The Directorate General of Medical Education and Training (DGME) in Uttar Pradesh has announced the complete schedule for the stray vacancy round of NEET UG 2026 counselling for MBBS and BDS seats. This final counselling round offers candidates a last opportunity to secure admission to government and private medical and dental colleges across the state if seats remain unfilled after the main counselling rounds. Importantly, the same day—November 5—marks the deadline for candidates already admitted in earlier rounds to resign from their seats if they wish to withdraw. Understanding these overlapping timelines is critical for both fresh applicants and those reconsidering their current allotments.
Registration for UP NEET 2026 stray vacancy counselling opens November 5 at 11 AM and closes November 7 at 11 AM; candidates already admitted must resign by November 5 at 5 PM if they wish to withdraw.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the stray vacancy round and who should apply?
The stray vacancy round is the final phase of counselling conducted after the main rounds of seat allotment are complete. It exists to fill any MBBS and BDS seats that remain vacant in government, government-aided, and private medical and dental colleges and universities across Uttar Pradesh. This round is open to all NEET UG 2026 qualified candidates who have not yet secured admission or who wish to participate in a final attempt to secure a seat.
Seats offered in this round are from the state quota pool. Candidates who participated in earlier rounds but did not receive an allotment, or those who chose not to participate initially, can register for the stray vacancy round. This is often the last formal opportunity to gain admission through the counselling process, making it important for aspirants who are still seeking a seat.
Complete timeline for stray vacancy round registration and choice filling
The registration window for the stray vacancy round begins on November 5, 2026, at 11:00 AM and remains open until November 7, 2026, at 11:00 AM. During this period, candidates must complete their online registration, upload all required documents, and pay the registration and security fees. It is important to note that the fee payment deadline is slightly different: fees must be deposited by 2:00 PM on November 7, which is earlier than the registration closure time.
After registration closes, the merit list will be published on November 7. Choice filling—the process of ranking your preferred colleges and courses—begins at 5:00 PM on the same day and continues until 11:00 AM on November 12. Candidates should use this window to carefully review all available options and submit their preferences in order of priority. The seat allotment result will be declared on November 12, and successful candidates can download their allotment letters and complete admission formalities between November 13 and November 16.
- Online registration and document upload: November 5, 11:00 AM to November 7, 11:00 AM
- Registration and security fee payment: November 5, 11:00 AM to November 7, 2:00 PM
- Merit list publication: November 7
- Online choice filling: November 7, 5:00 PM to November 12, 11:00 AM
- Seat allotment result: November 12
- Admission process and allotment letter download: November 13 to November 16
Critical deadline: Resigning from admitted seats by November 5 at 5 PM
Candidates who secured admission to MBBS or BDS courses in the first, second, or third rounds of UP NEET UG 2026 counselling and have already joined their allotted seats now have a final opportunity to resign and free up those seats for the stray vacancy round. The resignation deadline is November 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM—the same day the stray vacancy round registration opens. This tight timeline means candidates must act quickly if they wish to withdraw.
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To resign, candidates must personally visit the nodal centre (the designated counselling centre) associated with their admitted seat and submit a resignation letter. The DGME has emphasized that physical presence at the nodal centre is mandatory; resignations cannot be submitted remotely or by post. Candidates planning to resign should make travel arrangements immediately to ensure they reach the nodal centre before the 5 PM deadline on November 5.
- Resignation deadline: November 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM
- Applies to: Candidates admitted in Round 1, Round 2, or Round 3 who have already joined their seats
- Process: Personal visit to the nodal centre associated with the admitted seat
- Required document: Resignation letter (to be submitted at the nodal centre)
- Scope: MBBS and BDS seats in government, government-aided, and private colleges across Uttar Pradesh
Why candidates might resign and participate in the stray vacancy round
A candidate might choose to resign from an admitted seat for several reasons. They may have received admission to a college or course that was not their first preference and now wish to try for a better option in the stray vacancy round. Alternatively, they may have been admitted to a private college with high fees and prefer to wait for a government college seat. Some candidates resign because they were admitted far from home and prefer a college closer to their location.
However, resigning carries risk: there is no guarantee of securing a seat in the stray vacancy round, and the number of vacant seats available is typically small. Candidates should carefully weigh the pros and cons before resigning. If you are unsure about your current allotment, consult with your parents and a counsellor before making this decision. Once you resign, you will need to compete again in the stray vacancy round based on your NEET rank and the available seats.
How to register for the stray vacancy round: Step-by-step process
To participate in the stray vacancy round, visit the official DGME Uttar Pradesh counselling portal and begin the online registration process. You will need to enter your NEET roll number, date of birth, and other personal details. Ensure all information matches your NEET admit card and official documents exactly to avoid rejection.
After completing registration, you must upload scanned copies of all required documents, typically including your NEET admit card, mark sheet, category certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate, and identity proof. Pay close attention to file size and format requirements specified on the portal. Once documents are uploaded, proceed to pay the registration fee and security fee online. Keep a record of your registration number and payment confirmation for future reference. The portal will send you a confirmation email; save this for your records.
- Log in to the official DGME Uttar Pradesh counselling portal
- Enter NEET roll number and personal details accurately
- Upload all required documents in the specified format and size
- Pay registration and security fees online
- Save your registration number and payment confirmation
- Check your email for confirmation and further instructions
Understanding choice filling and how to rank your preferences
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After the merit list is published on November 7, the choice-filling window opens at 5:00 PM the same day. This is your opportunity to list all the colleges and courses you are willing to accept, ranked in order of your preference. The system will use your choices and your NEET rank to determine which seat you receive in the allotment.
