NEET UG Stray Vacancy Round 2026: Seat Matrix (4,068 Seats), Revised Dates and Rules

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round seat matrix with 4,068 clear vacancies: 3,426 MBBS, 499 BDS and 143 B.Sc Nursing seats. Choice filling and locking close at 11:55 PM on October 16, 2026, the result is due on October 19, and reporting runs from October 19 to October 26, 2026.

The Stray Vacancy Round is the fourth and final round of MCC’s All India counselling for NEET UG 2026. It fills seats that stayed vacant after Round 1, Round 2 and Round 3.

It is also the strictest round. A seat allotted here must be joined, and there is no upgrade or Float option after allotment. Read the rules below before you lock a single choice.

Key highlights

• Total vacant seats: 4,068 (3,426 MBBS, 499 BDS, 143 B.Sc Nursing)
• Schedule: extended by MCC; choice locking open from 7:00 PM to 11:55 PM on October 16, 2026
• Result: October 19, 2026
• Reporting: October 19 to October 26, 2026
• Key rule: an allotted seat must be joined, or the security deposit is forfeited
• Official portal: mcc.nic.in

NEET UG Stray Vacancy Round 2026: Revised Schedule

MCC, under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, extended the Stray Round schedule through a notice dated October 15, 2026. The revised timeline (all times IST) is below.

Important: Earlier reports carried older dates for registration and the result. Follow only the revised MCC notice above, and recheck mcc.nic.in for any further change.

If you are new to how MCC rounds work, start with our guide to the NEET UG Counselling 2026 MCC schedule, registration dates and new rules.

Stray Round Seat Matrix 2026: How Many Seats Are Vacant?

MCC has published a 64-page clear vacancy list titled “Clear Vacancy Stray Vacancy Round (MBBS BDS B.Sc Nursing), UG Counselling 2026”. The course-wise totals are:

These are seat-wise vacancies, not college-wise. A single college can appear in several rows, one for each quota and category.

Which Institutes Are in the Stray Round Matrix?

The matrix lists vacancies across these institute types:

• Government medical and dental colleges (All India Quota seats)
• AIIMS institutes under the Open Seat Quota
• ESIC medical and dental colleges, including ESI quota seats
• Central universities, such as Delhi University quota and IP University quota seats
• Deemed universities, under Self-Financed Merit Seats, NRI seats and minority quotas
• B.Sc Nursing colleges under All India and Delhi NCR quotas

How to Read the Seat Matrix

Each row shows the state, institute type, institute name, quota, course, category and number of seats. Category codes work as follows:

• OP: Open (General)
• BC: OBC
• SC / ST: Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe
• EW: EWS
• PH: Persons with Disability seats, shown separately against each category

Filter the PDF by your category and eligible quotas first. Then shortlist only the colleges you would genuinely join.

Stray Vacancy Round Rules: What Is Different From Earlier Rounds

The Stray Round follows tighter rules than Round 1 to Round 3. As per the MCC NEET UG 2026 counselling scheme:

• Fresh registration is required. Earlier registration does not carry over to the Stray Round.
• Fresh choice filling is required. Choices from previous rounds are not reused.
• No Float or upgrade. Seat upgradation is available only through Rounds 1 to 3. The Freeze, Float and upgrade options explained in our Round 2 guide do not apply here.
• Joining is mandatory. A candidate allotted a seat in the Stray Round must join the allotted college.
• Penalty for not joining: the security deposit is forfeited and the candidate becomes ineligible for any subsequent counselling, if conducted.

Bottom line: list a college only if you are academically, financially and personally ready to join it.

How to Fill Choices in the Stray Vacancy Round (Step by Step)

1. Log in to the UG Medical counselling section on mcc.nic.in with your NEET UG credentials.
2. Download the Stray Round seat matrix and filter it by your category and eligible quota.
3. Check the full fee for every deemed university or private seat on your list, including hostel and other charges, from the institute’s official notice.
4. Rank colleges by real preference, not by availability alone.
5. Save choices and lock them within the window of 7:00 PM to 11:55 PM on October 16, 2026. Do not rely on auto-locking.
6. Download the locked choice list as a PDF for your records.

Deemed University and NRI Seats: Check Before You Lock

Many Stray Round vacancies are in deemed universities. Fees here are much higher than at government colleges and vary from institute to institute.

Before adding a deemed university seat, parents and students should:

• Confirm the annual tuition fee and total course cost from the university’s official fee notice
• Add hostel, mess, caution money and other charges
• Check bond or service conditions, if any
• Confirm eligibility for the specific quota, especially NRI and minority quotas
• Plan funding for the full 5.5-year course, not only the first year

NRI quota seats need separate eligibility documents. Confirm the exact list and deadline in the MCC notice before choosing these seats.

