If you're a NEET-UG candidate hoping to study MBBS or BDS in Maharashtra, the state's counselling process has just entered its most important phase. The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has released the final merit list for MAH NEET UG 2026, confirming 35,463 candidates as eligible for the first round of the Centralised Admission Process (CAP). Choice filling — where you rank the colleges and courses you want — is open right now, and the window closes soon. Getting this step right can decide which college you end up studying in, so it deserves careful attention rather than a last-minute rush.
Eligible candidates must lock their college and course preferences for MAH NEET UG 2026 CAP Round 1 by August 29 (5:30 PM), as the seat allotment result follows almost immediately on August 30.
What exactly has been released
The CET Cell has put out the final provisional merit list for MAH NEET UG 2026 on its official counselling portal, medical2026.mahacet.org. This list ranks 35,463 candidates who are eligible to proceed to CAP Round 1 — the first of the state's rounds for allotting MBBS and BDS seats.
Along with the merit list, the Cell has also released the CAP Round 1 seat matrix, which shows how many seats are available in each college and course across government, corporation-run, and private institutes. Candidates should study this matrix closely before filling choices, since it tells you what is realistically available in the round you're entering.
Key dates for CAP Round 1
The counselling timeline is tight, so it helps to have every date in one place.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Final merit list and seat matrix released | August 25, 2026 |
| Choice filling window | August 26 to August 29, 2026 (till 5:30 PM) |
| CAP Round 1 seat allotment result | August 30, 2026 |
| Reporting at allotted college | August 31 to September 4, 2026 (till 4:30 PM) |
How many seats are actually on offer
This round covers a sizeable number of medical and dental seats across the state, spanning government, corporation, and private colleges.
Roughly 9,000 MBBS seats and around 3,526 BDS seats are part of this counselling exercise. The exact number available to any individual candidate will depend on category, home university region, and the specific seat matrix released for Round 1, so treat these figures as the overall pool rather than a guarantee.
How to fill your choices
The process is straightforward on paper, but small errors in ordering preferences can cost you a better seat. Here's the basic sequence.
- Log in at medical2026.mahacet.org using your application number and password.
- Open the CAP Round 1 choice filling link on your dashboard.
- Go through the seat matrix and list colleges and courses in the exact order you actually want them — not just the ones you think you'll get.
- Lock your choices once finalised; locked choices generally cannot be edited afterwards, so review carefully before confirming.
- Download and save the confirmation slip for your records.
Who can take part, and what happens if you miss reporting
Only candidates named in the final merit list can participate in Round 1 choice filling, and this is also conditional on having completed document verification and paid the counselling registration fee earlier in the process.
Once the seat allotment result is out on August 30, allotted candidates must report to their assigned college within the specified window — August 31 to September 4, by 4:30 PM. Missing this deadline means losing the allotted seat, which then goes back into the pool for later rounds. This is a strict cut-off, so plan travel and document collection well in advance rather than leaving it to the last day.
Why the choice-filling order matters so much
In state counselling systems like Maharashtra's CAP, allotment is driven by your rank and the order in which you list preferences — not by which colleges you 'expect' to get. A candidate with a modest rank who lists a well-researched, realistic sequence of colleges often ends up better placed than someone with a similar rank who orders choices carelessly or leaves out viable options.
It's worth listing every college and course combination you would genuinely accept, even ones lower down your wish list, because an incomplete list can mean losing a chance at a seat that could have gone to you in this very round.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Where do I check if my name is on the MAH NEET UG 2026 final merit list?
Log in at medical2026.mahacet.org with your application number and password to view your rank and eligibility status for CAP Round 1.
What is the last date to fill choices for CAP Round 1?
The choice filling window closes on August 29, 2026, at 5:30 PM. Choices must be locked within this time.
When will I know my allotted college?
The CAP Round 1 seat allotment result is scheduled for August 30, 2026, on the same portal.
What if I don't report to my allotted college on time?
If you fail to report between August 31 and September 4 (by 4:30 PM), you lose the allotted seat, and it goes into the vacancy pool for the next round of counselling.
How many MBBS and BDS seats are being offered in this round?
Approximately 9,000 MBBS seats and around 3,526 BDS seats are part of Maharashtra's CAP Round 1 seat matrix, spread across government, corporation, and private colleges.
Can I edit my choices after locking them?
Once you lock your preference list, it is typically final for that round, so review the order carefully before confirming and download the confirmation slip for your own record.
Is document verification required again for choice filling?
No fresh verification is mentioned for this step, but candidates must have already completed document verification and fee payment earlier in the process to appear on the final merit list.
If you're in the MAH NEET UG 2026 merit list, don't wait till the last hour to lock your preferences — study the seat matrix, rank colleges realistically, and keep your documents ready for the reporting window right after allotment. Keep checking medical2026.mahacet.org for the Round 1 result on August 30 and any updates on later rounds if you don't get your first choice.
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