Uttarakhand NEET UG 2026 Stray Round Counselling: Dates, Fees & Documents

Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Uttarakhand Medical Education University (HNBUMU) has announced the Stray Round of counselling for NEET UG 2026 MBBS and BDS admissions in Uttarakhand. This is the final opportunity for eligible candidates who did not receive a seat in the first, second, or third counselling rounds, or who wish to change their chosen college or course. The Stray Round operates entirely online, and candidates must register, pay fees, and submit their choice of colleges within strict deadlines. This notice contains all eligibility rules, required documents, fees, and the complete step-by-step application process.

Who is eligible for Stray Round?

The Stray Round is open to two categories of candidates:

First, candidates who participated in the first, second, or third counselling rounds but did not receive any seat allotment. If you went through all three rounds and remained unallocated, you can now apply in Stray Round.

Second, candidates who did not register in any of the first three rounds but wish to participate in Stray Round for the first time. If you missed the earlier rounds entirely, this is your opportunity to enter the counselling process.

Important: If you have already secured admission to a seat in any of the first three rounds and completed the admission process on time, you are NOT eligible for Stray Round. Similarly, if you secured a seat through the central counselling conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MCC), Government of India, you cannot participate in Stray Round. Additionally, if you were allotted a seat in the third round but did not take admission, you are ineligible for Stray Round.

• Participated in rounds 1, 2, or 3 but received no seat
• Did not register in rounds 1, 2, or 3 and want to participate now
• NOT eligible if you already secured and confirmed admission in any earlier round
• NOT eligible if you secured a seat through central (MCC) counselling
• NOT eligible if you were allotted a seat in round 3 but did not take admission

Important dates and deadlines

The notice does not explicitly state the opening and closing dates for Stray Round registration and choice filling. However, it emphasizes that all deadlines are strict and must be followed. Candidates are advised to visit the official website www.hnbumu.ac.in regularly to check for the exact schedule once it is announced.

Once the schedule is published, you must complete registration, fee payment, and choice filling within the specified window. After the deadline closes, no further registrations or choice submissions will be accepted, and you will not be eligible for seat allotment.

• Check www.hnbumu.ac.in for exact opening and closing dates
• All dates are strict; no extensions will be granted
• Registration, fee payment, and choice filling must be completed within the announced window
• After the deadline, no changes or new registrations are possible

Registration fee and payment method

To participate in Stray Round, you must pay a registration fee of ₹4,500. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid online only.

Payment must be made through online banking methods only: Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking. No other payment method (cash, cheque, demand draft, etc.) is accepted. You will pay this fee during the online registration process on the university website.

If you already paid the registration fee and caution money (security deposit) in any of the first three rounds, you do NOT need to pay the caution money again for Stray Round. However, you must pay the registration fee of ₹4,500 again for Stray Round. If you did not pay both the registration fee and caution money in earlier rounds, you must pay both now to be eligible for Stray Round.

• Registration fee: ₹4,500 (non-refundable)
• Payment method: Online only (Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking)
• If you paid fees in rounds 1–3: Pay ₹4,500 again; do NOT pay caution money again
• If you did NOT pay fees in rounds 1–3: Pay both registration fee (₹4,500) and caution money

Step-by-step application process

The Stray Round application is entirely online. Follow these steps carefully to ensure your application is accepted and you are eligible for seat allotment.

Step 1: Visit the official website www.hnbumu.ac.in and log in using your registered ID (the same ID you used in earlier rounds, if applicable).

Step 2: Complete your registration or re-registration as instructed. If you participated in earlier rounds, you will need to re-register for Stray Round and pay the registration fee again. If you are registering for the first time, complete the full registration process.

Step 3: Pay the registration fee of ₹4,500 online using your Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking.

Step 4: After payment, fill out the online application form with all required information and upload any new choice of colleges if you wish to change your earlier selection.

Step 5: Fill in your choice of colleges (choices) in order of preference. You can select as many colleges and seats as you wish from the available options for your chosen quota (State Quota or All-India-Open Quota).

