Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Stray Round Schedule Out; Choice Filling Starts October 15
Published 13 Oct 20264 min read7 Views
The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell has announced the online stray-vacancy schedule for MBBS and BDS admissions for the 2026–27 academic year. The first seat matrix will be published on October 14, 2026, followed by fresh online choice filling from October 15 to October 16, 2026, until 11:59 PM.
The official instructions also confirm that the institute-level admission round in private colleges has been cancelled for 2026. Remaining admissions will be handled by the State CET Cell through online stray-vacancy rounds.
Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Stray-Round Dates
| Activity | Official date and time |
|---|---|
| Round 1 seat matrix | October 14, 2026 |
| Round 1 fresh choice filling | October 15–16, 2026, until 11:59 PM |
| Round 1 selection list | October 17, 2026 |
| Round 1 physical joining | October 18–20, 2026, until 5:30 PM |
| Last date to resign without penalty | October 20, 2026, until 5:30 PM |
| Round 2 seat matrix and fresh choice filling | October 20–21, 2026, until 10 AM |
| Round 2 selection list | October 21, 2026 |
| Round 2 physical joining | October 22–23, 2026, until 5:30 PM |
| Round 3 seat matrix and fresh choice filling | October 23–24, 2026, until 10 AM |
| Round 3 selection list | October 24, 2026 |
| Round 3 physical joining | October 25–26, 2026, until 5:30 PM |
| Final joining date listed by the authority | October 26, 2026 |
The CET Cell says the schedule may change following directions from MCC, NDC, the central or state government, or a court. Candidates should check the official portal before every action.
Who Is Eligible?
The official notice lists these conditions for participation:
- The candidate must have qualified NEET UG 2026.
- The candidate must already have registered for Maharashtra counselling and submitted preferences in an earlier round.
- The candidate must not have received a seat up to CAP Round 3.
- The candidate must satisfy Clause 4 of the Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 information brochure.
No fresh registration will be conducted for these online stray-vacancy rounds.
Who Is Not Eligible?
The following candidates are excluded under the official schedule:
- Candidates who joined a seat in state Round 1 or Round 2 and continued to hold it up to Round 3, and candidates freshly allotted a seat in state Round 3.
- Candidates who joined and hold a seat up to Round 3 of the All India Quota process.
- Candidates allotted a seat in Maharashtra online stray-vacancy Round 1 for any later state stray round.
- Candidates allotted a seat in an All India Quota stray-vacancy round.
- Candidates should check their exact status on the official portal before filling choices.
Fresh Choices Are Mandatory in Every Round
Preferences submitted during CAP Round 3 will be treated as null and void for stray-vacancy Round 1. Candidates must submit a new list between October 15 and October 16.
The same rule applies again in later stray rounds. Round 1 choices will not carry into Round 2, and choices from Rounds 1 and 2 will not carry into Round 3.
Choices may be edited before the relevant deadline by unlocking them with the OTP sent to the registered email address and mobile number. No preference can be changed after the deadline.
Allotment Means Mandatory Joining
The CET Cell has told candidates to enter only colleges and courses they are willing to join. Joining is mandatory when a seat is allotted in a stray-vacancy round, and there is no betterment after the round.
Under Clause 20 quoted in the official instructions, a selected candidate who fails to report or join in the final admission round and causes the seat to lapse will be ineligible for admission to that group for the next two years.
Before entering a preference, candidates should verify the college, course, quota, and fee. The instructions say candidates may pay through demand draft or NEFT/RTGS during joining, while each college must publish quota-wise fees and payment details. Candidates should compare the amount with the Fees Regulating Authority and the college’s official website.
What Candidates Should Do Now
- Check the State CET Cell portal on October 14 for the Round 1 vacancy matrix.
- Confirm eligibility from the official schedule and information brochure.
- Review only those colleges and quotas you are prepared to join.
- Check the applicable fee on the Fees Regulating Authority and college websites.
- Submit fresh choices between October 15 and October 16, before 11:59 PM.
- Save the submitted-choice confirmation and monitor the selection list on October 17.
If allotted, report with all original documents and the required fee by the stated joining deadline.