Under the updated timetable, registration was permitted until 4 PM on October 16, 2026, while the payment window remained open until 6 PM on the same day. Candidates were allowed to fill their choices until 11:55 PM on October 16, with choice locking scheduled from 7 PM to 11:55 PM.

As of October 17, the revised choice-filling and locking deadlines have passed. The next major event is the Stray Round seat allotment result, scheduled for October 19, 2026. Candidates should check the official counselling portal for the result and subsequent admission instructions.

The stray vacancy round is an important opportunity to fill undergraduate medical and dental seats that remain vacant after the earlier counselling rounds. Eligible candidates must comply with the applicable participation rules and the instructions issued by the counselling authority.

MCC NEET UG Counselling 2026: Revised Stray Round Schedule

The revised timetable outlines the important dates for the final stages of All India Quota undergraduate counselling.

Important update: The registration, payment, choice-filling and choice-locking windows listed above are now closed according to the revised schedule. Candidates should not assume that the deadline remains open unless MCC issues a further official notice.

All timings in the published schedule are based on the counselling portal's server time.

Why Was the MCC NEET UG 2026 Schedule Extended?

MCC issued a revised notice dated October 14, 2026, extending the Stray Vacancy Round schedule. The extension moved the registration and choice-filling deadlines and adjusted the seat-processing and result dates.

The revised schedule allowed candidates additional time to complete the required online activities. It also shifted the result declaration to October 19, followed by the reporting period from October 19 to October 26.

Candidates should refer to the latest official notice rather than relying on older schedules that show the original October 14 registration deadline or the earlier choice-filling timeline.

What Is the NEET UG Stray Vacancy Round?

The Stray Vacancy Round is a later stage of undergraduate medical counselling intended to fill eligible seats that remain vacant after the preceding rounds.

The process is conducted according to the applicable counselling rules, eligibility requirements and seat availability. Participation is not automatically available to every NEET UG-qualified candidate; candidates must satisfy the conditions specified for the particular round.

The MCC undergraduate counselling process covers eligible seats under the All India Quota and specified institutional or central-university categories, along with other seats assigned to MCC under the applicable rules.

The stray round may cover available seats in courses such as:

• MBBS: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.

• BDS: Bachelor of Dental Surgery.

• BSc Nursing: Eligible seats included in the relevant MCC counselling process.

The actual courses, colleges and vacancies available to a candidate depend on the published seat matrix and the applicable eligibility conditions.

Who Can Participate in the MCC NEET UG 2026 Stray Round?

Candidates must check the official information bulletin and stray-round instructions to determine whether they are eligible to participate.

Eligibility may depend on the candidate's current admission status, participation in previous counselling rounds, registration status and the specific restrictions applicable to the stray vacancy process.

Candidates should pay particular attention to the following points:

1.    NEET UG qualification: Candidates must meet the applicable NEET UG 2026 qualification and admission requirements.

2.    Counselling registration: Candidates must have completed the registration requirements for the round within the permitted period.

3.    Previous allotment and admission status: Rules may restrict participation by candidates who have already joined or been allotted seats in earlier rounds.

4.    Seat and course eligibility: Candidates must meet the eligibility conditions for the relevant college, course and category.

5.    Official stray-round instructions: Candidates must follow the specific restrictions and undertakings prescribed by MCC.

Candidates should not assume that registration in an earlier round automatically permits participation in the stray round. The applicable rules must be checked before taking any further action.

How Choice Filling Works in NEET UG Counselling

Choice filling allows eligible candidates to indicate their preferred colleges and courses from the available options displayed on the counselling portal.

The order of preferences is important because the allotment process considers candidates' merit position, eligible choices, seat availability and the applicable allocation rules.

Candidates participating in a future counselling window, if one is officially announced, should follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official MCC website

Open https://mcc.nic.in/ and navigate to the UG Medical Counselling section.

Step 2: Log in to the candidate portal

Use the credentials required to access the counselling account.

Step 3: Review the available seat matrix

Check the colleges, courses, quotas and categories available for the relevant round.

Step 4: Select preferred colleges and courses

Choose options that match your eligibility and arrange them in genuine order of preference.

Step 5: Review the preference list

Check college names, course names and the order of choices before submitting the list.

Step 6: Lock choices within the prescribed window

Complete the locking process when the choice-locking facility is available. Save the confirmation or take a screenshot of the locked-choice status for your records.

Step 7: Check the allotment result

Once the result is declared, log in to the portal and follow the instructions for the allotted seat, if any.

For the October 2026 Stray Vacancy Round, the published choice-filling and locking deadlines have already passed. The steps above explain the process and may be useful if further counselling activity is announced.

