Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS), Telangana has released a notification on 21 October 2026 announcing the availability of 3 MBBS seats in the Stray Vacancy Phase of counselling for the 2026-27 academic year. These seats are being filled under the Competent Authority Quota — the seats that the state government fills through its own counselling process, separate from the national-level NEET UG counselling. The three seats are distributed across three colleges: Gitam Medical University (1 seat), Surya Hospitals Medical College (1 seat), and Nova Medical College (1 seat). This is a final opportunity for eligible candidates who were not allotted seats in earlier counselling rounds to secure an MBBS admission in Telangana.
Three MBBS stray vacancy seats are now available under Telangana's Competent Authority Quota across three private medical colleges; eligible candidates must register and participate in this final phase of counselling.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Stray Vacancy Phase?
The Stray Vacancy Phase is the final round of counselling in the NEET UG admission process. It occurs after all regular counselling rounds have been completed and seats remain unfilled. These unfilled seats — called 'stray vacancies' — are offered to eligible candidates who either did not participate in earlier rounds, were not allotted a seat, or chose not to join an allotted college.
In Telangana, stray vacancy seats under the Competent Authority Quota are filled by the state government directly through KNRUHS. This is different from the national-level stray vacancy counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). Candidates who are eligible and interested must register specifically for this state-level stray vacancy phase to be considered.
Colleges and Seats Available
Three MBBS seats are available in the stray vacancy phase, distributed across three private medical colleges in Telangana. Each college has exactly one seat available. The colleges and their seat availability are listed in the table below.
| College Name | Course | Seats Available |
|---|---|---|
| Gitam Medical University (GMUL) | MBBS | 1 |
| Surya Hospitals Medical College (SURB) | MBBS | 1 |
| Nova Medical College (NOVA) | MBBS | 1 |
Category-Wise Seat Breakdown
The notification provides a detailed breakdown of the 3 available seats by category and gender. The categories follow Telangana's reservation policy, which includes Open (OC), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Class (OBC), and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) categories. Within each category, seats are further divided by gender — General (G) for unreserved and Female (F) for women candidates.
At Nova Medical College, the single available seat is distributed across three different categories: one seat in the Open General (OCG) category, one in the Scheduled Tribe General (STG) category, and one in the EWS General (EWSG) category. This means that depending on your category and gender, you may be eligible for one of these seats. Gitam Medical University and Surya Hospitals Medical College each have one seat, but the specific category allocation is not detailed in the vacancy matrix provided — candidates should check the official KNRUHS portal or contact the university directly for the exact category of each seat.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
To be eligible for the stray vacancy phase under Competent Authority Quota in Telangana, you must meet the following criteria:
First, you must have appeared for and qualified in NEET UG 2026 with a valid score. Second, you must be a resident of Telangana or meet the state's eligibility criteria for admission under the Competent Authority Quota. Third, you must not have already joined an MBBS or BDS college in India for the 2026-27 academic year. If you have already been allotted a seat in an earlier round and joined that college, you are not eligible to participate in the stray vacancy phase.
Additionally, you must satisfy the eligibility criteria set by the individual colleges — typically this includes meeting the minimum qualifying marks in NEET UG and any other requirements specified by the college. Candidates who participated in earlier counselling rounds but were not allotted a seat, or who were allotted a seat but did not join, are eligible to register for the stray vacancy phase.
- Valid NEET UG 2026 score
- Telangana resident or meeting state eligibility criteria
- Not already joined an MBBS or BDS college in 2026-27
- Meet individual college eligibility requirements
- Did not join an allotted seat in earlier rounds (if applicable)
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Important Dates and Timeline
The notification was issued on 21 October 2026 and announces the availability of stray vacancy seats. However, the document does not specify the exact dates for registration, counselling, allotment, or joining for this stray vacancy phase. This is critical information that candidates need to know in order to participate.
