West Bengal NEET UG 2026 Round 3 and Online Stray Vacancy Round: Revised Schedule

West Bengal has issued a revised tentative schedule for Round 3 and the Online Stray Vacancy Round of NEET UG 2026 counselling for State Quota, Private Management Quota and NRI Quota seats. Round 3 reporting runs from 13th to 15th October, Stray Vacancy registration is on 16th October, choice filling closes at 10:00 AM on 18th October, the result is due by noon on 23rd October, and reporting ends on 26th October 2026 (Source: Memo No. HFW-23099/320/2026/M/3749, dated 12.10.2026, server time).

What is the revised Round 3 and Stray Vacancy schedule?

• Round 3 reporting and admission: 13th, 14th and 15th October 2026, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

• Online Stray Vacancy registration: 16th October 2026, 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

• Online fee payment: 16th October 2026, 11:00 AM to 12:00 midnight.

• Verification of candidates: 17th October 2026, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, in the college and time slot already assigned by the software.

• Verified list and Stray Round seat matrix: 17th October 2026, after 5:00 PM.

• Choice filling and locking: 17th October 2026, 6:00 PM, to 18th October 2026, 10:00 AM.

• Stray Round allotment result: by 12:00 noon on 23rd October 2026.

• Stray Round reporting and admission: 23rd October 2026, 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and 24th and 26th October 2026, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Where do allotted candidates report?

Admission for allotted private medical college seats is handled at different Government Medical Colleges in Kolkata, as set out in a separate notice published on the website. For all private dental colleges, admission takes place at Dr. R Ahmed Dental College. Candidates must bring original documents, the college fee and the bond, and are admitted only after physical document verification.

What must upgraded candidates do before moving to a new college?

Upgraded candidates must first collect their submitted fee and documents from the previous college, along with a server-generated relieving letter. Only then can they take admission at the newly allotted college.

Why is the Stray Vacancy registration window so short?

Registration is open on a single day, 16th October, from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Fee payment stays open longer, until midnight the same day, so payment can be completed after the registration form closes. Registration and payment cannot be left for the following day.

How tight is the choice filling window?

Very tight. Verification ends at 4:00 PM on 17th October, the verified list and seat matrix appear after 5:00 PM, and choice filling opens at 6:00 PM. It closes at 10:00 AM on 18th October, about 16 hours later. Candidates have little time to study the seat matrix before locking choices.

When does Stray Round reporting happen?

Reporting starts on the afternoon of 23rd October, immediately after the result due by noon that day, and continues on 24th and 26th October. The schedule does not list 25th October, which is a Sunday.

What about NRI candidates?

The software-slotted verification on 17th October is not applicable to NRI candidates. The schedule refers to Notice Point No. 3 for their process, which is not part of this schedule, so NRI candidates should check that notice.

What to do now

• Report to your allotted institute between 13th and 15th October if you hold a Round 3 seat, and collect the relieving letter first if you are upgrading.

• Register and pay the fee on 16th October, and do not wait for the end of the day.

• Study the seat matrix as soon as it appears on 17th October, since choice filling closes at 10:00 AM on 18th October.

• Before locking choices, compare cutoff and seat trends across West Bengal's medical and dental colleges so your order matches your rank.

• If the Stray Round rules are unclear for your case, Shikkha's counselling services can help you plan.

• To compare support options, see the available plans.

• For a specific doubt, get in touch directly rather than relying on forwarded messages.

This article is based on the official Revised Tentative Schedule for Round 3 and Online Stray Vacancy Round, WB NEET UG 2026, issued by the Directorate of Medical Education, West Bengal. The schedule is tentative and may change, so candidates should verify all dates on the official WBMCC website.