The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has commenced registration for the NEET UG Counselling 2026 Stray Vacancy Round, providing another opportunity for eligible candidates seeking admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses. Candidates aspiring to secure MBBS and BDS seats through the centralised counselling process must complete registration and fee payment within the prescribed deadline.

The registration start date was revised to October 13, 2026, through a subsequent notice, following an earlier schedule that listed October 12 as the opening date. The registration window is scheduled to close on October 14, 2026, with the choice-filling process continuing until October 15, according to the published schedule. Candidates should check the latest official instructions for the applicable closing times.

The Stray Vacancy Round is an important stage of the admission process because it aims to fill medical and dental seats that remain vacant after the earlier counselling rounds. Candidates who have not secured admission may be able to participate, subject to the applicable eligibility conditions and restrictions.

MCC conducts this counselling process for designated All India Quota seats and participating central and deemed institutions, among other specified institutions. State quota vacancies are handled separately by the respective state counselling authorities.

MCC NEET UG Stray Vacancy Round 2026: Important Dates

Candidates should keep track of the following dates while completing the final round of undergraduate medical counselling.

Important: The dates above reflect the published schedule and the subsequent registration-start notice. Candidates should verify whether any further revisions have been issued before acting on the deadlines.

What Is the NEET UG Stray Vacancy Round?

The Stray Vacancy Round is conducted to fill eligible MBBS and BDS seats that remain unoccupied after the preceding rounds of counselling.

During the admission cycle, seats may remain vacant because of non-joining, withdrawals where permitted, changes in candidate eligibility or other circumstances governed by the counselling rules. The stray round provides a mechanism for allocating eligible remaining seats in accordance with the applicable merit and allotment procedures.

For candidates who have not secured a seat in earlier rounds, this stage can be an important opportunity to pursue medical or dental admission. However, participation is not automatically available to every NEET UG candidate. Applicants must satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements and restrictions governing the final round.

Candidates should also understand that registration does not guarantee a seat. The outcome depends on factors including merit position, eligibility, the available seat matrix, the preferences submitted and the choices of other eligible candidates.

Which Seats Are Covered Under MCC Stray Vacancy Counselling?

MCC's undergraduate counselling covers specified categories of medical and dental seats across participating institutions.

The Stray Vacancy Round includes eligible seats under the following broad categories, subject to the notified counselling rules:

• 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats in participating government medical and dental colleges.

• Deemed universities, including the applicable undergraduate medical and dental seats.

• Central universities and participating institutions, including the designated seats covered by the centralised counselling process.

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and JIPMER institutions, for the seats included in the applicable counselling schedule.

• Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, in accordance with the specific admission procedure and eligibility requirements applicable to its seats.

The precise coverage depends on the official seat matrix and the applicable institutional admission rules.

Candidates should note that state quota seats are generally filled through the relevant state counselling authorities. Students seeking admission through state quota vacancies must separately monitor the announcements issued by their respective state authorities.

Who Can Participate in NEET UG Stray Vacancy Round 2026?

Candidates must carefully check the eligibility conditions before registering for the Stray Vacancy Round. The final round is subject to restrictions intended to prevent ineligible candidates or candidates who have already secured and joined seats from participating contrary to the prescribed rules.

Broadly, candidates should consider the following points:

1. NEET UG qualification: Applicants must have qualified NEET UG 2026 and satisfy the relevant admission eligibility requirements.

2. Previous counselling participation: Candidates should review their status in earlier counselling rounds and confirm whether they are permitted to participate in the stray round.

3. Existing seat allotment: Candidates who have already been allotted or joined a seat must carefully examine the applicable restrictions. A candidate who has joined a seat cannot assume that they may register again without consequences.

4. Registration requirements: Candidates must complete the prescribed registration and fee-payment procedure within the notified window.

5. Institutional and category eligibility: Applicants must satisfy the requirements applicable to their chosen course, institution and reservation category, where relevant.

The detailed eligibility conditions and restrictions should be checked in the current MCC information bulletin and the latest stray-round notices. Candidates should not rely solely on general eligibility summaries when their participation depends on their previous allotment or admission status.

How to Register for MCC NEET UG Stray Vacancy Round 2026

Eligible candidates should complete the registration procedure online through the official MCC portal.

Step 1: Visit the MCC Website

Open mcc.nic.in and navigate to the UG Medical Counselling section. Locate the link relating to NEET UG Counselling 2026 and the Stray Vacancy Round.

Step 2: Read the Latest Notice

Before proceeding, review the latest announcement and confirm the registration deadline, eligibility restrictions, fee requirements and choice-filling schedule.

This step is particularly important because the registration start date was revised from the date shown in the earlier schedule.

Step 3: Complete the Registration Process

Follow the portal's instructions to register for the Stray Vacancy Round. Enter the required candidate details accurately and verify the information before submitting the application.

Candidates should use the credentials and registration procedure specified by MCC for the current round.

Step 4: Pay the Counselling Fee

Pay the prescribed registration or counselling fee through the authorised online payment facility within the applicable deadline.

Candidates should check the fee structure for their category and institution preferences. They should also retain the transaction acknowledgement or payment receipt.

Step 5: Fill in College and Course Preferences

Once the relevant choice-filling facility is available, select eligible colleges and courses according to personal preferences, merit expectations and the available seat matrix.

