The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has extended the joining deadline for CAP Round 3 (Competent Authority Quota — the seats the state fills through its own counselling) for MBBS and BDS courses, Group A, for the 2026–27 academic year. The original deadline was 14 October 2026, but following an extension granted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), candidates now have until 3:00 PM on 16 October 2026 to report to their allotted college. This extension gives you two extra days if you have not yet joined. Additionally, the schedule for the Online Stray Vacancy Round(s) — the final round to fill any remaining seats — has been cancelled, and a revised schedule will be published soon.
If you were allotted a seat in CAP Round 3 for MBBS or BDS (Group A) in Maharashtra, you must join your college by 3:00 PM on 16 October 2026 or risk losing your seat.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is this notice about?
This is an official extension notice from Maharashtra's State CET Cell. It announces that the deadline for joining an allotted college in CAP Round 3 has been pushed back by two days — from 14 October 2026 to 16 October 2026 at 3:00 PM. This extension applies only to MBBS and BDS courses under Group A (the state quota seats).
The extension was granted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), the national body that oversees NEET UG counselling. Maharashtra's State CET Cell is implementing this extension for its candidates. If you received an allotment letter in CAP Round 3 and have not yet joined, this extension gives you a second chance to meet the deadline.
Who does this extension apply to?
This extension applies only to candidates who have been allotted a seat in CAP Round 3 for MBBS or BDS courses under Group A in Maharashtra for the 2026–27 academic year. Group A refers to the state quota seats — seats that Maharashtra fills through its own counselling process, separate from the national All India Quota (AIQ).
If you were allotted a seat in CAP Round 3 and have not yet reported to your college, this extension is for you. If you were allotted in an earlier round (Round 1 or Round 2) and have already joined, this notice does not affect you. If you were not allotted in CAP Round 3, you will be eligible for the Online Stray Vacancy Round(s), whose revised schedule will be announced soon.
The new joining deadline: 16 October 2026, 3:00 PM
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The last date and time to report to your allotted college is 3:00 PM (15:00 hours) on 16 October 2026. This is a hard deadline — reporting after 3:00 PM on 16 October will result in your seat being cancelled, and you will not be able to join that college. The time is specified as 3:00 PM to avoid any ambiguity; do not assume you have until midnight or the end of the day.
Reporting means physically visiting your allotted college and completing the admission formalities — submitting documents, paying fees, and signing the admission register. Some colleges may also allow online reporting or a combination of online and offline steps; check your allotment letter and the college's website for the exact procedure. Do not delay; aim to report at least a few hours before the deadline to avoid last-minute rush or technical issues.
What happens if you miss the deadline?
If you do not report to your allotted college by 3:00 PM on 16 October 2026, your seat will be cancelled automatically. You will lose your allotment and will not be able to join that college. Your name will be removed from the admission list, and the seat will be treated as vacant for the Stray Vacancy Round(s).
Once your seat is cancelled, you cannot appeal or request a second chance for that particular allotment. Your only option will be to participate in the Online Stray Vacancy Round(s) if you are eligible and if seats remain available. This is why it is critical to meet the deadline, even if you are still deciding between colleges or waiting for other results.
What documents do you need to bring when joining?
The notice does not specify the exact documents required for joining. However, based on standard NEET UG counselling procedures, you will typically need to bring your allotment letter, NEET admit card, NEET scorecard, 10th and 12th mark sheets and certificates, Aadhaar card, caste certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate, medical fitness certificate, and any other documents mentioned in your allotment letter or the college's admission notification.
Contact your allotted college directly or check the State CET Cell website (www.mahacet.org) for the complete list of documents required. Do not assume; missing even one document can delay your admission or result in rejection. Prepare all documents in advance and carry both originals and photocopies.
The Online Stray Vacancy Round(s) schedule is cancelled and will be revised
The notice states that the schedule for the Online Stray Vacancy Round(s) published earlier (Notice No. 23, dated 12 October 2026) stands cancelled. The Stray Vacancy Round is the final round of counselling, held after CAP Rounds 1, 2, and 3, to fill any seats that remain vacant because candidates did not join or seats were not filled in earlier rounds.
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A revised schedule for the Online Stray Vacancy Round(s) will be published soon by the State CET Cell. If you are not allotted in CAP Round 3 or if you choose not to join your allotted seat, you will be eligible for the Stray Vacancy Round. Keep checking www.mahacet.org for the new dates. The cancellation and revision suggest that the timing of the Stray Vacancy Round may change due to the extension of the CAP Round 3 joining deadline.