How to Check the MCC NEET UG Stray Round Result 2026

The Stray Round seat allotment result is scheduled for October 19, 2026.

Candidates can follow these steps to check their allotment status after the result is published:

1.    Visit the official website at https://mcc.nic.in/.

2.    Open the UG Medical Counselling section.

3.    Find the link for the NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round result.

4.    Open the published result or allotment list.

5.    Search for the relevant roll number or application details, as applicable.

6.    Check the allotted college, course and other relevant particulars.

7.    Download and save the allotment letter or result document where available.

8.    Read the reporting instructions and complete the admission process within the specified deadline.

Candidates should verify their individual allotment status through the official candidate portal and follow any college-specific instructions.

What Happens After the Stray Round Result?

Candidates who receive seats in the Stray Vacancy Round should prepare for the reporting and admission process immediately after the result is released.

The revised schedule provides a reporting window from October 19 to October 26, 2026. Candidates must follow the applicable instructions and report within the permitted period.

The admission process may involve the following steps:

• Downloading the seat allotment letter.

• Reporting to the allotted institution as directed.

• Presenting original documents for verification.

• Paying the prescribed admission or tuition fees.

• Completing institutional admission formalities.

• Submitting any required declarations or undertakings.

Candidates should carefully read the allotment letter because reporting arrangements, document requirements and fee-payment instructions can vary by institution and course.

Failure to report within the prescribed period may affect the candidate's admission and may trigger consequences under the applicable counselling rules.

Documents to Keep Ready for Admission

Candidates should prepare the documents required for their individual admission category. These may include:

• NEET UG 2026 admit card.

• NEET UG 2026 scorecard or rank details.

• MCC seat allotment letter.

• Class 10 certificate or other proof of date of birth.

• Class 12 marksheet and passing certificate.

• Valid identity proof.

• Recent passport-size photographs.

• Category certificate, where applicable.

• PwD certificate, where applicable.

• Nationality or other eligibility documents, where required.

• Any additional documents specified by the allotted college or counselling authority.

This is a general checklist. Candidates must follow the official admission instructions for the exact documents required in their case.

Important Instructions for NEET UG 2026 Candidates

Candidates should keep the following points in mind during the final counselling stage:

• Check the latest schedule: Older notices may contain superseded deadlines.

• Do not assume that choice filling is still open: The revised deadline was October 16, 2026.

• Monitor the result announcement: The Stray Round result is scheduled for October 19.

• Prepare documents in advance: Keep original certificates and copies ready for reporting.

• Read the allotment instructions carefully: Reporting requirements can vary by institution.

• Avoid unofficial notices: Use the official counselling website for updates and result links.

• Understand the rules on joining and withdrawal: Stray-round participation may carry specific restrictions and consequences.

Candidates who missed the published deadline should monitor MCC announcements for any further official instructions. An extension should not be assumed unless it is formally announced.

Where to Check Official MCC NEET UG Counselling Updates

Candidates can check the latest counselling notices, seat matrices, allotment results and reporting instructions through the official website:

Official MCC website: https://mcc.nic.in/

Open the UG Medical Counselling section to access the current notices and relevant candidate services.

For assistance, candidates should use the contact details published on the official website rather than relying on unverified telephone numbers, links or messages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Was the MCC NEET UG 2026 Stray Round choice-filling deadline extended?

Yes. The revised schedule extended choice filling until October 16, 2026, at 11:55 PM.

2. What was the last date for Stray Round registration?

Registration was permitted until October 16, 2026, at 4 PM, according to the revised notice.

3. What was the last date for fee payment?

The revised fee-payment deadline was October 16, 2026, at 6 PM.

4. When was choice locking available?

Choice locking was scheduled from 7 PM to 11:55 PM on October 16, 2026.

5. Is choice filling still open on October 17, 2026?

The published revised deadline has passed. Candidates should check the official MCC website for any subsequent notice before assuming that the facility has reopened.

6. When will the MCC NEET UG Stray Round result be declared?

The result is scheduled for October 19, 2026.

7. What is the reporting period after the Stray Round allotment?

The revised schedule provides for reporting from October 19 to October 26, 2026.

8. Where can candidates check the allotment result?

Candidates should visit https://mcc.nic.in/ and open the UG Medical Counselling section.

Conclusion

The extension of the MCC NEET UG Counselling 2026 Stray Vacancy Round schedule gave eligible candidates additional time to complete registration, payment and choice filling. Under the revised timetable, the online deadlines fell on October 16, while seat processing is scheduled for October 17 and 18.

As of October 17, candidates should focus on the next stage of the process: checking the Stray Round allotment result scheduled for October 19, 2026, and preparing for reporting between October 19 and October 26. They should continue monitoring the official counselling portal for any changes and follow the applicable admission instructions carefully.