CENTAC Launches Special-Stray Round for BAMS 2025; 21 Vacant Seats Open for New Applicants

The Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC), Puducherry, has announced a Special-Stray Round to fill the final 21 vacant BAMS seats at the Rajiv Gandhi Ayurveda Medical College (RGAMC), Mahe. This is the absolute last opportunity for NEET-UG 2025 qualified aspirants, including fresh applicants, to secure admission under the Government Quota (GQ) and Management Quota (MQ). Candidates must adhere strictly to the expedited deadlines and pay the full tuition fee or security deposit to confirm their participation. The merit list is determined purely by the NEET-UG Rank.

The Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC), Puducherry, has issued a crucial notification for all NEET-UG 2025 qualified candidates, marking the decisive end of the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) admission cycle for the academic session. A Special-Stray Round has been officially launched to fill the 21 vacant seats at the Rajiv Gandhi Ayurveda Medical College (RGAMC), Mahe. This unprecedented final round is being conducted urgently to adhere to the regulatory body's strict cutoff date for completing admissions and is the last opportunity for deserving Ayurveda aspirants to commence their academic journey this year. The seats are available under both the Government Quota (GQ) and the Management Quota (MQ), necessitating swift action and meticulous adherence to the guidelines.

I. The Last Chance Window: Vacancy Breakdown and Deadlines

This Special-Stray Round is unique as it is executed after all conventional rounds (Round 1, Round 2, Mop-Up, and the initial Stray Vacancy Round) are concluded, focusing only on the remaining unfilled seats.

• Total Vacancies: A total of 21 vacant BAMS seats are available at the Rajiv Gandhi Ayurveda Medical College (RGAMC), Mahe, a prestigious government institution in the Union Territory of Puducherry.
• Quota Distribution (Approximate):
  • Government Quota (GQ): A significant number of seats were vacant in this category (initial reports indicated 16), which are highly subsidized for eligible candidates.
  • Management Quota (MQ): The remaining seats are under this category (initial reports indicated 5), which generally involves a higher fee structure.
  • Note: Unfilled Government Quota seats will be converted to Management Quota/Self-Supporting seats after exhausting the eligible GQ candidate list, making the total MQ/Self-Supporting pool larger.
• Strict Deadline Compliance: The timeline for this round is extremely compressed and final. Candidates, including fresh applicants who missed previous registrations, were urgently required to register online, submit their willingness, and make the requisite fee payment.
  • While the registration window closed in late November 2025 (e.g., November 26, 2025), aspirants on December 5, 2025, must now focus on the merit list publication and allotment/reporting dates, which were expected to be announced immediately after the application closure.

II. Eligibility & Admission Process Essentials

The rules for participation in a Special-Stray Round are typically stringent to prevent seat wastage and ensure only genuinely interested candidates are considered.

• Eligibility for Allotment:
  • Must be a NEET-UG 2025 qualified candidate (meeting the minimum qualifying percentile cut-off).
  • Candidates must not be holding or have joined any BAMS, MBBS, BDS, or other AYUSH seat through any counselling authority in the current academic session.
• Merit Determination: Allotment is based strictly on the NEET-UG 2025 All India Rank and adherence to the reservation policies applicable to the Union Territory of Puducherry for the GQ seats.
• The Critical Fee Requirement: Payment of the full tuition fee or a substantial security deposit is mandatory during the registration/preference submission phase for both GQ and MQ seats.
  • This measure is put in place to ensure commitment. If a seat is allotted and the candidate fails to join, the entire fee/deposit amount is forfeited, and the candidate may face regulatory debarment.
• Required Documentation: Candidates whose names appear on the final allotment list must be prepared with all original documents for physical verification, including the NEET-UG Scorecard, 10+2 Mark Sheets, Aadhar Card, and Residence/Domicile Certificate (for GQ applicants).

III. Financial and Strategic Considerations for Final Allotment

Understanding the financial implications and the competition level is vital for candidates proceeding to the final allotment stage.

• Fee Structure Contrast: Government Quota (GQ) seats have a significantly subsidized fee (e.g., around ₹18,500 to ₹74,000 per annum, depending on category), making them highly desirable. The Management Quota (MQ) fee is substantially higher (e.g., around ₹2,35,000 per annum).
• Competition Insight (NEET Scores): Based on the draft eligible candidate list for this special round, the competition remains considerable, even for the final few seats.
  • Highest NEET Score in the Management Quota was noted to be around 337.
  • Highest NEET Score in the Government Quota was noted to be around 279.
  • These scores offer a reference point for candidates assessing their chances based on their NEET-UG Rank.
• RGAMC Course Details: The Rajiv Gandhi Ayurveda Medical College, Mahe, offers the 4.5-year BAMS course followed by a 1-year compulsory internship, recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The total intake capacity is 63 seats, and this final round is designed to ensure maximum utilization of this capacity.

The launch of the CENTAC Special-Stray Round represents the final, non-negotiable step toward securing a BAMS seat at RGAMC, Mahe, for the 2025 session. With the registration and payment window already closed, the focus now shifts entirely to the merit list and allotment process which is expected imminently. All eligible NEET-UG aspirants who have successfully registered for the Special-Stray Round must check the official CENTAC website daily for the Special Stray Round Draft Allotment List, prepare their complete documentation, and be ready to physically report to RGAMC immediately upon final seat allotment to secure and commence their BAMS course.

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