MAH NEET UG 2026 Stray Round: Last Chance for MBBS/BDS Seats

Maharashtra's State CET Cell has announced the Stray Round schedule for NEET UG 2026, the final counselling phase for the 2026–27 admission cycle. This round will fill all remaining vacant MBBS and BDS seats under Group A that were not filled in earlier counselling rounds. If you have qualified NEET UG 2026 but have not yet secured a seat—or if you were allotted a seat earlier but did not join—this is your last opportunity to gain admission to a medical college in Maharashtra this year. The entire process, from registration to college reporting, will conclude by October 26, 2026.

What Is the Stray Round and Why Does It Matter?

The Stray Round is the last counselling phase in Maharashtra's NEET UG admission process. It fills seats that remain vacant after the three main rounds of the Centralised Admission Process (CAP). Unlike earlier rounds, no further admission counselling will be held in Maharashtra after this round closes on October 26, 2026.

This round is critical because it represents the final window to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in the state for the 2026–27 academic year. Candidates who miss this deadline will have to wait until the next admission cycle, which typically begins in 2027. The round covers only Group A seats (general category and reserved category seats under the state quota).

Who Can Apply for the MAH NEET UG 2026 Stray Round?

All candidates who have qualified the NEET UG 2026 examination are eligible to register for the Stray Round. This includes candidates who did not participate in earlier counselling rounds, as well as those who were allotted a seat but chose not to join.

Importantly, if you were allotted a seat in an earlier round and joined that college, you cannot apply for the Stray Round. The CET Cell will verify your registration details and confirm eligibility before your application is processed. Final admission will depend on the availability of seats in participating medical and dental colleges.

Key Dates and Timeline for Stray Round Registration and Reporting

The Stray Round operates in three sub-rounds, each with its own choice-filling and reporting window. Understanding these dates is essential to ensure you do not miss any deadline.

Round 1 begins with the publication of the seat matrix on October 14, followed by choice filling on October 15–16 (until 11:59 PM). The selection list will be released on October 17, and candidates must report to their allotted college with original documents and pay the admission fee between October 18–20 (until 5:30 PM). If you wish to resign without penalty, the deadline is October 20 at 5:30 PM.

Round 2 follows immediately: the seat matrix and choice-filling window open on October 20–21 (until 10:00 AM), the selection list is released on October 21, and reporting takes place October 22–23 (until 5:30 PM). Round 3 operates on a compressed schedule: seat matrix and choice filling on October 23–24 (until 10:00 AM), selection list on October 24, and final reporting on October 25–26 (until 5:30 PM). The absolute last date to join any college is October 26, 2026, as per Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) guidelines.

• Round 1: October 14–20, 2026
• Round 2: October 20–23, 2026
• Round 3: October 23–26, 2026
• Final joining deadline: October 26, 2026, 5:30 PM

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

Registration for the Stray Round is entirely online and must be completed on the official portal at medical2026.mahacet.org. The process is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail and timely submission.

Begin by visiting the official portal and locating the Stray Round registration link under Notice No. 23. Fill out the online application form with your personal details (name, date of birth, contact information) and academic information (NEET UG roll number, score, and category). Upload scanned copies of all required documents according to the specifications provided on the portal—typically, these must be in PDF or JPG format and within specified file size limits.

After uploading documents, pay the counselling fee through the available online payment modes, which usually include net banking, UPI, debit card, and credit card. Once payment is confirmed, you will be able to access the choice-filling interface. Select your preferred courses (MBBS or BDS) and colleges in order of preference. After filling all preferences, you must lock them before the deadline; locked preferences cannot be changed, so review carefully before finalising.

• Visit medical2026.mahacet.org and click the Stray Round registration link
• Fill personal and academic details in the online form
• Upload scanned documents (PDF/JPG) as per specifications
• Pay the counselling fee online
• Fill and rank your course and college preferences
• Lock preferences before the deadline closes

Documents You Must Prepare Before Registration

Having all required documents ready before you begin registration will save time and prevent last-minute delays. The CET Cell will verify these documents during the registration process and again at the time of physical reporting to the college.

You will need your NEET UG 2026 scorecard and admit card, Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets, a Maharashtra domicile certificate, and your Aadhaar card. If you belong to a reserved category (SC, ST, OBC, or VJ), bring your caste certificate and, if applicable, a non-creamy layer certificate. You will also need a nationality certificate issued by a competent authority and a recent passport-size photograph (typically 4×6 cm). Ensure all documents are clear, legible, and in the correct format before scanning.

• NEET UG 2026 scorecard and admit card
• Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
• Maharashtra domicile certificate
• Caste certificate (if applicable)
• Non-creamy layer certificate (if applicable)
• Aadhaar card
• Nationality certificate
• Recent passport-size photograph

What Happens After You Receive Your Allotment?

Once the selection list is published, you can check your allotment status by logging into your candidate account on the portal using your registration number and password. If you are allotted a seat, the notification will display the college name, course (MBBS or BDS), and the reporting date and time.

You must then report to the allotted college in person during the specified reporting window with all original documents (not just scanned copies), your admission fee, and any other documents requested by the college. The college will verify your documents, confirm your eligibility, and complete the admission process. If you do not report within the deadline, your seat will be cancelled, and you will not be able to participate in subsequent rounds. If you are allotted a seat but decide not to join, you can resign without penalty only until the deadline specified for that round (e.g., October 20 for Round 1).

• Check allotment status on medical2026.mahacet.org using your login credentials
• Note the college name, course, and reporting deadline
• Report to the college in person with original documents and admission fee
• Complete document verification and admission formalities
• Resign without penalty only before the specified deadline if you wish to opt out

Why You Cannot Miss This Round: The Final Opportunity

The Stray Round is explicitly the last counselling phase for NEET UG 2026 in Maharashtra. No further admission rounds will be conducted after October 26, 2026. This means that if you do not secure a seat through this round, you will not be able to gain admission to an MBBS or BDS college in Maharashtra for the 2026–27 academic year.

Candidates who miss this window will have to wait for the next admission cycle, which typically begins in 2027. This represents a full year's delay in starting your medical education. Additionally, if you were allotted a seat in an earlier round but did not join, this is your chance to rectify that decision. The Stray Round is designed to ensure that all available seats are filled and no qualified candidate is left without an opportunity, provided they act within the prescribed timelines.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Registration and Reporting

Many candidates lose their seats due to preventable errors. Do not delay registration until the last day; the portal may experience high traffic, and technical issues could prevent timely submission. Fill your preferences carefully and in the correct order of priority, as the allotment algorithm will match you to the highest-ranked available option. Do not lock your preferences without reviewing them thoroughly—once locked, they cannot be changed.

During reporting, bring all original documents, not just photocopies. Colleges will not accept incomplete documentation. Arrive at the college well before the reporting deadline; do not assume you can report on the last day, as the college may close admissions early if all seats are filled. If you are allotted a seat but wish to resign, do so before the deadline; resignations submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. Finally, keep your login credentials and registration number safe; you will need them to check allotment results and access important notifications.

• Register early; do not wait until the last day
• Review and lock preferences carefully
• Bring original documents to the college, not just scans
• Report well before the deadline
• Resign before the deadline if you wish to opt out
• Keep your registration number and login credentials secure

Frequently asked questions

The Stray Round is your final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Maharashtra for 2026–27. Register on medical2026.mahacet.org by October 16 at the latest, fill your preferences carefully, and report to your allotted college before October 26, 2026. Missing this window means waiting a full year for the next admission cycle.