. To access your allotment, log in using your NEET registration number and password. Once logged in, you will see your allotment details, including your roll number, name, allotted college, course (MBBS or BDS), and quota category (Government, Management, or NRI).
Download and save a copy of your allotment order immediately. Print it as well — you will need to present it during college reporting. If you do not see your name in the allotment order, it means you were not allotted a seat in this round. In that case, check the waiting list (if released) or wait for any further rounds or spot admissions announced by the DME.
- Visit counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in/ugmedgqstray/
- Log in with your NEET registration number and password
- Download your allotment order and print it
- Note your allotted college, course, and quota category
Understanding your allotment: quota categories explained
Your allotment order will specify which quota category your seat falls under. Government quota seats are filled by the state and are typically more affordable; Management quota seats are in private colleges and have higher fees; NRI quota seats are reserved for Non-Resident Indian candidates and have specific eligibility rules. It is important to understand which quota your seat is under, as this affects your fees, eligibility to upgrade or downgrade, and reporting requirements.
If you have been allotted under the NRI quota, ensure you meet the NRI eligibility criteria (typically, at least one parent must be an NRI). If you do not meet the criteria, contact the DME immediately — accepting a seat you are not eligible for can lead to cancellation and legal complications. Similarly, if you are allotted under Management quota, verify the college's fee structure and accreditation before proceeding.
- Government quota: state-funded, lower fees, merit-based
- Management quota: private colleges, higher fees, set by institution
- NRI quota: for Non-Resident Indian candidates, specific eligibility required
Online choice filling: what you must do
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After your allotment, you must log back into the TN MedSelect portal and fill your choices. This step is mandatory — even if you are satisfied with your allotted college, you must complete choice filling to confirm your acceptance. The portal will allow you to rank colleges and courses in order of preference; however, in the Stray Round, your choices typically do not affect your current allotment — they are used only if you are eligible for upgradation or if a seat becomes available elsewhere.
Pay close attention to the choice-filling deadline. The portal will close at a specific date and time, and no choices can be submitted after that. If you miss this deadline, your allotment may be cancelled. Log in well before the deadline, fill your choices carefully, and submit. Take a screenshot or print confirmation of your submitted choices for your records.
- Log into the TN MedSelect portal
- Navigate to the choice-filling section
- Rank colleges and courses in order of preference
- Submit your choices before the deadline
- Save and print confirmation of submission
Documents you must carry to college reporting
Once you have filled your choices, you must report to your allotted college within the specified deadline. Reporting means physically visiting the college, verifying your allotment, and completing admission formalities. Bring all original documents and one set of photocopies. The college will verify your documents, collect fees, and issue an admission letter. If you do not report by the deadline, your seat will be cancelled.
Ensure you have every document listed below. Missing even one can delay your admission or result in rejection. If any document is not yet ready, obtain it immediately — do not wait until the reporting date.
- NEET UG 2026 admit card and score card
- Allotment order (downloaded from TN MedSelect)
- 10th and 12th mark sheets and certificates
- NEET registration certificate
- Proof of Tamil Nadu domicile (if applicable)
- Caste certificate (if applying under SC/ST/OBC quota)
- Income certificate (if applying under economically weaker section)
- NRI certificate (if allotted under NRI quota)
- Passport and visa copy (if NRI)
- Medical fitness certificate (issued by a registered medical practitioner)
- Character certificate from school or college
- Proof of identity (Aadhaar, PAN, or voter ID)
- Proof of address (electricity bill, water bill, or rental agreement)
Important dates and deadlines
The notice does not explicitly state the choice-filling deadline or college reporting deadline in the excerpt provided. However, these are typically announced on the TN MedSelect portal immediately after the allotment order is released. Check the portal daily for updates. Deadlines in the Stray Round are usually very tight — often just 2–3 days for choice filling and 3–5 days for reporting. Do not assume you have time; act immediately upon receiving your allotment.
Mark the deadlines on your calendar and set reminders. If you are unsure of any date, contact the DME helpline or visit the TN MedSelect portal for clarification. Missing a deadline by even a few hours can result in forfeiture of your seat.
