The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has extended the schedule for the NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round, providing eligible medical and dental aspirants additional time to complete the remaining counselling formalities. According to the revised schedule dated October 14, 2026, registration and several other activities will now continue until October 16, 2026.

The extension is significant for candidates seeking admission to MBBS and BDS courses through the MCC-managed undergraduate counselling process. Applicants must pay close attention to the separate deadlines for registration, fee payment, choice filling and choice locking, as these activities have different closing times on the same day.

The stray vacancy round is conducted to fill eligible vacant seats remaining after the preceding counselling rounds. Candidates who intend to participate should check their eligibility, review the available seat matrix and complete every required step within the revised schedule.

The NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round result is scheduled to be declared on October 19, 2026, while the reporting period for candidates allotted seats will run from October 19 to October 26, 2026.

MCC NEET UG Stray Vacancy Round 2026: Key Highlights

Important: All timings are as specified in the revised schedule and are subject to the counselling portal's server time. Candidates should not assume that registration, payment and choice filling all close at the same time.

MCC NEET UG 2026 Stray Round: Revised Schedule

The updated schedule provides separate deadlines for each stage of the stray vacancy counselling process.

Candidates should complete registration well before the deadline and allow sufficient time for payment confirmation. They should also ensure that their choices are submitted and locked successfully within the prescribed window.

Which Deadlines Have Been Extended?

The revised schedule updates the deadlines for registration, the registration reset option, fee payment and choice-related activities. These deadlines are important because completing one stage does not automatically complete the others.

• Registration: Candidates can register until 4:00 PM on October 16.

• Registration reset: The reset option closes earlier, at 3:00 PM on October 16.

• Fee payment: The payment facility remains available until 6:00 PM on October 16.

• Choice filling: Candidates can enter or arrange their choices until 11:55 PM on October 16.

• Choice locking: The specified locking window runs from 7:00 PM to 11:55 PM on October 16.

The revised notice confirms the updated deadlines. Candidates should consult the latest official notice for the authoritative schedule rather than relying on dates mentioned in older counselling updates.

How to Register for MCC NEET UG Stray Vacancy Round 2026

Eligible candidates should complete the online process through the official counselling portal. The general steps are as follows:

Step 1: Visit the official MCC website

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

Step 2: Access the registration portal

Select the NEET UG 2026 counselling registration option and follow the instructions displayed on the candidate portal.

Step 3: Complete registration

Enter the required personal, examination and contact details. Candidates should verify their information before submitting it.

Step 4: Pay the applicable fee

Complete the required payment within the prescribed deadline. Keep the transaction receipt and confirmation details for future reference.

Step 5: Review the seat matrix

Check the available seats by institution, course, quota and category before deciding which colleges to select.

Step 6: Fill in college and course choices

Select eligible MBBS and BDS options in order of preference. Candidates should review each selection carefully before proceeding.

Step 7: Lock the choices

Complete the choice-locking process during the specified window and verify that the portal confirms successful locking.

Step 8: Check the result

Visit the official portal on the scheduled result date to check the allotment status and download the relevant documents, if a seat is allotted.

Applicants should follow the current portal instructions because the exact steps and available options may depend on their registration status and eligibility.

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 earlier rounds. It provides a further opportunity for eligible candidates to be considered for available seats under the applicable counselling rules.

The seats available in this round depend on vacancies reported by participating institutions and the counselling authority. The number and category of seats may change as the process progresses.

Candidates should remember that the stray vacancy round is governed by specific eligibility, participation and joining rules. Participation in earlier rounds, an existing allotment or admission status may affect whether a candidate is eligible to take part.

Before registering, candidates should read the current information bulletin and stray-round instructions to confirm that they are eligible. They should not assume that every NEET UG-qualified candidate can participate regardless of their previous counselling status.

How to Fill Choices for the Stray Vacancy Round

Choice filling is a critical stage because the final allotment depends on the candidate's preferences, merit, eligibility, category and available seats.

Candidates should follow these precautions:

• Review the latest seat matrix: Check which institutions and course categories have vacancies.

• Arrange choices by preference: Place the most preferred eligible options higher in the list.

• Consider college requirements: Review the location, fees and other relevant institutional details before selecting a seat.

• Check category eligibility: Ensure that each selected option is compatible with the candidate's applicable eligibility and category.

• Complete choice filling before the deadline: The window closes at 11:55 PM on October 16.

• Lock choices during the permitted period: Choice locking is scheduled from 7:00 PM to 11:55 PM on October 16.

• Save confirmation: Retain any available confirmation or record of the submitted choices.

Candidates should avoid waiting until the final minutes, as connectivity problems, payment delays or incomplete submissions could affect their participation.

MCC NEET UG Stray Round Result 2026: When Will It Be Declared?

The stray vacancy round seat allotment result is scheduled for October 19, 2026. Seat processing is planned for October 17 and 18.

Once the result is published, candidates should log in to the official portal and check whether they have been allotted a seat. Those receiving an allotment should carefully read the instructions accompanying the result and allotment letter.

Candidates should verify:

• The allotted college and course.

• The quota and category under which the seat has been allotted.

• The reporting deadline and admission requirements.

• The documents required by the institution.

• The fee payment and joining instructions.

An allotment result does not by itself complete admission. Candidates must fulfil the reporting and verification requirements within the prescribed period.

College Reporting After the Stray Round Result

Candidates allotted seats in the stray vacancy round are scheduled to report to their respective institutions between October 19 and October 26, 2026.

During reporting, candidates may be required to present original documents, submit copies, complete verification and pay the applicable admission fees in accordance with the official instructions.

The general document checklist may include:

• NEET UG 2026 admit card.

• NEET UG 2026 scorecard.

• Class 10 certificate or marksheet.

• Class 12 marksheet and qualifying examination certificate.

• MCC registration details.

• Seat allotment letter.

• Valid photo identity proof.

• Recent passport-size photographs.

• Category or reservation certificates, where applicable.

• Other documents required by the allotted college.

This is a general checklist. Candidates must follow the precise list issued by MCC and their allotted institution.

Failure to report within the prescribed period may have consequences under the applicable counselling rules. Candidates should therefore arrange travel, documents and fees in advance.

Important Instructions for Candidates

With several deadlines falling on October 16, candidates should plan their counselling activities carefully.

Do not confuse the deadlines. Registration closes at 4:00 PM, the reset option at 3:00 PM, fee payment at 6:00 PM, and choice filling at 11:55 PM.

Check eligibility before participating. Stray-round participation may be subject to restrictions based on previous allotments, admission status and the current counselling rules.

Use the official portal. Rely on MCC's website for the latest notices, seat matrix, registration and allotment information.

Keep records of all transactions. Save the registration confirmation, payment receipt, choice submission details and allotment letter.

Read the joining rules carefully. Before accepting an allotted seat or taking any other admission-related decision, understand the applicable reporting and eligibility requirements.

Watch for revised notices. If MCC issues another update, candidates should follow the latest official instructions.

What Should Candidates Do Now?

Eligible candidates who wish to participate in the MCC NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round should first confirm their eligibility and review the available seat matrix. They should then complete registration, pay the required fee, fill in their choices and lock them within the revised deadlines.

The most immediate deadline is October 16, 2026, when registration, fee payment and choice-related activities close at different times. Candidates should complete each step early and verify the status shown on the portal.

The result is scheduled for October 19, followed by college reporting from October 19 to October 26. Candidates who receive an allotment should follow the official instructions and complete all admission formalities within the prescribed period.