Maharashtra's State CET Cell has announced the Stray Round schedule for NEET UG 2026 — the final counselling phase to fill vacant MBBS and BDS seats under Group A. This is your last opportunity to secure a medical seat in Maharashtra for the 2026–27 academic year. Registration opens October 14, and the entire process concludes by October 26, 2026. If you qualified NEET UG but missed earlier rounds, or were allotted a seat but did not join, this round is your final chance.
The Stray Round is Maharashtra's last medical counselling phase of 2026; all NEET-qualified candidates must register afresh at medical2026.mahacet.org between October 14–16 to compete for remaining MBBS and BDS seats.
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Unlock My College ListWhat Is the Stray Round and Why Does It Matter?
The Stray Round is the concluding counselling phase in Maharashtra's NEET UG admission cycle. It fills MBBS and BDS seats that remain vacant after the three main rounds of the Centralised Admission Process (CAP). Once this round closes on October 26, 2026, no further medical counselling will occur in Maharashtra until the next academic year.
For a NEET aspirant, this round represents the absolute final window to secure a medical seat in the state. If you did not get a seat in earlier rounds, or if you were allotted a seat but chose not to join, the Stray Round is your last option. Missing this deadline means waiting until 2027 for the next counselling cycle.
Who Can Apply for the MAH NEET UG 2026 Stray Round?
Any candidate who qualified NEET UG 2026 is 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 did not report to the college or chose to resign.
The key requirement is that you must not currently hold an allotted and joined seat in any medical or dental college. If you are already admitted to an MBBS or BDS programme and have completed the joining process, you cannot participate in the Stray Round. Fresh registration is mandatory — your earlier counselling data will not carry forward.
Complete Timeline: Registration to Reporting
The Stray Round operates in three sub-rounds, each with its own registration, allotment, and reporting window. Understanding the exact dates is critical because missing even a single deadline can disqualify you from that sub-round.
Round 1 begins with the publication of available seats on October 14. You have until 11:59 PM on October 16 to fill and lock your college and course preferences. The allotment list will be released on October 17, and you must report to your allotted college with original documents and pay the admission fee by 5:30 PM on October 20. If you are not satisfied with your allotment, you can resign without penalty by the same deadline and participate in Round 2.
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Round 2 follows immediately: the seat matrix and choice-filling window open on October 20 at 10:00 AM and close on October 21 at 10:00 AM. The allotment list comes out on October 21, and reporting runs from October 22 to October 23 by 5:30 PM. Round 3 is the final sub-round, with choice filling on October 23–24 (until 10:00 AM), allotment on October 24, and reporting on October 25–26 by 5:30 PM. The absolute last date to join any college is October 26, 2026.
- Round 1: Seat matrix (Oct 14) → Choice filling (Oct 15–16, 11:59 PM) → Allotment (Oct 17) → Reporting (Oct 18–20, 5:30 PM)
- Round 2: Seat matrix & choice filling (Oct 20–21, 10:00 AM) → Allotment (Oct 21) → Reporting (Oct 22–23, 5:30 PM)
- Round 3: Choice filling (Oct 23–24, 10:00 AM) → Allotment (Oct 24) → Reporting (Oct 25–26, 5:30 PM)
- Final joining deadline: October 26, 2026, 5:30 PM
Step-by-Step Registration Process
Registration for the Stray Round is entirely online through the official portal. Begin by visiting medical2026.mahacet.org and locating the Stray Round registration link under Notice No. 23. Fill out the online application form with your personal details, NEET roll number, and academic information.
You will need to upload scanned copies of required documents in the specified format. These include your NEET scorecard and admit card, Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, Maharashtra domicile certificate, caste and non-creamy layer certificates (if applicable), Aadhaar card, a recent passport-size photograph, and a nationality certificate. Ensure all documents are clear and meet the file size and format requirements to avoid rejection.
After uploading documents, pay the counselling fee through available online modes such as net banking, UPI, or debit/credit card. Once payment is confirmed, you can proceed to fill your course and college preferences. This is the most important step: carefully rank your choices in order of preference, as the allotment algorithm will match you to the highest-ranked available seat. Lock your preferences before the deadline; you cannot modify them after the choice-filling window closes.
- Visit medical2026.mahacet.org and click the Stray Round registration link
- Complete the online application form with personal and academic details
- Upload all required documents in the correct format
- Pay the counselling fee online
- Fill and rank your college and course preferences
- Lock your preferences before the deadline
Documents You Must Have Ready
Before you begin registration, gather all required documents. The CET Cell will verify these during the registration process and again during physical reporting at your allotted college. Having everything prepared in advance will save time and prevent last-minute delays.
Essential documents include your NEET UG 2026 scorecard and admit card, Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets, a domicile certificate proving your Maharashtra residency, and your Aadhaar card. If you belong to a reserved category, bring your caste certificate and non-creamy layer certificate (if applicable). You will also need a recent passport-size photograph and a nationality certificate issued by a competent authority. Ensure all documents are original or certified copies as required by the college.
- NEET UG 2026 scorecard and admit card
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- Maharashtra domicile certificate
- Caste certificate and non-creamy layer certificate (if applicable)
- Aadhaar card
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Nationality certificate from competent authority
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What Happens After You Are Allotted a Seat?
Once the allotment list is published, log into your candidate account on the portal to check your result. If you are allotted a seat, you will see the college name, course (MBBS or BDS), and the reporting deadline. You must then visit the college in person during the specified reporting window with all original documents and pay the admission fee to confirm your seat.
