NEET PG 2025 Stray Vacancy Round: Registration Open Until February 18
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has officially launched the registration process for the stray vacancy round of NEET PG 2025 counselling. This final phase aims to fill remaining seats under the All India Quota (AIQ). Candidates who are yet to secure admission can apply through the official counselling portal before the deadline.
This round represents the last opportunity for eligible aspirants to obtain a seat in postgraduate medical programmes across participating institutions. With the counselling season drawing to a close, medical education authorities are urging candidates to complete their applications promptly and adhere to the published schedule.
Complete Schedule for the Stray Vacancy Round
The entire stray vacancy counselling process will run from February 16 to February 28. MCC has released a detailed timeline to help candidates navigate each stage without confusion. The registration window remains open for just three days, making it essential for applicants to act quickly.
- Registration: February 16 to February 18
- Choice Filling: February 16 to February 19
- Choice Locking: February 19, from 4:00 PM to 11:55 PM
- Seat Allotment Processing: February 20
- Final Result Announcement: February 21
- Reporting to Allotted Institutes: February 22 to February 28
Candidates must note that choice locking is a critical step in the process. Those who fail to lock their choices by the stipulated deadline will not be considered for seat allocation. The window for locking preferences opens at 4:00 PM and closes at 11:55 PM on February 19, giving candidates a limited timeframe to finalise their selections.
Seat Allotment Results and Reporting Details
The seat allotment processing will be completed on February 20, with the final results scheduled for release on February 21. Candidates who receive a seat in this round must report to their allotted institution between February 22 and February 28 to complete the admission formalities. Failure to report within this period may result in the cancellation of the allotted seat.
According to data released by MCC, the counselling process has already witnessed significant activity. In the first three rounds combined, a total of 10,084 fresh seat allotments were made, while 8,589 candidates received upgrades to their previously allotted seats. The committee has also published a comprehensive list of candidates who have secured admission up to Round 3, spanning 1,959 pages on the official portal.
Category Change Window for NRI Candidates
In a separate development, MCC had provided candidates with an opportunity to switch their category from Indian to NRI for the stray vacancy round. The deadline for this category change was February 16 at 4:00 PM. Candidates seeking this change were required to submit the necessary documentation via email within the specified timeframe.
Throughout the first three rounds of counselling, a total of 1,666 candidates successfully transitioned their category from Indian to NRI. This category change facility allows eligible candidates to compete for seats reserved under the NRI quota, potentially expanding their options for postgraduate medical education.
Important Reminders for Candidates
Given that this is the final stage of the NEET PG 2025 counselling process, candidates are strongly advised to remain vigilant about all deadlines. Missing any step could mean losing the last chance to secure admission for this academic year. It is recommended that candidates keep their login credentials handy, regularly check the official MCC portal for updates, and complete each stage of the process well before the cutoff times.
With the registration window closing on February 18, eligible candidates should finalise their applications immediately. The counselling process is expected to conclude by February 28, after which no further rounds are anticipated for the current admission cycle.
