Mop-Up Round vs Stray Vacancy Round in MBBS Counseling

If you're aiming for MBBS admission after the main counseling rounds, you've likely heard of Mop-Up Round and Stray Vacancy Round. While both are last-minute opportunities to secure a medical seat, they are very different in terms of eligibility, process, and seat availability.

🔄 What is the Mop-Up Round?

  • Definition: The Mop-Up Round is conducted after Round 1 and Round 2 of MBBS counseling, mainly to fill vacant seats that remain unfilled due to non-joining or withdrawals.
  • Who Conducts It?
    • State Authorities (like UPDGME, KEA, etc.) – for state/private colleges
    • MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) – for Deemed Universities, AIIMS, Central Universities
  • Who Can Participate?
    • Did not get any seat in Round 1 or 2
    • Resigned/withdrew before Round 2 cutoff
    • Registered afresh during the mop-up registration window
  • Not Eligible: Students already joined a seat in Round 1 or 2 and did not resign in time.

🔁 What is the Stray Vacancy Round?

  • Definition: The Stray Vacancy Round is the final round of MBBS counseling conducted to fill leftover seats from the Mop-Up Round, usually through direct college-level admission.
  • Who Conducts It?
    • Colleges themselves, under supervision of respective authority (State DME or MCC)
    • Allotment is based on merit list provided by the authority
  • Who Can Participate?
    • Registered with MCC/state portal
    • Not allotted any seat in previous rounds
    • Are in the eligible unallotted list for stray rounds
  • Not Eligible: Those who were allotted any seat in previous rounds (even if they didn’t join)

⚖️ Mop-Up vs Stray Round – Key Differences

Feature Mop-Up Round Stray Vacancy Round
Conducted By State/MCC Colleges directly
Mode Online choice filling Offline (in-person at college)
Eligibility Registered & not joined in earlier rounds Only unallotted candidates
Allotment Centralized allotment College-based merit allotment
Refundable Fees Retained if joined May be forfeited if seat not taken
Documentation Upload online + verify at college Direct submission at college
Rounds Usually 1 mop-up round 1–2 stray vacancy rounds

📝 Documents Required for Both Rounds

  • NEET UG 2025 Scorecard
  • Admit Card
  • 10th & 12th Mark Sheets
  • Transfer/Migration Certificate
  • Aadhaar/Passport
  • Passport-size Photos
  • Caste/NRI documents (if applicable)

💡 Expert Advice from TheCollegeXpert

  • Don’t miss mop-up if your NEET score is low (150–400)
  • Prepare your documents and fee in advance for last-minute offers
  • Track official counselling websites daily for mop-up and stray dates
  • Always report physically for stray rounds (most colleges work on first-come-first-serve + merit)