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Written by Mumtaj Khan
Nov 06, 2025

NEET 2025 Stray Vacancy Round Online Registration & Choice Filling

The NEET 2025 Stray Vacancy Round is the final opportunity for medical aspirants to secure admission in MBBS or BDS courses in India. After the completion of the main rounds of NEET UG Counselling — Round 1, Round 2, and Mop-Up — some seats often remain vacant in various medical and dental colleges. To ensure that no seat goes unfilled, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) conducts the Stray Vacancy Round.

This round is especially crucial for students who may have missed earlier opportunities or wish to upgrade their options. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every important detail about the NEET 2025 Stray Vacancy Round — including registration, eligibility, choice filling, important dates, seat allotment, and useful tips to increase your chances of admission.

What Is the NEET 2025 Stray Vacancy Round?

The Stray Vacancy Round is conducted after the completion of all regular counselling rounds. It is the final phase of NEET UG Counselling where unfilled or surrendered seats are offered to eligible candidates.

These seats can include:

  • Vacant seats from Deemed Universities, Central Universities, and AIQ quota.
  • Unfilled seats from Mop-Up Round.
  • Seats that students did not report for or withdrew from.

The main objective of this round is to ensure 100% seat utilization so that every seat available under NEET gets allotted to deserving students before the academic session starts.

Why the Stray Vacancy Round Matters

For many candidates, the Stray Vacancy Round is a last chance to achieve their dream of becoming a doctor. Often, seats remain vacant in reputed colleges, and deserving students miss earlier rounds due to technical errors, delays, or lack of awareness.

This round gives another opportunity to those who:

  • Couldn’t get a seat in previous rounds.
  • Did not participate in the Mop-Up Round.
  • Wish to upgrade to a better college.
  • Are still unallotted despite qualifying NEET.

If you are one of them — this is your golden opportunity!

Eligibility Criteria for NEET 2025 Stray Vacancy Round

Before applying, make sure you meet the eligibility conditions. Here’s what you must know:

  1. NEET Qualification:
    You must have qualified the NEET UG 2025 examination with the minimum required percentile for your category.
  2. Registered Candidates:
    Only candidates who have registered during earlier counselling rounds are eligible to participate. In most cases, fresh registration is not allowed unless specified by MCC.
  3. Not Holding a Seat:
    Candidates who have already been allotted and joined a seat are not eligible for the Stray Vacancy Round.
  4. Eligible Quotas:
    The round applies to seats under the All India Quota (AIQ), Deemed Universities, Central Universities, and other private medical colleges.
  5. Fee Payment:
    You must complete registration and pay the required counselling fee during the allotted time frame.

Important Dates for NEET 2025 Stray Vacancy Round

Here’s the expected timeline for the NEET UG 2025 Stray Vacancy Round:

Activity

Tentative Date (2025)

Registration & Fee Payment04th – 09th November
Choice Filling Window05th – 09th November
Choice Locking05th – 09th November
Seat Allotment Processing10th – 11th November
Result Declaration12th November
Reporting to Allotted College13th – 20th November

Note: These dates are tentative and subject to official MCC announcements. Students are advised to check updates regularly.

Step-by-Step Process for Online Registration

Follow these steps carefully to complete your NEET 2025 Stray Vacancy Round registration successfully:

Step 1: Visit the Official Counselling Portal

Open the official NEET UG Counselling portal of the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). This is the only authorized platform for registration and choice filling.

Step 2: Login or Register

If you have already registered in previous rounds, simply log in using your existing credentials. Some years allow fresh registration for the stray round — check the notification carefully.

Step 3: Pay the Registration Fee

Pay the required counselling and security deposit fee through online mode (credit/debit/net banking/UPI). The fee amount varies based on your category and type of institution (Government, Private, or Deemed University).

Step 4: Review Vacant Seats

Check the official seat matrix published before the round begins. This will help you understand which colleges and courses have available seats.

Step 5: Choice Filling

Select your preferred colleges and courses based on availability and your NEET rank. Arrange them in priority order — top preferences first.

Step 6: Choice Locking

After you’ve made your selections, click on “Lock Choices” within the specified window. Choices once locked cannot be changed.

Step 7: Seat Allotment

After choice locking, MCC will conduct seat allotment based on:

  • Your NEET rank
  • Seat availability
  • Reservation category
  • Choice preferences

Step 8: Result Announcement

Once the result is declared, login to check your allotment status. Download the allotment letter for reporting purposes.

