The Directorate of Medical Education and Research in Tamil Nadu has begun registration for the stray vacancy round of NEET UG counselling 2026. This is the final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat that was not filled in earlier counselling stages. The round covers both the 7.5 percent horizontal reservation for Tamil Nadu government school students and the 92.5 percent category, which includes government, management, and NRI quota seats. Candidates who participated in earlier state counselling rounds but remained unallotted or did not join their allotted seat can apply. This is typically the last chance before vacant seats lapse for the academic session.
Register immediately on the correct portal for your category (7.5% or 92.5%) at tnmedicalselection.net, as this is the final counselling round and late submissions will not be accepted.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Tamil Nadu Stray Vacancy Round?
The stray vacancy round is a final counselling stage designed to fill MBBS and BDS seats that remain empty after all previous rounds of seat allocation. In Tamil Nadu's 2026 counselling process, the Directorate of Medical Education issued two separate schedules on October 17, 2026, one for each quota category. This round is critical because seats not filled here typically do not carry forward to the next academic year.
Unlike earlier mop-up rounds, the stray round is open only to candidates who had already registered for Tamil Nadu NEET UG counselling 2026. Fresh registrations are generally not accepted at this stage. The round operates through two distinct online portals, each dedicated to a specific quota category, to ensure proper seat allocation and prevent administrative errors.
Understanding the Two Quota Categories and Portals
Tamil Nadu's stray round divides available seats into two categories, each with its own registration portal. The 7.5 percent horizontal reservation is exclusively for students who studied in Tamil Nadu government schools and completed their schooling there. The 92.5 percent category encompasses government college seats, management quota seats, and NRI (Non-Resident Indian) quota seats. Using the wrong portal for your category will result in rejection of your application, so it is essential to identify which category you fall under before logging in.
The official portals are counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in/ugmedg75 for the 7.5 percent category and counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in/ugmedgqstray for the 92.5 percent category. Candidates must log in using their NEET UG roll number and password. Each portal displays the vacant seat matrix specific to that category, showing which colleges have open MBBS and BDS positions.
- 7.5% portal: counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in/ugmedg75 (Tamil Nadu government school students only)
- 92.5% portal: counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in/ugmedgqstray (government, management, NRI seats)
- Using the incorrect portal will lead to automatic rejection
Who Can Apply for the Stray Round?
Eligibility for the stray round is restricted to a specific group of candidates. You must have qualified NEET UG 2026 with a score at or above the prescribed cutoff for your category. You must also satisfy Tamil Nadu's nativity requirements and category-based eligibility rules. Critically, you must have already registered and participated in earlier Tamil Nadu NEET UG counselling rounds during 2026. Candidates who did not register initially cannot apply in the stray round.
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Within the eligible pool, two types of candidates are typically considered: those who remained unallotted after all previous rounds, and those who were allotted a seat but chose not to join or report to the college. If you fall into either category, you are eligible to participate. However, you must have all original certificates ready for verification at the time of reporting to your allotted college, as missing or mismatched documents can result in loss of your seat.
- Must have qualified NEET UG 2026 with valid cutoff score
- Must satisfy Tamil Nadu nativity and category eligibility rules
- Must have registered and participated in earlier 2026 counselling rounds
- Must be either unallotted or a non-joiner from a previous round
- Must have all original certificates ready for verification
Step-by-Step Registration Process
The entire stray round registration process is conducted online through the official Tamil Nadu medical selection portal. Begin by visiting tnmedicalselection.net and locating the stray vacancy round link for your specific category. Log in using your NEET UG roll number and password. Once logged in, you will see the updated vacant seat matrix showing which MBBS and BDS positions are available across colleges in your category.
After reviewing available seats, fill your choices in order of preference. You can select multiple colleges and courses based on your preference and eligibility. Once you have entered all your choices, lock them by clicking the confirmation button. Download and save the confirmation page as proof of your submission. The system will not accept submissions after the stated deadline, so complete this process well before the final submission time to avoid technical issues or last-minute problems.
- Visit tnmedicalselection.net and click the stray round link for your category
- Log in with your NEET UG roll number and password
- Review the vacant seat matrix for MBBS and BDS positions
- Fill choices in order of preference
- Lock your choices and download the confirmation page
- Submit before the deadline—late submissions will not be accepted
Documents You Must Bring for College Reporting
If you are allotted a seat in the stray round, you must report to your assigned college with all original documents. The college will verify these documents during the reporting process. Any missing or mismatched documents can lead to cancellation of your allotment and loss of your seat. Begin gathering these documents now, even before you receive your allotment result, so you are prepared to report immediately after the result is announced.
The required documents include your NEET UG 2026 admit card and scorecard, Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates, transfer certificate and conduct certificate from your school, a nativity certificate issued by the Tamil Nadu government, and any community, income, or special reservation certificates if applicable. You will also need a government-issued photo identity proof such as an Aadhaar card, passport, or voter ID. Prepare both original documents and scanned copies for submission.
