The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DME) in Tamil Nadu has released the seat allotment results for the stray vacancy round—the final counselling phase for MBBS and BDS admissions in the state for 2026–27. Candidates who have been allotted seats must download their allotment order and physically report at their assigned college by 5 PM on October 26, 2026. Missing this deadline will result in permanent forfeiture of the seat. This is a critical window for any aspirant still seeking an MBBS or BDS seat in Tamil Nadu after the earlier counselling rounds.
Download your allotment order from tnmedicalselection.net by noon on October 26 and report at your college with original documents and the required security deposit before 5 PM the same day—this is your final chance to secure a seat.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Tamil Nadu Stray Vacancy Round and why does it matter?
The stray vacancy round is the last and final counselling phase for MBBS and BDS admissions in Tamil Nadu for the 2026–27 academic year. It exists to fill any remaining vacant seats across government medical colleges, self-financing institutions, and state private universities that were not filled during the earlier three main counselling rounds.
For many aspirants, the stray round represents the final opportunity to secure a medical or dental seat in Tamil Nadu. If you did not get a seat in the main rounds or chose to skip your allotted seat, this is your last chance. Once the stray round closes on October 26, no further counselling will take place, and any remaining vacancies may be cancelled or carried forward to the next year.
How many seats are available in the Tamil Nadu stray round 2026?
The number of seats on offer in the stray round is limited. For MBBS, only one seat is available—at Thoothukudi Medical College. For BDS, one seat is available at the Tamil Nadu Government Dental College in Chennai, and six additional BDS seats are spread across five self-financing dental colleges located in Madurai, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, and Kundrathur.
The small pool of seats reflects the fact that most vacancies have already been filled in earlier rounds. If you are allotted a seat in this round, it is a genuine opportunity that should not be missed. The competition for these remaining seats is typically high, as many candidates are competing for very few positions.
- 1 MBBS seat at Thoothukudi Medical College
- 1 BDS seat at Tamil Nadu Government Dental College, Chennai
- 6 BDS seats across 5 self-financing colleges in Madurai, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, and Kundrathur
Who is eligible to participate in the stray round?
Not every NEET UG candidate can apply for the stray round. The DME has set specific rank cut-offs based on quota type. For Government Quota seats, your NEET rank must fall between GR 001 and GR 35,926 (corresponding to scores between 705 and 177). For Management Quota seats, the rank range is GR 001 to GR 26,956 (scores between 693 and 177).
Importantly, if you already hold an MBBS or BDS seat from the All India Quota or State Quota in any earlier round, you cannot participate in the stray round. Similarly, if you were allotted a seat in Round 3 but chose not to join (skipped), you are barred from the stray round. These rules prevent candidates from holding multiple seats simultaneously and ensure fairness in the allocation process.
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- Government Quota: NEET rank GR 001 to GR 35,926 (score 705 to 177)
- Management Quota: NEET rank GR 001 to GR 26,956 (score 693 to 177)
- Cannot apply if you already hold an MBBS or BDS seat from All India or State Quota
- Cannot apply if you skipped your Round 3 allotted seat
Critical dates: when to download and when to report
The timeline for the stray round is compressed and non-negotiable. The allotment result was declared on October 22, 2026. You have a four-day window—from October 22 to October 26—to download your allotment order from tnmedicalselection.net. The download window closes at noon on October 26.
The absolute final deadline is 5 PM on October 26, 2026. By this time, you must physically report at your allotted college with all original certificates and documents. Reporting after 5 PM will result in your seat being cancelled. There are no extensions, no exceptions, and no second chances. Plan your travel and logistics well in advance to ensure you can meet this deadline.
- Allotment result declared: October 22, 2026
- Download window: October 22 to October 26, 2026 (closes at noon on October 26)
- Last date to report at college: October 26, 2026 at 5 PM
- Reporting after 5 PM will result in seat cancellation
Security deposit and registration fees you must pay
When you report at your allotted college, you will be required to pay a non-refundable security deposit on the spot. For MBBS seats, this deposit is Rs 5 lakh. For BDS seats, it is Rs 2 lakh. This is a substantial amount, and you must arrange it before reporting. The deposit is non-refundable, meaning you will not get this money back even if you later withdraw from the course.
In addition to the security deposit, you must also pay a registration fee. Under the Government Quota, the registration fee is Rs 500. Under the Management Quota, it is Rs 1,000. However, there is an important exemption: SC and ST candidates whose family income is below Rs 2.5 lakh are exempt from paying the security deposit. If you fall into this category, bring proof of your income certificate and caste certificate to claim the exemption.
- MBBS security deposit: Rs 5 lakh (non-refundable)
- BDS security deposit: Rs 2 lakh (non-refundable)
- Registration fee (Government Quota): Rs 500
- Registration fee (Management Quota): Rs 1,000
- SC/ST candidates with family income below Rs 2.5 lakh are exempt from security deposit
How to download your allotment order step by step
Downloading your allotment order is straightforward but must be done carefully. Visit the official DME portal at tnmedicalselection.net. Look for the link to the stray vacancy round allotment order. Log in using your application number and password—the same credentials you used during the counselling registration process.
Once logged in, view and verify the details of your allotted college and course (MBBS or BDS). Check that all information is correct before downloading. Download the allotment order and print it clearly. You will need to carry this printed order along with all your original certificates when you report at the college. Important note: downloading the allotment order is considered as joining the seat in DME's records, even though you must still physically report at the college with original documents.