Stray Round Result and Reporting: What to Do After October 19

The Stray Round result is scheduled for October 19, 2026. If you are allotted a seat:

1. Download the provisional allotment letter from mcc.nic.in.
2. Report to the allotted institute between October 19 and October 26, 2026.
3. Carry original documents and photocopies, as listed in the MCC information bulletin and your allotment letter.

Documents commonly asked for at reporting include:

• NEET UG 2026 admit card and scorecard
• Provisional allotment letter
• Class 10 and Class 12 certificates and mark sheets
• Valid photo identity proof
• Category, EWS or PwD certificate, where applicable
• Passport-size photographs

The exact list is set by MCC and the allotted institute. Verify it from official sources before you travel.

Did Not Get a Seat? Your Next Options

Not every candidate will receive a Stray Round seat. Here is what to check next:

• State quota counselling: state rounds run separately from MCC. Rajasthan candidates can follow our Rajasthan NEET UG Counselling 2026 guide and the latest Rajasthan Round 2 seat allotment and government MBBS closing rank. Students from Uttar Pradesh and Punjab can see our UP NEET UG counselling guide and Punjab NEET UG counselling guide.
• Track past allotment trends: our MCC Round 3 dates and process guide and Round 2 provisional result coverage show how seats moved this year.
• Plan a stronger NEET UG 2027 attempt: read how NEET 2027 may move from OMR to a computer-based test before you choose a preparation plan.

Preparing for NEET UG 2027? How Gurukripa Can Help

For students planning another attempt, the right preparation system matters as much as effort. Gurukripa Career Institute, Sikar has produced back-to-back NEET AIR 1: Saurav (720/720) in NEET 2024 and Mahesh Kumar (686/720) in NEET 2025, the first Hindi-medium NEET topper.

• Explore the NEET UG coaching program in Sikar, including the Spartan batch for droppers and repeaters
• See verified outcomes on the Gurukripa results page
• Take the GSAT Scholarship test for merit scholarships
• Apply directly through Gurukripa admissions or call 88751-24365

Frequently Asked Questions

How many seats are vacant in the NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round?

The MCC Stray Vacancy Round seat matrix lists 4,068 clear vacancies: 3,426 MBBS seats, 499 BDS seats and 143 B.Sc Nursing seats. The 64-page list covers government colleges, AIIMS, ESIC institutes, central universities and deemed universities.

What is the last date for choice filling in the NEET UG 2026 Stray Round?

As per MCC’s revised schedule, choice filling closes at 11:55 PM on October 16, 2026. Choice locking is open from 7:00 PM to 11:55 PM on the same day. Registration closed at 4:00 PM and payment at 6:00 PM on October 16.

When will the NEET UG 2026 Stray Round result be declared?

MCC has scheduled the NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round result for October 19, 2026, after seat processing on October 17 and 18. Allotted candidates must report to their institutes between October 19 and October 26, 2026.

Is the Float or upgrade option available in the Stray Vacancy Round?

No. Seat upgradation under the Float option is available only in Rounds 1 to 3 of MCC counselling. In the Stray Vacancy Round, a candidate allotted a seat must join it, so choose only colleges you are ready to accept.

What happens if I do not join a seat allotted in the Stray Round?

If you do not join a seat allotted in the Stray Vacancy Round, your security deposit is forfeited and you become ineligible for any subsequent counselling, if conducted. Check the MCC information bulletin for the complete penalty provisions.

Do I need to register again for the NEET UG Stray Vacancy Round?

Yes. MCC requires fresh registration and fresh choice filling for the Stray Vacancy Round. Registration from earlier rounds does not carry over, and choices filled in previous rounds are not reused for the Stray Round allotment.

Which colleges are included in the Stray Round seat matrix?

The matrix covers All India Quota seats in government medical and dental colleges, AIIMS Open Seat Quota seats, ESIC colleges, central university quotas and deemed university seats, including Self-Financed Merit, NRI and minority quota seats, plus B.Sc Nursing colleges.

Where can I download the NEET UG 2026 Stray Round seat matrix PDF?

Download the official seat matrix from the UG Medical counselling section of the MCC website at mcc.nic.in. Always use the latest version on the MCC portal, since MCC can revise vacancies and schedules during the round.

What documents are needed for Stray Round reporting?

Candidates usually need the NEET UG 2026 admit card and scorecard, provisional allotment letter, Class 10 and 12 certificates, photo ID, applicable category or PwD certificates and photographs. The final list is set by MCC and the allotted institute.

Sources

• Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), UG Medical Counselling: mcc.nic.in
• MCC notice: Revised schedule of Stray Round, UG Counselling 2026 (October 15, 2026)
• MCC: Clear Vacancy, Stray Vacancy Round (MBBS, BDS, B.Sc Nursing), UG Counselling 2026
• MCC NEET UG Counselling 2026 Information Bulletin (Stray Round joining and deposit rules)

Disclaimer: Counselling schedules and vacancies can change. Always confirm dates, seat availability and rules on the official MCC website before taking any decision.