You must check the official KNRUHS website (www.knruhs.telangana.gov.in) or the Telangana NEET UG counselling portal for the complete schedule of the stray vacancy phase, including registration start and end dates, counselling dates, allotment date, and the deadline for joining the allotted college. Missing any of these deadlines will result in forfeiture of your seat. It is strongly recommended that you visit the official portal immediately and bookmark the counselling schedule.
- Notification issued: 21 October 2026
- Registration dates: Check official KNRUHS portal
- Counselling dates: Check official KNRUHS portal
- Allotment date: Check official KNRUHS portal
- Joining deadline: Check official KNRUHS portal
How to Register and Apply
To participate in the stray vacancy phase, you must register on the official Telangana NEET UG counselling portal managed by KNRUHS. The exact portal URL and registration link will be available on the KNRUHS website. You will need your NEET UG 2026 roll number, registration number, and other personal details to complete the registration.
During registration, you will be asked to fill in your personal information, NEET UG score, category, and other relevant details. You will also need to select your preferred colleges and courses. For the stray vacancy phase, you should indicate your preference for the available MBBS seats at Gitam Medical University, Surya Hospitals Medical College, and Nova Medical College. The counselling process will then allocate seats based on your merit rank, category, and preferences, as well as the availability of seats.
After registration, you must participate in the counselling process as per the schedule announced by KNRUHS. This may involve online counselling or in-person reporting at a designated centre. Follow all instructions provided by the university carefully to ensure your participation is recorded.
- Visit the official KNRUHS counselling portal
- Register with your NEET UG 2026 details
- Fill in personal information and category
- Select your college and course preferences
- Participate in counselling as per the announced schedule
- Accept the allotted seat if offered
Documents You Will Need
When you register for the stray vacancy phase, you will need to have the following documents ready. While the notification does not provide an exhaustive list, standard NEET UG counselling in Telangana typically requires these documents. Have digital copies (scanned PDFs or photographs) ready for upload during online registration, and keep original hard copies for verification at the time of joining.
Essential documents include: your NEET UG 2026 admit card and score card, your 10th and 12th mark sheets and certificates, your AADHAR card or any other government-issued ID, your caste certificate (if applicable — SC, ST, OBC, or EWS), your income certificate (if applicable for EWS category), your domicile certificate for Telangana, and your passport-size photographs. If you have any gap in your education or have studied outside India, you may also need to provide additional documents such as a gap certificate or an equivalence certificate from the state board.
- NEET UG 2026 admit card and score card
- 10th and 12th mark sheets and certificates
- AADHAR card or government-issued ID
- Caste certificate (if SC, ST, OBC, or EWS)
- Income certificate (if EWS category)
- Telangana domicile certificate
- Passport-size photographs (4-6 copies)
- Gap certificate (if applicable)
- Equivalence certificate (if studied outside India)
Category and Reservation Details
Telangana follows a specific reservation policy for MBBS admissions. The Competent Authority Quota seats are allocated across multiple categories: Open (OC), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Class (OBC), and Economically Weaker Section (EWS). Within each category, seats are further divided by gender — General (G) for all candidates and Female (F) for women candidates only.
The notification shows that at Nova Medical College, seats are available in the Open General (OCG), Scheduled Tribe General (STG), and EWS General (EWSG) categories. This means that if you belong to one of these categories, you may be eligible for the seat at Nova. For Gitam Medical University and Surya Hospitals Medical College, the specific category allocation is not detailed in this notification — you must check the official portal or contact KNRUHS directly to confirm which category each seat belongs to.
If you belong to a reserved category (SC, ST, OBC, or EWS), you must have a valid category certificate issued by the competent authority. For EWS category, you will need an income certificate showing that your family income is below the specified threshold. Ensure that your category certificate is issued on or after the date specified by the state (usually 1 April of the previous financial year) — certificates issued before this date may not be accepted.
