Every year, lakhs of students appear for the NEET exam, hoping to secure a seat in a government or private medical college in India. After the declaration of the NEET UG exam, the medical counselling committee (MCC) begins the NEET UG Counselling process for 15% All India Quota (AIQ), Deemed Universities, Central Universities, AIIMS, and JIPMER.

During the NEET UG counselling process, some seats remain vacant even after round 1, round 2, and the mop-up round due to specific reasons. For these vacant seats stray vacancy round and a special stray vacancy round are conducted to fill the remaining vacant seats for the students who did not get a seat. If you want to know how to grab the vacant seats, here we will explain the eligibility criteria, common mistakes, counselling process, and practical tips for the remaining seats.

What are the MCC counselling rounds?

The MCC Counselling is conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee for the allocation of the seats after the NEET UG exam. Here we will know how MCC conducts its counselling process:

MCC NEET UG counselling rounds

1. Round 1
2. Round 2
3. Mop-Up Round
4. Stray Vacancy Round
5. Special Stray Vacancy Round (Only for Deemed Universities)

Once the mop-up round is completed, the remaining vacant seats are shifted to the stray vacancy round. Even after the stray vacancy round, if seats remain unfilled, a special stray vacancy round is conducted. However, these rounds are not open for everyone, which comes with the understanding of eligibility criteria for vacant seats.

What are vacant seats in the MCC counselling process?

During NEET counselling, students secure their seats with a security deposit to confirm their seat, however, some seats remain vacant for some reason. The vacant seats in MCC NEET UG counselling mean the seats that do not get filled after numerous counselling rounds. This can happen in round 1, round 2, round 3, the mop-up round, and even after the stray vacancy round.

Reasons for vacant seats

• Students who opt for better colleges through upgradation.
• Students who did not join the allotted college.
• Students who withdraw after round 1 allotment.
• Document verification remains incomplete.
• Students do not report to the college.

These seats are then shifted to the eligible students in the stray vacancy and special stray vacancy rounds.

Who conducts these rounds?

During the NEET counselling process, the remaining vacant seats are shifted to the stray vacancy round and the special stray vacancy Round. Here we will know who conducts these rounds for the vacant seats:

•  Stray vacancy round: It is conducted by MCC NEET, but students have to report directly to the allotted college.
• Special stray vacancy round: It is conducted only for deemed universities, and the MCC portal completes the process.

During these rounds, no fresh registration is allowed unless explicitly mentioned. Hence, eligibility does not mean fulfilling the academic criteria; you have to follow the process from earlier rounds.

What are the eligibility criteria for vacant seats in MCC 2025?

For the vacant seats in the MCC NEET counselling process, a candidate must fulfil the eligibility criteria, which are mentioned under MCC guidelines. These criteria are applicable especially for the stray vacancy round and the special stray vacancy round. Here is the breakdown of who is eligible and who is not: 

Who is Eligible?

1. Registered candidates who didn’t get a seat

• If a candidate has registered for MCC round 1, round 2, or mop-up but did not get a seat.
• You are eligible for the stray vacancy round.

2. Candidates who got a seat but didn’t join

• If a candidate has been allotted a seat but did not join or report, he/she is still eligible for the stray vacancy round.
• You must not have been allotted a seat in the previous stray vacancy round or the special stray vacancy rounds.

3. Candidates who paid the security deposit and didn’t exit

• If a candidate is still in the mop-up round and has not opted out voluntarily.
• You are eligible until your security deposit has not been forfeited.

4. For special stray vacancy round (deemed universities only)

• Candidates who did not get allotted even after the stray vacancy round can still get a chance.
• You must have registered earlier with MCC and must pay the full fees as per the deemed university structure.

Who is not eligible?

1. Candidates who got a seat and took admission

• If a candidate has joined an allotted seat in round 2 or mop-up and has been reported successfully, he/she is out of the counselling process.
• He/She is not eligible for the vacant seat rounds.

2. Those who didn’t register with MCC:

• If a candidate has never registered for MCC counselling and has only appeared for state counselling.
• He/She is not eligible and can not participate.

3. Candidates who exited counselling:

• If a candidate has opted for exit during round 1 or exit with forfeiture during round 2, and security deposit was forfeited.
• He/She is not eligible for the stray vacancy round and special stray vacancy rounds.

4. Ineligible due to document/category verification failure:

• If the documents of the candidates are not verified or have failed category validation.
• MCC will disqualify for further rounds.

Documents required for vacant seats rounds

During the NEET counselling process, having your documents ready is important to avoid last-minute mistakes. You won’t get a second chance to submit missing documents, so keep these documents ready for the counselling. Here is the list of the documents: 

• Class XII Mark sheet
• NEET UG 2025 admit card & scorecard
• Passport-size photo
• Valid ID proof (Adhar, PAN, Passport, etc.)
• Category certificate
• Domicile certificate
• Medical fitness certificate
• Migration certificate (for some universities)
• Demand draft or proof of online payment (as required by the college)

Counselling schedule

The MCC NEET UG 2025 counselling process will begin shortly after the announcement of the NEET result. Here is the expected timeline for the counselling in 2025:

Step-by-step process to participate in vacant seat counselling

If you are eligible and unsure about what to do next, this step-by-step guide will help you through the entire process. Here is the entire process of how to participate in vacant seat counselling:

Step 1: Check your eligibility

• Go to www.mcc.nic.in
• Read the latest notices under MCC NEET counselling 2025
• Confirm whether you’re on the eligible list (MCC usually publishes a list of eligible candidates)

Step 2: Monitor schedule

• Dates for the stray vacancy and special stray vacancy rounds are released after the mop-up round.
• Bookmark the MCC site and check at least twice daily.

Step 3: Choice filling (if allowed)

• In some years, fresh choice filling is not permitted.
• Colleges fill vacant seats based on the existing merit list.
• In other cases (especially special stray for deemed universities), MCC may reopen the choice filling module.

Step 4: Seat allotment

• Seat allotment happens on a merit + preference basis.
• Once allotted, you must report to the college directly—there is no provision for upgradation or withdrawal.

Step 5: Report to the allotted college

• Carry all documents and fee payment proof.
• Join within the deadline, or the seat will go vacant again, and you’ll be ineligible for any future round.

Important tips for students for vacant seats

Here are the important tips for students actively seeking vacant seats during the NEET UG 2025 counselling process:

• Be active until the end, don’t get hyper after the mop-up round.
• Be prepared for the emergency budget, as vacant seats in deemed universities might demand a quick payment.
• Be ready to pick what to get in the final round. If the option is decent, don’t be picky.
• Be careful in reading the notifications issued by the MCC NEET.
• Be ready with your backup plan, consider options like MBBS abroad if you did not get a seat.

FAQS

1 - Can I apply for vacant seats without registering with MCC?

No, you must register with MCC to apply for vacant seats.

2 - Will I get a refund if I don’t get a seat in the vacant rounds?

Yes, you will get your full security deposit refund within 30 days after the counselling ends under the specified MCC guidelines.

3 - Can I choose any college according to my choice in the stray round?

Only if the MCC allows choice filling, seats are allotted based on the merit list, it’s not guaranteed that you will be allotted in your preferred college.

4 - Are vacant seats rounds applicable only for low-ranking students?

No, students with good ranks can also get a seat in the vacant round, the students eligible for it and have not been allotted seats in previous counselling rounds.

5 - Do I have to pay extra in the stray vacancy rounds?

For government seats, you don’t need to pay, but for deemed universities, you must pay the full fee after the allotment.