This round is extremely important in making sure that no postgraduate medical seat is left vacant, which in turn helps to make the Indian healthcare system stronger by filling up the vacant seats for specialist courses. With drastic change in cutoff, eligibility criteria and financial implications, the NEET PG 2025 stray vacancy round has been one of the most important admission rounds in recent times.

What is the NEET PG 2025 stray vacancy round result?

The stray vacancy round is the last round of  the NEET PG counselling process, It occurs after Round 1, Round 2, and Round 3. This round is specifically designed to fill up the vacant seats that were left unattended in the previous rounds.

This round has some rules that are not present in the previous rounds of counselling:

NEET PG 2025 Major Cutoff Reduction: A Historic Change

One of the largest positives of NEET PG 2025 admissions was the significant reduction in qualifying cutoff criteria were reduced substantially by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences.

Revised Qualifying Cutoff 2025

This landmark move enabled about 95,000 more candidates to take part in counselling. The primary aim was to fill up the remaining seats, particularly in private and deemed universities, where the high cost of tuition fees tends to act as a deterrent.

NEET PG 2025 Stray Vacancy Round Important Dates

Here is the official timeline that has been followed for the stray vacancy round:

• Seat Matrix Verification : February  – 14, 2026

• Registration Period : February – 16 to February 18, 2026

• Choice Filling : February 16 to February 19, 2026

• Choice Locking : February 19, 2026

• Seat Allotment Processing : February 20, 2026

• Result Declaration : February 21, 2026

• Reporting to Colleges : February 22 to February 28, 2026

Candidates must report to their allotted college within this period to confirm admission.

Number and Types of Seats Available

The stray vacancy round involved about 2,980 seats that were vacant in India under the All India Quota and central institutions.

The  vaccines were mostly found in the following:

• Deemed universities

• Private medical colleges

• Non-clinical branches such as Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry

• Some clinical branches due to resignations and upgrades

This round was a great opportunity for those candidates who had  previously not had a chance at admission.

Eligibility Criteria for NEET PG Stray Vacancy Round

Eligible candidates to participate in the process were 

• Candidates not allotted any seat in previous rounds

• Candidates who resigned earlier seats through official procedures

• Candidates who did not report after Round 1 or Round 2 allotment

Candidates NOT eligible were:

• Candidate  who joined seats in Round 3

• Candidates already admitted through state counselling

• Candidates holding active admission seats

These rules prevent seat blocking and ensure fair allocation.

Registration Fee and Security Deposit

Aspirants had to pay registration fees and refundable security deposits based on the type of institution.

Fee Structure

Government Colleges (AIQ)

• Register Fees : ₹1,000 (General), ₹500 (Reserved)

• Security Deposits : ₹25,000 (General), ₹10,000 (Reserved)

Deemed Universities

• Registration Fees : ₹5,000

• Security Deposits : ₹2,00,00

This large deposit ensures only serious students  participate.

Strict Penalty and Debarment Rules

The stray vacancy round has tough penalties to ensure accountability.

If candidates fail to join after allotment:

• Security deposit is forfeited

• Students may be banned from NEET PG for one year

• Admission opportunity is permanently lost

Once joined, resignation is not allowed under any circumstances.

Reporting and Document Verification Process

After the seat allotment process, candidates are required to physically report to their allotted institute.

Documents to be carried

Candidates are required to carry original documents such as :

• Admit card and scorecard of NEET PG

• MCC allotment letter

• MBBS degree and Documents

• Internship completion certificate

• Medical registration certificate

• Identity proof – Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, etc.

• Category certificate (if applicable)

• Passport size photographs

Failure to provide required documents can lead to admission cancellation.

Role of State Counselling and Central Coordination

The process of  NEET PG admissions requires coordination between the central and state counselling authorities.

The MCC look after the following:

• 50% seat of the All India Quota seats in government colleges

• 100% seats in central universities

• Deemed university admissions

The states hold separate counselling for their quota seats, aiming of the fill maximum number of available medical seats

Impact of NEET PG 2025 Stray Vacancy Round

The stray vacancy round successfully filled thousands of postgraduate medical seats, which helped India improve its healthcare workforce.

The key implications are :

• More admission opportunities due to lower cutoff

• Effective use of medical education infrastructure

• Rapid filling of vacant specialist training seats

• Enhance efficiency of medical admission procedure

In total, almost 21,000 postgraduate medical seats were filled through central counselling.

What Candidates Should Do After Allotment

If a seat is allocated, candidates are required to do the following immediately:

• Download the allotment letter

• Organize original documents

• Report to the allocated college within the deadline

• Pay admission and tuition fees

Reporting within the deadline is essential to get admission.

Future Implications for NEET PG 2026 Aspirants

The NEET PG 2025 counselling process emphasizes the need to understand admission norms and procedures.

Aspirant preparing for NEET PG 2026 should:

• Work towards obtaining a good rank

• Keep track counselling on regular basis

• Be clear about admission norms

• Keep documents ready in advance

With the rising pattern  of cutoff and competition, aspirants need to prepare accordingly.

Conclusion

The NEET PG 2025 stray vacancy round is the final step in the process of postgraduate medical admissions in India. With lower cutoffs, stricter regulations, and organized counseling sessions, 

NEET PG stray vacancy round admission. This is the start of the journey for successful candidates to become specialist doctors. For others, this round is an opportunity to gain insights to perform better in the future attempts. The knowledge of counseling regulations, requirements, and timelines is still important for getting admission in the competitive medical education system in India.

FAQ Heading: NEET PG 2025 Stray Vacancy Round – Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is eligible to participate in the NEET PG 2025 Stray Vacancy Round?

Eligible  candidates include those who have not been allotted any seats in the previous counseling sessions organized by the Medical Counselling Committee. Candidates who have resigned seats through proper channels or have not reported for Round 1 or Round 2 are also eligible.

Candidates who have joined Round 3 seats or already have an active admission through state counselling are not eligible.

2. Is it mandatory to join the seat allotted in the Stray Vacancy Round?

Yes. Reporting to the allocated seat is mandatory. If a candidate does not report:

• Security deposit will be forfeited

• Candidate may be debarred from the next NEET PG exam

• No further upgrade or resignation is permitted

This is to ensure that the vacant seats in postgraduate courses are not misused.

3. What was the major cutoff change in NEET PG 2025?

In a historic step, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences cut down the qualifying percentile sustainably.

• General/EWS: Reduced to 0 percentile

• Reserved categories: Cut off reduced substantially

This made way for around 95,000 more candidates to join the counselling process.

4. What documents are required at the time of reporting?

The candidates need to bring the original copies of the following documents:

• NEET PG Admit Card & Scorecard

• Allotted letter issued by MCC

• MBBS Degree Certificate

• Internship Completion Certificate

• Medical Registration Certificate

• Valid ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, etc.)

• Category certificate (if applicable)

In the case of non submission of the above-stated documents, the admission process may be cancelled.

5. How many seats were available in the NEET PG 2025 Stray Vacancy Round?

Approximately 2,980 vacant seats were available under All India Quota and central institutions. These were mostly in:

• Deemed universities

• Private medical colleges

• Non-clinical branches like Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry

Overall, nearly 21,000 postgraduate seats were filled through central counselling in NEET PG 2025.