The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has opened registration for the Online Stray Vacancy Round of NEET UG Counselling 2026. This is the last round of All India counselling for MBBS, BDS and B.Sc Nursing seats under MCC.
Registration closes on October 14, 2026, at 3:00 PM, and fee payment closes at 6:00 PM the same day. If you are still waiting for a seat, here’s everything you need to know.
NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round: Full Schedule
According to MCC’s official counselling schedule:
| Event | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| Registration | October 12 to October 14 (till 3:00 PM) |
| Fee payment | Till October 14, 6:00 PM |
| Choice filling | October 12 to October 15 (till 10:00 AM) |
| Choice locking | October 14 (4:00 PM) to October 15 (10:00 AM) |
| Seat allotment processing | October 15 to 16 |
| Result | October 17 |
| Reporting to college | October 19 to 26 |
All times are as per MCC server time. MCC has asked institutes to treat Saturdays, Sundays and gazetted holidays as working days, so reporting can happen on weekends too.
Which Seats Are Covered?
The stray vacancy round covers vacant seats under:
- 15% All India Quota (AIQ) in government medical and dental colleges
- Deemed Universities
- Central Universities (DU, AMU, BHU and Jamia Millia Islamia)
- AFMC, ESI, AIIMS institutions and JIPMER (Puducherry and Karaikal)
- MBBS, BDS and B.Sc Nursing courses
Who Can Apply, and Who Cannot?
According to MCC’s Information Bulletin, you are NOT eligible for the stray vacancy round if you:
- Have not registered for the stray vacancy round
- Have joined or are holding any seat at the time of the stray vacancy round
- Were allotted a seat in Round 3 but did not report to the college
All other candidates are eligible. The bulletin also confirms that if you registered freshly in Round 3 and did not get a seat, you can take part in the stray round.
Important: This round needs a fresh registration and fresh choice filling. Your choices from earlier rounds will not carry forward.
MCC has also issued a notice (dated October 10, 2026) asking state counselling authorities to remove candidates who have joined an AIQ seat up to Round 3 from state counselling, following Supreme Court directions. So you cannot hold both an AIQ seat and a state seat.
Registration Fee and Security Deposit
As per the MCC Information Bulletin (Chapter 16), candidates pay two fees at the time of registration:
| Seat type | Registration fee (non-refundable) | Security deposit (refundable) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deemed Universities (all categories) | ₹5,000 | ₹2,00,000 | ₹2,05,000 |
| AIQ, Central Universities, AFMC, ESI, AIIMS, JIPMER, B.Sc Nursing (UR/EWS) | ₹1,000 | ₹10,000 | ₹11,000 |
| AIQ, Central Universities, AFMC, ESI, AIIMS, JIPMER, B.Sc Nursing (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) | ₹500 | ₹5,000 | ₹5,500 |
Applying for both? If you want both government/AIQ seats and Deemed University seats, you only pay the higher fee, which is the Deemed University fee.
The bulletin does not list separate amounts for the stray vacancy round, so check the payment page on mcc.nic.in before you pay.
Warning: As per MCC rules, if you are allotted a seat in the stray round, you must join it. If you don’t, your security deposit will be forfeited and you will not be eligible for any further rounds.
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Go to the official website, mcc.nic.in, and open the UG Medical Counselling section.
- Complete the fresh registration for the stray vacancy round.
- Pay the fee before 6:00 PM on October 14.
- Fill your choices in order of preference.
- Lock your choices between 4:00 PM on October 14 and 10:00 AM on October 15, and download the locked choices PDF.
- Check the result on October 17.
- If allotted, report to your college between October 19 and 26 with all original documents.
Quick Tips Before You Fill Choices
- Check the vacant seat list first. Only fill colleges where seats are actually vacant.
- Check the full course fee. Deemed university fees can be very high. MCC’s “College Information” section on mcc.nic.in lists fees, bond and other conditions for each college.
- Only fill colleges you will actually join. Not joining an allotted seat means losing your security deposit.
- Don’t copy your old choice order. This is a fresh round. Rethink your list.
- Keep your documents ready: NEET UG scorecard, admit card, Class 10 and 12 marksheets, ID proof, category certificate (if applicable) and passport-size photos.
Not sure which colleges to choose? Get platform guidance on MBBS and BDS college choices at MyTAGAPP.COM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date for the NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy round?
Registration closes on October 14, 2026, at 3:00 PM. Fee payment closes at 6:00 PM the same day, and choice filling closes at 10:00 AM on October 15.
When will the stray vacancy round result be declared?
The result will be declared on October 17, 2026.
Can I apply if I joined a seat in Round 3?
No. Candidates who have joined or are holding any seat are not eligible for the stray vacancy round.
I registered in Round 3 but didn’t get a seat. Can I apply?
Yes. MCC’s bulletin says candidates who registered freshly in Round 3 and were not allotted a seat are eligible for the stray round.
Do I need to register again for the stray vacancy round?
Yes. MCC requires fresh registration and choice filling for this round.
What happens if I get a seat but don’t join?
Your security deposit will be forfeited, and you will not be eligible for any further rounds.
Students are watching, observing and learning.
Disclaimer: This article is based on MCC’s official counselling schedule and the Revised UG Counselling 2026 Information Bulletin, as available on October 13, 2026. Always check mcc.nic.in for the latest notices before applying.
Sources
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