The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has extended the schedule for the Stray Round of UG Counselling 2026. In a notice dated 14 October 2026, MCC moved the registration deadline to 4:00 PM on 16 October, as per server time. Payment now closes at 6:00 PM and choice filling at 11:55 PM on the same day, and the result has moved to 19 October. Candidates who want to take part in the all-India stray round must finish each step within the new windows, because the earlier 14 and 15 October deadlines no longer apply.
What has changed in the MCC schedule?
MCC's earlier schedule for the online stray vacancy round, dated 14 September 2026, closed registration at 3:00 PM on 14 October and payment at 6:00 PM the same day. Choice filling was due to end at 10:00 AM on 15 October. The new notice moves all of these to 16 October: registration now closes at 4:00 PM, payment at 6:00 PM and choice filling at 11:55 PM.
Later stages have shifted as well. Seat processing, earlier set for 15 and 16 October, now runs from 17 to 18 October, and the result is due on 19 October instead of 17 October. The reporting window is unchanged at 19 to 26 October, which means the result now arrives on the day reporting opens.
The notice was issued by the Office of MCC under reference U-11011/07/2026-MEC and is dated 14 October 2026. It does not give a reason for the extension.
Revised dates and deadlines for the stray round
| Activity | Revised deadline (MCC server time) | Earlier deadline | What candidates need to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration for Stray Round | Up to 4:00 PM, 16 October 2026 | Up to 3:00 PM, 14 October 2026 | Complete registration before the window closes. |
| Reset Registration option | Up to 3:00 PM, 16 October 2026 | Not listed in the earlier schedule | Use it, if you need it, before 3:00 PM. It closes an hour before registration. |
| Payment for Stray Round | Up to 6:00 PM, 16 October 2026 | Up to 6:00 PM, 14 October 2026 | Pay before the window closes and keep the receipt. |
| Choice filling | Up to 11:55 PM, 16 October 2026 | Up to 10:00 AM, 15 October 2026 | Fill your choices within the window. |
| Choice locking | 7:00 PM to 11:55 PM, 16 October 2026 | 4:00 PM, 14 October to 10:00 AM, 15 October 2026 | Lock your choices in this window. |
| Seat processing | 17 to 18 October 2026 | 15 to 16 October 2026 | No action needed. MCC processes seats. |
| Result declaration | 19 October 2026 | 17 October 2026 | Check your result on the MCC portal. |
| Reporting for Stray Round | 19 to 26 October 2026 | 19 to 26 October 2026 (unchanged) | Report to the allotted institute within the window. |
The notice states that all timings follow server time. The earlier deadlines are taken from MCC's schedule for Rounds 2, 3 and the stray vacancy round.
Who should pay attention to this notice?
The notice is addressed to all participating candidates and institutes and applies to the Stray Round of UG Counselling 2026, which is part of MCC's all-India counselling. It does not apply to state NEET UG counselling, which follows separate schedules issued by state authorities. Candidates who plan to register, pay or fill choices in the stray round should work to the new dates.
The extension changes timings only. It does not change who can participate. Eligibility, seat availability and joining conditions are set by MCC, and candidates should read the revised UG Counselling 2026 information bulletin before paying any fee.
What candidates should do now
- Open the official MCC portal at mcc.nic.in and go to the UG Medical Counselling section.
- Read the current notice and the information bulletin to check that you are eligible for the Stray Round.
- Complete registration before 4:00 PM on 16 October (server time). If you need the reset option, use it before 3:00 PM.
- Pay before 6:00 PM, then confirm on your dashboard that registration and payment both show as complete.
- Fill your choices and lock them between 7:00 PM and 11:55 PM on 16 October. Avoid leaving this to the final minutes.
- Save your payment receipt, registration confirmation and a copy of your locked choices.
- Check mcc.nic.in again before each step. MCC has already revised this schedule once and has warned candidates about a fake notice, so rely only on notices on the official site. Read MCC's advisory on fake notices for details.
Official notification and important links
- Official MCC Notice: Extension of Schedule for Stray Vacancy Round of UG Counselling 2026 (PDF, dated 14 October 2026)
- MCC UG Medical Counselling page
- MCC Current Events (UG) notices
- MCC schedule for Rounds 2, 3 and the stray vacancy round (14 September 2026)
Relevant CaderaEdu resources
- NEET UG counselling 2026 complete guide: how MCC and state counselling work, documents and choice-filling tips.
- MCC stray round clear vacancy list for MBBS, BDS and B.Sc Nursing: what the vacant seat list covers.
- MCC advisory on fake notices: how to verify a counselling notice before acting on it.
