The West Bengal Medical Counselling Committee has announced the official schedule for Round 3 and the Online Stray Vacancy Round of NEET UG counselling 2026. These are critical phases for candidates who are still seeking admission to undergraduate medical and dental programmes in West Bengal. If you have qualified NEET UG 2026 and are participating in West Bengal's counselling process, understanding these dates and deadlines is essential to secure your seat. The stray vacancy round, in particular, offers a final opportunity for eligible candidates to find available seats across colleges.
Round 3 reporting runs October 13–15, 2026; stray vacancy registration opens October 16, with allotment results on October 23, 2026.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is Round 3 and when do you need to report?
Round 3 is the third and typically final main counselling phase in West Bengal's NEET UG admission process. During this round, candidates who have been allotted seats in the previous rounds and wish to upgrade, as well as those receiving their first allotment, must report to their assigned college with original documents, proof of fee payment, and a bond.
The reporting window for Round 3 is October 13 to 15, 2026, between 10 AM and 4 PM (server time). This is a strict deadline—candidates must complete physical document verification and admission formalities within this period. If you have been upgraded to a better college, you must first obtain a server-generated relieving letter from your previous college before reporting to the new one. Private medical college admissions will be processed at designated government medical colleges in Kolkata, while private dental college admissions will occur at Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College.
Understanding the Online Stray Vacancy Round for NEET UG
The Online Stray Vacancy Round is a supplementary counselling phase designed to fill any remaining vacant seats across colleges after the main rounds conclude. This round is open to all NEET UG 2026 qualified candidates, regardless of whether they participated in earlier rounds or were allotted seats. It is often the last chance to secure admission if you have not yet been placed.
The stray vacancy round operates on a compressed timeline. Registration begins on October 16, 2026, from 11 AM to 8 PM, and candidates must also complete online fee payment on the same day between 11 AM and midnight. After successful registration and payment, the system will automatically verify your eligibility at your designated college and time slot (this verification does not apply to NRI candidates). The list of verified candidates and the available seat matrix will be published on October 17 after 5 PM.
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Once you are verified as eligible, you will be able to fill and lock your college and course choices. This choice-filling window opens at 6 PM on October 17, 2026, and closes at 10 AM on October 18, 2026. You must select your preferred colleges in order of priority during this window. After the deadline, no changes to your choices are permitted.
The allotment result for the stray vacancy round will be published by 12 noon on October 23, 2026. Candidates who receive an allotment must then report to their assigned college between October 23 and 26, 2026, from 10 AM to 4 PM (with reporting also available from 2 PM to 6 PM on October 23). As with Round 3, you must bring original documents, proof of fee payment, and a bond for final admission.
How to register for the Online Stray Vacancy Round
Registration for the stray vacancy round is straightforward and conducted entirely online through the West Bengal Medical Counselling Committee's official portal. You will need your NEET UG 2026 registration credentials to log in. The process involves filling out an application form, submitting the required fee, and confirming your submission.
Step-by-step, you should visit the official WBMCC website, locate the Online Stray Vacancy Registration link, log in with your credentials, complete the application form with accurate information, submit the registration fee online, and then save and submit your application. Ensure all details are correct before submission, as corrections may not be possible after the deadline. Keep your confirmation receipt for future reference.
- Visit the official WBMCC website (wbmcc.nic.in)
- Click on the Online Stray Vacancy Registration link
- Log in using your NEET UG 2026 credentials
- Fill out the application form completely and accurately
- Submit the required registration fee online
- Save your confirmation receipt and reference number
Important points for private medical and dental college admissions
If you are allotted a seat in a private medical college during Round 3 or the stray vacancy round, your admission process will not take place at the private college itself. Instead, all private medical college admissions are centralized and conducted at designated government medical colleges in Kolkata. This arrangement ensures transparency and standardized verification procedures. Similarly, all private dental college admissions are processed at Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College.
This centralized approach means you should report to the designated government college or Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College on the specified dates, not directly to your allotted private college. The West Bengal Medical Counselling Committee has published detailed notices on its website specifying which government college handles admissions for which private medical colleges, so check the official website to confirm your reporting location.
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What happens if you are upgraded during Round 3?
Upgrading occurs when a candidate who was allotted a seat in an earlier round receives an allotment to a better-ranked or preferred college in Round 3. If you are upgraded, you must follow a specific procedure before reporting to your new college. First, you must obtain a server-generated relieving letter from your previous college, which confirms that you are leaving that seat. You must also collect any documents and fees you submitted to the previous college.
