Tamil Nadu NEET UG Stray Vacancy Seats: Allotment Out, Report by Oct 26

The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) has released the stray vacancy round allotment results for NEET UG 2026 MBBS and BDS admissions across government and self-financing medical colleges in the state. This is the final opportunity for candidates to secure a seat in this counselling cycle. If you have been allotted a seat, you must act quickly: there is a tight window to pay fees, download your allotment letter, and report physically to your assigned college. Missing the October 26 deadline will result in forfeiture of your seat.

What is the stray vacancy round and why does it matter?

The stray vacancy round is the final phase of NEET UG counselling in Tamil Nadu. It occurs after the main and subsequent rounds of seat allotment, and fills any remaining unfilled seats in MBBS and BDS programmes. For many aspirants, this round represents a last chance to secure admission in the current counselling cycle.

Stray vacancy seats often arise because candidates allotted in earlier rounds either did not report, withdrew, or chose not to upgrade to better colleges. These vacancies are then offered to remaining eligible candidates in order of merit. If you have been waiting for a seat or hoping to upgrade, this round may have worked in your favour.

Key dates and deadlines for Tamil Nadu NEET UG stray vacancy allotment

The allotment result was declared on October 22, 2026. From that date, you have a compressed timeline to complete all admission formalities. The online fee payment window remains open until October 26, 2026 at 12:00 PM (noon). You must download your provisional allotment order during the same period (October 22–26). Most critically, physical reporting to your allotted college must happen by October 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM.

• Allotment result declared: October 22, 2026
• Online fee payment deadline: October 26, 2026 (12:00 PM)
• Provisional allotment order download: October 22–26, 2026
• Physical reporting deadline: October 26, 2026 (5:00 PM)

How to check your allotment result and download your letter

To access your allotment result, visit the official Tamil Nadu medical selection portal at tnmedicalselection.net. Navigate to the UG Courses section and select MBBS/BDS. Look for the link labelled 'Provisional Allotment Result for Stray Vacancy Round Online Counselling of MBBS/BDS'. You can either view the merit list as a PDF or log in using your application number and registration credentials to see your individual result.

Once you have confirmed your allotment, download your provisional allotment order immediately and save multiple copies. You will need printed copies when you report to your college. Do not delay this step—the portal may experience high traffic as the deadline approaches.

• Visit tnmedicalselection.net
• Go to UG Courses → MBBS/BDS
• Click on the stray vacancy allotment result link
• Log in with your application number and password, or view the merit list PDF
• Download and print your provisional allotment order

Fee payment: what you must do before reporting

After downloading your allotment letter, you must pay the compulsory tuition fees online through the portal. This payment must be completed by October 26, 2026 at 12:00 PM—note that this deadline is 5 hours earlier than the physical reporting deadline. Do not assume you can pay fees on the day of reporting; the online window closes at noon. Keep a screenshot or receipt of your payment for your records.

The fee amount varies depending on whether you have been allotted a seat in a government or self-financing college. Check your allotment letter for the exact fee payable. Failure to pay fees within the deadline will result in cancellation of your allotment, even if you report to the college on time.

• Pay fees online through tnmedicalselection.net
• Deadline: October 26, 2026 at 12:00 PM (noon)
• Save your payment receipt and screenshot
• Fee amount depends on college type (government or self-financing)

What documents to bring when you report to your college

Physical reporting is mandatory. You cannot skip this step or send someone on your behalf. When you arrive at your allotted medical or dental college on or before October 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM, bring all original documents. The college will verify these against your application and allotment letter.

Prepare a checklist: original academic certificates (10th, 12th, and any graduation certificates if applicable), your NEET UG scorecard, a valid identity proof (Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence), your provisional allotment letter, and the receipt of fee payment. Do not bring photocopies alone; originals are required for verification. After verification, the college will typically return your originals and issue you an admission confirmation.

• Original academic certificates (10th, 12th, graduation if applicable)
• NEET UG scorecard (original)
• Valid identity proof (Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence)
• Provisional allotment letter (printed)
• Receipt of online fee payment

What happens if you miss the reporting deadline?

If you do not report to your allotted college by 5:00 PM on October 26, 2026, your seat will be forfeited automatically. There is no grace period, no exceptions, and no option to report later. The college will move on to the next candidate on the waiting list. This is a hard deadline set by the Tamil Nadu medical counselling authority.

If you have a genuine emergency (medical, family, or travel-related) that prevents you from reporting on time, contact your allotted college immediately to explain. Some colleges may grant a brief extension in exceptional cases, but this is not guaranteed. Do not rely on this; plan to report well before the deadline.

• Missed deadline = automatic seat forfeiture
• No grace period or exceptions
• Seat goes to the next candidate on the waiting list
• Contact your college immediately if you have a genuine emergency

Understanding government vs. self-financing college allotments

Tamil Nadu's stray vacancy round includes seats in both government medical colleges and self-financing (private) medical colleges. Government college seats are highly competitive and typically have lower fees, while self-financing college seats have higher fees but may offer more flexibility in course options or campus facilities. Your allotment depends on your NEET rank, your choice of colleges during counselling, and the availability of seats.

If you have been allotted a self-financing college seat and are concerned about fees, check the fee structure on the college's website or contact the college directly before reporting. Some self-financing colleges offer scholarships or payment plans; it is worth enquiring. However, do not let fee concerns delay your reporting—secure your seat first, then explore financial options.

• Government colleges: lower fees, higher competition
• Self-financing colleges: higher fees, more flexibility
• Allotment based on rank, choice, and seat availability
• Check fee structure and scholarship options before reporting

What to do if you have not been allotted a seat

If your name does not appear in the stray vacancy allotment result, it means no seat matching your preferences and rank was available in this round. This does not mean your NEET score is invalid or that you cannot pursue medicine. You have several options: you can apply for admission to private medical colleges outside Tamil Nadu, explore NEET counselling in other states, or prepare for NEET UG 2027 if you wish to attempt again.

Some aspirants also consider pursuing BDS (dental) instead of MBBS if they have not secured an MBBS seat. BDS is a respected 5-year degree with good career prospects. Check if there are any remaining BDS seats in the stray vacancy round by reviewing the allotment list carefully. If you are unsure about your next steps, consult a career counsellor or your school guidance teacher.

• No allotment does not mean no path to medicine
• Consider private medical colleges outside Tamil Nadu
• Explore NEET counselling in other states
• Consider BDS as an alternative to MBBS
• Prepare for NEET UG 2027 if you wish to attempt again

Frequently asked questions

If you have been allotted a seat, act immediately: check the portal, pay fees by noon on October 26, and report to your college by 5:00 PM the same day with all original documents. This is your final opportunity in the 2026 counselling cycle—do not let the tight deadline catch you off guard.