NEET UG 2026: final AIQ stray round opens today, registration closes October 14

By TUF News Desk · Published 12 October 2026 · 3 min read

Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy

October 14, 3 pm. That is the cutoff medical aspirants need to keep in mind this week, because the Medical Counselling Committee opened its final NEET UG 2026 counselling round on Monday, October 12. Registration for the AIQ stray vacancy round is live, and the clock runs tighter than in any earlier round.

The stray round covers the last remaining MBBS, BDS and BSc Nursing seats under the 15 per cent All India Quota in government medical colleges, along with seats in deemed universities, central universities, AFMC Pune, AIIMS institutions and JIPMER. There is no further AIQ round for NEET UG 2026 after this one.

The schedule, in one place

Registration and fee payment run from October 12 to October 14. The registration form closes at 3 pm on October 14, and fee payment stays open until 6 pm the same day.

Choice filling runs till 10 am on October 15. Choice locking is enabled from 4 pm on October 14 to 10 am on October 15. Allotment processing happens on October 15 and 16, and the seat allotment result is declared on October 17.

Candidates allotted seats must report to their colleges between October 19 and October 26, including weekends.

Who can apply

This round is open to candidates who finished Round 3 without a seat. Candidates who have not participated in the counselling so far can also register afresh. Those who were already registered in earlier rounds do not need to register again.

Anyone who received a seat allotment in Round 3, whether they joined it or not, cannot participate in the stray round. The filtering runs on the MCC portal itself, so registering against the rules only risks the fee.

How to register

Registration happens only on the official MCC portal. First-time participants need to create a fresh account, verify their details and pay the applicable counselling fee inside the window. Fill in programme and college choices in order of preference, save after each session, and lock the choices before 10 am on October 15. Download and keep the confirmation page.

One detail is worth a second look: the allotment algorithm counts only locked choices. An unlocked choice list never enters processing, so a saved-but-unlocked form works out the same as no form at all.

Keep the documents ready

Have the NEET UG 2026 admit card, rank card, Class 10 and 12 marksheets, a valid photo ID, the category certificate if applicable, and the transfer and conduct certificates ready. Keep originals and self-attested copies aside, since reporting involves physical document verification. Our admission documents checklist walks through the usual paperwork, and how to choose a university in India helps weigh the final options if a deemed university seat turns up.

Frequently asked questions

What is the last date to register for the NEET UG 2026 AIQ stray round?

October 14, 2026. The registration form closes at 3 pm, and fee payment stays open until 6 pm the same day.

When is the stray round allotment result declared?

October 17, 2026. Allotment processing runs on October 15 and 16, and candidates report to their allotted colleges from October 19 to 26.

Who is eligible for the NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy round?

Candidates without a seat after Round 3, including those registering for the first time. Candidates who were allotted a seat in Round 3, whether or not they joined it, are not eligible.

Which seats are covered in the AIQ stray round?

MBBS, BDS and BSc Nursing seats under the 15 per cent All India Quota, plus seats in deemed universities, central universities, AFMC Pune, AIIMS and JIPMER.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: Careerindia, Collegedunia, CollegeDekho