Kolkata, October 20, 2026 — For medical aspirants across West Bengal still waiting for that one coveted seat, the Online Stray Vacancy Round of NEET UG 2026 counselling has emerged as a final ray of hope. The West Bengal Medical Counselling Committee (WBMCC) has released the provisional list of eligible candidates along with the official seat matrix, confirming that 296 MBBS and BDS seats remain vacant across government and private institutions in the state.

Key Figures at a Glance

  • Total vacant seats: 296

  • MBBS seats: 276 | BDS seats: 20

  • Eligible candidates for choice filling: 4,045 (as per Edufever)

  • Competition ratio: roughly 13.7 aspirants per seat

A Closer Look at the Seat Matrix

The vacancies tilt heavily towards private institutions, which hold 274 of the 296 seats, while government colleges account for the remaining 22. Quota-wise, 267 seats fall under the Private Management Quota — all in the Unreserved category — while 29 State Quota seats are spread across UR (17), SC (9), EWS (2), and OBC (1).

Top MBBS vacancies:

  • Raniganj Institute of Medical Science — 96 seats

  • Jakir Hosain Medical College and Research Institute — 57 seats

  • Krishnanagar Institute of Medical Science — 41 seats

In the BDS pool, North Bengal Dental College leads with 10 seats, followed by Burdwan Dental College with 6.

Dates Candidates Cannot Afford to Miss

With the choice-filling window having closed on October 18, all eyes are now on the allotment process:

  • Seat allotment result: October 23, by 12 noon

  • Reporting & admission: October 23 (2 pm–6 pm); October 24 and 26 (10 am–4 pm)

What Aspirants Must Keep in Mind

The stray round comes with its own fine print. Each candidate on the provisional list is assigned a Candidate Type — State Quota or Private Management Only — which decides the seats one can genuinely claim. Simply spotting a vacant seat does not guarantee eligibility for it.

Students are advised to:

  • Verify their Candidate Type and category in the official list

  • Keep original documents — NEET scorecard, category and domicile certificates — ready in advance

  • Confirm fee structures and bond conditions of private colleges before reporting

  • Treat the WBMCC portal as the sole authoritative source for any schedule revisions

The Bigger Picture

With 4,045 candidates chasing 296 seats, the competition remains stiff, and heartbreak is inevitable for many. Yet for those whose names appear on the list, this round represents the last bridge between years of relentless preparation and the white coat they have dreamed of. As the results arrive on October 23, thousands of families across Bengal will be hoping their long wait finally ends.

Candidates are urged to stay alert for revised notifications, as WBMCC’s schedule remains tentative and subject to change.