Step 9: Reporting to Allotted College

If allotted, report to the college within the given timeline. Carry all required documents for verification and pay the admission fee.

Documents Required During Reporting

Here’s a checklist of documents you’ll need at the time of admission:

  • NEET 2025 Admit Card
  • NEET 2025 Rank Letter or Scorecard
  • 10th & 12th Mark Sheets and Certificates
  • Identity Proof (Aadhaar, Passport, or Voter ID)
  • Category Certificate (if applicable)
  • Passport-size Photographs
  • Allotment Letter issued by MCC
  • Fee Payment Receipt
  • Transfer Certificate, Migration Certificate, etc.

Always carry original documents and two sets of photocopies for verification.

Choice Filling Tips & Strategy

The Stray Vacancy Round demands a smart approach. Here are some expert tips:

  1. Analyze Past Cut-Offs:
    Study last year’s closing ranks for similar rounds to get an idea of your chances.
  2. Prioritize Realistic Options:
    Choose colleges based on your NEET rank, category, and affordability.
  3. Add Backup Options:
    Don’t only list dream colleges. Include a mix of government, private, and deemed universities.
  4. Don’t Delay Locking Choices:
    Many students miss out because they fail to lock their preferences before the deadline.
  5. Double-Check Information:
    Ensure that all your details, documents, and payment confirmations are correct.
  6. Stay Updated:
    Keep track of every MCC notice, as deadlines are short during this final round.

Seat Allotment and Reporting Process

After choice locking, MCC conducts computerized seat allotment. The process is purely merit-based and transparent. Allotment depends on:

  • NEET score and All India Rank
  • Category (General/OBC/SC/ST)
  • Seat availability in chosen colleges
  • Preference order in choice filling

Once the result is announced:

  • Download your Provisional Allotment Letter.
  • Report physically to the allotted college.
  • Pay the admission fee and submit all required documents.

Failure to report within the timeline will automatically cancel your allotment, and you won’t be eligible for any further round.

Who Cannot Participate in Stray Vacancy Round

It’s important to know who is not eligible:

  • Candidates who already joined a seat allotted in previous rounds.
  • Candidates who did not register in earlier counselling rounds.
  • Those who failed to pay the registration fee within the stray vacancy window.
  • Candidates whose documents were found invalid during verification.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Missing the registration or choice locking deadline.
  2. Entering incorrect details during form filling.
  3. Ignoring realistic college preferences.
  4. Waiting till the last minute for payment or submission.
  5. Not checking updates or official notifications regularly.

Remember, a small mistake can cost you your medical seat — stay alert!

NEET 2025 Stray Vacancy Round – Key Highlights

Feature

Details

Conducting BodyMedical Counselling Committee (MCC)
Exam NameNEET UG 2025
Courses OfferedMBBS, BDS
Eligible QuotasAIQ, Deemed, Central Universities
Mode of CounsellingOnline
Registration FeeVaries by category and institution
Allotment CriteriaNEET Rank, Choice Filling, Availability

Pro Tips for Success

  • Keep your documents and photographs ready in advance.
  • Use a stable internet connection during registration.
  • Follow a clear priority order in your choice list.
  • Stay updated through reliable counselling information sources.
  • Avoid multiple logins or device changes during form filling.
  • Take screenshots or print receipts for every step.

Final Words

The NEET 2025 Stray Vacancy Round can be your final gateway to fulfilling your dream of becoming a doctor. Every year, thousands of students secure their MBBS or BDS seats in this round after missing out earlier. With proper preparation, timely action, and a well-thought-out choice filling strategy, you can definitely make it count.

Keep all documents ready, follow instructions carefully, and never wait till the last moment. This is your last opportunity under NEET UG 2025 — grab it with full focus and confidence.

Good luck to all future doctors! 🩺✨

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Frequently Asked Questions

It’s the final counselling round to fill leftover or vacant seats after Mop-Up Round in MBBS and BDS courses.
Generally, only previously registered candidates can participate, but you should check the MCC notification for updates.
Yes You must fill and lock your choices within the official window to be considered for seat allotment.
Unlocked choices will not be processed for seat allotment, meaning you’ll miss your chance.
Report to the allotted college with all documents and pay the admission fee within the given time.
Yes, if eligible, you can participate in both AIQ and your respective state counselling stray vacancy rounds.