When filling choices, research each college thoroughly: check its location, infrastructure, faculty, placement record, and fees (if private). Rank colleges in genuine order of preference, not randomly. You can fill as many choices as you wish, but only one seat will be allotted to you based on your rank and the availability of seats. Remember that your highest-ranked choice will be considered first; if a seat is available there, you will be allotted it. If not, the system moves to your next choice. Be strategic but honest in your ranking.
- Choice filling window: November 7, 5:00 PM to November 12, 11:00 AM
- Rank colleges and courses in genuine order of preference
- Research each college's location, fees, infrastructure, and reputation before filling choices
- You can fill multiple choices; only one seat will be allotted
- The system allocates seats based on your rank and your choice ranking
- Do not leave the choice-filling window until you are confident in your selections
What happens after seat allotment: Admission formalities and next steps
Once the seat allotment result is declared on November 12, log in to the portal to check if you have been allotted a seat. If successful, download your allotment letter immediately and save multiple copies. The allotment letter contains your seat details, the college assigned, the course, and instructions for completing admission.
Between November 13 and November 16, you must visit your allotted college in person to complete the admission process. Bring your allotment letter, NEET admit card, mark sheet, category certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate, identity proof, and any other documents specified by the college. You will need to pay the admission fee and complete formalities such as verification of documents and registration. Failure to report within the deadline may result in forfeiture of your seat. If you do not receive an allotment, the stray vacancy round is the final counselling phase; you will not have another opportunity through this process.
- Check allotment result on November 12 using your login credentials
- Download and print your allotment letter immediately
- Gather all required documents: allotment letter, NEET admit card, mark sheet, certificates, identity proof
- Visit your allotted college between November 13 and November 16
- Complete document verification and pay admission fees
- Register with the college and complete all formalities within the deadline
Important reminders and support resources
The DGME Uttar Pradesh has advised all candidates to regularly check the official website for updates and clarifications. Counselling schedules can sometimes change due to unforeseen circumstances, so staying informed is essential. The Directorate has also set up helplines available from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM to assist candidates with counselling-related queries. If you encounter technical issues during registration or choice filling, contact the helpline immediately rather than waiting until the last moment.
Keep all your documents organized and in digital format as well as physical copies. Double-check all deadlines and set reminders on your phone or calendar to avoid missing critical dates. If you are unsure about any aspect of the process, reach out to your school counsellor or contact the DGME helpline. Do not rely on unofficial sources or social media for information; always refer to the official DGME portal and notifications.
- Check the official DGME Uttar Pradesh website regularly for updates
- Contact the helpline (11:00 AM to 5:00 PM) for counselling assistance
- Keep digital and physical copies of all documents
- Set reminders for all key deadlines
- Verify information only from official sources, not social media
- Seek guidance from your school counsellor if unsure about any step
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the stray vacancy round in UP NEET 2026 counselling?
The stray vacancy round is the final phase of counselling conducted to fill any MBBS and BDS seats that remain vacant after the main counselling rounds. It is open to all NEET UG 2026 qualified candidates who have not yet secured admission or who wish to participate in a final attempt. Seats are offered from government, government-aided, and private medical and dental colleges across Uttar Pradesh.
When does registration for the stray vacancy round begin and end?
Online registration for the stray vacancy round begins on November 5, 2026, at 11:00 AM and closes on November 7, 2026, at 11:00 AM. However, the deadline for paying registration and security fees is earlier: 2:00 PM on November 7. Candidates must complete both registration and fee payment within these windows.
What is the deadline for candidates to resign from their admitted seats?
Candidates who were admitted in Round 1, Round 2, or Round 3 of UP NEET UG 2026 counselling and have already joined their seats can resign by November 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM. They must personally visit the nodal centre associated with their admitted seat and submit a resignation letter. Physical presence is mandatory; resignations cannot be submitted remotely.
When can I fill my choices for the stray vacancy round?
The online choice-filling window opens at 5:00 PM on November 7, 2026, and closes at 11:00 AM on November 12, 2026. During this period, you can rank all available colleges and courses in order of your preference. The merit list will be published on November 7 before choice filling begins, so you will have the list of available options.
When will the seat allotment result be declared?
The seat allotment result for the stray vacancy round will be declared on November 12, 2026. You can log in to the official portal using your credentials to check if you have been allotted a seat. If successful, download your allotment letter immediately.
What should I do after receiving my allotment letter?
After receiving your allotment letter on November 12, you must visit your allotted college between November 13 and November 16, 2026, to complete the admission process. Bring your allotment letter, NEET admit card, mark sheet, category certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate, and identity proof. You will need to verify documents, pay admission fees, and complete registration. Failure to report within the deadline may result in forfeiture of your seat.
Can I resign from my current seat and participate in the stray vacancy round?
Yes, if you were admitted in Round 1, Round 2, or Round 3 and have already joined your seat, you can resign by November 5 at 5 PM. However, this carries risk: there is no guarantee of securing a seat in the stray vacancy round, and the number of vacant seats is typically small. Carefully weigh the pros and cons before resigning. Once you resign, you will compete again based on your NEET rank and available seats.
How do I contact the DGME helpline if I have questions?
The DGME Uttar Pradesh has set up helplines to assist candidates with counselling-related queries. These helplines are available from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If you encounter technical issues during registration or choice filling, or if you have questions about the process, contact the helpline immediately. Do not wait until the last moment to seek help.
Mark your calendar with the key dates: registration opens November 5 at 11 AM, choice filling runs November 7–12, and allotment results arrive November 12. If you are already admitted and considering resignation, act before 5 PM on November 5. For the latest updates and helpline contact details, visit the official DGME Uttar Pradesh website regularly.
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