In short
MCC has announced a special stray vacancy round for MBBS in NEET UG 2026 counselling. Under its schedule dated 30 October, registration and payment run from 2 November to 3 PM on 4 November, choice filling from 2 November to 11 AM on 5 November, the result is due on 7 November, and allotted candidates must report by 5 PM on 16 November. The same notice sets a 5th round for BDS and BSc Nursing on the same dates, and a 6th round from 17 November. Around 2,000 MBBS seats are reported vacant nationwide.
Updated 31 October 2026. The dates are from MCC’s schedule notice (File No. U-11011/07/2026-MEC, generated 30 October 2026), which we read in the PDF copy published by Medical Dialogues, and they match Medical Dialogues and Education Bytes (both 31 October). The “around 2,000” vacant MBBS seats figure is reported by Medical Dialogues and Education Bytes, not by MCC. The 837 MBBS seats left after the regular stray round are from Medical Dialogues (23 October) and FindMyCollege (22 October), citing MCC sources. MCC’s own site was not reachable for us and the notice does not set out eligibility, so check mcc.nic.in before you register or pay.
Special stray round dates at a glance
| Step | MBBS special stray round (and BDS/BSc Nursing Round 5) |
|---|---|
| Registration | 2 November to 3 PM, 4 November 2026 |
| Fee payment | 10 AM, 2 November to 6 PM, 4 November |
| Choice filling | 2 November to 11 AM, 5 November |
| Choice locking | 4 PM, 4 November to 11 AM, 5 November |
| Seat processing | 5–6 November |
| Result | 7 November |
| Reporting at the allotted college | 7 November to 5 PM, 16 November |
All times are MCC server time. The notice gives nine days for reporting, so plan travel and fees before you lock choices, not after the result.
BDS and BSc Nursing: Round 6 dates
| Step | BDS / BSc Nursing Round 6 |
|---|---|
| Registration | 17 November to 3 PM, 18 November (payment to 6 PM, 19 November) |
| Choice filling | 17 November to 9 AM, 19 November |
| Result | 20 November |
| Reporting | 21 November to 5 PM, 28 November |
The notice’s table reads “upto 03:00 P.M of 18.11.2026” for Round 6 registration, while Medical Dialogues reports 19 November. Treat 18 November as the safe deadline until MCC’s portal shows otherwise.
Why MCC is running another round
After the regular stray round, 837 MBBS seats were still vacant, 824 of them in deemed universities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, as reported by Medical Dialogues and FindMyCollege citing MCC sources. Our college-wise breakdown of those seats lists the four colleges with the most vacancies and their reported fees of ₹21,00,000 to ₹24,00,000 a year in tuition.
Medical Dialogues reports that around 2,000 MBBS seats are vacant across the country once state seats are counted, and that Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal and Rajasthan each reported more than 100 vacant MBBS seats after several rounds. Colleges and state governments had asked the National Medical Commission to allow another round. Which of these seats will appear in MCC’s special stray matrix is not stated in the schedule; the seat matrix on mcc.nic.in will show it.
Who can take part
The schedule notice does not set eligibility. Do not assume you can apply only because you qualified NEET UG 2026. In past special rounds, as reported by CaderaEdu, MCC opened the round to candidates who held no AIQ or state-quota seat, required fresh choice filling and forfeited the deposit if an allotted seat was not joined. That was an earlier year, so wait for MCC’s 2026 eligibility notice and read it before paying. Our stray round eligibility guide explains how joined and not-joined status usually decides this.
Deposit and the rule that costs money
- Deemed choices carry a ₹2,00,000 deposit under MCC’s 2026 bulletin, as reported earlier this season; see our MCC stray round fee table. Confirm the amount on the payment screen.
- Expect join-or-forfeit. Stray-type rounds have had no free exit. Lock only colleges you would actually join and can fund for all years.
- Most vacant seats are in high-fee deemed universities. Five years of tuition at ₹21–24 lakh a year comes to over ₹1 crore before hostel and mess. Read our hidden costs guide first.
What to do in the next 7 days
- From 2 November, check mcc.nic.in for the eligibility notice and the special stray seat matrix.
- Register and pay by 3 PM on 4 November from your own bank account if you are eligible.
- Fill only colleges whose full fee you can pay, using the deemed universities guide, and lock by 11 AM on 5 November.
- Check the result on 7 November and report with original documents by 5 PM on 16 November.
- Verify the college before paying any fee with our verification checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a special stray vacancy round in NEET UG 2026?
Yes. MCC’s schedule dated 30 October 2026 sets a special stray vacancy round for MBBS, with registration from 2 November and the result on 7 November.
What is the last date to register for the MCC special stray round?
3 PM on 4 November 2026 (server time). Payment closes at 6 PM the same day and choice locking ends at 11 AM on 5 November.
When is the special stray round result?
7 November 2026. Allotted candidates must report to the college by 5 PM on 16 November.
How many MBBS seats are vacant for the special stray round?
MCC has not published a number in the schedule. 837 MBBS seats were vacant after the regular stray round, and Medical Dialogues reports around 2,000 vacant nationwide. The special round seat matrix on mcc.nic.in is the list that counts.
Can I join if I already have a state MBBS seat?
The schedule notice does not say. Earlier special rounds were for candidates holding no AIQ or state seat, as reported. Wait for MCC’s eligibility notice before resigning anything.
Is anyone selling these seats directly?
MBBS seats in this round are allotted only through MCC. Do not pay any agent or college that offers one of these seats outside counselling.
Sources
- MCC/DGHS — Schedule for NEET-UG counselling 2026: special stray vacancy round for MBBS and 5th round of BDS/BSc Nursing (notice dated 30 October 2026, PDF copy)
- Medical Dialogues — MCC announces special stray vacancy round schedule, registrations from November 2 (31 October 2026)
- Education Bytes — NEET UG 2026: MCC announces special stray vacancy round for MBBS seats (31 October 2026)
- Medical Dialogues — 837 MBBS seats remain vacant after MCC NEET stray vacancy round counselling 2026 (23 October 2026)
- FindMyCollege — NEET UG 2026 counselling: over 800 seats vacant after stray vacancy round (22 October 2026)
- CaderaEdu — MCC NEET UG 2026: MBBS seats vacant, special stray round? (20 October 2026)
- MCC — Medical Counselling Committee (check the live notice)
NEET 2026 counselling support
Special stray round: get a fee-checked list of colleges to lock
Get a personalised list of NMC-approved private and deemed medical colleges matching your NEET score and budget.
Sources and how to verify this page
Cutoffs and fees on this page are compiled estimates for the 2026 cycle, not official figures. Every claim about eligibility, counselling process and legality can be checked against the primary sources below, and you should check them before acting.
- National Medical Commission — recognised colleges and seat matrix
- Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) — deemed and all-India quota
- National Testing Agency — NEET-UG results and percentiles
- UP DGME — Uttar Pradesh private MBBS counselling
- BCECEB — Bihar private MBBS counselling
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