Medicine And Allied Sciences CollegesMedicine And Allied Sciences Exams

Cut-off Scores That Surprised Everyone in Stray Vacancy Round 2024

Ritik Kumar Ritik Kumar · November 25, 2025
Light blue to white gradient background with subtle graphics of a futuristic city skyline featuring glowing digital interface elements. On the left side, an illustrated person in a blue blazer and white shirt points towards the right with both hands, with the face intentionally blurred for anonymity. At the top right, bold black text reads, "Cut-off Scores That Surprised Everyone in Stray Vacancy Round 2024." In the upper left corner, a small green bird logo and text "CAREER PLAN B" are visible. The image visually communicates unexpected cut-off scores in a specific admission round.

Introduction

Every year, NEET PG counseling keeps medical aspirants on their toes, but nothing sparks more curiosity (and anxiety) than the stray vacancy round. In 2024, the cut-off scores surprised both experts and candidates, leading students to question: How can seats suddenly go to students with much lower scores than expected?

With counseling extending till the very end and seat matrices shifting in real time, the stray vacancy cut-offs of 2024 became the talk of forums, WhatsApp groups, and coaching discussions. From clinical branches at government institutions closing far lower than anticipated to private medical colleges surprising everyone with unexpected seat drops, the final outcomes reshaped how aspirants are now planning for 2025.

In this blog, we’ll break down the most surprising cut-offs from 2024’s stray round, explain why they happened, and outline what lessons candidates can carry forward into upcoming NEET PG counseling sessions.

Why Were the Stray Vacancy Cut-offs So Shocking in 2024?

The stray vacancy round is always unpredictable, but 2024 stood out for a few reasons:

  • Extended delays in counseling meant several candidates had already joined other opportunities or chosen to opt out.
  • Seat surrender patterns led to better seats becoming available at the very last moment.
  • Reduced participation ratio as many high scorers didn’t register for the stray round.
  • Overlapping admission options such as DNB, INI-CET, and abroad programs meant fewer takers in the final stages.

Result? Seats that had high demand at the start suddenly closed at unexpectedly low cut-offs.

Government Colleges That Shocked Aspirants

Some government institutions, considered untouchable because of their prestige and fee structure, saw drastically low closures:

  • MD Medicine in a few state colleges closed nearly 30-40 marks lower than Round 2 cut-offs.
  • MS Obstetrics & Gynecology in some reputed colleges saw closing scores nearly 50 ranks below expectations.
  • MD Psychiatry and MD Radio-diagnosis in select states went to candidates who initially assumed they had no chance.

These trends highlight how last-moment decisions can transform the competition field.

Private Colleges: Sharper Dips Than Usual

Private institutions also reflected surprising trends. Because of higher fees and strict joining deadlines, many aspirants skipped opportunities in the stray stage. This created:

  • Sudden availability of clinical seats (Pediatrics, Anesthesia, Ophthalmology) at much lower scores.
  • Some high-fee colleges in Tier-2 cities are closing with scores below non-clinical branches in government seats.
  • A visible shift where students prioritized affordability over prestige, leaving behind private institute clinical seats.

DNB Seats and Their Ripple Effect

The availability of DNB seats also affected cut-offs:

  • DNB General Medicine at hospitals in metro cities surprisingly saw closures at ranks far lower than in earlier rounds.
  • Many aspirants began treating certain DNB opportunities as safer and more flexible than MD/MS in less accessible private institutes.
  • In some cases, DNB availability directly pulled down the cut-offs for MS General Surgery and Radiology in smaller institutions.

Case Study: When a Candidate Ranked Beyond 75,000 Got a Clinical Seat

One of the viral discussions from 2024 centered on a candidate who secured a clinical seat in the stray round despite a rank beyond 75,000. This was unthinkable in Round 1 or 2. In reality, it was a mix of low seat demand, last-moment withdrawals, and underestimation of the stray round potential.

Such stories highlight the fact that stray vacancy is not just for leftover seats—it can flip the hierarchy of cut-offs entirely.

Key Lessons for NEET PG 2025 Aspirants

If 2024 taught us anything, it’s that the stray vacancy round demands strategy, patience, and observation.

Here are strategies to help candidates approach 2025 with clarity:

  1. Never skip registration for the stray round. Even if your chances seem low, registering secures a backup opportunity.
  2. Keep monitoring shifting cut-offs. Don’t assume that your rank is “too high”—last year proved many wrong.
  3. Balance DNB and MD/MS preferences. DNB options often help secure city-based training with similar recognition.
  4. Have financial clarity. Many students missed private seats due to confusion about fees. Secure finances early.
  5. Stay updated until the very last moment. Counseling can change overnight, especially in state quotas.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why did 2024 see lower cut-offs in stray vacancy round?

Because many candidates had already secured seats in earlier counseling or opted for alternate opportunities, leading to low competition in the final round.

2. Is it possible to get a clinical seat with a high rank (above 70,000)?

Yes, 2024 showed that when demand drops and seats remain vacant, even high ranks can secure clinical branches in select colleges.

3. Are government college cut-offs always higher than private colleges?

Typically yes, but stray round exceptions occur when government seats open unexpectedly due to last-minute withdrawals.

4. Should I participate in stray round counseling if I already have a seat?

Yes, if you are aiming for better options. However, carefully review the rules on seat resignation and penalties before proceeding.

5. Do DNB seats affect MD/MS cut-offs directly?

Yes, especially in metro hospitals. Many aspirants prefer DNB city-based training, which reduces pressure on MD/MS seats in smaller locations.

Conclusion

The stray vacancy round of 2024 proved that NEET PG cut-offs are never final until the very last round is completed. With government colleges closing at unexpectedly low scores, private colleges seeing sharp dips, and candidates with higher ranks securing clinical seats, the admissions game took everyone by surprise.

For 2025 aspirants, the lesson is clear: Play the long game. Register for all rounds, keep your options open, and never underestimate the closing seat in the stray vacancy round.

At Career Plan B, we’ve guided many students who turned what looked like “last chances” into success stories. Remember, surprises in cut-offs are not roadblocks—they’re opportunities.

Call to Action: Stay prepared, stay flexible, and treat every counseling round as a chance to inch closer to your dream seat.

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