New Delhi, October 16, 2026: The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has extended the registration deadline for the NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy round to October 16. Eligible candidates seeking admission to undergraduate medical and dental programmes should complete the registration process within the revised deadline.

According to the revised counselling schedule, the registration window closes at 4 PM on October 16, while the fee payment facility remains available until 6 PM. Candidates must also complete their choice filling and locking within the prescribed timelines.

The stray vacancy round is conducted to fill MBBS and BDS seats that remain vacant after the earlier rounds of counselling.

NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round: Important Dates

Candidates participating in the counselling process should note the following revised schedule.

Counselling Activity	Date and Deadline
Registration deadline	October 16, 2026, by 4 PM
Fee payment deadline	October 16, 2026, by 6 PM
Choice filling deadline	October 16, 2026, by 11:55 PM
Choice locking	October 16, 2026, from 7 PM to 11:55 PM
Seat allotment processing	October 17–18, 2026
Seat allotment result	October 19, 2026
Reporting at allotted colleges	October 19–26, 2026

Candidates should check the official MCC website for any subsequent changes to the schedule.

Who Can Participate in the Stray Vacancy Round?

The stray vacancy round is intended to fill medical and dental seats remaining vacant after previous counselling rounds.

Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements specified by MCC and comply with the applicable counselling rules. Eligibility and participation may depend on a candidate’s existing admission status and the seats for which they are eligible.

Candidates are advised to read the official counselling instructions carefully before registering or filling in their choices.

How to Register for NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Counselling

Eligible candidates can follow these steps to complete the registration process:

1. Visit the official MCC website at https://mcc.nic.in/.
2. Open the UG Medical Counselling section.
3. Select the NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy round registration link.
4. Log in or register using the required details.
5. Complete the application and pay the applicable counselling fee.
6. Proceed to choice filling and select colleges and courses in order of preference.
7. Lock the choices within the prescribed deadline and save the confirmation for future reference.

Candidates should complete the process well before the relevant cut-off time to avoid last-minute technical difficulties.

Choice Filling and Locking: What Candidates Should Know

Registration alone does not complete the counselling process. Candidates must also enter their preferred colleges and courses within the choice-filling window.

Choice locking is scheduled between 7 PM and 11:55 PM on October 16. Candidates should review their preferences carefully before locking them.

As the stray vacancy round is a final-stage opportunity to fill remaining seats, candidates should verify their eligibility, review available vacancies and follow all instructions issued by MCC.

When Will the NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Result Be Announced?

The NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy round seat allotment result is scheduled for October 19, 2026.

Candidates who receive a seat allotment must complete the prescribed admission formalities and report to their allotted institutions between October 19 and October 26, subject to the official schedule and instructions.

They should keep their NEET UG documents, academic certificates, identity proof and other required admission documents ready.

Official Website for NEET UG 2026 Counselling

Candidates can access the registration portal, revised counselling schedule, seat vacancy details and official notifications through the Medical Counselling Committee website.

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

Important: Registration closes at 4 PM on October 16, 2026, according to the revised schedule. Candidates should verify all deadlines directly with MCC before completing the process.