The Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME) in Uttar Pradesh has released the schedule for the stray vacancy round of NEET UG counselling 2026. This round offers a final opportunity for candidates to secure a medical or dental seat if they were not allocated one in the first three rounds, or if they wish to upgrade their college choice. Importantly, candidates who have already been admitted after the first, second, or third round now have a narrow window to withdraw their seat if they wish to participate in this stray round or pursue other options.
If you were admitted in rounds 1–3 of UP NEET UG counselling 2026, you must resign your seat by November 4, 5 PM to be eligible for the stray vacancy round; registration for the stray round opens November 5, 11 AM and closes November 7, 11 AM.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the stray vacancy round and who can apply?
The stray vacancy round is a special counselling phase designed to fill remaining seats in medical and dental colleges after the main three rounds of seat allocation are complete. These vacancies arise when candidates decline their allocated seats, withdraw from counselling, or when colleges have unfilled positions.
Any NEET UG 2026 candidate who has not yet been admitted to a medical or dental college in Uttar Pradesh can apply for the stray round. This includes candidates who did not participate in the first three rounds, those who were not allocated a seat despite registering, and those who wish to change their college choice by resigning their current seat.
Key dates for UP NEET UG stray vacancy round 2026
The DGME has announced a clear timeline for the stray vacancy round to ensure smooth processing and fair allocation. Candidates must adhere strictly to these dates, as late submissions will not be accepted.
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- Resignation deadline for admitted candidates: November 4, 2026, 5:00 PM
- Stray vacancy round registration and document upload: November 5, 2026, 11:00 AM to November 7, 2026, 11:00 AM
- Seat allocation result: To be announced (exact date not yet specified in the notification)
Should you resign your seat to participate in the stray round?
If you have already been admitted to a medical or dental college in UP after rounds 1–3, resigning your seat is a significant decision that requires careful thought. The stray round offers fewer seats and is more competitive, so there is a real risk of not securing admission at all if you resign.
Consider resigning only if: (1) you are unhappy with your current college choice and believe a better option will be available in the stray round, (2) you have strong evidence that seats in your preferred college will be released, or (3) you are willing to accept the risk of not being allocated a seat. If you are satisfied with your current allocation, it is generally safer to retain your seat.
How to register for the stray vacancy round
Registration for the stray vacancy round will open on November 5 at 11:00 AM on the official DGME counselling portal. You will need to log in using your NEET UG registration credentials and fill in your choice of colleges and courses.
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During the registration window (November 5–7, 11:00 AM), you must also upload all required documents such as your NEET scorecard, 10+2 mark sheet, caste certificate (if applicable), and any other documents specified by DGME. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered for seat allocation.
What happens after registration closes?
Once the registration and document upload window closes on November 7 at 11:00 AM, the DGME will process all applications and conduct the seat allocation algorithm based on your merit rank, category, and college preferences. The exact date of the seat allocation result has not yet been announced, but candidates should monitor the official DGME website regularly for updates.
After the result is declared, admitted candidates will be required to report to their allocated college for document verification and final admission formalities within a specified timeframe. Failure to report on time may result in forfeiture of your seat.
Important points to remember
The stray vacancy round is the final opportunity to secure a seat in UP medical or dental colleges under NEET UG 2026. After this round, any remaining vacancies may be filled through management quota or other institutional processes, which typically do not follow the NEET merit-based system.
If you resign your seat to participate in the stray round, you will lose your current admission. There is no guarantee of a seat in the stray round, so weigh the risks carefully. Additionally, ensure that you meet all eligibility criteria and have all required documents ready before the registration deadline.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the deadline to resign my seat if I was admitted in rounds 1–3?
The resignation deadline is November 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM. After this time, you will not be able to withdraw your seat and will remain admitted to your allocated college.
When does registration for the stray vacancy round open and close?
Registration opens on November 5, 2026, at 11:00 AM and closes on November 7, 2026, at 11:00 AM. You must complete registration and upload all required documents within this window.
Can I apply for the stray vacancy round if I was not admitted in the first three rounds?
Yes. Any candidate who was not allocated a seat in rounds 1–3 can apply for the stray vacancy round. You do not need to resign a seat to be eligible; you simply need to register during the specified window.
What documents do I need to upload for the stray vacancy round?
You will need to upload your NEET scorecard, 10+2 mark sheet, caste certificate (if applicable), and any other documents specified by DGME in the official notification. Check the DGME website for the complete list of required documents.
Is it safe to resign my seat to participate in the stray round?
Resigning carries risk. The stray round has fewer seats and is more competitive. Only resign if you are confident that a better college option will be available or if you are willing to accept the possibility of not being allocated a seat at all. If you are satisfied with your current allocation, it is generally safer to keep your seat.
When will the stray vacancy round seat allocation result be announced?
The exact date of the result has not been announced yet. Candidates should regularly check the official DGME website for updates on the result declaration date.
What happens if I don't report to my allocated college after the stray round result?
If you fail to report within the specified timeframe after the result is declared, your seat will be forfeited and you will lose your admission. Always ensure you report on time for document verification and final admission formalities.
Can I change my college choice in the stray round if I already have a seat?
Yes, but only if you resign your current seat before the November 4, 5 PM deadline. Once you resign, you can apply for the stray round and list your preferred colleges. However, there is no guarantee you will be allocated a seat.
If you are currently admitted to a UP medical or dental college, carefully evaluate whether resigning for the stray round is worth the risk. If you were not admitted in rounds 1–3, mark November 5–7 on your calendar and ensure all your documents are ready to upload. Monitor the official DGME website closely for the seat allocation result and any further updates.
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