NEET SS 2024 Counselling: Stray Vacancy Round Begins Today!

NEET SS 2024 Counselling Stray Vacancy Round registration and choice filling commence today, July 24, 2025, on mcc.nic.in. All eligible medical aspirants can apply for DM/M.Ch/DNB SS seats. Deadline July 27.

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), has activated the portal for NEET SS 2024 Counselling Stray Vacancy Round registration and choice filling. This is a pivotal moment for thousands of medical graduates aiming to pursue super-specialty education.

Registration Commences: As of today, July 24, 2025, medical aspirants can begin their registration and fee payment for the Stray Vacancy Round. This facility will be available until July 27, 2025, 6:00 PM, with payment options open until 8:00 PM on the same day.

Choice Filling Starts: Concurrently with registration, the choice filling window also opens today, July 24, 2025. Aspirants have until July 28, 2025, 9:00 AM, to fill and modify their preferred colleges and super-specialty courses.

Official Website: All procedures, updates, and access to the counselling portal are available on the MCC's official website for Super Speciality Counselling: mcc.nic.in/super-speciality-counselling/. Candidates are strongly advised to refer only to this official portal for authentic information.

Lowered Cut-off: A significant development for this round is the decision by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), in consultation with the National Medical Commission (NMC) and MCC, to lower the qualifying percentile for the Stray Vacancy Round. This means all candidates who appeared for the NEET SS 2024 exam with an eligible broad specialty degree (MD/MS/DNB) are now allowed to participate.

This special Stray Vacancy Round has been introduced to ensure that maximum super-specialty seats are filled across various medical colleges and institutions.

Key Dates and Important Instructions for Aspirants 

To ensure a smooth counselling process, medical aspirants must strictly adhere to the schedule and instructions released by the MCC.

Stray Vacancy Round Schedule 2025:

Verification of Seat Matrix by Institutes: July 23, 2025 (Completed).

Registration & Payment Facility: July 24, 2025, to July 27, 2025 (till 6:00 PM for registration; till 8:00 PM for payment).

Choice Filling & Locking:

Choice Filling: July 24, 2025, to July 28, 2025 (till 9:00 AM).

Choice Locking: July 27, 2025, (from 9:00 PM) to July 28, 2025 (till 9:00 AM).

Processing of Seat Allotment: July 28, 2025, to July 29, 2025.

Seat Allotment Result Declaration: July 30, 2025.

Reporting to Allotted Institutes: July 31, 2025, to August 5, 2025.

Crucial Instructions:

Mandatory Locking: Candidates must lock their choices within the specified window. Failure to lock choices will result in them not being considered for seat allotment.

No Further Rounds: It is paramount for aspirants to understand that the Stray Vacancy Round is the final counselling round. Once a seat is allotted in this round, there will be no option for upgradation or participation in any further rounds.

Mandatory Reporting: If a candidate is allotted a seat in the Stray Vacancy Round and fails to report to the assigned college within the stipulated dates, their allotted seat will be forfeited, and they may face implications as per MCC guidelines.

Working Days: All days, including weekends and public holidays, will be considered working days for this counselling phase to ensure timely completion.

Preparation for Seat Allotment and Reporting 

As the registration and choice filling are underway, medical aspirants should also start preparing for the next stages of the counselling process.

Document Verification: Candidates who secure a seat in the Stray Vacancy Round will need to undergo document verification at their allotted institute. It is vital to have all original documents, along with attested photocopies, ready. These typically include NEET SS admit card and scorecard, MD/MS/DNB degree certificates, MBBS degree, internship completion certificate, medical registration certificate, identity proof, caste/category certificates (if applicable), and passport-size photographs.

Strategic Choice Filling: Given that this is the final round, aspirants should exercise extreme caution and strategic planning while filling their choices. Thorough research on college preferences, course availability, and previous years' cut-offs is highly recommended.

Stay Updated: Continuous monitoring of the MCC website for any last-minute notifications or changes is vital to avoid missing any crucial steps in the admission process.

For further medical education news and comprehensive guidance on various medical exams and admissions across India, Only Education News remains a reliable source for aspirants. Detailed information can be found at Only Education's Medical Exams List.

Conclusion:

Today, July 24, 2025, marks the initiation of the NEET SS 2024 Counselling Stray Vacancy Round registration and choice filling, offering a final lifeline for medical aspirants to secure super-specialty seats. With the cut-off percentile reduced, more candidates are now eligible to pursue DM/M.Ch and DNB SS programs. Adhering to the strict deadlines for registration, choice filling, and subsequent reporting is paramount for a successful admission. All aspirants are urged to utilize this opportunity diligently and stay connected with the official MCC website for timely updates.