NEET UG 2026 Counselling: Stray Vacancy Round Seat Matrix Released

By Aabshar Hassan Quazi Kota Coaching NEET-UG 2026 October 15, 2026

Seat matrix offers 3,426 MBBS Seats, including 1,245 Government Medical College Seats and 39 AIIMS Seats

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the seat matrix for the fourth round of NEET UG 2026 counselling, known as the Stray Vacancy Round.

The latest seat matrix lists 3,426 MBBS seats and 499 BDS seats across participating institutions. Candidates seeking admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses can participate in this round by filling in their choices within the prescribed schedule.

The available MBBS seats include 1,245 seats in government medical colleges and 39 seats across All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). These institutions are particularly attractive to candidates looking for quality medical education at comparatively affordable fees.

The seat matrix also includes a substantial number of seats in deemed universities, where the cost of pursuing an MBBS degree can be significantly higher. Candidates must carefully evaluate college fees, admission conditions and their financial requirements before submitting their preferences.

NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round: MBBS Seat Distribution

The MCC seat matrix provides opportunities for eligible candidates to secure admission to MBBS courses in government institutions and deemed universities.

The major categories of available MBBS seats are:

Government medical colleges: 1,245 seats
AIIMS institutions: 39 seats
Deemed universities under the self-financed category: 2,165 seats
NRI quota in deemed universities: 16 seats

Government medical colleges and AIIMS generally offer MBBS education at substantially lower fees than deemed universities. This makes them highly preferred options among medical aspirants and their families.

In contrast, the financial commitment required for admission to deemed universities can be considerably higher. According to the counselling expert, the total fees for certain deemed university MBBS programmes may range from approximately Rs 80 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore, depending on the institution and applicable fee structure.

Candidates should verify the complete fee details directly with their preferred colleges before making their final choices. Tuition fees, hostel charges, other institutional expenses and the terms applicable to NRI admissions may differ from one institution to another.

BDS Counselling: 499 Dental Seats Available

Alongside MBBS admissions, the MCC has listed 499 Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) seats for the Stray Vacancy Round.

The category-wise distribution includes:

Government dental colleges: 321 seats
Deemed universities under the self-financed category: 103 seats
NRI quota in deemed universities: 75 seats

These vacancies provide another opportunity for eligible candidates interested in pursuing a career in dentistry. Candidates considering BDS should compare the academic facilities, clinical training opportunities, fee structure and location of the participating colleges before locking their preferences.

Apart from MBBS and BDS, the seat matrix also includes 143 seats in BSc Nursing courses. Eligible candidates can check the relevant counselling details and admission requirements before participating.

MCC Revises NEET UG 2026 Counselling Schedule

Along with the release of the seat matrix, the Medical Counselling Committee has issued a revised counselling schedule. The choice-filling process for the Stray Vacancy Round has commenced, and candidates must complete the required steps within the announced deadlines.

The important dates and admission activities are outlined below.

Counselling activity	Date
Choice filling and locking	October 14–16, 2026
Seat allotment result	October 19, 2026
Reporting at the allotted college	October 19–26, 2026

Candidates should regularly check the official MCC website for the latest notices, detailed instructions and any subsequent changes to the schedule.

Important Guidelines for NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round

The Stray Vacancy Round requires careful decision-making because candidates must follow specific rules regarding choice submission, seat acceptance and college reporting.

Complete Choice Filling Before October 16

Candidates can fill in their preferred colleges and courses between October 14 and October 16, 2026. They should review the available seat matrix and select only those institutions where they are genuinely interested in taking admission.

Before adding a college to the preference list, candidates should assess its fee structure, location, facilities, course details and admission conditions.

Review Every Preference before Locking Choices

Candidates should check the order of their preferences carefully before submitting and locking their choices. According to the revised schedule, choices can be filled and locked until October 16.

Candidates who do not lock their choices manually by the deadline will have their submitted choices automatically locked at 11:55 PM on October 16, 2026.

Since changes may not be possible after submission and locking, candidates should avoid making hurried decisions. They should also ensure that their preference list reflects their actual willingness to join the selected college.

Seat Allotment Result on October 19

The MCC is scheduled to announce the Stray Vacancy Round seat allotment result on October 19, 2026.

Candidates should check the result through the official counselling portal. Those who receive a seat should download and print their allotment letters and follow the instructions provided for admission.

No Float Option in the Stray Vacancy Round

An important point for candidates is that the Float option is not available in this round. Candidates must understand the applicable rules before participating and accepting a seat.

According to the counselling guidelines provided for this round, candidates who are allotted seats but fail to report to their assigned colleges within the prescribed period risk forfeiture of their security deposit. They may also become ineligible for further rounds of MCC All India Quota counselling.

Candidates should therefore participate only after carefully considering their preferences, financial commitments and ability to complete admission formalities on time.

College Reporting Between October 19 and 26

Candidates allotted seats must report to their respective colleges between October 19 and October 26, 2026.

They are required to appear in person at the allotted institution with their original documents and the applicable admission fee. Candidates should read the allotment letter and the college’s instructions to confirm the complete list of documents required for verification.

It is advisable to arrange the necessary certificates, identity documents, academic records and fee payment arrangements well in advance to avoid last-minute difficulties.

How Candidates Can Make the Right Choice

The availability of more than 3,400 MBBS seats in the Stray Vacancy Round creates another opportunity for eligible NEET UG aspirants. However, the number of vacancies alone should not determine a candidate’s preference list.

Candidates should prioritise institutions based on their NEET UG eligibility, applicable counselling rules, fee affordability and willingness to join. Government medical colleges and AIIMS may be attractive because of their comparatively lower fees, while deemed universities offer additional options for candidates who meet the eligibility criteria and can manage the associated expenses.

Students and parents should verify the seat category, fee structure, bond conditions, hostel expenses and other admission requirements through official sources. They should also carefully read the MCC’s latest counselling notices before locking choices.

The NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round offers 3,426 MBBS seats, 499 BDS seats and 143 BSc Nursing seats, according to the released seat matrix. Among the MBBS vacancies, 1,245 are in government medical colleges and 39 are in AIIMS institutions, providing candidates with options across different fee categories.

With choice filling scheduled for October 14–16, seat allotment on October 19 and college reporting from October 19–26, candidates must act within the prescribed timelines. Careful choice selection, a clear understanding of fees and strict adherence to MCC rules will be essential for completing the admission process successfully.

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