Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Special Stray Round Registration Closes Today; Check 5:30 PM Deadline

The State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, has announced the deadline for fresh registration for the NEET UG 2026 Special Stray Vacancy Round for MBBS and BDS admissions under the state quota. Eligible candidates must complete their online registration by 5:30 PM on November 2, 2026. The registration window opened on October 31, 2026. Candidates must also complete the registration-fee payment and upload coloured scanned copies of their original documents within separate deadlines scheduled for November 2. According to the counselling schedule, the payment facility will remain open until 7:30 PM, while the document-upload facility will close at 8 PM. Online document verification is scheduled for November 3, 2026. The special stray vacancy round provides another opportunity for eligible candidates seeking admission to vacant MBBS and BDS seats in Maharashtra. However, the facility is subject to specific eligibility restrictions.

Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Special Stray Round: Important Dates

Candidates should carefully note the separate deadlines for registration, fee payment and document uploading.

Candidates must complete all three application-related stages within the prescribed time. Merely submitting the registration form does not complete the entire process.

Who Is Eligible for Maharashtra NEET UG Special Stray Round Registration?

The Maharashtra CET Cell has prescribed specific eligibility conditions for candidates seeking fresh registration in the special stray vacancy round. Generally, candidates who have already registered in previous counselling rounds cannot register again. However, an exception has been provided for certain candidates allotted MBBS or BDS seats during CAP Round 2.

The eligible exception category includes candidates who:

• Were allotted an MBBS or BDS seat in CAP Round 2.
• Did not join the allotted college.
• Did not report to the allotted institution.
• Cancelled their allotted seats.
• Did not already register during CAP Round 3.

Candidates meeting these conditions may be permitted to complete fresh registration, subject to the official counselling rules. Applicants should carefully check their previous counselling participation and admission status before starting a new application.

Who Is Not Eligible for Fresh Registration?

1. The counselling authority has also specified restrictions for candidates who have already participated in later admission stages.
2. Candidates allotted seats during CAP Round 3 or any subsequent stray vacancy round are not eligible for fresh registration under this facility or participation in the subsequent Group A admission process.
3. Applicants should therefore verify their allotment history before proceeding.
4. Incorrect registration despite being ineligible may affect their participation in the counselling process.

Which Courses Are Covered Under the Special Stray Vacancy Round?

The current registration facility is restricted to Group A courses, covering:

• MBBS – Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.
• BDS – Bachelor of Dental Surgery.

Candidates should note that registration through this special stray vacancy window does not make them eligible for Group B or Group C courses. Applicants seeking admission to other medical or allied programmes must follow the respective counselling schedule and eligibility conditions.

How to Complete Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Special Stray Round Registration?

Eligible candidates should complete the registration process through the official Maharashtra NEET UG counselling portal.

The general steps include:

1. Visit the official Maharashtra CET Cell counselling website.
2. Open the NEET UG 2026 undergraduate medical admission section.
3. Select the Special Stray Vacancy Round registration link.
4. Complete the fresh registration using the required NEET UG credentials.
5. Enter personal, academic and contact details.
6. Pay the applicable registration fee before 7:30 PM on November 2.
7. Upload coloured scanned copies of the original documents before 8 PM.
8. Review the submitted information and save the confirmation details.
9. Check the online document verification status on November 3.

Candidates should follow the official portal instructions regarding document formats, file sizes and payment procedures.

Important Instructions for Maharashtra NEET UG Candidates

Candidates planning to participate in the special stray vacancy round should remember the following points:

• Fresh registration must be completed by November 2 at 5:30 PM.
• Registration-fee payment closes at 7:30 PM.
• Coloured document scans must be uploaded by 8 PM.
• Online document verification is scheduled for November 3.
• Previously registered candidates generally cannot register again.
• Eligible CAP Round 2 non-joining or cancellation candidates may qualify for the specified exception.
• Candidates allotted seats in CAP Round 3 or later stray rounds are not eligible for fresh registration.
• The registration window covers Group A MBBS and BDS courses only.

What Should Candidates Do Before the Deadline?

1. Eligible candidates seeking Maharashtra state-quota MBBS and BDS seats should prioritise completing their applications before the respective deadlines on November 2.
2. They should first confirm their eligibility, complete fresh registration, make the required payment and upload all prescribed documents. 
3. Candidates should not wait until the final minutes, as registration, payment and document submission have different closing times.
4. For the latest counselling instructions, registration links, document verification updates and seat-allotment notifications, candidates should visit the official Maharashtra State CET Cell website.