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- Visit tnmedicalselection.net
- Click on the stray vacancy round allotment order link
- Log in with your application number and password
- View and verify your allotted college and course details
- Download and print the allotment order
- Carry the printed order to the college during reporting
What documents to bring when you report at the college
When you physically report at your allotted college, you must bring all original certificates and documents for verification. This is non-negotiable. The college will verify your identity, educational qualifications, and eligibility before confirming your admission. Do not rely on photocopies or digital versions—bring the actual original documents.
Prepare a checklist that includes your NEET admit card, mark sheet, 10th and 12th certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), income certificate (if claiming exemption from security deposit), and any other documents specified in the allotment order or college notification. Arrive at the college well before 5 PM to allow time for document verification and payment processing. Arriving at the last minute risks missing the deadline if there are delays in verification.
- Printed allotment order
- NEET admit card and score card
- 10th and 12th mark sheets and certificates
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Income certificate (if claiming security deposit exemption)
- Any other documents specified in the allotment order
- Proof of security deposit payment (if paid in advance)
What happens if you miss the October 26 deadline?
If you do not report at your allotted college by 5 PM on October 26, 2026, your seat will be cancelled immediately and permanently. There is no grace period, no extension, and no appeal process. The seat will be treated as vacant and may be offered to another candidate or cancelled altogether.
Missing this deadline is a critical mistake because the stray round is the final counselling phase. Once it closes, there are no more rounds, no more chances to secure a seat in Tamil Nadu for the 2026–27 academic year. If you have been allotted a seat, treat the October 26 deadline as absolute and non-negotiable. Plan your travel, arrange your finances, and prepare your documents well in advance to ensure you can meet this deadline without any last-minute rush or complications.
Practical action plan for allotted candidates
If you have been allotted a seat in the stray round, follow this action plan to secure your admission. First, log in to tnmedicalselection.net immediately and download your allotment order. Print it clearly and keep it safe. Second, gather all your original certificates and documents and organize them in a folder. Third, arrange the security deposit amount (Rs 5 lakh for MBBS or Rs 2 lakh for BDS) through your bank or family resources. If you are eligible for the SC/ST exemption, prepare your income and caste certificates.
Fourth, plan your travel to the allotted college. Check the college's location, travel time, and accommodation if needed. Aim to arrive at the college by early afternoon on October 26 to allow time for document verification and payment. Fifth, contact the college in advance if possible to confirm the reporting procedure and any additional requirements. Finally, on October 26, report at the college with all documents and the security deposit before 5 PM. Do not delay or assume you have extra time—the deadline is strict.
- Download allotment order from tnmedicalselection.net immediately
- Print the allotment order clearly
- Gather and organize all original certificates and documents
- Arrange the security deposit amount in advance
- Prepare SC/ST exemption documents if applicable
- Plan travel to the allotted college
- Contact the college to confirm reporting procedure
- Report at the college before 5 PM on October 26 with all documents and deposit
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the Tamil Nadu NEET UG stray round and when does it happen?
The stray round is the final counselling phase for MBBS and BDS admissions in Tamil Nadu for 2026–27. It fills any remaining vacant seats from government colleges, self-financing institutions, and state private universities that were not allocated in the three main counselling rounds. The allotment result was released on October 22, 2026, and the reporting deadline is October 26, 2026 at 5 PM.
How many MBBS and BDS seats are available in the Tamil Nadu stray round 2026?
Only 8 seats are available in total: 1 MBBS seat at Thoothukudi Medical College, 1 BDS seat at Tamil Nadu Government Dental College in Chennai, and 6 BDS seats across 5 self-financing dental colleges in Madurai, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, and Kundrathur. The limited number of seats reflects that most vacancies were filled in earlier rounds.
Am I eligible to apply for the Tamil Nadu stray round if I already have a seat?
No. If you already hold an MBBS or BDS seat from the All India Quota or State Quota, you cannot participate in the stray round. Similarly, if you were allotted a seat in Round 3 but chose not to join (skipped), you are barred from the stray round. These rules prevent candidates from holding multiple seats.
What is the deadline to report at the college, and what happens if I miss it?
The absolute deadline is 5 PM on October 26, 2026. If you do not report by this time, your seat will be cancelled permanently with no extension or appeal. Since the stray round is the final counselling phase, missing this deadline means you will not get a seat in Tamil Nadu for 2026–27.
How much security deposit do I need to pay, and is there an exemption?
For MBBS seats, the security deposit is Rs 5 lakh. For BDS seats, it is Rs 2 lakh. Both are non-refundable. However, SC and ST candidates whose family income is below Rs 2.5 lakh are exempt from paying the security deposit. You must bring proof of your income certificate and caste certificate to claim this exemption.
What documents must I bring when I report at the college?
Bring all original certificates including your NEET admit card, mark sheet, 10th and 12th certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), income certificate (if claiming exemption), and the printed allotment order. Do not rely on photocopies—the college will verify original documents before confirming your admission.
How do I download my allotment order from tnmedicalselection.net?
Visit tnmedicalselection.net, click on the stray vacancy round allotment order link, log in with your application number and password, verify your allotted college and course details, and download the order. The download window is from October 22 to October 26, 2026 (closes at noon on October 26). Print the order clearly and carry it to the college.
What is the registration fee in addition to the security deposit?
The registration fee is Rs 500 under the Government Quota and Rs 1,000 under the Management Quota. This is separate from the security deposit and must be paid at the time of reporting.
If you have been allotted a seat in the Tamil Nadu stray round, act immediately: download your allotment order, arrange your security deposit, gather your documents, and plan your travel to report at the college before 5 PM on October 26, 2026. This is your final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Tamil Nadu for 2026–27—do not let it slip away.
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