The Maharashtra CET Cell has released the official seat matrix for NEET PG 2026 Round 1 counselling, now live on the state portal. This document is your roadmap for choice filling — it shows exactly how many seats are available in each college, course, and category across government degree, government diploma, and private institutions. Understanding the seat matrix before you lock your choices is critical: a single seat shift between quotas can alter your allotment chances by hundreds of ranks. This guide walks you through downloading, reading, and using the matrix strategically.
Download all three seat matrix PDFs (government MD/MS, government PG Diploma, private MD/MS) from medical2026.mahacet.org and cross-check your category and rank against each college before locking choices — no seats will be added mid-round.
Your matched MD/MS/DNB seats
LockedEnter your NEET-PG rank to unlock the real colleges you can get — All India Quota and state — with closing ranks, fees and stipend.
Unlock My College ListWhat the CET Cell Has Released and Where to Find It
The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell has published the provisional category-wise seat matrix for Round 1 of the Centralised Admission Process (CAP). The matrix is available on the official portal at medical2026.mahacet.org and is divided into three separate PDF documents, each covering a different college type and course level.
The three documents are: (1) government MD and MS seats across government, corporation, central and aided colleges; (2) government PG Diploma seats in government and corporation colleges; and (3) private MD and MS seats in private and minority unaided colleges. Candidates must download the file that matches their preferred course and college type before beginning choice filling.
Understanding What Information Is in Each Seat Matrix PDF
Each PDF lists the participating institute name, the course offered, and the number of seats available in each social category (General, OBC, SC, ST). The matrix also breaks down seats by gender quota and in-service candidate quota where applicable, and clearly marks seats reserved for candidates with disabilities.
Round 1 counselling covers 50 percent of all State Quota seats in government colleges, meaning the other 50 percent will be filled in later rounds. For private unaided and minority medical colleges, Round 1 covers 100 percent of available seats. This distinction is important: if you are aiming for a private college, Round 1 is your primary opportunity; for government colleges, you have multiple rounds ahead.
How Many Seats Are Available Across Maharashtra Colleges
Based on the previous year's data, government colleges in Maharashtra offered approximately 1,522 MD and MS seats under state counselling, while private colleges offered close to 988 MD and MS seats. PG Diploma intake in government institutes remained limited at around 16 seats. However, the CET Cell has noted that 2026 numbers may vary slightly based on fresh approvals from the National Medical Commission.
The exact seat count for 2026 is now published in the three PDFs released by the CET Cell. Candidates must rely only on these official documents for the final count and must not assume seats based on previous years. The CET Cell has also clarified that no fresh seats will be added during Round 1 — the count published in the matrix is final.
Know the exact MD/MS/DNB seats your rank can get
Official round-wise closing ranks with fee and stipend, matched to your rank.
Step-by-Step: How to Download the Seat Matrix
Downloading the seat matrix is straightforward and requires no login. Visit the official CET Cell portal at medical2026.mahacet.org, then locate the Notices and Downloads section on the home page. Click on the seat matrix link corresponding to your target course (government MD/MS, government PG Diploma, or private MD/MS), and download the PDF file to your device.
Save all three PDFs for reference, even if you are primarily interested in one college type. Having all three documents allows you to compare options and make informed decisions during choice filling. The PDFs open in any standard web browser and can be printed or annotated for easier reference.
- Visit medical2026.mahacet.org
- Open the Notices and Downloads section
- Click the seat matrix link for your course
- Download and save the PDF
Using the Seat Matrix to Build Your Choice List
The seat matrix is the foundation of your choice-filling strategy. Before locking any choices, shortlist colleges by cross-checking the number of seats available in your category against your NEET PG rank. For example, if you belong to the OBC category and have a rank of 5,000, identify all colleges where OBC seats are available and where your rank is likely to be competitive based on previous year cutoffs.
Build a balanced mix of choices: include safe options (colleges where your rank is well above the expected cutoff), probable options (colleges where your rank is close to the expected cutoff), and ambitious options (colleges where your rank is below the expected cutoff but where you wish to try). This strategy maximises your chances of securing a seat in Round 1. Locking choices without carefully checking category-wise seat counts often leads to lower allotments or no allotment at all.
- Identify colleges with seats in your category
- Cross-check your rank against expected cutoffs
- Create a mix of safe, probable, and ambitious choices
- Verify category certificates are ready for verification
- Lock choices within the official deadline
Why Category-Wise Seat Counts Matter for Your Allotment
A single seat shift between quotas can change your allotment chances by many ranks. For instance, if a college has 2 General seats and 1 OBC seat, and you are an OBC candidate, your competition is limited to other OBC candidates with ranks above yours. However, if you misread the matrix and assume there are 3 General seats available to you, you may lock that college as a safe choice when it is actually beyond your reach.
Every kind of PG seat, one rank
See the real seats your NEET-PG rank can reach.
The CET Cell emphasises that reading all three PDFs before locking choices is non-negotiable. Many candidates lose seats in Round 1 because they did not carefully verify category-wise availability. Spend time with the matrix, cross-reference your category and rank, and only then proceed to choice filling.
What Happens After You Lock Your Choices
Once you lock your choices on medical2026.mahacet.org within the official window, the CET Cell will process your application against the seat matrix. The allotment algorithm will match your rank, category, and choice order against available seats. A provisional seat allotment result will be announced, and you will be required to report to your allotted college within a specified deadline.
