NEET SS 2025 counselling: Candidates who did not join round 1, 2 seats can participate in special stray vacancy round- clarifies MCC
New Delhi: The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has issued a fresh clarification on the Special Stray Vacancy Round of the NEET SS Counselling 2025, allowing candidates who were allotted seats in Round 1 or Round 2 but did not join their allotted seats to participate in the special round, subject to fresh registration and payment of fees.
According to the MCC notice, the Special Stray Vacancy Round is being conducted following the reduction of the qualifying percentile from the existing 50th percentile to the 30th percentile, in compliance with the Supreme Court's order dated September 17, 2026, in Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association & Anr Vs. Union of India & Ors.
In view of the above, participating candidates are advised to note the following points-
1 The Special Stray Vacancy Round of SS Counselling 2025 is being conducted for D.M/ MCh/ DNB SS seats (left vacant after Round-2 of counselling) and after reduction of percentile.
2 The Special Stray Vacancy Round is a Non- Upgradation Round. Candidates who were not allotted any seats in Round-1 or Round-2 and candidates who have become eligible after reduction of percentile will be able to participate in the Special Stray Vacancy Round.
3 Also, the candidates who were allotted seats in Round-1 or Round-2 but did not JOIN the allotted seat can also participate in the Special Stray Vacancy Round. However, they will have to do Fresh Registration with payment of fees since they exited with forfeiture.
3 The in-service vacant seats of Tamil Nadu (if any, left vacant after Stray Round of Tamil Nadu state) are expected to be reverted by the state counselling authority of Tamil Nadu on 28 September 2026. Once received, the in- service seats will be added to the seat matrix of All India SS Counselling 2025.
To view the notice, click the link below
https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/2026/09/29/mcc-477515.pdf
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that MCC had issued an important clarification regarding the Special Stray Vacancy Round of the NEET SS Counselling 2025, clarifying eligibility for participation and stating that the round will be conducted as a non-upgradation round.
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