Only after obtaining the relieving letter should you proceed to report to your newly allotted college with all original documents, the relieving letter, the new college fee, and a bond. This process ensures that your previous seat is properly released for other candidates and that there is no administrative confusion. Do not delay in obtaining the relieving letter, as the Round 3 reporting window is only three days long.
Key dates summary for West Bengal NEET UG counselling 2026
To help you stay organized, here is a consolidated summary of all critical dates for Round 3 and the stray vacancy round. Mark these on your calendar and set reminders to ensure you do not miss any deadline.
- October 13–15, 2026: Round 3 reporting and admission (10 AM–4 PM)
- October 16, 2026: Stray vacancy online registration (11 AM–8 PM) and fee payment (11 AM–midnight)
- October 17, 2026: Candidate verification (9 AM–4 PM) and publication of verified list and seat matrix (after 5 PM)
- October 17–18, 2026: Online choice filling and locking (6 PM Oct 17 to 10 AM Oct 18)
- October 23, 2026: Stray vacancy allotment result publication (by 12 noon)
- October 23–26, 2026: Stray vacancy reporting and admission (10 AM–4 PM; also 2 PM–6 PM on Oct 23)
Why the stray vacancy round matters for your MBBS or BDS admission
The stray vacancy round is often overlooked by candidates, but it can be a game-changer. If you did not receive an allotment in earlier rounds, or if you were allotted a college far from home or with a course you did not prefer, the stray vacancy round gives you a second chance. Seats that remain vacant after Round 3 are released into this pool, and competition is typically lower because fewer candidates participate.
Additionally, if you are an NRI candidate or have special circumstances, the stray vacancy round may offer more flexibility. Even if you received an allotment in Round 3 but are unhappy with it, you can choose not to report and instead participate in the stray vacancy round to seek a better option. However, be aware that if you do not report in Round 3, your Round 3 seat will be forfeited, and you will have to compete afresh in the stray vacancy round.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the deadline for Round 3 reporting in West Bengal NEET UG counselling 2026?
The Round 3 reporting and admission deadline is October 13 to 15, 2026, between 10 AM and 4 PM (server time). You must complete physical document verification and admission formalities within this window. Missing this deadline means you will forfeit your Round 3 allotment and can only participate in the stray vacancy round if eligible.
When does the Online Stray Vacancy Round registration begin and end?
Online registration for the stray vacancy round begins on October 16, 2026, at 11 AM and closes at 8 PM the same day. You must also complete online fee payment on October 16 between 11 AM and midnight. Registration is conducted entirely online through the WBMCC portal.
When will the stray vacancy allotment result be announced?
The allotment result for the Online Stray Vacancy Round will be published by 12 noon on October 23, 2026. Candidates who receive an allotment must then report to their assigned college between October 23 and 26, 2026, during the specified reporting hours.
What should I do if I am upgraded to a better college in Round 3?
If you are upgraded in Round 3, you must first obtain a server-generated relieving letter from your previous college before reporting to your new college. This letter confirms that you are leaving your previous seat. Collect all your documents and fees from the previous college, then report to the new college with the relieving letter, original documents, new college fee, and bond within the Round 3 reporting window.
Where do I report if I am allotted a seat in a private medical college?
If you are allotted a private medical college seat, you do not report directly to the private college. Instead, you report to a designated government medical college in Kolkata where the admission process is centralized. Similarly, private dental college admissions are processed at Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College. Check the WBMCC website for the specific government college assigned to your private college.
Can I participate in the stray vacancy round if I already received an allotment in Round 3?
Technically, you can choose not to report in Round 3 and instead participate in the stray vacancy round. However, if you do not report in Round 3, your Round 3 allotment will be forfeited, and you will have to compete afresh in the stray vacancy round. This is a risky strategy unless you are confident of getting a better seat in the stray round. If you report in Round 3, you cannot participate in the stray vacancy round.
What documents do I need to bring when reporting for admission?
When reporting for admission in either Round 3 or the stray vacancy round, bring all original documents (as specified by the college), proof of fee payment, a bond (as required by the college), and any server-generated relieving letter if you are upgrading. Physical document verification is mandatory before final admission.
Is the stray vacancy round open to NRI candidates?
Yes, the stray vacancy round is open to NRI candidates. However, NRI candidates are exempt from the automatic college-based verification process that applies to other candidates. NRI candidates should check the specific notices published by WBMCC for any additional requirements or procedures.
Mark all these dates on your calendar and set reminders to avoid missing critical deadlines. If you have any doubts about your eligibility or the process, visit the official WBMCC website (wbmcc.nic.in) or contact the committee directly before the deadlines pass.
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