Keep your original documents and category certificates ready for verification at the college. The CET Cell will not add fresh seats mid-round, so the allotment is based entirely on the matrix published now. If you do not secure a seat in Round 1, you will have the opportunity to participate in subsequent rounds, where the remaining 50 percent of government college seats and any vacancies from Round 1 will be available.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using the Seat Matrix
The most common mistake is not downloading all three PDFs and comparing options across government and private colleges. Candidates often focus only on government colleges and miss competitive private college opportunities. Another frequent error is misreading category-wise seat counts — for example, confusing the total number of seats in a college with the number available in your specific category.
A third mistake is locking choices without verifying your rank against previous year cutoffs for each college. While the seat matrix shows availability, it does not show cutoffs; you must cross-reference the matrix with historical cutoff data from the CET Cell or coaching platforms. Finally, do not assume that a college with many seats is automatically a safe choice — the safety depends on your rank relative to the expected cutoff for your category in that college.
Next Steps: Timeline and What to Watch
After downloading and studying the seat matrix, your next step is to identify the choice-filling window announced by the CET Cell and prepare your final list of colleges. Keep monitoring the official portal for the exact deadline to lock choices and the date of the provisional seat allotment result. The CET Cell typically announces these dates on the portal and via email to registered candidates.
Ensure you have all required documents (NEET PG scorecard, category certificate, identity proof, medical degree certificate) ready before the choice-filling window opens. Do not wait until the last day to fill and lock choices — technical issues or delays can occur. Once you lock your choices, track the portal for the allotment result and the reporting deadline at your allotted college.
- Download all three seat matrix PDFs from medical2026.mahacet.org
- Cross-check your category and rank against each college
- Prepare a balanced choice list (safe, probable, ambitious)
- Gather all required documents for verification
- Fill and lock choices before the deadline
- Monitor the portal for allotment result and reporting date
See the exact MD/MS/DNB seats your NEET-PG rank can get
Free 2-minute preview — round-wise closing ranks, fees and stipend for every seat your rank can reach.
See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Where can I download the MAH NEET PG 2026 Round 1 seat matrix?
The seat matrix is available on the official CET Cell portal at medical2026.mahacet.org. Visit the Notices and Downloads section on the home page and click on the link for your target course (government MD/MS, government PG Diploma, or private MD/MS). The PDFs download without requiring a login.
How many separate seat matrix documents has the CET Cell released?
The CET Cell has released three separate PDFs: one for government MD and MS seats, one for government PG Diploma seats, and one for private MD and MS seats. Each document covers different college types and course levels. Candidates should download all three to compare options.
What information does each seat matrix PDF contain?
Each PDF lists the participating institute name, course offered, and the number of seats available in each social category (General, OBC, SC, ST). The matrix also shows seats reserved by gender quota, in-service candidate quota, and seats for candidates with disabilities. This allows you to see exactly how many seats are available in your specific category at each college.
How many seats are available in government and private colleges in Maharashtra?
Based on the previous year, government colleges offered approximately 1,522 MD and MS seats, while private colleges offered close to 988 MD and MS seats under state counselling. PG Diploma intake in government institutes was around 16 seats. However, 2026 numbers may vary based on fresh approvals from the National Medical Commission. The exact count is now published in the official seat matrix PDFs.
What percentage of government college seats are available in Round 1?
Round 1 counselling covers 50 percent of all State Quota seats in government colleges. The remaining 50 percent will be filled in subsequent rounds. For private unaided and minority colleges, Round 1 covers 100 percent of available seats, making it the primary opportunity for private college admissions.
Can the CET Cell add new seats during Round 1 if more seats become available?
No. The CET Cell has clarified that no fresh seats will be added mid-round. The final seat count stands as published in the matrix. All allotments in Round 1 will be based entirely on the seats listed in the PDFs released now.
How should I use the seat matrix to build my choice list?
Download all three PDFs and identify colleges with seats available in your category. Cross-check your NEET PG rank against expected cutoffs for each college (using historical data from previous years). Build a balanced mix of safe choices (where your rank is well above the cutoff), probable choices (where your rank is close to the cutoff), and ambitious choices (where your rank is below the cutoff but you wish to try). Lock only after verifying category-wise seat counts.
Why is it important to check category-wise seat counts before locking choices?
A single seat shift between quotas can change your allotment chances by many ranks. For example, if a college has only 1 OBC seat and you are an OBC candidate, your competition is limited to other OBC candidates. If you misread the matrix and assume more seats are available, you may lock a college that is actually beyond your reach. Careful verification prevents wasted choices and improves your allotment chances.
What should I do after I lock my choices?
After locking your choices within the official deadline, the CET Cell will process your application and announce a provisional seat allotment result. Keep your original documents and category certificates ready for verification at your allotted college. If you do not secure a seat in Round 1, you will have the opportunity to participate in subsequent rounds where remaining seats will be available.
Download the three seat matrix PDFs from medical2026.mahacet.org today, study them carefully against your rank and category, and prepare a balanced choice list before the choice-filling window opens. Monitor the CET Cell portal for the exact deadline and allotment result date — timely action is essential for securing your preferred seat in Round 1.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.