NEET UG 2026: MCC Releases Vacant Seat Matrix, Adds Two MBBS Seats for Special Stray Vacancy Round

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the vacant seat matrix for the NEET UG 2026 Special Stray Vacancy Round, along with a separate notification announcing the addition of two MBBS seats under specific reservation quotas. Candidates participating in the counselling round should carefully review both notifications before finalising their college and course preferences. The latest seat matrix includes 946 MBBS vacancies, 207 BDS seats and 66 BSc Nursing seats across participating medical and dental institutions. Meanwhile, the two additional MBBS seats are available under the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) and OBC Persons with Disabilities (PwD) quotas, subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions. The special stray vacancy round is being conducted for MBBS admissions, while BDS and BSc Nursing vacancies are being processed through their respective fifth counselling rounds.

MCC Adds Two MBBS Seats Under NRI and OBC PwD Quotas

According to the additional seat notification, MCC has introduced two MBBS vacancies at specific medical colleges:

• Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi: One MBBS seat under the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quota.
• Stanley Medical College, Chennai: One MBBS seat under the OBC Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category.

These additional seats are subject to their respective quota and eligibility requirements. Candidates should verify their eligibility before including these colleges in their NEET UG 2026 choice preferences. The notification does not indicate a separate registration window or an extension of the existing choice-filling schedule. Therefore, candidates should complete their choices within the announced counselling timeline.

NEET UG 2026 Special Stray Vacancy Round: Seat Matrix Details

The MCC-published vacant seat matrix includes the following course-wise vacancies:

The vacancies cover several categories of participating institutions, including:

• Government medical and dental colleges
• Central universities
• Deemed universities
• All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
• Employees' State Insurance (ESI) institutions

The seat matrix provides institution-wise details, including the state, course, quota, reservation category and number of available seats. Candidates can find vacancies under categories such as Open, OBC, SC, ST, EWS and Persons with Disabilities. Different quota allocations, including All India, NRI, self-financed merit and institution-specific seats, are also reflected in the published details. Applicants should check the exact quota and reservation category instead of relying only on a college's overall vacancy count.

Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Account for Most MBBS Vacancies

The reported distribution of 946 MBBS vacancies shows that a significant proportion of available seats are concentrated in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

The state-wise distribution is as follows:

Of the total 946 MBBS vacancies, 920 are reported to be in deemed universities. The increase in vacancies from the previously reported 837 MBBS seats is attributed to 109 candidates not joining their allotted colleges following the earlier stray vacancy round. This change has created additional opportunities for eligible candidates participating in the special stray vacancy counselling process.

Deemed University MBBS Fees Range Between ₹23 Lakh and ₹35 Lakh

1. Candidates considering deemed universities should also evaluate the financial implications before selecting their preferred institutions.
2. Reported annual MBBS tuition fees at several deemed universities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry range between ₹23 lakh and ₹35 lakh.
3. Since tuition fees can vary significantly between institutions, applicants should check the applicable fee structure, additional charges and financial requirements before locking their choices.
4. A vacant seat does not automatically make a college an affordable or suitable option for every candidate.

NEET UG 2026 Choice Locking and Seat Allotment Schedule

Candidates participating in the special stray vacancy round should take note of the announced counselling schedule.

Candidates should complete their choice selection and locking within the specified window. They should also ensure that their preferences reflect their eligibility, preferred institutions and financial capacity.

What Candidates Should Check Before Locking NEET UG 2026 Choices

Before finalising their preferences for the special stray vacancy round, candidates should:

1. Download and review the latest MCC vacant seat matrix.
2. Check the two additional MBBS seats and their respective quota requirements.
3. Verify eligibility for the NRI or OBC PwD category, wherever applicable.
4. Compare college-wise vacancies, reservation categories and quota allocations.
5. Review the fee structure of deemed universities before selecting them.
6. Complete choice locking before 11 AM on November 5, 2026.

MCC NEET UG 2026 Special Stray Round: What Happens Next?

1. Following the completion of choice locking, MCC is scheduled to announce the NEET UG 2026 special stray vacancy allotment result on November 7.
2. Candidates allotted seats will be required to report to their respective institutions by November 16, 2026, at 5 PM, as per the announced schedule.
3. The published seat matrix indicates the vacancies available for counselling but does not guarantee admission to any particular candidate. Final allotment will depend on NEET UG rank, eligibility, reservation category, quota and submitted preferences.
4. Candidates are advised to check the official MCC website regularly for counselling notifications, updated seat matrices and admission-related instructions.