- Allotment order release: check TN MedSelect portal now
- Choice-filling deadline: check portal for exact date and time
- College reporting deadline: check portal for exact date and time
- Do not delay — Stray Round deadlines are typically very short
What happens if you don't report by the deadline?
If you do not report to your allotted college by the specified deadline, your seat will be automatically cancelled. The college will then offer your seat to the next candidate on the waiting list. You will not be eligible for any further rounds or spot admissions in Tamil Nadu for the 2026-27 session. This is a hard rule — there are no extensions or exceptions.
If you have a genuine emergency (illness, accident, family crisis) that prevents you from reporting on time, contact the DME immediately with supporting documents and request an extension. Extensions are rarely granted, but it is worth trying if your situation is exceptional. Do not simply ignore the deadline and hope for the best.
- Non-reporting results in automatic seat cancellation
- Your seat will be offered to the next waiting-list candidate
- You will lose eligibility for further rounds in 2026-27
- Contact DME immediately if you have a genuine emergency
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Fees and payment details
The notice does not specify the exact fee structure for Government, Management, or NRI quota seats. However, Government quota seats typically have lower fees (often ₹0–₹50,000 per year), while Management quota fees vary widely by college (₹5–₹20 lakhs per year or more). NRI quota fees are usually set by the college and can be significantly higher. You must verify the exact fee structure with your allotted college before reporting.
Ask the college whether fees must be paid at the time of reporting or can be paid in installments. Some colleges accept online payment, while others require a demand draft or cash. Clarify the payment method and due date to avoid any confusion or rejection of your admission.
- Government quota: typically lower fees (verify with college)
- Management quota: fees set by college (can be ₹5–₹20 lakhs+ per year)
- NRI quota: fees set by college (typically higher)
- Confirm payment method and due date with your allotted college
Common mistakes that get admissions rejected
One of the most common mistakes is missing the reporting deadline. Candidates often assume they have more time than they actually do, or they delay because they are waiting for a document. Do not do this — report on time, even if one document is still pending (you can usually submit it later). Another mistake is bringing photocopies instead of originals. Colleges will not accept photocopies for verification; you must bring originals of all certificates and mark sheets.
A third mistake is not filling choices online after receiving the allotment. Some candidates think that because they are already allotted, they do not need to fill choices. This is incorrect — choice filling is mandatory and is a separate step from allotment. If you skip it, your allotment may be cancelled. Finally, do not assume your allotment is final until you have reported to the college and received an admission letter. Allotments can be cancelled if you do not meet eligibility criteria or if you fail to report.
- Missing the reporting deadline — your seat will be cancelled
- Bringing only photocopies instead of original documents
- Skipping online choice filling after allotment
- Not verifying your eligibility (especially for NRI quota)
- Assuming allotment is final without reporting to college
- Not downloading and printing your allotment order
What if you want to upgrade or downgrade your seat?
In the Stray Round, upgradation and downgradation are typically not allowed — your allotment is final. However, if you have filled choices ranking other colleges higher, you may be considered for upgradation if seats become available in those colleges. This is rare in the Stray Round, but it is possible. If you are upgraded, the DME will notify you, and you will have a short window to report to the new college.
If you wish to downgrade (move to a lower-ranked college), you must contact the DME directly and request a change. Downgrades are usually not permitted in the Stray Round, but it is worth asking if your situation is exceptional. Do not simply not report to your allotted college hoping to get a different one — this will result in cancellation of your seat with no alternative offered.
- Upgradation: possible only if seats become available in higher-ranked colleges you chose
- Downgradation: typically not allowed; contact DME if necessary
- Do not skip reporting hoping for a different allotment
Contact and support
If you have any questions or issues regarding your allotment, choice filling, or reporting, contact the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DME), Tamil Nadu. The official TN MedSelect portal (counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in/ugmedgqstray/) has a helpline number and email address listed. You can also visit the DME office in person if needed. Do not rely on rumors or unofficial sources — always verify information directly from the DME or the official portal.
