MAH NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Counselling: Registration Open Today—Key Dates & Steps

The State CET Cell Maharashtra has opened online registration for NEET PG 2026 Round 1 counselling, beginning today, October 17, 2026. This centralised admission process (CAP) will fill 50 percent of state quota seats in government and corporation colleges, as well as 100 percent of seats in private unaided colleges across Maharashtra for MD, MS, and PG Diploma courses. Registration closes on October 23, and the entire counselling cycle—from document verification through seat allotment—spans nearly three weeks. For MBBS graduates seeking a postgraduate medical seat in Maharashtra, this is a critical window: missing deadlines or incomplete documentation can result in exclusion from merit lists and seat allocation.

What Is MAH NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Counselling and Who Should Apply?

The Maharashtra NEET PG 2026 Round 1 counselling is a centralised online admission process managed by the State CET Cell. It allocates postgraduate medical seats across government, corporation, and private unaided colleges in Maharashtra. The process covers 50 percent of state quota seats in public institutions and 100 percent of seats in private unaided colleges, spanning MD (Doctor of Medicine), MS (Master of Surgery), and PG Diploma courses.

To be eligible, you must have cleared NEET PG 2026 with the qualifying percentile set by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). You also need a valid MBBS degree recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC), completion of the compulsory rotating internship by the cut-off date, and proof of Maharashtra state domicile and nativity as per CET Cell rules. NRI candidates follow a separate registration process outlined in Notice No. 02 on the official portal.

Complete MAH NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Counselling Timeline

The counselling process unfolds over several phases, each with strict deadlines. Understanding this timeline is essential because missing even one deadline can delay your admission or exclude you from that round. The CET Cell has published the full schedule on medical2026.mahacet.org, and candidates must track each milestone carefully.

Documents You Must Prepare Before Registration

The CET Cell requires a comprehensive set of documents during registration. Incomplete or missing documentation is a common reason for rejection or delays in merit list publication. Begin gathering these documents immediately, as you will need to upload scanned copies during the registration window (October 17–24).

Ensure all documents are clear, legible, and in the formats specified by the CET Cell. If you have a provisional pass certificate instead of a final MBBS degree, that is acceptable, but you must upload it. Similarly, if you have not yet received permanent registration from the NMC or your state medical council, a provisional registration certificate will suffice for now, though you may need to provide the permanent certificate later.

• NEET PG 2026 admit card and scorecard
• MBBS degree certificate or provisional pass certificate
• MBBS mark sheets from all professional years
• Compulsory rotating internship completion certificate
• Permanent or provisional registration from NMC or State Medical Council
• Class 10 mark sheet or birth certificate for age proof
• Domicile and nativity certificate of Maharashtra
• Caste and non-creamy layer certificate (if applicable)
• Valid government-issued photo ID proof

Step-by-Step Registration Process at medical2026.mahacet.org

Registration is entirely online and must be completed during the window of October 17–23, 2026, by 11:59 PM. The process is straightforward but requires attention to detail. Follow these steps carefully to avoid errors that could delay your application.

After you submit your application, download and save the confirmation page immediately. This page contains your registration number and other critical information you will need for future correspondence with the CET Cell. Keep this document safe throughout the counselling process.

• Visit the official portal at medical2026.mahacet.org
• Click on the 'New Registration' link on the home page
• Create an account using a valid email ID and mobile number
• Fill in your personal, academic, and NEET PG 2026 details accurately
• Upload scanned copies of every required document in the specified format
• Pay the registration fee through net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI
• Submit the application and download the confirmation page

Registration Fee and Payment Options

The registration fee is non-refundable and must be paid during form submission. The exact fee amount varies by category (general, OBC, SC, ST, etc.) and is detailed in the Information Brochure released on October 16, 2026. Payment must be completed by October 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM—note that this deadline is one day after the registration deadline, giving you a small buffer for payment processing.

The CET Cell accepts multiple payment modes to ensure accessibility: net banking, debit card, credit card, and UPI. Choose the method most convenient for you. After payment, you will receive a confirmation receipt; save this as proof of payment. If your payment fails, you can retry during the payment window, but do not wait until the last moment.

Document Verification and Merit List Publication

After you upload your documents, the CET Cell will conduct online document verification between October 18–27, 2026. During this period, the verification team will review your uploaded documents for completeness and authenticity. If any document is unclear, missing, or appears incorrect, you may be contacted to resubmit or clarify. Respond promptly to any such requests.

On October 28, 2026, the CET Cell will publish two lists: the Registered Candidate List (confirming your registration was accepted) and the Provisional Merit List (showing your rank based on your NEET PG score and eligibility). If you find any discrepancy in these lists, you can submit a grievance between October 29–30, 2026. The CET Cell will then publish the Final Provisional State Merit List and In-Service Merit List on November 1, 2026, which will be used for seat allotment.

Choice Filling and Seat Allotment Process

Once the Final Provisional Merit List is published on November 1, 2026, the CET Cell will simultaneously release the CAP Round 1 Seat Matrix. This matrix shows the total number of MD, MS, and PG Diploma seats available in each college and specialisation, broken down by category (general, OBC, SC, ST, etc.). Study this matrix carefully to understand which colleges and specialisations have seats available in your category.

Between November 2–4, 2026, you will fill your preferences (choices) online. You can rank colleges and specialisations in order of preference. The CET Cell's algorithm will then match your rank and preferences to available seats. On November 5, 2026, the First Selection List will be published, showing which seat (if any) has been allotted to you. If you are allotted a seat, you must report physically to the college and submit the Status Retention Form between November 6–10, 2026, by 5:30 PM to confirm your acceptance.

Why Maharashtra NEET PG Counselling Matters for Your Career

Maharashtra is home to one of India's largest pools of postgraduate medical seats, spanning government, corporation, and private unaided colleges. The state offers diverse specialisations and institutions, from premier government medical colleges to well-established private colleges. Securing a seat through this CAP process is a significant milestone in your medical career, as it determines your specialisation, college, and the quality of training you will receive.

Timely and complete registration directly improves your chances of being ranked fairly in the merit list and receiving a preferred specialisation. Delays or incomplete documentation can result in exclusion from merit lists or lower ranking, even if your NEET PG score is strong. This is why adhering to every deadline and submitting all required documents is critical.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Registration

Many candidates lose out on seats due to preventable errors. The most common mistakes include submitting incomplete or unclear document scans, entering incorrect personal or academic details, missing payment deadlines, and failing to download the confirmation page. Double-check all information before submitting, and ensure your document scans are clear and legible.

Another frequent error is misunderstanding the domicile and nativity requirements. Maharashtra has specific rules about who qualifies as a domicile candidate, and these rules differ from other states. Review the Information Brochure carefully to confirm you meet the criteria. If you are unsure, contact the CET Cell before registration rather than after, when it may be too late to correct the issue.

Frequently asked questions

Begin gathering your documents immediately and register at medical2026.mahacet.org between October 17–23, 2026. Mark all key dates on your calendar, especially the merit list publication (October 28), choice filling window (November 2–4), and physical joining deadline (November 6–10). Missing any deadline can jeopardise your admission to a postgraduate medical seat in Maharashtra.