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- Open (OC) category — no reservation
- Scheduled Caste (SC) — 15% reservation
- Scheduled Tribe (ST) — 6% reservation
- Other Backward Class (OBC) — 27% reservation
- Economically Weaker Section (EWS) — 10% reservation
- Within each category, seats divided by gender (General and Female)
- Valid category certificate required for reserved categories
- Income certificate required for EWS category
Competent Authority Quota Explained
The Competent Authority Quota is a set of MBBS and BDS seats that are filled by the state government directly, rather than through the national-level NEET UG counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). In Telangana, these seats are managed by KNRUHS and are allocated to private medical colleges as per government policy.
The key difference between Competent Authority Quota seats and national-level NEET UG seats is that Competent Authority seats follow the state's own reservation policy and counselling process. Candidates who are eligible for Telangana's Competent Authority Quota must register separately for state-level counselling and cannot participate in the national MCC counselling for these seats. If you have already been allotted a seat through national-level counselling, you cannot also participate in the Competent Authority Quota counselling.
- Filled by state government (KNRUHS), not by national MCC
- Follows Telangana's reservation policy
- Separate registration and counselling process
- Cannot participate in both national and state counselling simultaneously
- Available at private medical colleges in Telangana
Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
Many candidates lose their seats or face rejection during the stray vacancy phase due to preventable errors. Understanding these mistakes now can help you avoid them.
First, submitting an invalid or expired caste certificate is a common reason for rejection. If you are applying under a reserved category, ensure that your caste certificate is valid and issued by the competent authority. The certificate must be issued on or after the date specified by the state — typically 1 April of the previous financial year. A certificate issued before this date will not be accepted, even if it is technically still valid.
Second, missing the registration or counselling deadline will result in automatic rejection. The stray vacancy phase has strict deadlines, and there is usually no extension. Mark all dates on your calendar and set reminders at least one week before each deadline.
Third, providing incorrect information during registration — such as a wrong NEET UG roll number, incorrect category, or mismatched name — can lead to rejection. Double-check all information before submitting your registration.
Fourth, not uploading all required documents or uploading documents in the wrong format (e.g., a photograph instead of a scanned certificate) will result in rejection. Ensure that all documents are clear, legible, and in the format specified by the portal.
Fifth, if you have already joined another MBBS or BDS college in 2026-27, you are not eligible for the stray vacancy phase. Attempting to register while already joined will result in rejection and may lead to cancellation of your existing seat as well.
- Invalid or expired caste certificate
- Certificate issued before the specified date
- Missing registration or counselling deadline
- Incorrect information during registration
- Incomplete or incorrectly formatted documents
- Already joined another MBBS or BDS college
- Not meeting the minimum NEET UG score
- Not being a Telangana resident (if applicable)
What Happens After Allotment?
If you are allotted a seat in the stray vacancy phase, you will receive an allotment letter from KNRUHS. This letter will specify the college, course, and category of your allotted seat. You must carefully verify all details in the allotment letter — if there is any error, contact KNRUHS immediately to get it corrected before the joining deadline.
After receiving your allotment letter, you must report to the allotted college on or before the joining deadline specified by KNRUHS. You will need to submit your original documents for verification, pay the college fees, and complete the admission formalities. Failure to join by the deadline will result in forfeiture of your seat, and the seat will be offered to the next eligible candidate.
Once you have joined the college and completed the admission process, your seat is confirmed, and you can begin your MBBS course. Keep all admission documents and receipts safely for future reference.
- Receive allotment letter from KNRUHS
- Verify all details in the allotment letter
- Report to the college by the joining deadline
- Submit original documents for verification
- Pay college fees and complete admission formalities
- Obtain admission confirmation letter from the college
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the Stray Vacancy Phase in NEET UG counselling?
The Stray Vacancy Phase is the final round of counselling that occurs after all regular counselling rounds are completed. It is used to fill any MBBS or BDS seats that remain unfilled after earlier rounds. Candidates who did not participate in earlier rounds, were not allotted a seat, or chose not to join an allotted college can register for the stray vacancy phase as a last opportunity to secure an admission.
How many MBBS seats are available in this stray vacancy phase?