If your allotment order does not appear on the portal, or if you believe there is an error in your allotment, contact the DME immediately with your NEET registration number and roll number. Errors are rare, but they do happen, and the DME can correct them if you report them promptly.
- Visit counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in/ugmedgqstray/ for updates
- Contact DME helpline for queries (number on portal)
- Email DME if you have concerns about your allotment
- Visit DME office in person if needed
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the Stray Round and who is eligible for it?
The Stray Round is the final counselling round in Tamil Nadu's NEET UG admission process. It allocates remaining MBBS and BDS seats across Government, Management (including Minority), and NRI quotas after the main counselling rounds. Candidates who were not allotted a seat in earlier rounds, or who wish to upgrade to a better college or course, are eligible to participate. If you participated in the Stray Round and your name appears in the allotment order, you are eligible.
How do I check if I have been allotted a seat in the Stray Round?
Log into the TN MedSelect portal at counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in/ugmedgqstray/ using your NEET registration number and password. Your allotment details, including your allotted college, course (MBBS or BDS), and quota category, will be displayed. Download and print your allotment order immediately. If your name does not appear, you were not allotted a seat in this round.
What must I do after receiving my allotment?
After receiving your allotment, you must: (1) download and print your allotment order, (2) log back into the portal and fill your choices online before the deadline, and (3) report to your allotted college with all required documents by the reporting deadline. All three steps are mandatory. Missing any deadline will result in cancellation of your seat.
What documents do I need to bring when reporting to college?
Bring originals and photocopies of: NEET admit card and score card, allotment order, 10th and 12th certificates and mark sheets, NEET registration certificate, proof of Tamil Nadu domicile (if applicable), caste certificate (if applicable), income certificate (if applicable), NRI certificate (if allotted under NRI quota), passport and visa (if NRI), medical fitness certificate, character certificate, proof of identity (Aadhaar/PAN/voter ID), and proof of address. Missing even one document can delay or reject your admission.
What happens if I miss the choice-filling deadline?
If you miss the choice-filling deadline, your allotment may be cancelled. Choice filling is a mandatory step separate from allotment. Log into the portal well before the deadline, fill your choices, and submit. The portal will close at a specific time, and no submissions are accepted after that.
What happens if I don't report to college by the deadline?
If you do not report by the specified deadline, your seat will be automatically cancelled. Your seat will then be offered to the next candidate on the waiting list. You will lose eligibility for any further rounds or spot admissions in Tamil Nadu for the 2026-27 session. There are no extensions unless you have a genuine emergency and contact the DME immediately with supporting documents.
Can I upgrade or downgrade my allotted seat in the Stray Round?
Upgradation is possible only if seats become available in colleges you ranked higher in your choices. Downgradation is typically not allowed in the Stray Round. If you wish to downgrade, contact the DME directly, though permission is rarely granted. Do not skip reporting hoping for a different allotment — this will result in cancellation with no alternative offered.
What is the fee structure for Government, Management, and NRI quota seats?
The notice does not specify exact fees. Government quota seats typically have lower fees (often ₹0–₹50,000 per year), Management quota fees vary by college (₹5–₹20 lakhs+ per year), and NRI quota fees are set by the college and typically higher. Verify the exact fee structure and payment method with your allotted college before reporting.
What if I believe there is an error in my allotment?
Contact the DME immediately with your NEET registration number and roll number. Provide details of the error you believe exists. The DME can investigate and correct errors if they are genuine. Do not delay — report errors as soon as you notice them.
Where can I find the exact deadlines for choice filling and college reporting?
The exact deadlines are announced on the TN MedSelect portal (counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in/ugmedgqstray/) immediately after the allotment order is released. Check the portal daily for updates. Stray Round deadlines are typically very short (2–3 days for choice filling, 3–5 days for reporting). Do not assume you have time — act immediately upon receiving your allotment.
Your allotment in the Stray Round is now live on the TN MedSelect portal. Download your allotment order immediately, fill your choices online before the deadline, and report to your allotted college with all required documents by the reporting deadline. Missing any of these steps will result in cancellation of your seat. Check the portal daily for exact deadlines and contact the DME if you have any questions or concerns.
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