Kerala NEET UG 2026: Stray Vacancy Option Registration Deadline Approaches

The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) in Kerala is set to close the online option registration window for the NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy allotment round tomorrow. Candidates seeking admission to MBBS and BDS courses across the state must finalise their college and course preferences through the official CEE portal before the deadline expires.

The registration facility, which opened following the official notification released on October 17, 2026, is a critical step for students aiming to secure remaining seats in medical and dental colleges. According to the official schedule, the window for submitting these options will remain open until 6 PM on October 20, 2026.

Important Dates and Allotment Schedule

Following the conclusion of the option entry process, the CEE will proceed with the seat allocation phase. The provisional allotment result is scheduled to be published on October 21, 2026, which will be followed by the final allotment result on October 22, 2026. Once the final results are declared, candidates who are allotted seats will be required to report to their respective colleges for admission between October 23 and October 26, 2026, with the deadline for joining set for 4 PM on the final day.

Eligibility and Registration Process

To participate in this round, candidates must be included in the Kerala State Medical Rank List published by the CEE. However, the authorities have specified that certain candidates are ineligible to register. This includes individuals who have already secured admission through previous state allotment rounds, those who were allotted a seat in the third phase of counselling, or candidates who fall under specific exclusions related to the All India Quota counselling process.

To submit their preferences, eligible candidates should visit the official website at cee.kerala.gov.in. After navigating to the KEAM 2026 section and logging into the candidate portal, applicants can access the stray vacancy option registration link. It is essential for students to carefully select their preferred MBBS and BDS courses and colleges, pay any applicable registration fees, and save their choices before the portal closes. Candidates are advised to review their selections thoroughly to ensure accuracy before final submission.