- NEET UG 2026 admit card and scorecard
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates
- Transfer certificate and conduct certificate
- Tamil Nadu government nativity certificate
- Community, income, and special reservation certificates (if applicable)
- Government-issued photo identity proof (Aadhaar, passport, or voter ID)
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Why This is Your Final Opportunity
The stray vacancy round is the last counselling stage for NEET UG 2026 in Tamil Nadu. Any MBBS or BDS seats that remain unfilled after this round typically lapse and do not carry forward to the next academic year. This means if you are eligible and do not participate, you may lose your chance to secure a medical seat for the 2026-27 academic session. The stakes are high, and the window is narrow.
For candidates who were unallotted in previous rounds or who did not join their allotted seat, this round represents a genuine second chance. Colleges that had vacant seats in earlier rounds are now offering them again. By participating actively and filling your choices thoughtfully, you maximize your chances of securing a seat. Skipping this round is not advisable if you are eligible.
Important Dates and Next Steps
The registration window for the stray round opened on October 20, 2026. The Directorate of Medical Education issued official notifications on October 17, 2026, with separate schedules for the 7.5 percent and 92.5 percent categories. Each category has its own registration deadline, so check the official notification carefully to confirm the exact closing date for your category. Do not assume both categories have the same deadline.
After the registration period closes, the authority will process applications and release the seat allotment result. A reporting window will follow, during which you must visit your allotted college with all original documents. Check tnmedicalselection.net daily for updates on the allotment result date and reporting schedule. Missing the reporting deadline can result in forfeiture of your seat, so mark these dates on your calendar and set reminders.
- Registration opened: October 20, 2026
- Official notifications issued: October 17, 2026
- Check your category's specific deadline on tnmedicalselection.net
- Allotment result will be announced after registration closes
- Reporting window will follow allotment result
- Monitor tnmedicalselection.net daily for updates
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most common errors is logging into the wrong portal. If you are eligible for the 7.5 percent category, use only the 7.5 percent portal. If you fall under the 92.5 percent category, use only that portal. Using the incorrect portal will result in automatic rejection, and you will not be able to participate in this round. Double-check your category eligibility before logging in.
Another frequent mistake is submitting incomplete or incorrect choice entries. Fill your choices carefully and in order of preference. Lock your choices only after you are certain they are correct, as locked choices cannot be edited. Additionally, do not wait until the last hour to submit. Technical glitches, internet issues, or system overload near the deadline can prevent your submission. Submit your choices at least a few hours before the deadline to ensure they are recorded.
- Do not use the wrong portal for your category
- Fill choices carefully and lock only when certain
- Do not submit at the last minute—submit hours before the deadline
- Ensure all documents are original and match your application details
- Do not miss the reporting deadline after allotment
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the stray vacancy round in Tamil Nadu NEET UG counselling?
The stray vacancy round is the final counselling stage in Tamil Nadu's NEET UG 2026 process. It is designed to fill MBBS and BDS seats that remained vacant after all earlier counselling rounds. Seats not filled in this round typically do not carry forward to the next academic year, making it the last opportunity for eligible candidates to secure a medical seat.
Who is eligible to apply for the Tamil Nadu stray round?
You are eligible if you: (1) qualified NEET UG 2026 with a score at or above the prescribed cutoff, (2) satisfy Tamil Nadu nativity and category eligibility rules, (3) had already registered for Tamil Nadu NEET UG counselling 2026, and (4) are either unallotted from previous rounds or did not join an allotted seat. Fresh registrations are not accepted in the stray round.
Which portal should I use to register for the stray round?
There are two portals based on your category. If you are eligible for the 7.5 percent horizontal reservation (Tamil Nadu government school students), use counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in/ugmedg75. If you fall under the 92.5 percent category (government, management, or NRI quota), use counug.tnmedicalonline.co.in/ugmedgqstray. Using the wrong portal will result in rejection.
What documents do I need to bring when reporting to the college?
You must bring: NEET UG 2026 admit card and scorecard, Class 10 and 12 mark sheets and certificates, transfer and conduct certificates, Tamil Nadu government nativity certificate, community/income/special reservation certificates (if applicable), and a government-issued photo ID. Missing or mismatched documents can result in loss of your seat.
When is the registration deadline for the stray round?
Registration opened on October 20, 2026. The exact closing date depends on your category, as the Directorate issued separate schedules for the 7.5 percent and 92.5 percent categories on October 17, 2026. Check the official notification on tnmedicalselection.net for your category's specific deadline.
What happens if I do not participate in the stray round?
If you are eligible but do not participate, you may lose your chance to secure an MBBS or BDS seat for the 2026-27 academic year. Seats not filled in the stray round typically lapse and do not carry forward. This is the final counselling stage, so missing it means missing your opportunity for this session.
Can I change my choices after locking them?
No. Once you lock your choices in the online portal, they cannot be edited. Therefore, fill your choices carefully and review them thoroughly before locking. If you make an error, you may not be able to correct it, so take your time during the choice-filling process.
What should I do after I receive my allotment result?
After the allotment result is announced, you will have a specific reporting window to visit your allotted college with all original documents. Check tnmedicalselection.net daily for the exact reporting dates and instructions. Report to the college on time with all required documents; missing the reporting deadline will result in forfeiture of your seat.
If you are eligible for Tamil Nadu's stray round, register immediately on the correct portal for your category. This is the final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat for 2026-27, and seats not filled now will lapse. Monitor tnmedicalselection.net daily for allotment results and reporting schedules, and ensure all your documents are ready before the reporting deadline.
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