Candidates should review the course, institution, location, fee structure and other relevant factors before finalising their list.

Step 6: Lock the Choices

Complete choice locking within the specified time. Candidates should not assume that their choices have been locked merely because they have selected or saved them.

Follow the instructions displayed on the portal and retain the confirmation if one is provided.

Step 7: Check the Allotment Result

MCC is scheduled to publish the Stray Vacancy Round result on October 17, 2026. Candidates should visit the official portal to check the result and download the allotment letter if a seat is allotted.

Step 8: Complete Admission and Reporting Formalities

Candidates allotted seats must follow the instructions issued for fee payment, document verification and reporting to the institution. The published schedule provides for reporting from October 19 to October 26, 2026.

Students should verify the exact reporting requirements and ensure that all mandatory formalities are completed within the prescribed period.

Choice Filling: Why Candidates Must Be Careful

Choice filling is one of the most important parts of NEET UG counselling because the allotment process considers the preferences submitted by candidates, subject to the applicable rules.

Candidates should avoid selecting colleges without examining the course offered, the institution's location, the fee structure and other admission conditions.

Before locking their choices, applicants should:

• Review the current seat matrix.

• Arrange college preferences in the order they genuinely prefer.

• Check the eligibility requirements for each selected institution.

• Consider the tuition fee and other financial obligations.

• Verify the applicable category and quota conditions.

• Ensure that the choice list has been saved and locked correctly.

The availability of a college in the choice-filling list does not guarantee that a candidate will receive a seat there. Allotment depends on the applicable merit, eligibility and seat availability.

Documents Candidates Should Keep Ready

Candidates should prepare the documents required for counselling and institutional admission. Depending on the candidate's circumstances and the applicable instructions, these may include:

• NEET UG 2026 admit card.

• NEET UG 2026 scorecard or rank details.

• Class 10 certificate or proof of date of birth.

• Class 12 marksheet and qualifying examination certificate.

• Valid photo identity proof.

• Recent photographs, where required.

• Category certificate for candidates claiming applicable reservation benefits.

• EWS certificate, where applicable.

• PwBD certificate, where applicable.

• Domicile or other eligibility documents, if required for the selected seat.

• MCC registration and payment acknowledgement.

• Seat allotment letter, after allotment.

• Any additional documents specified by the allotted institution.

Candidates should consult the current information bulletin and the institution's instructions for the definitive list. They should also ensure that all certificates are valid, legible and issued by the appropriate authorities.

What Happens After the Stray Vacancy Round Result?

Following the scheduled declaration of the result on October 17, candidates should check their allotment status and read the accompanying instructions carefully.

Candidates who receive seats must complete the required reporting and admission procedures within the designated period, scheduled for October 19–26, 2026.

Depending on the applicable rules, this may include downloading the allotment letter, presenting original documents, completing verification, paying the prescribed fees and obtaining confirmation from the allotted institution.

Candidates should pay particular attention to the rules governing joining, non-joining, resignation and forfeiture of deposits. The consequences may vary according to the applicable counselling provisions and the candidate's admission status.

Those who do not receive a seat should not assume that another centralised counselling round will automatically be conducted. They should monitor official announcements for any subsequent process and check state counselling notices separately if they are eligible for state-level opportunities.

MCC NEET UG Counselling 2026: Important Instructions for Candidates

As the counselling process reaches the stray vacancy stage, candidates should exercise caution and adhere to the notified schedule.

• Complete registration and fee payment within the specified deadline.

• Check the latest official notice before acting on dates from an earlier schedule.

• Confirm eligibility before registering, particularly if a seat was allotted or joined in a previous round.

• Review the seat matrix before selecting colleges and courses.

• Fill and lock choices within the notified time.

• Keep all required documents ready for verification and admission.

• Use only the official counselling portal for registration and other prescribed activities.

• Avoid unofficial agents or websites promising guaranteed admission.

• Check the allotment result and reporting instructions promptly after the result is published.

Candidates should also remember that the Stray Vacancy Round is intended to fill remaining eligible vacancies, and the number of seats available may be limited.

Where to Check Official NEET UG Stray Vacancy Round Updates

Candidates should visit mcc.nic.in, navigate to the UG Medical Counselling section and review the latest announcements for the 2026 admission cycle.

The portal provides counselling notices, registration facilities, choice-filling instructions, seat matrices, allotment results and other relevant admission information.

Candidates should rely on the latest official instructions when determining their eligibility, registration deadlines, fee-payment requirements and reporting obligations.

Conclusion

MCC NEET UG Counselling 2026 has entered the Stray Vacancy Round, offering eligible candidates another opportunity to compete for remaining MBBS and BDS seats under the centralised counselling process.

Registration began on October 13 following a revised start notice, while the published schedule lists October 14 as the registration and fee-payment deadline. Choice filling is scheduled to continue until October 15, the allotment result is expected on October 17, and reporting to allotted institutions is scheduled for October 19–26, 2026.

Candidates should complete each stage carefully, verify their eligibility and review the latest instructions before submitting their choices. Because this is a final-stage vacancy process with specific restrictions, students must not assume that participation or a seat allotment is guaranteed.

Important reminder: Check the latest notice on mcc.nic.in, complete registration and payment within the applicable deadline, lock your choices on time and follow the official reporting instructions if a seat is allotted.