NEET SS Cutoff 2026 Reduced to 30 Percentile; Check 1,857 Vacant Seats, Special Stray Round

The Central government has agreed to reduce the qualifying percentile for NEET-Super Speciality (NEET-SS) from the existing 50th percentile to 30th percentile for the proposed Special Stray Vacancy Round. The Centre informed the Supreme Court of India about the decision on September 17, 2026, after reconsidering the qualifying criteria in view of vacant super-speciality seats. The decision comes after 1,857 super-speciality seats remained vacant following the second round of NEET-SS counselling. The vacant seats include 1,094 DM/MCh seats and 763 DNB-SS seats. The Centre told the Supreme Court that reducing the qualifying percentile could make approximately 6,000 additional candidates eligible for the special round. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will conduct the Special Stray Vacancy Round for the remaining vacant seats. The government has stated that MCC will complete the special round within two weeks after the relevant Tamil Nadu process and addition of eligible remaining seats to the MCC pool.

NEET SS Cutoff 2026: 50 to 30 Percentile

The qualifying percentile for NEET-SS is being reduced specifically for the proposed Special Stray Vacancy Round.

The Centre said the decision was taken after consultation with the concerned stakeholders to ensure that available super-speciality seats do not remain vacant and that available training capacity is utilised.

Why Was the NEET SS Cutoff Reduced?

The cutoff reduction follows concerns raised by the Supreme Court over the number of super-speciality seats remaining vacant after the regular counselling process. On September 17, the Centre informed the Court that it had reconsidered the matter and agreed to reduce the qualifying percentile from 50th to 30th for the Special Stray Vacancy Round. The decision is therefore limited to the proposed special round rather than representing a general change to the qualifying percentile for NEET-SS. The Centre said that approximately 6,000 additional candidates would become eligible, creating a candidate pool of roughly three times the number of vacant seats.

NEET SS 2026 Vacant Seats: DM/MCh and DNB-SS

After the second round of counselling, 1,857 super-speciality seats remained vacant.

A substantial proportion of the vacant seats are in highly specialised medical and surgical disciplines, according to the Centre's submission before the Supreme Court. The reduced qualifying percentile expands the pool of candidates who can participate in the proposed special round. However, becoming newly eligible does not mean that a candidate will automatically receive a seat; allotment will depend on the applicable counselling rules, available seats and candidate merit.

Who Can Participate in the NEET SS Special Stray Vacancy Round?

The reduced 30th percentile qualifying criterion will apply to candidates participating in the proposed Special Stray Vacancy Round, subject to the applicable eligibility and counselling rules. Candidates who have already taken admission and joined a seat will not be permitted to participate in the special round for upgradation. The Centre has proposed that the round be conducted according to the existing principles applicable to a stray vacancy round, with no upgradation facility for candidates already holding or having joined a seat. Candidates who become eligible under the revised percentile should check the final MCC notification and seat matrix before registering.

Tamil Nadu Gets 40 Vacant In-Service Seats Back

The Centre has also agreed to return 40 vacant in-service super-speciality seats in Tamil Nadu to the state government. Tamil Nadu will be allowed to conduct its own Stray Vacancy Round for these seats for one week. If seats remain vacant after the state-level process, those seats will subsequently be added to the pool available with the MCC. The development follows litigation concerning vacant super-speciality seats earmarked for in-service government doctors in Tamil Nadu. The current arrangement allows the state to conduct a limited round before any remaining seats are added to the national counselling pool.

When Will NEET SS Special Stray Vacancy Round Begin?

The exact registration date for the NEET SS Special Stray Vacancy Round has not yet been announced in the sources reviewed. The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that the MCC will conduct and complete the Special Stray Vacancy Round within two weeks. Before that, Tamil Nadu will have a one-week window to conduct its state-level round for the 40 returned in-service seats. Any seats left vacant after that process can move into the MCC pool. Candidates should therefore monitor the official MCC portal for the formal notification, registration dates, seat matrix, choice-filling schedule and fee details.

How to Register for NEET SS Special Stray Vacancy Round?

Once MCC opens the registration facility, candidates should use the official counselling portal and follow the instructions in the notification.

The expected process will include:

1. Visit the official MCC website.
2. Open the Super Speciality Counselling section.
3. Select the Special Stray Vacancy Round notification/link when published.
4. Log in or register using the credentials specified by MCC.
5. Complete the required registration details.
6. Pay the applicable counselling fee, if prescribed.
7. Review the available vacant seats.
8. Enter eligible course and college choices.
9. Lock the choices before the deadline.
10. Check the allotment result and follow the reporting instructions if a seat is allotted.

What Candidates Should Do Now

Candidates who may become eligible under the revised percentile should:

1. Monitor mcc.nic.in for the official special-round notification.
2. Check their NEET-SS qualifying status against the revised 30th percentile criterion.
3. Review the final vacant-seat matrix when released.
4. Check whether their existing admission status affects eligibility.
5. Keep academic, registration and identity documents ready.
6. Review DM, MCh and DNB-SS options before the choice-filling window opens.
7. Complete registration and choice locking within the official MCC deadlines.

NEET SS Cutoff Reduction: What Changes for Candidates?

The principal change is the expansion of the qualifying pool for the proposed special round.

The revised percentile should therefore be understood as a special-round eligibility change, not as a guarantee of admission for candidates scoring between the 30th and 50th percentile.

Official MCC Portal

Candidates should rely on the Medical Counselling Committee's official website for the Special Stray Vacancy Round notification, registration dates, seat matrix, choice filling, allotment and reporting instructions. MCC's current Super Speciality section lists the ongoing counselling-related notices and results.