Step 6: Submit (LOCK) your choices. This is critical—if you do not click the LOCK button, your choices will be automatically submitted by the system after the deadline, and you will have no control over what was submitted.

Step 7: Print and save a copy of your completed application form for your records. This printout will be your proof of application and may be needed for future reference or disputes.

Step 8: After the choice-filling deadline, the counselling board will process all applications and allot seats based on merit, eligibility, and your choice preferences.

• Log in to www.hnbumu.ac.in with your registered ID
• Complete registration or re-registration as required
• Pay ₹4,500 registration fee online
• Fill the online application form with all details
• Select your choice of colleges in order of preference
• LOCK (submit) your choices before the deadline
• Print and save your application form
• Do not attempt to change choices after LOCK—it is not allowed

Choice filling: What you must know

Choice filling is the process by which you tell the counselling board which colleges and seats you are interested in. Your choices are ranked in order of preference—the board will try to allot you your first choice, then your second choice, and so on, based on your merit and eligibility.

You can select as many colleges and seats as you wish. There is no limit on the number of choices you can make. However, you must select only from the colleges and seats available under your chosen quota (State Quota or All-India-Open Quota).

Once you have filled all your choices, you must click the LOCK button to submit them. This is mandatory. If you do not LOCK your choices before the deadline, the system will automatically submit whatever choices you have filled, and you will have no further control. After LOCK, you cannot make any changes to your choices under any circumstances.

If you wish to change your quota (for example, from State Quota to All-India-Open Quota), you can do so by filling a new choice form with the new quota option. However, if you had paid a caution money for your earlier quota choice, you may need to pay additional caution money for the new quota, or you may receive a refund if the new quota requires less caution money. This will be adjusted after all counselling rounds are complete.

• Rank your choices in order of preference
• You can select unlimited colleges and seats
• Select only from your chosen quota (State or All-India-Open)
• LOCK your choices before the deadline—this is mandatory
• After LOCK, no changes are allowed
• If you change quota, fill a new choice form
• Caution money adjustments will be made after all rounds

Documents required for Stray Round

If you are participating in Stray Round and claiming any reservation (caste, category, or economically weaker section), you must have valid certificates issued by the competent authority. These certificates must be issued BEFORE the online application deadline for Stray Round. Any certificate issued after the deadline will NOT be accepted.

Residence Certificate (Domicile Certificate): If you are claiming Uttarakhand State Quota seats, you must have a valid Residence Certificate or Domicile Certificate issued by the Uttarakhand Government. This proves you are a permanent resident of Uttarakhand.

Caste Certificate (OBC/SC/ST): If you are claiming a caste-based reservation, you must have a valid caste certificate issued by the competent authority of Uttarakhand Government. The certificate must clearly state your caste and sub-caste (if applicable).

OBC Certificate validity: OBC certificates are valid for only 3 years from the date of issue. If your OBC certificate was issued more than 3 years ago, it is no longer valid and you cannot claim OBC reservation. You must obtain a fresh certificate.

Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Certificate: If you are claiming EWS reservation, you must have a valid EWS certificate issued by the Uttarakhand Government as per the prescribed rules and notifications.

Dependent of Ex-Serviceman (DPW) Certificate: If you are claiming reservation as a dependent of an ex-serviceman, you must have a valid certificate issued by the competent authority. This applies only to dependents of ex-servicemen who are permanent residents of Uttarakhand and meet the specific criteria (e.g., wards of ex-servicemen, wards of war widows, etc.). Current serving military personnel and their dependents are NOT eligible for this category.

Disability Certificate: If you are claiming disability-based reservation, you must have a certificate issued by the National Medical Board (NMB) as designated by the Government of India. No other disability certificate will be accepted.

All certificates must be in the name of the candidate only. Certificates issued in the name of a parent or guardian are not valid. If any certificate is invalid or missing, you will lose your reservation benefit and your seat may be cancelled.

