Final Stray Vacancy Round Explained – Last Option to Get a Seat

NEET UG Counselling 2025 is conducted by Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and consists of 4 rounds. These rounds are Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 (also called Mop-Up Round), and Final Stray Vacancy Round. The Final Stray Vacancy Round is the last chance for students who are eligible to get admission in MBBS, BDS, or B.Sc. Nursing programs under All India Quota (AIQ).

In this blog we will be talking about the rules, eligibility, procedure, and strategy to get you maximum chances of getting an admission through Final Stray Vacancy Round 2025.

What Is the Final Stray Vacancy Round?

Final Stray Vacancy Round is the fourth and last round of MCC NEET UG Counselling, which is carried out completely online by MCC of DGHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India.

It is organized to fill up any left-over MBBS/BDS/B.Sc. Nursing seats following Round 3 in:

• All India Quota (15%) seats of all the states
• AIIMS (100% open seats)
• JIPMER (Puducherry and Karaikal campuses)
• Deemed Universities
• BHU & AMU (open category)
• ESIC
• Central Universities such as DU, IPU
• Jamia Millia Islamia (Dental)

Note: Vacant seats from Round 3 after non-reporting, resignation, or non-joining are available in this round.

Eligibility Criteria for the Final Stray Vacancy Round

Candidates who wish to take part in the Final Stray Vacancy Round must fulfill specific eligibility criteria:

• The candidate must have qualified NEET UG 2025.
• Candidates must register afresh on the MCC website (www.mcc.nic.in).
• Candidates must not hold or have joined any seat allotted in earlier rounds.
• Candidates who had their seat allotted in Round 3 and did not report shall also not be eligible.
• Candidates who have joined in Round 2 or Round 3 may not resign, therefore, these candidates shall not be eligible.
• Candidates who meet all the above-mentioned eligibility conditions can register and fill choices during this final round.

Important Guidelines for Final Stray Vacancy Round

The MCC has released important guidelines for this round: 

• New registration is mandatory. You cannot use previous registrations submitted in earlier rounds. 
• New choice filling and locking are required. 
• Seat allotment will be strictly online and will be based on merit. 
• Allotted seats need to be reported and joined.  If the allottee does not join and report, the allottee will be debarred from appearing in the NEET UG examination in the next session, as well as loss of security deposit.
• Once the allotted seat is joined, resignation of the ministry allotted seats is not allowed. 
• No manual allotments or nominations.
• It will be ensured that when sharing data with the states, the duplication of a candidate will not happen, that is, if a candidate is allotted a seat in any state quota, the candidate will be excluded from the current round.

What Happens If You Don’t Join the Allotted Seat?

This is perhaps, the most severe consequence in this round. If a candidate is allocated a seat in the Stray Vacancy Round, and does not join that college:

• They will be banned from appearing in NEET UG for the next session (1 year)
• They will lose their security deposit (if applicable)
• This rule was implemented by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India to prevent blocking of seats and to ensure that no seats are wasted.

The Final Stray Vacancy Round of MCC NEET UG Counselling 2025 will occur as follows:

Step 1: Visit MCC Official website

Access the counselling portal by visiting, www.mcc.nic.in.

Step 2: Fresh Registration

All eligible candidates must register again. If the candidate registered in previous round, they will NOT be able to use the previous registration in this round.

Step 3: Fill Fresh Choices

Once the candidate completed the registration step, the candidates needs to fill new preferences/college/course for this round and lock those choices before the expiry date.

Step 4: Allotment of Seats

MCC will publish seat allotment result based on NEET rank and choice filled in.

Step 5: Mandatory Reporting

If a seat is allotted to the candidate, the candidate must report to the allotted college physically & submit original documents.

Step 6: Admission Confirmation

Provided that the candidate reports to institution successfully and successfully submit the original documents for verification, the seat is confirmed.

Is Upgradation Allowed After Round 2?

Candidates who were allotted a seat in Round 2 are eligible for upgradation to Round 3. However, if they are allotted a seat in Round 3, they cannot participate in the Stray Vacancy Round, even if they do not join or report.

Who Is Not Allowed to Participate in the Stray Vacancy Round?

Applicants who fall into certain categories will not be able to participate in this round. These are:

• Candidates who did not register for the Final Stray Vacancy Round
• Candidates who have already accepted a seat or have reported to the college in Round 1, 2, or 3
• Candidates who were allotted a seat in Round 3 but did not report
• Candidates who are currently admitted to any State Counselling seat or any Deemed/ Central University

The MCC will provide live data to State authorities, to ensure the risk of double allocation is limited.

Tips to Succeed in the Final Round

The Final Stray Round is your final opportunity, and strategy is crucial. Here are few suggestions to improve your chances:

• Act quickly and register at the first opportunity
• Be realistic with your choice filling; keep all colleges in mind
• To be as best ready for verification as possible, have your documents prepared
• Do not aim for only top colleges, and be aware of seat allotment
• Daily monitor the MCC website for updates and deadlines

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is new registration required for the Stray Vacancy Round?

A. All candidates need to register again even if they already attended previous rounds.

Q. What will happen if I do not join the allotted college?

A. You will be ineligible to appear in NEET UG next year and your security fee will be forfeited.

Q. Can I resign from the seat after I join in the Stray Round?

A. A candidate cannot resign once they have joined the allotted college in this round.

Q. Who will conduct the Stray Vacancy Round for Deemed Universities?

A. MCC will conduct the Stray Vacancy Round for 100 percent Deemed Universities seats according to the orders of the Supreme Court.

Q. I had been allotted a seat in Round 3 and did not report. Am I eligible?

A. Candidates who were allotted a seat and did not report in Round 3 are not eligible.

Q. Will the AIIMS & JIPMER seats be available in this round?

A. AIIMS and JIPMER open seats remaining vacant after Round 3 will be available for inclusion in the Final Stray Round.

Q. I am already holding a seat from State Quota. Am I eligible to participate?

A. Candidates who already hold a seat (AIQ or State), are not eligible.

Q. Will there be any offline allotment in this round?

A. All allotments are strictly online. No offline admission or nomination is permitted.