NEET SS Counselling 2025: The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced a ‘Special Stray Vacancy Round’ for NEET SS Counselling 2025 following the Supreme Court’s order dated September 17, 2026. The order was passed in Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association & Ors. vs. Union of India & Ors. (W.P. (Civil) No. 771/2026). As per the new arrangement, the qualifying percentile for Super Speciality (SS) counselling has been lowered from the existing 50th percentile to the 30th percentile.
A ‘Special Stray Vacancy Round’ will be held for D.M., M.Ch., and DNB SS seats that remain vacant after the second round of counselling. Candidates fulfilling the modified eligibility criteria are eligible to take part in this ‘Special Stray Vacancy Round’.
NEET SS Counselling 2025: Who is eligible for the ‘Special Stray Vacancy Round’?
The ‘Special Stray Vacancy Round’ is a non-upgradation round, meaning that seats allotted to candidates in previous rounds will not be upgraded through this round. Candidates who did not secure a seat in earlier counselling rounds, as well as those who have become eligible following the reduction in the qualifying percentile, may participate.
The MCC has also provided information regarding vacant in-service seats in Tamil Nadu. The state counselling authority in Tamil Nadu is expected to surrender the vacant seats left after the ‘stray vacancy round’ on September 28, 2026. Once the Medical Counselling Committee receives these seats, they will be included in the seat matrix for the All India SS Counselling 2025.
Candidates are advised to regularly check the official MCC website for the detailed schedule, seat matrix, registration, choice filling, and other updates related to the ‘Special Stray Vacancy Round’.
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