MAH NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Choice Filling Extended to Nov 5 Noon

The Maharashtra CET Cell has granted an extension to the choice filling window for MAH NEET PG 2026 Round 1 counselling, moving the deadline from November 4 to November 5, 2026 at 12 noon. This extension applies to over 7,200 eligible candidates who have qualified the national NEET PG 2026 exam and registered for Maharashtra state quota counselling. The choice filling process determines which medical colleges and specialisations (MD, MS, or PG Diploma) candidates will be considered for in government, private, and minority institutions across the state. The extra time gives doctors a crucial window to finalise their preference rankings before allotments are processed.

What Changed: The Deadline Extension Explained

The original choice filling window was scheduled to close on November 4, 2026 at 11:59 PM. The Maharashtra CET Cell issued an official circular extending this to November 5, 2026 at 12 noon — a shift of approximately 13 hours. This extension was announced through the Centralised Allotment Process (CAP) Round 1 schedule update on the official portal.

The extension provides candidates with additional time to review the final seat matrix (released on November 2), compare available MD, MS, and PG Diploma seats across colleges, and make informed decisions about their preference order. For many doctors, this extra time can be the difference between a rushed, poorly ranked list and a thoughtfully prioritised one.

Who Can Fill Choices and How Many Seats Are Available

Over 7,200 candidates are eligible to participate in MAH NEET PG 2026 Round 1 counselling. Eligibility is restricted to those who have qualified the national NEET PG 2026 exam and completed registration on the MAH CET portal within the earlier registration window. Both general and in-service candidates are included in the provisional state merit list; NRI candidates must follow separate registration guidelines posted on the portal.

The counselling covers MD, MS, and PG Diploma seats across government, private, and minority medical colleges in Maharashtra. The final seat matrix, which lists the exact number of seats available in each specialisation at each institution, was published on November 2, 2026, and is available on medical2026.mahacet.org for review.

How to Submit Your Preferences Before the Deadline

The choice filling process is entirely online and must be completed on the official MAH CET portal. There is no offline or paper-based option. Candidates must log in using their registered credentials and access the CAP Round 1 choice filling tab on their dashboard.

Once logged in, you can select your preferred colleges and specialisations in order of priority. The portal allows you to rearrange, add, or remove options as many times as needed before the deadline. It is critical to lock your final preference list before November 5 at 12 noon — once locked, changes cannot be made. After locking, download and save your choice confirmation receipt for your records and future reference.

• Visit medical2026.mahacet.org and log in with your registered credentials
• Open the CAP Round 1 choice filling tab on your candidate dashboard
• Select preferred colleges and courses in order of priority
• Rearrange, add, or remove options as many times as needed before locking
• Lock the final preference list before November 5, 2026 at 12 noon
• Download and save the choice confirmation receipt

Key Dates in the MAH NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Timeline

Understanding the full counselling schedule helps you plan your next steps. The grievance submission deadline was November 1 at 12 noon, allowing candidates to flag any errors in their registration or merit list placement. The final state merit list and seat matrix were released on November 2, marking the start of the choice filling window.

Physical reporting at your allotted college begins on November 6 and must be completed by November 10, 2026 at 5:30 PM. This is a hard deadline — failure to report in person within this window may result in forfeiture of your seat. Candidates unsatisfied with their Round 1 allotment can choose not to report and wait for Round 2, whose schedule will be announced later.

Why Your Preference Order Matters More Than You Think

The order in which you rank your choices directly determines which seat you receive. The allotment algorithm processes candidates in merit rank order and assigns each doctor to the highest-ranked available seat on their preference list. A poorly ranked or hastily compiled list often results in a mismatch between what you wanted and what you are allotted.

For example, if you rank a distant college first and a prestigious institution second, you may be allotted the distant college even if you would have preferred to wait for Round 2. Conversely, if you rank too many aspirational choices at the top without realistic backups, you may end up unallotted in Round 1. The extension gives you time to draft your list on paper first, research colleges and specialisations, and enter your choices thoughtfully.

What Happens After You Lock Your Choices

Once the choice filling window closes on November 5 at 12 noon, the CET Cell will process allotments based on your merit rank, category, and the preferences you submitted. Allotment results will be published on the official portal, and you will be notified of the seat assigned to you.

If you receive a Round 1 seat, you must report in person at the allotted college between November 6 and 10, 2026. Bring all required documents (NEET PG scorecard, MBBS degree, identity proof, etc.) as specified by the college. The final reporting deadline is 5:30 PM on November 10 — missing this deadline forfeits your seat. If you are unsatisfied with your allotment or do not receive a seat in Round 1, you can choose to participate in Round 2, whose schedule will be released separately.

Practical Action Plan for the Next 24 Hours

With the deadline now at November 5 noon, act immediately. First, log in to medical2026.mahacet.org and verify that your registered email and phone number are active and accessible. Check the final seat matrix for all MD, MS, and PG Diploma seats available in your preferred specialisations and colleges.

Draft your preference list on paper before entering it into the portal. Research each college's location, infrastructure, faculty, and reputation. Rank your choices strategically: place realistic options you are genuinely willing to accept in the top ranks, and add aspirational choices lower down. Enter your choices into the portal and save after every change. Lock your final preference list well before the November 5 noon deadline — do not wait until the last minute, as portal congestion or technical issues could prevent submission. Download and keep a printout of your choice confirmation receipt for your records.

• Log in to medical2026.mahacet.org without delay
• Verify your registered email and phone number are active
• Review the final seat matrix for MD, MS, and PG Diploma seats
• Draft a priority list of colleges and specialisations on paper first
• Research each college's location, infrastructure, and reputation
• Enter choices on the portal and save after every change
• Lock your final preference list well before November 5 noon
• Download and keep a printout of the choice confirmation receipt

What to Watch After Choice Filling Closes

After November 5 at 12 noon, the next critical date is the allotment result announcement. Check the official portal regularly for the Round 1 allotment result. Once published, note your allotted college, specialisation, and the reporting instructions.

If you receive an allotment, mark your calendar for the physical reporting window: November 6 to 10, 2026. Prepare all required documents in advance and plan your travel to the college. If you do not receive an allotment or are unsatisfied with your seat, wait for the Round 2 schedule to be announced and plan your participation accordingly.

Frequently asked questions

If you are a NEET PG 2026 qualified candidate registered for Maharashtra counselling, log in to medical2026.mahacet.org immediately and begin drafting your preference list. Lock your choices well before November 5 at 12 noon, and prepare for physical reporting at your allotted college between November 6 and 10. Monitor the official portal for allotment results and Round 2 announcements.