• All certificates must be issued BEFORE the Stray Round application deadline
• Residence/Domicile Certificate (for Uttarakhand State Quota)
• Caste Certificate (OBC/SC/ST) with caste and sub-caste clearly mentioned
• OBC certificates valid for 3 years only from date of issue
• EWS Certificate (as per Uttarakhand Government rules)
• Dependent of Ex-Serviceman (DPW) Certificate (for eligible dependents only)
• Disability Certificate from National Medical Board only
• All certificates must be in candidate's name only
• Certificates issued after the deadline will NOT be accepted

Reservation and quota rules

Uttarakhand State Counselling offers seats under two quotas: State Quota (for Uttarakhand residents) and All-India-Open Quota (for candidates from any state). The number of seats available under each quota and category is listed in the seat matrix on the university website.

State Quota Seats: These seats are reserved for candidates who are permanent residents of Uttarakhand. To claim State Quota, you must have a valid Residence Certificate or Domicile Certificate issued by the Uttarakhand Government.

All-India-Open Quota: These seats are open to candidates from any state in India. You do not need a Residence Certificate to apply for All-India-Open Quota seats.

Reservation Categories: Within both quotas, seats are reserved for different categories: SC (Scheduled Caste), ST (Scheduled Tribe), OBC (Other Backward Class), EWS (Economically Weaker Section), and General. The exact number of reserved seats in each category is shown in the seat matrix.

Vertical Reservation (Caste-based): If you belong to SC, ST, or OBC category, you are eligible for vertical reservation within your quota. This means you can compete for seats reserved for your category.

Horizontal Reservation (Disability): If you have a disability, you are eligible for horizontal reservation across all categories. This means you can claim disability reservation in addition to your caste category.

Dependent of Ex-Serviceman (DPW) Reservation: This is a special category for dependents of ex-servicemen who are permanent residents of Uttarakhand. Only the following are eligible: (a) dependents of ex-servicemen, (b) dependents of war widows, and (c) wards of soldiers who died in war. Current serving military personnel and their dependents are NOT eligible. Paramilitary forces personnel and their dependents are also NOT eligible.

EWS Reservation: Economically Weaker Section reservation is available to candidates from the General category whose family income is below the prescribed limit, as per Uttarakhand Government rules.

If no eligible candidate is available for a reserved seat, that seat will be converted to the General category and filled accordingly.

• State Quota: For Uttarakhand residents only (requires Residence Certificate)
• All-India-Open Quota: For candidates from any state
• SC/ST/OBC: Vertical reservation within your quota
• EWS: For General category candidates with low family income
• Disability: Horizontal reservation across all categories (NMB certificate required)
• DPW: For dependents of ex-servicemen (Uttarakhand residents only)
• Current military and paramilitary personnel NOT eligible for DPW
• Unfilled reserved seats converted to General category

Seat allotment and admission process

After the choice-filling deadline, the counselling board will process all applications and allot seats based on your merit (NEET score), eligibility, and your choice preferences. The seat allotment list will be published on the university website.

Once your name appears in the allotment list, you must report in person to the allotted college with all your original documents (mark sheets, certificates, etc.) within the specified time period. You must complete the admission process and secure your admission by submitting all required documents.

If you do not report to the college or do not complete the admission process within the deadline, your seat will be cancelled and you will be debarred from further counselling rounds. Your caution money will also be forfeited.

Detailed instructions for the admission process (documents to submit, reporting date, time, etc.) will be provided on the university website after the seat allotment list is published.

• Seat allotment based on merit, eligibility, and your choices
• Allotment list published on www.hnbumu.ac.in
• Report in person to allotted college with original documents
• Complete admission process within the deadline
• Failure to report results in seat cancellation and caution money forfeiture
• Detailed admission instructions will be provided separately

Important traps and common mistakes to avoid

Trap 1: Not locking your choices. If you fill your choices but do not click the LOCK button before the deadline, the system will automatically submit whatever you have filled. You will have no control over what was submitted, and you cannot change it later. Always click LOCK to confirm your choices.

Trap 2: Submitting invalid or expired certificates. If your caste certificate, OBC certificate, or any other reservation certificate is invalid or expired, you will lose your reservation benefit. OBC certificates are valid for only 3 years. Check the validity of all your certificates before submitting your application.

Trap 3: Certificates issued after the deadline. Any certificate issued after the Stray Round application deadline will NOT be accepted. Ensure all your certificates are issued BEFORE the deadline.