A total of 3 MBBS seats are available in the stray vacancy phase under Competent Authority Quota for Telangana 2026-27. These seats are distributed as follows: 1 seat at Gitam Medical University, 1 seat at Surya Hospitals Medical College, and 1 seat at Nova Medical College.
Am I eligible to apply if I have already been allotted a seat in an earlier round?
No, you are not eligible to apply for the stray vacancy phase if you have already joined an MBBS or BDS college in 2026-27. However, if you were allotted a seat in an earlier round but chose not to join that college, you are eligible to register for the stray vacancy phase. If you have already joined a college and attempt to register for stray vacancy, your application will be rejected and your existing seat may be cancelled.
What documents do I need to submit for registration?
You will need your NEET UG 2026 admit card and score card, 10th and 12th mark sheets and certificates, AADHAR card or government-issued ID, caste certificate (if applicable), income certificate (if applying under EWS category), Telangana domicile certificate, and passport-size photographs. Have digital copies ready for online registration and keep original hard copies for verification at the time of joining.
What is the Competent Authority Quota?
The Competent Authority Quota is a set of MBBS and BDS seats that are filled by the state government (KNRUHS in Telangana) directly, rather than through national-level NEET UG counselling. These seats follow the state's own reservation policy and counselling process. Candidates must register separately for state-level counselling and cannot participate in both national and state counselling simultaneously.
When will the registration and counselling dates be announced?
The notification issued on 21 October 2026 does not specify the exact dates for registration, counselling, allotment, or joining. You must check the official KNRUHS website (www.knruhs.telangana.gov.in) or the Telangana NEET UG counselling portal for the complete schedule. It is recommended that you visit the portal immediately and bookmark the counselling schedule to avoid missing any deadlines.
What happens if I miss the registration deadline?
If you miss the registration deadline, you will not be able to participate in the stray vacancy phase, and your application will be rejected. The stray vacancy phase has strict deadlines with no extensions. Mark all dates on your calendar and set reminders at least one week before each deadline to ensure you do not miss any important dates.
Can I apply for seats at multiple colleges?
Yes, during registration you can indicate your preference for seats at multiple colleges. The counselling process will allocate a seat based on your merit rank, category, preferences, and the availability of seats. You will be allotted only one seat, which will be the highest-ranked seat available according to your preferences and eligibility.
What if my caste certificate is more than one year old?
Caste certificates must be issued on or after the date specified by the state — typically 1 April of the previous financial year. If your certificate is older than this date, it may not be accepted. Check the official KNRUHS notification or portal for the exact date requirement. If your certificate is invalid, you will need to obtain a new one from the competent authority before registering.
What should I do if I am allotted a seat?
If you are allotted a seat, you will receive an allotment letter from KNRUHS. Verify all details in the letter carefully. You must then report to the allotted college on or before the joining deadline, submit your original documents for verification, pay the college fees, and complete the admission formalities. Failure to join by the deadline will result in forfeiture of your seat.
Can I participate in the stray vacancy phase if I am not a Telangana resident?
The notification does not explicitly state the residency requirement for the Competent Authority Quota. However, typically, Competent Authority Quota seats are reserved for Telangana residents or candidates meeting the state's eligibility criteria. You should check the official KNRUHS portal or contact the university directly to confirm whether you are eligible based on your residency status.
What is the difference between Competent Authority Quota and national-level NEET UG counselling?
Competent Authority Quota seats are filled by the state government (KNRUHS) through state-level counselling, while national-level NEET UG seats are filled by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) through national counselling. Competent Authority seats follow the state's reservation policy and have a separate registration and counselling process. Candidates cannot participate in both processes simultaneously for the same seat.
The stray vacancy phase is your final opportunity to secure an MBBS seat in Telangana for 2026-27. Check the official KNRUHS website immediately for the complete schedule of registration, counselling, allotment, and joining dates — these dates are not provided in this notification. Register as soon as the portal opens, ensure all your documents are ready, and meet every deadline strictly. If you have any questions, contact KNRUHS directly or visit their website at www.knruhs.telangana.gov.in.
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