CEE Kerala opens DNB (Post MBBS) stray vacancy registration: Apply by Feb 22

Thiruvananthapuram: The Office of the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) Kerala has launched the online stray vacancy allotment process to fill remaining seats in the DNB (Post MBBS) Courses for the 2025 academic session.

The allotment is designed to occupy current vacancies, as well as any seats that may open up due to unallotted slots or candidates failing to join during the third phase of the counselling process. A comprehensive list of these vacant seats has been made available on the official CEE website.

Eligibility and Restrictions

The CEE has established strict criteria for those wishing to participate in this final stage:

• Ineligible Candidates: Anyone who has already secured and currently holds a seat from the first, second, or third phases of allotment is barred from this round. Additionally, candidates who were freshly allotted seats during the third phase are ineligible to participate.
• Eligible Candidates: Only those listed in the Kerala State Merit List, as published by the CEE, may apply.

Mandatory Fresh Registration

The authority emphasised that "Fresh Option Registration is mandatory" for this phase. Selections made during previous counselling rounds will not be considered. Eligible applicants must log in to the 'DNB (Post MBBS) 2025 Candidate Portal' using their application number and password to register new choices by clicking the "Stray Vacancy - Option Registration" menu.

The deadline for submission is 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 22, 2026.

Critical Dates and Penalties

The CEE has outlined a rapid timeline for the conclusion of the admission cycle:

• Provisional Allotment: Scheduled for release on Feb. 23, 2026.
• Final Allotment: To be published on Feb. 24, 2026.
• Joining Period: Successful candidates must report to their allotted colleges with required documents and fees between Feb. 25 and 4 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2026.

The office warned that failing to join an allotted seat during this stray vacancy phase will trigger financial penalties. "If any candidate does not join the seat allotted in the Stray vacancy filling phase, such candidates will be liable to pay liquidated damages as per relevant Clauses of the Prospectus," the notification stated.

For further details and regular updates, candidates are advised to consult the prospectus at www.cee.kerala.gov.in or contact the helpline at 0471-2525300.