Selection Committee, Directorate of Medical Education and Research, Tamil Nadu, has released the tentative schedule for the NEET UG 2026–27 Stray Vacancy Round for admission to MBBS and BDS courses. The notice covers Government Medical and Dental Colleges, government and management quota seats in self-financing institutions, and State Private Universities.
The registration, choice filling and locking process for the MBBS and BDS stray vacancy rounds began on 18 October 2026 at 12:01 PM. Candidates must complete the process by 21 October 2026 at 5:00 PM.
The committee has also published the tentative dates for seat allotment, result declaration, downloading provisional allotment orders and reporting to the allotted college.
Tamil Nadu NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round: Important Dates
The following schedule applies to the MBBS & BDS stray vacancy round:
| Counselling Activity | Date and Time |
|---|---|
| Registration, choice filling and locking | 18 October 2026, 12:01 PM to 21 October 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Processing of seat allotment | 22 October 2026 |
| Declaration of result | 22 October 2026, afternoon session |
| Downloading provisional allotment order | 22–26 October 2026, up to 12:00 noon on 26 October |
| Last date for reporting | 26 October 2026, up to 5:00 PM |
Who Is Eligible for the Stray Vacancy Round?
According to the notice, candidates who are not holding any MBBS or BDS seat under either the All India Quota or State Quota are eligible to participate in this online counselling round.
Candidates who have already joined an MBBS or BDS seat under any quota, including Government, Management or NRI quota, are not eligible. Candidates who did not join seats allotted through Tamil Nadu State Counselling Round 3 are also declared ineligible for this round.
Candidates should verify their eligibility before registering or filling their choices.
Additional Security Deposit and Registration Fee
The notice specifies the following additional security deposit for participation in the stray vacancy round or subsequent rounds:
| Course | Additional Security Deposit |
|---|---|
| MBBS | Rs.5 lakh |
| BDS | Rs.2 lakh |
The additional security deposit must be paid through the online bank payment portal and is stated to be non-refundable if the candidate does not join the allotted course.
Candidates belonging to SC/SCA/ST/SCC categories whose annual parental or guardian income is below Rs.2.5 lakh, and who have submitted the required income certificate with their application, are exempted from this additional security deposit.
Candidates who have not previously registered and participated in online choice filling must also pay a registration fee of Rs.500 for Government Quota or Rs.1,000 for Management Quota. Candidates who have already applied to the Tamil Nadu Medical Selection Committee and whose names appear in the merit list are covered by the notice’s stated exception.
Important Choice-Filling Instructions
Candidates should read the prospectus carefully before filling their choices. The committee has stated that:
- Candidates can edit their choices any number of times before locking them.
- Once choices are locked, they cannot be edited.
- If choices are not locked by 21 October 2026, 5:00 PM, the system will automatically lock the submitted choices.
- Candidates should select colleges and courses in their preferred order.
- The vacancy position will be available on the official website.
Candidates are advised to select only those colleges and courses where they are willing to take admission.
Instructions for Candidates Who Receive Allotment
Candidates allotted a seat must download their provisional allotment order and report to the allotted institution within the prescribed deadline.
The notice states that downloading the allotment order is considered joining for the purpose of the counselling process, but candidates must still report to the institution within the stipulated time and complete admission formalities. Original certificates must be produced in person for verification.
Candidates who fail to report or discontinue after allotment may have to forfeit their security deposit and pay the applicable discontinuation fee. They may also be barred from participating in Tamil Nadu UG Medical Counselling for the subsequent academic year.
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