MCC NEET PG 2025 Stray Vacancy Round: Registration & Payment
Ananya Das
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Overview
A common misconception is that because the Stray Vacancy Round uses your old choices from Round 1, your old registration is also automatically valid. This is incorrect. For the Stray Vacancy Round, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) typically mandates a fresh registration and payment of a security fee.
Completing this step makes you visible to the allotment algorithm. Skipping it, even if you were a top-ranked candidate, will result in you being completely invisible and excluded from the final seat allotment.
This blog details your registration/payment process for the Stray Vacancy Round, including key dates, eligibility, and all the important instructions to keep in mind for the week of Jan 15th, 2026, to Jan 18th, 2026.
Key Dates
| Event | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Verification of Tentative Seat Matrix by Participating Institutes | Jan 15, 2026 | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Registration / Payment | Jan 15, 2026 | Jan 18, 2026 |
| Choice Filling / Locking | Jan 15, 2026 | Jan 18, 2026 |
| Processing of Seat Allotment | Jan 19, 2026 | Jan 20, 2026 |
| Jan 21, 2026 | Jan 21, 2026 | |
| Reporting / Joining | Jan 22, 2026 | Jan 31, 2026 |
| Verification of Joined Candidates’ Data by Institutes, Sharing of Data to MCC | --- | --- |
Eligibility Criteria
The Stray Vacancy Round has strict eligibility criteria. It is not open to all candidates. You fall into the eligible category if you meet ANY ONE of the following conditions:
- Candidates Not Allotted Any Seat in Rounds 1, 2, or 3: If you participated in the counselling but were never offered a seat, you are eligible.
- Candidates Who Resigned Their Allotted Seat in Rounds 1, 2, or 3: If you were allotted a seat but formally resigned from it through the MCC portal (and accepted the forfeiture of your security fee), you can participate.
- Candidates Who Did Not Join or Report After Allotment: If you were allotted a seat but did not report to the institute to complete the admission formalities, you are automatically considered for the Stray Vacancy Round. However, your security fee will be forfeited.
Who is NOT Eligible?
- Candidates who have already joined and are studying in a college allotted in any of the previous rounds.
- Candidates who freshly register for counselling; only Round 1 registrants are considered.
- Candidates who withdrew from the counselling process entirely in a previous round.
Stray Vacancy Round Steps
| Step | Activity | Candidate's Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Verification of Joined Candidates for Round 3 | None. This is done by colleges and MCC. |
| 2 | Release of Tentative Seat Matrix (Dec 29, 2025) | Analyze the matrix to see available seats against your Round 1 choices. |
| 3 | Processing of Allotment | None. The system auto-allots seats based on Round 1 choices and rank. |
| 4 | Publication of Round 4 Result | Log in to the MCC portal to check your result and download the allotment letter if successful. |
| 5 | Payment of Security Fee & Decision Making | If allotted, you MUST pay the security fee and choose to Freeze (accept) the seat. The "Float" option is typically unavailable. |
| 6 | Reporting to the Allotted Institute | Physically report to the college with all original documents and fees to secure your admission. |
Registration Process
The registration process is straightforward but must be completed meticulously within the deadline. The following table outlines the step-by-step procedure.
| Step | Activity | Candidate's Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check MCC Notice | Carefully read the official MCC notification for exact dates and timings for Stray Vacancy Round registration. |
| 2 | Log into MCC Portal | Log in to your MCC candidate account using the same credentials used in previous rounds. |
| 3 | Initiate Registration | Click on the "Stray Vacancy Round Registration" link available on your dashboard. |
| 4 | Review and Confirm Details | Verify all pre-filled personal, category, and academic information. No new choice filling is allowed in Stray Vacancy Round. |
| 5 | Payment of Security Fee | Pay the required security fee based on your category via the MCC payment gateway. |
| 6 | Confirmation and Lock-In | Ensure you receive a successful payment receipt and your registration status shows Completed. |
Important Instructions
Adhere to the following instructions with utmost care.
| Instruction Category | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Strict Deadline Adherence | The registration window is only 5 days. Do not wait until the last hour. Technical glitches or bank delays can cost you your chance. |
| Mandatory Payment | Registration without successful fee payment is incomplete. Your application will not be considered for allotment until the fee is reflected as 'paid' in the portal. |
| No Choice Filling/Editing | During this registration, you cannot add, remove, or rearrange your college preferences. The system will use your original locked choices from Round 1. |
| Irreversible Action | Once you complete registration and payment, you cannot revert it. You are now committed to the rules of the Stray Vacancy Round. |
| Consequence of Allotment | If you are allotted a seat in Round 4, you must accept it and report to the college. Failure to do so will lead to the forfeiture of this security fee. |
| Document Readiness | While not part of registration, use this time to ensure all your original documents are in order for immediate physical reporting if allotted. |
Official Links
Rely only on official sources for information and transactions.
| Portal | Website Link | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| MCC Main Website | https://mcc.nic.in/ | Central hub for all official notices, information bulletins, and general updates. |
| MCC Counselling Portal | https://mcc.nic.in/pg-medical-counselling/ | Your candidate login for checking results, downloading letters, and making payments. |
| Payment Gateway | https://mcc.nic.in/pg-medical-counselling/ | For secure payment of the security fee; do not use any external links. |
Conclusion: Your Final Active Step
Think of the Stray Vacancy Round registration as your final ticket. You have to actively go online, sign up, and pay the fee to be in the running. If you don't do this, the system will ignore you, even if you are eligible.
This is your last active step. Don't miss it because you're tired of the long process. Mark the date, pay the fee, and give yourself this final chance.
NEET Support Can Help
We know this process can get quite confusing but don't worry, we've got your back.
Our experienced counsellors offer customized strategies and step-by-step guidance for filling out choices, help you with the documents, and keep you updated with the latest announcements. This support helps you secure the best seat possible based on your rank. Click here to connect with us today!
FAQs
I was registered in Round 1. Do I need to register again for the Stray Vacancy Round?
Yes. A fresh registration and payment are almost always required for Round 4. Your old registration does not count. You must actively sign up again to be considered.
What happens if I pay the fee but don't get a seat?
If you are not allotted any seat, your security fee will be refunded by MCC after the entire counselling process is over.
Can I change my college choices during this registration?
No. You cannot add, remove, or rearrange your college preferences. The allotment will be based only on the list of choices you locked during Round 1.
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