How to stay updated
The notice advises all candidates and colleges to visit the official website of the State CET Cell, www.mahacet.org, for further updates. This is the only official source for all notices, schedules, and announcements related to Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 counselling. Do not rely on unofficial websites, social media, or rumours.
Bookmark the website and check it regularly, especially after 16 October 2026, when the revised Stray Vacancy Round schedule is expected to be published. You can also contact the State CET Cell directly at the phone number or email provided on the website if you have specific questions about your allotment or joining process.
Important: This extension is for Group A (state quota) only
This notice applies only to MBBS and BDS courses under Group A — the state quota seats managed by Maharashtra's State CET Cell. If you were allotted a seat under the All India Quota (AIQ) or in a different group or course, different deadlines and procedures may apply. Check your allotment letter to confirm which quota and group your seat belongs to.
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) manages the All India Quota seats nationally, and the State CET Cell manages the state quota seats for Maharashtra. The two bodies may have different deadlines and procedures. Do not assume that an extension for state quota seats applies to AIQ seats or vice versa.
Why was the deadline extended?
The notice does not explicitly state the reason for the extension. However, extensions are typically granted to allow candidates more time to arrange travel, complete documentation, or resolve administrative issues. The extension was granted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) at the national level, and Maharashtra's State CET Cell is implementing it for its candidates.
The fact that the Stray Vacancy Round schedule has been cancelled and will be revised suggests that the extension may have been necessary to accommodate delays or changes in the overall counselling timeline. Regardless of the reason, the extension is now official, and you should use this extra time to ensure you meet the new deadline.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the new deadline for joining in CAP Round 3?
The new deadline is 3:00 PM (15:00 hours) on 16 October 2026. You must report to your allotted college by this time. Reporting after 3:00 PM will result in your seat being cancelled.
Does this extension apply to all MBBS and BDS seats in Maharashtra?
No, this extension applies only to Group A (state quota) seats for MBBS and BDS courses. If you were allotted a seat under the All India Quota (AIQ) or in a different group, different deadlines may apply. Check your allotment letter to confirm.
What happens if I miss the 16 October 3:00 PM deadline?
Your seat will be cancelled automatically, and you will lose your allotment. You will not be able to join that college. Your only option will be to participate in the Online Stray Vacancy Round(s) if you are eligible and if seats remain available.
When will the revised Stray Vacancy Round schedule be published?
The notice states that the revised schedule will be published soon, but no specific date is given. Keep checking www.mahacet.org regularly for the announcement. The schedule was expected to be published after the CAP Round 3 joining deadline.
What documents do I need to bring when joining my allotted college?
The notice does not specify the exact documents. However, you will typically need your allotment letter, NEET admit card, NEET scorecard, 10th and 12th certificates, Aadhaar card, caste certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate, and medical fitness certificate. Contact your college or check www.mahacet.org for the complete list.
Can I join my college online, or do I have to go in person?
The notice does not specify whether joining is online or offline. Some colleges may allow online reporting or a combination of both. Check your allotment letter and your college's website for the exact procedure. Contact the college directly if you are unsure.
I was allotted in CAP Round 2 and have already joined. Does this extension affect me?
No, this extension applies only to candidates allotted in CAP Round 3. If you have already joined in an earlier round, this notice does not affect you.
Where can I find more information about this extension?
Visit the official website of the State CET Cell at www.mahacet.org. This is the only official source for all notices and updates. You can also contact the State CET Cell directly using the phone number or email provided on the website.
Is the extension for both MBBS and BDS courses?
Yes, the extension applies to both MBBS and BDS courses under Group A for the 2026–27 academic year.
What is Group A?
Group A refers to the state quota seats — seats that Maharashtra fills through its own counselling process. These are separate from the All India Quota (AIQ) seats managed by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) nationally.
If you were allotted a seat in CAP Round 3 for MBBS or BDS (Group A) in Maharashtra, you must report to your college by 3:00 PM on 16 October 2026. Do not delay — missing this deadline will result in your seat being cancelled with no option to appeal. Prepare all required documents in advance, confirm the joining procedure with your college, and aim to report at least a few hours before the deadline. For any updates or clarifications, visit www.mahacet.org or contact the State CET Cell directly.
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