In a crucial update for NEET UG 2024 candidates, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has decided to conduct a Special Stray Vacancy Round for vacant seats in medical colleges across the country.

This step comes after the completion of the Stray Vacancy Round of UG counselling 2024, which left several seats unfilled due to non-joining or non-reporting by candidates.

The MCC’s initiative aims to ensure that these precious medical seats do not go to waste, thereby giving eligible candidates one last opportunity to secure admission to medical courses for the academic year 2024.

Vacant Seats and Eligibility for NEET UG Special Stray Vacancy Round

According to the MCC, some seats remain vacant after the completion of the Stray Vacancy Round of NEET UG 2024 counselling. These vacant seats are being made available for fresh allotment through the Special Stray Vacancy Round, which will be conducted in an online mode.

The details of the available vacant seats are listed on the official MCC website (www.mcc.nic.in).

Who Can Participate?

Candidates who are already registered with the MCC portal and have completed the registration and payment of fees are eligible to participate in this special round. However, it is important to note that:

• No fresh registration will be allowed for this Special Stray Vacancy Round.
• Only candidates who have not been allotted any seat in the previous rounds of NEET UG 2024 counselling (whether for All India Quota, State Quota, or Deemed Universities) are eligible.
• Candidates who had joined a seat in previous rounds of counselling and those who have been allotted a seat but did not report are ineligible for this round.

Security Deposit for Participation

Candidates will be required to pay a refundable security deposit to participate in the Special Stray Vacancy Round. The amount depends on the type of seat the candidate is choosing:

• For Government Medical Colleges (AIQ seats): Candidates need to pay a refundable security deposit of ₹50,000.
• For Deemed University Seats: Candidates who wish to exercise choices for Deemed Universities must pay a higher refundable security deposit of ₹3,00,000.

Important Guidelines for Candidates

• Choice Filling: All candidates participating in this round will be required to do fresh choice filling for seat allotment. Any choices submitted in previous rounds will be considered null and void.
• Forfeiture of Security Deposit: Candidates who are allotted a seat in the Special Stray Vacancy Round but do not join the seat within the stipulated time will have their security deposit forfeited. Additionally, such candidates will be barred from appearing for NEET UG 2025.
• Joining the Allotted Seat: Candidates who are allotted a seat must report to the respective allotted institute with their original documents for verification and join the seat within the timeline specified in the schedule.
• Debarred from State Counselling: Once candidates are allotted a seat in the Special Stray Vacancy Round, their names will be shared with the state counselling authorities. These candidates will be debarred from taking admission in the Special Stray Vacancy Round of state-level counselling.

Eligibility Criteria 

To participate in the Special Stray Vacancy Round, candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Eligible Candidates:

1. Candidates who have completed registration on the MCC portal and paid the fees for the counselling process.
2. Candidates who do not hold any seat from previous rounds of NEET UG counselling, whether under All India Quota (AIQ), State Quota, or Deemed University.

Ineligible Candidates:

1. Candidates who have not completed registration or failed to pay the required fees.
2. Candidates who have already been allotted a seat in any previous round of AIQ, State Quota, or Deemed University and have joined the seat.
3. Candidates who were allotted a seat by MCC in Round 3 or the Stray Vacancy Round earlier but did not join the allotted seat.