Trap 4: Certificates in the wrong name. Certificates must be in your name only. Certificates issued in your parent's or guardian's name are not valid.

Trap 5: Not paying the registration fee. If you do not pay the ₹4,500 registration fee, your application will not be processed and you will not be eligible for seat allotment.

Trap 6: Paying by wrong method. The registration fee must be paid online only (Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking). Cash, cheque, or demand draft payments are not accepted.

Trap 7: Missing the deadline. All registrations, fee payments, and choice submissions must be completed by the announced deadline. After the deadline, no new applications or changes will be accepted.

Trap 8: Not reporting for admission. If you are allotted a seat but do not report to the college within the specified time, your seat will be cancelled and your caution money will be forfeited. You will also be debarred from further counselling.

Trap 9: Changing your choice after LOCK. Once you have locked your choices, you cannot change them under any circumstances. If you wish to change your quota or college preference, you must fill a new choice form before the deadline.

Trap 10: Assuming your earlier choice is still valid. If you participated in earlier rounds, your choices from those rounds are automatically cancelled for Stray Round. You must fill a new choice form for Stray Round.

• ⚠️ Always LOCK your choices—do not rely on automatic submission
• ⚠️ Check certificate validity before applying (OBC valid 3 years only)
• ⚠️ All certificates must be issued BEFORE the deadline
• ⚠️ Certificates must be in your name only
• ⚠️ Registration fee ₹4,500 is mandatory
• ⚠️ Pay online only—no cash, cheque, or DD accepted
• ⚠️ Do not miss the deadline—no extensions granted
• ⚠️ Report to college on time or lose your seat
• ⚠️ No changes allowed after LOCK
• ⚠️ Earlier round choices are automatically cancelled

Fee structure and caution money

Each college participating in the counselling has published its detailed fee structure on the university website. This includes tuition fees, hostel fees, bond amounts, and other charges. Before you select a college in your choices, you must review the fee structure of that college carefully.

The notice emphasizes that you are responsible for verifying all fee details, hostel rules, seat recognition status, and other information directly with the college. The university and counselling board are not responsible if you face any issues after admission due to incorrect fee information or college policies.

Caution Money (Security Deposit): In addition to the registration fee, you may be required to pay a caution money (security deposit) to the college after admission. The amount varies by college and course. If you are changing your quota or college choice in Stray Round, your caution money may need to be adjusted. If you paid more caution money than required for your new choice, you will receive a refund after all counselling rounds are complete. If you paid less, you must pay the additional amount.

• Review detailed fee structure on university website before choosing colleges
• You are responsible for verifying all fees and college policies
• Caution money (security deposit) is separate from registration fee
• Caution money amount varies by college
• If changing quota/college, caution money will be adjusted
• Excess caution money refunded after all rounds complete
• Shortfall in caution money must be paid by you

Special provisions and NRI seats

As per Uttarakhand Government notifications dated 19 August 2026, 24 August 2026, and 27 August 2026, 15% of seats in the following colleges are earmarked for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs):

• Shri Guru Ram Rai Medical Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun

• Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun

• Gautam Buddha Chiktsa Mahavidayalaya, Dehradun

These NRI seats are filled separately and are not part of the regular counselling process. If you are an NRI candidate, you may be eligible for these seats under specific criteria. Contact the respective colleges directly for NRI seat eligibility and application procedures.

• 15% seats reserved for NRIs in three Uttarakhand colleges
• NRI seats filled separately from regular counselling
• Contact colleges directly for NRI eligibility criteria
• NRI seats not available through this Stray Round process

Frequently asked questions

Visit www.hnbumu.ac.in immediately to check for the exact Stray Round schedule and opening date. Prepare all your required documents (Residence Certificate, caste certificate, etc.) and ensure they are valid and issued before the deadline. On the opening date, log in to the portal, complete registration, pay the ₹4,500 fee online, fill your choice of colleges carefully, and LOCK your choices before the deadline. Do not miss this final opportunity—if you do not complete all steps by the deadline, you will not be eligible for seat allotment.