If you are not satisfied with your allotment in Round 1 or Round 2, you have the option to resign without penalty before the reporting deadline. This allows you to participate in the next sub-round for a potentially better seat. However, if you do not resign by the deadline and do not report, your seat will be cancelled and you will not be eligible for subsequent rounds. Plan carefully: if you resign from Round 1, you must immediately register for Round 2 during its choice-filling window.
- Check your allotment result on the portal using your login credentials
- Report to the allotted college in person during the reporting window
- Bring all original documents and pay the admission fee
- If unsatisfied, resign before the deadline to participate in the next round
- Failure to report or resign results in seat cancellation
Why This Is Your Final Chance in 2026
The Stray Round is explicitly the last counselling phase for the 2026–27 academic year in Maharashtra. After October 26, 2026, no further admission rounds will be conducted. This means if you do not secure a seat through the Stray Round, you will have to wait until the 2027 counselling cycle begins, which typically occurs in the latter half of 2027.
For many aspirants, this creates significant pressure. However, it also means that every available MBBS and BDS seat in the state — including those in less-popular colleges or distant locations — will be filled during this round. If you are flexible with your college choice and willing to consider all available options, your chances of getting a seat are reasonable. The key is to register on time, fill your preferences thoughtfully, and be prepared to report immediately if allotted.
Practical Action Plan for NEET Aspirants
Start by downloading Notice No. 23 from medical2026.mahacet.org and reading it in full. This official document contains all rules, eligibility criteria, and important instructions. Next, gather all required documents and ensure they are in the correct format. Scan them clearly and store them on your computer or phone for quick upload during registration.
On October 14, when the seat matrix is published, study it carefully. Identify all colleges and courses available, note their locations, fees, and reputation. Create a ranked list of your preferences based on your priorities — whether that is location, college reputation, course, or a combination. Register as soon as the window opens on October 15 to avoid last-minute technical issues. Fill your preferences thoughtfully, lock them before the deadline, and monitor the portal for your allotment result. Once allotted, prepare your documents and plan your travel to the college for reporting.
- Download and read Notice No. 23 completely
- Gather and scan all required documents
- Study the seat matrix when published on October 14
- Create a ranked preference list based on your priorities
- Register early on October 15 to avoid delays
- Fill and lock your preferences before the deadline
- Check your allotment result and report to the college on time
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the MAH NEET UG 2026 Stray Round?
The Stray Round is the final counselling phase in Maharashtra's NEET UG admission cycle. It fills MBBS and BDS seats under Group A that remain vacant after the three main rounds of the Centralised Admission Process (CAP). It operates in three sub-rounds between October 14 and October 26, 2026, and is the last opportunity to secure a medical seat in Maharashtra for the 2026–27 academic year.
Who is eligible to apply for the Stray Round?
Any candidate who qualified NEET UG 2026 is eligible, including those who did not participate in earlier counselling rounds and those who were allotted a seat but did not join. You must not currently hold an allotted and joined seat in any medical or dental college. Fresh registration is mandatory; earlier counselling data will not carry forward.
When does registration open and close for the Stray Round?
Registration for Round 1 opens on October 15, 2026, and closes on October 16 at 11:59 PM. Round 2 registration runs from October 20 to October 21 at 10:00 AM. Round 3 registration is from October 23 to October 24 at 10:00 AM. Each sub-round has its own registration window, so you must register during the specific window for the round you wish to participate in.
What documents do I need to register for the Stray Round?
You need your NEET UG 2026 scorecard and admit card, Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, Maharashtra domicile certificate, caste and non-creamy layer certificates (if applicable), Aadhaar card, a recent passport-size photograph, and a nationality certificate. Ensure all documents are scanned clearly and meet the file format and size requirements specified on the portal.
How do I register for the Stray Round?
Visit medical2026.mahacet.org, click the Stray Round registration link under Notice No. 23, and fill the online application form with your personal and academic details. Upload scanned copies of required documents, pay the counselling fee through net banking, UPI, or card, and then fill and lock your college and course preferences in order of preference before the deadline.
What happens if I miss the registration deadline?
If you miss the registration deadline for a particular sub-round, you cannot participate in that round. However, you may still be eligible for the next sub-round if you register during its window. If you miss all three sub-round deadlines, you will not be able to secure a seat in the Stray Round, and you will have to wait until the 2027 counselling cycle.
Can I change my preferences after locking them?
No, once you lock your preferences, you cannot modify them. This is why it is important to carefully rank your college and course choices before locking. If you are unsatisfied with your allotment in an earlier sub-round, you can resign without penalty and participate in the next sub-round with a fresh set of preferences.
What is the last date to report to my allotted college?
The reporting deadlines vary by sub-round: Round 1 reporting is by October 20 at 5:30 PM, Round 2 by October 23 at 5:30 PM, and Round 3 by October 26 at 5:30 PM. October 26, 2026, at 5:30 PM is the absolute final deadline to join any college. If you do not report by this date, your seat will be cancelled.
Is the Stray Round the last counselling phase in Maharashtra for 2026?
Yes, the Stray Round is explicitly the final counselling phase for the 2026–27 academic year. After October 26, 2026, no further admission rounds will be conducted in Maharashtra. If you do not secure a seat through the Stray Round, you will have to wait until the 2027 counselling cycle.
Register immediately when the window opens on October 15 to avoid technical delays. Study the seat matrix carefully, rank your preferences thoughtfully, and be prepared to report to your allotted college within the specified deadline. This is your final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Maharashtra for 2026–27.
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