The Directorate General of Medical Education and Training (DGME) in Uttar Pradesh has announced the stray vacancy round for NEET UG 2026 counselling, opening 115 seats across MBBS and BDS programmes in the state. This final round of counselling offers a last opportunity for eligible candidates to secure admission to medical and dental colleges. The official seat matrix and merit list have been released, allowing registered candidates to proceed with their choice-filling process. If you have completed registration, fee payment, and document verification, this round may be your chance to claim a remaining seat.
The stray vacancy round offers 115 MBBS and BDS seats (11 in government colleges, 104 in private colleges) across 52 institutions in Uttar Pradesh; only registered candidates with verified documents and completed payments can participate in choice filling.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the stray vacancy round and why does it matter?
The stray vacancy round is the final phase of NEET UG counselling in Uttar Pradesh. It occurs after earlier counselling rounds when some seats remain unfilled due to candidates declining offers, not reporting to colleges, or other administrative reasons. This round gives qualified candidates who may have missed earlier opportunities a final chance to secure admission.
For NEET aspirants, the stray vacancy round is significant because it represents the last window to gain entry into an MBBS or BDS programme for the 2026 academic year. Seats available here are genuine vacancies that colleges must fill before the academic session begins. If you did not get a seat in earlier rounds but remain eligible, this is your critical opportunity.
How many seats are available and where are they located?
The stray vacancy round in Uttar Pradesh offers a total of 115 seats split between MBBS and BDS programmes. Of these, only 11 seats are in government medical and dental colleges, while the remaining 104 seats are in private institutions. This distribution reflects the larger private medical education sector in the state.
The 115 seats are spread across 52 institutional entries: 39 entries are from medical colleges and 13 from dental colleges. This means vacancies exist in multiple colleges across different regions of Uttar Pradesh, giving candidates some choice in location and institution type. The official seat matrix provides institution-wise, category-wise, and subcategory-wise breakdowns so you can identify which colleges have seats in your category.
- Total seats: 115 (MBBS and BDS combined)
- Government college seats: 11
- Private college seats: 104
- Medical college entries: 39
- Dental college entries: 13
Who is eligible to participate in the stray vacancy round?
Eligibility for the stray vacancy round is strict and based on completion of earlier administrative steps. The DGME has clarified that only candidates whose names appear on the official merit list are eligible to participate. However, appearing on the merit list alone is not sufficient; you must also have completed two critical requirements: payment of the registration fee and payment of the security deposit (security money).
Additionally, your documents must have been successfully verified by the counselling authority before you can proceed to choice filling. The merit list released by DGME contains details of 2,546 registered candidates, but not all of them may be eligible if they have not completed payment or document verification. Before attempting to fill choices, verify that you have completed all these steps and that your name appears on the official merit list.
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- Name must appear on the official merit list
- Registration fee must be paid
- Security deposit (security money) must be paid
- Documents must be successfully verified
- All requirements must be completed before choice filling begins
What information is included in the merit list?
The merit list released by the DGME for the stray vacancy round contains comprehensive candidate information to help you verify your eligibility and understand your standing. Each entry includes your roll number, full name, father's name, Uttar Pradesh category (such as General, OBC, SC, ST), subcategory details, your NEET UG marks, and your All India Rank (AIR).
This information is essential for understanding where you stand relative to other candidates and which seats you may be eligible for based on your category and rank. The merit list is arranged in order of merit, so candidates listed earlier have higher ranks and will have priority in choice filling. If your name is on the list, cross-check all details for accuracy before proceeding.
- Roll number
- Candidate name
- Father's name
- UP category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.)
- Subcategory details
- NEET UG marks obtained
- All India Rank (AIR)
How does the stray vacancy round differ from earlier counselling rounds?
Earlier counselling rounds (typically Round 1, Round 2, and Round 3) are conducted in sequence, with candidates filling choices and receiving allocations based on their rank and category. In each round, a large number of seats are filled. The stray vacancy round occurs after all earlier rounds are complete and only includes seats that remain vacant.
The key difference is that the stray vacancy round is the final opportunity—there are no further rounds after this. The number of seats is smaller (115 in this case), and competition may be less intense because fewer candidates are eligible. However, the seats available may be in less popular colleges or programmes, or in locations that candidates in earlier rounds did not prefer. Despite this, for candidates who did not secure seats earlier, the stray vacancy round is invaluable.
What should you do if your name is on the merit list?
If your name appears on the merit list and you have completed all payment and document verification requirements, your next step is to participate in online choice filling. During choice filling, you will be presented with the available seats in your category and will rank them in order of your preference. It is crucial to fill your choices carefully, considering factors such as college reputation, location, hostel facilities, and programme specialization.
