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Stray vacancy round in NEET counselling
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The stray vacancy round is the final online round of NEET counselling. It fills seats that are still empty after Round 1, Round 2 and Round 3, for example because allotted candidates did not join. MCC runs one for the seats it counsels, and Tamil Nadu has its own Stray Round after Round 3 of the state counselling.
Where it comes in the sequence
| Step | MCC | Tamil Nadu (2026-27) |
|---|---|---|
| First rounds | Round 1, Round 2 | Round 1, Round 2 |
| Third round | Round 3 | Round 3, also called the mop-up round |
| Last round | Online stray vacancy round | Stray Round |
MCC's 2026 stray vacancy round was reported as scheduled for 12 to 17 October 2026, with registration first and the seat result on 17 October. MCC revises such dates often, so confirm them on mcc.nic.in. Tamil Nadu was still in Round 3 on 8 October 2026, when it extended that round's schedule.
Who can take part
Eligibility is set in each authority's notice for the round, so read it before you plan around this round. Under the Tamil Nadu prospectus, a candidate who joined a seat up to Round 3 of the All India Quota or the state quota cannot take part in later rounds. MCC publishes its own rule in its stray vacancy notice.
How to approach it
- Expect fewer seats. By now many sought-after seats have been filled, so the list on offer is shorter.
- Build a fresh list. You do the choice filling and locking again for this round.
- Know the cost of not joining. Deposit rules get stricter in later rounds. In Tamil Nadu, not joining in Round 3 or later forfeits the deposit.
- Keep documents ready. Reporting windows after allotment are short.
The counselling process guide shows where this round sits among the others, and the Tamil Nadu counselling guide covers the state's rounds.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take part in the stray vacancy round if I have already joined a seat?
Under the Tamil Nadu 2026-27 rules, no: candidates who joined up to Round 3 of the All India Quota or state quota cannot take part in later rounds. For MCC, check the stray vacancy notice.
Does Tamil Nadu have a stray vacancy round?
Yes. The state calls it the Stray Round, and it follows Round 3, the mop-up round.
Official sources
- MCC website: stray vacancy round schedule and rules.
- Tamil Nadu Selection Committee: Stray Round notices.
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- Mop-up roundThe mop-up round is Round 3 of Tamil Nadu NEET counselling, with stricter joining and deposit rules. See what changes, the 2026 dates and how to prepare.
- MCCMCC, the Medical Counselling Committee under DGHS, runs NEET counselling for All India Quota, deemed, central and AIIMS seats. See its steps, rounds and limits.
- Choice fillingChoice filling is listing the colleges and courses you want, in order, before NEET seat allotment. See how the order drives your seat and how to build the list.
- NEET counselling processHow NEET counselling works: what MCC and state authorities each run, the steps from registration to reporting, rounds, choice filling and documents.
- Tamil Nadu NEET counsellingTamil Nadu MBBS/BDS counselling for 2026-27: seat matrix, nativity rule, 69% reservation, the 7.5% government-school quota, rounds and documents.
More in NEET
- State quotaState quota is the share of medical seats a state fills itself. See what it covers, how it differs from All India Quota and how Tamil Nadu splits 2026-27 seats.
- Seat matrixA seat matrix lists each medical college's seats by course and quota. See how to read it, Tamil Nadu's 2026-27 tentative numbers and why it is not a cut-off.
- Provisional answer keyThe NEET provisional answer key is NTA's draft key, open to challenge before the final key. See how to challenge it, what changes and how to compute your score.
- OMR challengeAn OMR challenge in NEET is an objection to how your OMR sheet was recorded, unlike an answer key challenge. See how the display works and avoid fake sheets.
- NTANTA is the National Testing Agency that conducts NEET-UG. See what it handles, what it leaves to MCC and the states, and how to spot genuine NTA notices.
- NRI quotaNRI quota is a separate share of private medical college seats. See Tamil Nadu's 15% share for 2026-27, how it differs from management quota and what to check.
- NMCNMC is the National Medical Commission, whose rules set the NEET syllabus and eligibility. See what it controls, what NTA and MCC do, and the 2026 syllabus.
- NEET tie-breakingNEET tie-breaking decides rank when candidates have equal marks. See the order NTA uses (Biology first), what was removed, and a worked example.