What is the Special Stray Vacancy Round?
The Bihar Board of Combined Entrance Competitive Examination (BCECEB) has announced the Special Stray Vacancy Round for Undergraduate Medical Admission Counselling (UGMAC) 2026. This is the fifth and final phase of the state's admission process for MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, and BUMS programmes in Bihar's government and private institutions. This round is specifically designed to fill any seats that remain vacant after the main and earlier supplementary rounds of counselling.
Unlike previous rounds, the Special Stray Vacancy Round offers a final opportunity for all NEET UG 2026 qualified candidates, regardless of their participation in earlier phases. It allows candidates to apply for any available seat across various medical and dental colleges. The allocation in this round may not strictly follow the same merit-based or category-based system as the initial rounds, making it a crucial last chance for many aspirants.
Who Can Apply for the Special Stray Vacancy Round?
Any candidate who has qualified in NEET UG 2026 is eligible to apply for this round. This includes those who did not secure a seat in previous rounds, candidates who were allotted a seat but did not report, or those who chose to forgo their allotted seat. Even candidates who participated in earlier phases and wish to try again can register. There are no separate eligibility criteria beyond the NEET UG qualification itself. However, applicants must ensure they meet the academic and age requirements set by the National Medical Commission and the state of Bihar. Candidates from all categories—General, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS—are welcome to participate.
How to Register and Fill Choices
The registration process is entirely online via the official UGMAC portal. Candidates need to log in using their NEET UG roll number and password, then accurately fill in their personal and academic details, and upload all necessary documents. After successful registration, a rank card will be issued, which is essential for filling college and course preferences. Choice-filling involves listing preferred colleges and programmes in a specific order. Seat allocation will be based on NEET score, seat availability, and the submitted preferences. Candidates can modify their choices until the deadline on November 9 at 11:59 PM. Once choices are locked, they cannot be altered, so careful consideration is advised.