The Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME) in Uttar Pradesh has released detailed guidelines for the stray vacancy round of NEET UG 2026 counselling. This is the final phase of seat allocation under the state quota for MBBS and BDS programmes across government and private medical and dental colleges in UP. Registration began on 5 November 2026. If you did not receive a seat in any earlier counselling round, this round offers a last opportunity to secure admission to remaining vacant seats.
Only candidates who received no seat allocation in any previous counselling round are eligible for the stray vacancy round; you must pay a fresh ₹2,000 registration fee and the applicable security deposit based on your college choice.
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Unlock My College ListWho is eligible for the stray vacancy round?
The stray vacancy round is open exclusively to candidates who have not been allocated any seat during the first, second, or third round of counselling. If you participated in earlier rounds but did not receive a seat, you are eligible to apply now.
Candidates who were offered a seat in any previous round but failed to report to their allocated college, or who withdrew their seat after acceptance, are not eligible for this round. Similarly, if you have already secured admission through the regular counselling process, you cannot participate in the stray vacancy round.
Registration fee and payment requirements for stray vacancy round
All eligible candidates must complete a fresh registration and pay a non-refundable registration fee of ₹2,000 to participate in the stray vacancy round. This fee is separate from any fees paid during earlier counselling rounds and cannot be refunded under any circumstances.
If you registered in an earlier round but did not receive a seat allocation, and you have already paid the security deposit (security fee) at that time, you do not need to pay it again. However, if you are participating in the stray vacancy round for the first time, you must pay the security deposit as per the prescribed rules.
Security deposit amounts for government and private colleges
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The security deposit you must pay depends on the type of college and course you are choosing. These amounts are mandatory to be eligible for choice filling (the process of selecting your preferred college and course).
Candidates who fail to deposit the required security amount will not be permitted to participate in the choice-filling process and will lose their opportunity to secure a seat in this round.
| College Type & Course | Security Deposit Amount |
|---|---|
| Government medical or dental college | ₹30,000 |
| Private medical college | ₹2,00,000 |
| Private dental college | ₹1,00,000 |
Special rules for candidates switching from BDS to MBBS
If you secured admission to a BDS (dental) programme in an earlier counselling round and now wish to apply for an MBBS (medical) seat in the stray vacancy round, you are permitted to do so. However, you must ensure that you deposit the appropriate security amount for MBBS before participating in the choice-filling process.
The security deposit for MBBS is higher than for BDS because medical programmes typically have higher fees. You must deposit this amount online through the official portal to remain eligible for seat allocation.
How to deposit security amount and choose nodal centre
All security deposits must be paid online through the official UP NEET portal. When registering, you must select a nodal centre where your documents will be verified online. The list of available nodal centres is provided in the official UP NEET UG 2026 brochure.
It is important to use your own bank account when depositing the security amount. After the round concludes, the security deposit will be refunded to the same bank account from which it was paid, following the prescribed rules. Candidates who do not receive a seat allocation and those who are admitted will both receive refunds as per regulations.
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Refund policy for security deposits and registration fees
The ₹2,000 registration fee is non-refundable under all circumstances, regardless of whether you receive a seat or not. This is a one-time charge to participate in the stray vacancy round.
The security deposit, however, is refundable. If you do not receive a seat allocation in the stray vacancy round, your security deposit will be returned to your bank account. Similarly, if you are allocated a seat but later withdraw, the deposit will be refunded as per the rules. Ensure you use your personal bank account for all payments so that refunds reach you directly.
Timeline and next steps for stray vacancy round
Registration for the stray vacancy round began on 5 November 2026 at 11:00 AM. You must complete your registration, pay the ₹2,000 fee, and deposit the required security amount within the specified deadline to remain eligible.
After registration and payment, you will proceed to the choice-filling stage, where you select your preferred colleges and courses. The final seat allocation will be based on your choices, merit rank, and availability of seats. Monitor the official UP NEET portal regularly for updates on deadlines and result announcements.
Why the stray vacancy round matters for your MBBS/BDS admission
The stray vacancy round is your final opportunity to secure a seat under the state quota if you were not allocated one in earlier rounds. Many candidates withdraw after receiving their first choice, creating vacancies that are filled in this round. Your chances depend on the number of seats available and how many candidates apply.
This round is particularly valuable because it includes seats from both government and private colleges. Government college seats come with lower fees and higher prestige, while private college seats offer more flexibility. By participating, you maximize your chances of admission to a medical or dental programme in Uttar Pradesh.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Am I eligible for the UP NEET UG stray vacancy round if I did not get a seat in earlier rounds?
Yes, you are eligible if you participated in the first, second, or third counselling round but were not allocated any seat. However, if you were offered a seat and either failed to report or withdrew after acceptance, you are not eligible. Only candidates with zero seat allocation in all previous rounds can apply.
What is the registration fee for the stray vacancy round, and is it refundable?
The registration fee is ₹2,000, and it is non-refundable under all circumstances. This is a separate fee from any amount you may have paid in earlier counselling rounds. You must pay this fee to participate in the stray vacancy round.
Do I need to pay the security deposit again if I already paid it in an earlier round?
If you registered in an earlier round, did not receive a seat, and already paid the security deposit, you do not need to pay it again for the stray vacancy round. However, if you are participating in the stray vacancy round for the first time, you must pay the security deposit as per the prescribed amounts for your chosen college type.
What are the security deposit amounts for government and private medical colleges?
For government medical or dental colleges, the security deposit is ₹30,000. For private medical colleges, it is ₹2,00,000. For private dental colleges, it is ₹1,00,000. These amounts must be deposited online before you can participate in choice filling.
Can I switch from BDS to MBBS in the stray vacancy round?
Yes, if you secured a BDS seat in an earlier round, you can apply for MBBS in the stray vacancy round. However, you must deposit the appropriate security amount for MBBS (₹30,000 for government or ₹2,00,000 for private) before participating in choice filling.
Will my security deposit be refunded if I do not get a seat in the stray vacancy round?
Yes, the security deposit is refundable. If you do not receive a seat allocation or if you withdraw after being allocated a seat, your security deposit will be returned to the same bank account from which you paid it, as per the prescribed rules. The ₹2,000 registration fee, however, is not refundable.
What happens if I do not deposit the security amount before choice filling?
If you fail to deposit the required security amount, you will not be eligible to participate in the choice-filling process. This means you cannot select your preferred colleges and courses, and you will lose your opportunity to secure a seat in the stray vacancy round.
When did registration for the stray vacancy round begin?
Registration for the UP NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy round began on 5 November 2026 at 11:00 AM. You must complete your registration, pay the ₹2,000 fee, and deposit the security amount within the specified deadline to remain eligible.
If you did not receive a seat in earlier counselling rounds, register immediately for the stray vacancy round on the official UP NEET portal. Ensure you pay both the ₹2,000 registration fee and the applicable security deposit before the deadline to remain eligible for choice filling. Monitor the portal regularly for updates on seat allocation results.
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