Before choice filling begins, review the seat matrix thoroughly to understand which colleges have vacancies in your category. Prioritize colleges based on your preferences, but also be realistic about your rank and category—choose colleges where you have a genuine chance of allocation. Once choice filling closes, the DGME will process allocations based on your rank, category, and choice order. Candidates who receive allocations must report to their allotted college within the specified deadline to confirm admission.
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- Verify your name and details on the merit list
- Confirm payment of registration fee and security deposit
- Ensure your documents have been verified
- Review the seat matrix for available colleges and seats
- Fill your choices online in order of preference
- Submit your choices before the deadline
- Wait for allocation results
- Report to your allotted college within the deadline
What if your name is not on the merit list?
If your name does not appear on the merit list, it means you were not registered for the stray vacancy round or your registration was not processed successfully. This could happen if you did not complete the registration process, did not pay the required fees, or did not submit your documents for verification within the deadline.
In this situation, you should contact the DGME office or the counselling authority immediately to understand why you were not included. If there was an administrative error or if you missed the deadline due to circumstances beyond your control, you may be able to appeal or request inclusion in a supplementary list. However, if the stray vacancy round is the final round for the year, missing it means you will not be able to secure admission through NEET UG counselling for the 2026 academic year. It is essential to act quickly if you believe there has been an error.
Key dates and deadlines to remember
The DGME has released the seat matrix and merit list as of November 10, 2026. However, the specific dates for online choice filling, allocation result announcement, and reporting deadlines have not been mentioned in the official notification. You must check the DGME website or official counselling portal regularly for these critical dates.
Missing any deadline—whether for choice filling, reporting to college, or document submission—can result in forfeiture of your seat. Set reminders on your phone or calendar for all announced dates. If you are unsure about any deadline, contact the DGME office directly rather than risk missing it.
- Seat matrix and merit list released: November 10, 2026
- Online choice filling dates: To be announced by DGME
- Allocation result announcement: To be announced by DGME
- Reporting deadline to college: To be announced by DGME
- Check DGME website regularly for updates
Private vs. government seats: What you should know
Of the 115 seats available in the stray vacancy round, 104 are in private colleges and only 11 are in government colleges. This heavily skewed distribution means that most candidates will be allocated to private institutions if they receive a seat in this round. Private colleges typically charge higher fees than government colleges, so you should factor in the financial implications before filling your choices.
Government college seats are highly competitive because they offer lower fees and are considered more prestigious. If you are eligible for a government seat based on your rank and category, prioritize those colleges in your choice list. However, do not leave your choice list incomplete hoping only for government seats—include private colleges as backup options so that you have a realistic chance of allocation. Remember that securing admission to a private MBBS or BDS college is still a significant achievement and opens the same career pathways as a government college.
- Government seats: 11 (9.6% of total)
- Private seats: 104 (90.4% of total)
- Government colleges typically have lower fees
- Private colleges charge higher fees but are still valid options
- Include both government and private colleges in your choice list
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the stray vacancy round in NEET UG counselling?
The stray vacancy round is the final phase of NEET UG counselling conducted after earlier rounds. It includes seats that remain vacant because candidates declined offers, did not report to colleges, or other reasons. It is the last opportunity to secure admission for the academic year.
How many seats are available in the UP NEET 2026 stray vacancy round?
A total of 115 seats are available: 11 in government medical and dental colleges and 104 in private colleges. These seats are distributed across 52 institutional entries (39 medical colleges and 13 dental colleges).
Who is eligible to participate in the stray vacancy round?
Only candidates whose names appear on the official merit list are eligible. Additionally, you must have paid the registration fee and security deposit, and your documents must have been successfully verified by the counselling authority.
What information does the merit list contain?
The merit list includes your roll number, name, father's name, UP category, subcategory, NEET UG marks, and All India Rank (AIR). It contains details of 2,546 registered candidates for the stray vacancy round.
What should I do if my name is on the merit list?
Review the seat matrix to identify available colleges in your category, fill your choices online in order of preference, and submit before the deadline. After allocation, you must report to your allotted college within the specified timeframe to confirm admission.
What if my name is not on the merit list?
Contact the DGME office immediately to understand why. If there was an error, you may be able to appeal. However, if the stray vacancy round is the final round, missing it means you cannot secure admission through NEET UG counselling for 2026.
Are most seats in government or private colleges?
Most seats (104 out of 115) are in private colleges. Only 11 seats are in government institutions. Private colleges charge higher fees, so factor in the financial implications when filling your choices.
When will choice filling and allocation happen?
The seat matrix and merit list were released on November 10, 2026. The specific dates for choice filling, allocation results, and reporting deadlines have not been announced yet. Check the DGME website regularly for these critical dates.
If your name is on the merit list and you have completed all requirements, act immediately to review the seat matrix and prepare your choice list. Monitor the DGME website closely for the choice-filling dates and reporting deadlines—missing any deadline could cost you your seat. This is your final opportunity to secure admission through NEET UG counselling for 2026.
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