NEET UG Stray Round Counselling Begins – Final Chance for Medical Aspirants

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has commenced the Stray Vacancy Round for the NEET UG Counselling, marking the definitive and final opportunity for eligible medical and dental aspirants to secure a seat in MBBS, BDS, and B.Sc Nursing courses for the current academic session. This round is critical for filling the remaining vacant seats across the All India Quota (AIQ), Central Universities, Deemed Universities, AIIMS, and JIPMER institutes after the preceding three rounds of counselling.

Key Dates and Schedule Focus

Candidates must act swiftly and adhere strictly to the schedule to participate, as the window for this final round is exceptionally tight. The critical phase of choice filling and locking has begun, and aspirants are strongly advised to complete this process well within the deadline to ensure their preferences are considered.

The Medical Counselling Committee’s official website, mcc.nic.in, is the sole authentic source for the precise schedule, eligibility criteria, and all associated announcements.

The Choice Filling Process: A Strategic Move

The choice filling and locking process in the Stray Vacancy Round demands utmost strategic thought and diligence from candidates. Unlike previous rounds, this is the final selection opportunity, and seat allotments will be based on the vacant seats available after the Mop-Up Round.

• Fresh Choices are Mandatory: Candidates participating in this round are generally required to submit a fresh list of preferred colleges and courses. Choices filled in earlier rounds are nullified.
• Maximise Options: Given the limited number of seats, candidates are advised to fill in as many choices as possible, listing colleges in descending order of preference, to maximise their chances of securing an allotment.
• Careful Locking: Once choices are filled, candidates must lock them before the final deadline. Unlocked choices may not be considered for the allotment process.

Eligibility: Who Can Participate?

The eligibility criteria for the Stray Vacancy Round are stringent, designed to offer a chance to those who are yet to secure a seat or those who wish to upgrade, though conditions apply.

• Generally Eligible: Candidates who have registered in the earlier rounds but have not been allotted any seat in any of the previous rounds (Round 1, Round 2, Mop-Up Round) of either AIQ or State Quota are typically eligible.
• Ineligible: Candidates who have already joined a seat in Round 1, Round 2, or the Mop-Up Round of the All India Quota, or have joined a seat in the State Quota, are generally ineligible to participate in the MCC’s Stray Vacancy Round.
• Forfeiture Warning: A crucial note for all participants is the forfeiture clause: Candidates allotted a seat in the Stray Vacancy Round who subsequently fail to join the allotted institute will have their security deposit forfeited and may be debarred from appearing in the NEET exam for the next year.

An Essential Last Chance

The introduction of the Stray Vacancy Round is often a directive to ensure that valuable medical seats, which are vital for meeting the nation’s healthcare needs, do not go to waste. This round provides a last-ditch effort for thousands of meritorious aspirants who might have narrowly missed out in the initial phases.

Aspirants are strongly urged to review the official information bulletin, understand the revised eligibility norms, and execute their choice-filling strategy with precision. Failure to adhere to the strict deadlines and procedures in this final stage will lead to the irreversible exclusion from the admission process for the current academic year.