Maharashtra ENT Cutoff Ranks 2026: Round-wise Trends for NEET-PG Aspirants

If you are aiming for a Master of Surgery (MS) in Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) through Maharashtra's NEET-PG 2026 counselling, understanding how cutoff ranks have moved across admission rounds is essential to your strategy. The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell conducts PG counselling for MD, MS, and PG Diploma seats across government, municipal, and private medical colleges in the state. While the official 2026 counselling schedule is yet to be announced, historical data from recent rounds reveals clear patterns in rank movement and college preferences that can help you estimate your chances and make informed choices during seat allotment.

Why ENT Cutoff Trends Matter for Your NEET-PG Counselling

ENT is one of the most competitive postgraduate specialities in India, and Maharashtra's medical colleges are no exception. Securing a seat requires not just a good NEET-PG rank, but also strategic knowledge of how ranks move across counselling rounds. When you understand the historical pattern—which colleges remain competitive throughout, and which see significant rank relaxation by Round 3—you can make smarter choices about where to apply and when to accept a seat.

The data presented here covers Round 1, Round 2, and Round 3 closing ranks for ENT across 16 major Maharashtra medical colleges. This information is invaluable because it shows you the realistic range of ranks needed at each institution and helps you avoid the common mistake of aiming too high or settling too early. By studying rank movement, you can identify colleges where your rank is likely to secure a seat and plan your counselling strategy accordingly.

Round 1 ENT Cutoff: The Most Competitive Phase

In Round 1, the most prestigious colleges in Maharashtra—GMC Mumbai and TNMC Mumbai—set the highest bars for ENT admission. GMC Mumbai's closing rank for open category was 384, while TNMC Mumbai closed at 593. These are among the lowest (most competitive) ranks in the entire state, reflecting the enormous demand for seats at these premier institutions. If your NEET-PG rank is in this range, you have a genuine shot at one of India's top medical colleges.

Beyond the top two, a clear tier emerges: BJMC Pune (rank 753), PCMC PGM I Pimpri (rank 785), and GMC Nagpur (rank 798) form the next competitive band. Colleges further down the list—such as MPGIMER Nashik (rank 941), GMC Jalgaon (rank 954), and SRTR Ambajogai (rank 1011)—still attract strong candidates but are more accessible. If your Round 1 rank falls between 800 and 1,500, you have multiple realistic options across government and semi-government colleges.

• GMC Mumbai: rank 384 (most competitive)
• TNMC Mumbai: rank 593
• BJMC Pune: rank 753
• PCMC PGM I Pimpri: rank 785
• GMC Nagpur: rank 798
• Mid-tier colleges (MPGIMER, GMC Jalgaon, SRTR): ranks 941–1,011

Round 2 Rank Shifts: When Preferences Change

Round 2 reveals a significant shift in the competitive landscape. TNMC Mumbai, which was the second-most competitive in Round 1, becomes the most competitive in Round 2, with a closing rank of 753—a jump from 593. This happens because candidates who did not secure seats in Round 1 (or who rejected their allotments) re-enter the pool, and some choose to upgrade their college choice. GMC Mumbai's rank rises to 941, indicating that fewer top-ranked candidates are competing for its seats in Round 2, possibly because they have already secured admission elsewhere.

This round is critical for mid-tier colleges. PCMC PGM I Pimpri moves from 785 to 798, while GMC Nagpur rises from 798 to 954. Colleges like BJMC Pune (968) and GMC Jalgaon (1,302) see their ranks relax, meaning lower-ranked candidates now have a chance. If you did not get a seat in Round 1 and your rank is between 1,000 and 2,000, Round 2 often presents better opportunities at quality institutions.

• TNMC Mumbai becomes most competitive: rank 753
• GMC Mumbai rank rises to 941
• Mid-tier colleges see modest rank relaxation
• Colleges like BJMC Pune and GMC Jalgaon open up to ranks 968–1,302

Round 3: The Final Opportunity for Lower Ranks

By Round 3, the counselling landscape transforms dramatically. GMC Mumbai's closing rank is 968, BJMC Pune reaches 1,837, and GMC Nagpur climbs to 2,143. This substantial rank relaxation occurs because many candidates have already secured seats in earlier rounds, and the remaining pool is smaller. For aspirants with ranks between 2,000 and 5,000, Round 3 is often the realistic window to secure an ENT seat at a government or semi-government college.

Notably, some colleges do not appear in Round 3 data (such as TNMC Mumbai and PCMC PGM I Pimpri), suggesting that all their seats were filled by Round 2. Other institutions, particularly those in tier-2 cities or with fewer seats, see dramatic rank drops: VPS Nashik and SMBT Nandihills both reach closing ranks above 4,900 by Round 3. If your rank is above 3,000, do not lose hope—Round 3 often offers your best chance at an ENT seat, even if it is at a college farther from a metro centre.

• GMC Mumbai: rank 968
• BJMC Pune: rank 1,837
• GMC Nagpur: rank 2,143
• MPGIMER Nashik: rank 2,333
• Tier-2 colleges (VPS, SMBT): ranks 4,600–4,950
• Some colleges (TNMC, PCMC) fill all seats by Round 2

Maximum Rank Movement: Colleges with the Biggest Drops

The most dramatic rank movements occur at colleges in tier-2 cities or those with lower initial demand. VPS Nashik and SMBT Nandihills both see a rank movement of +3,097 from Round 1 to Round 3—meaning their closing ranks drop by over 3,000 positions. This is a massive opportunity: if your rank is around 1,500 in Round 1, you might not secure a seat at these colleges, but by Round 3, a rank of 4,600+ could get you in. Similarly, Sanjeevan Miraj (+2,145), NKP Salve Nagpur (+2,084), and GGMC Gondia (+2,195) show substantial relaxation.

This pattern reflects a real counselling dynamic: candidates with lower ranks often wait for later rounds, hoping for better options. Colleges in smaller cities or with fewer seats attract fewer top-ranked candidates initially, so their cutoffs remain high. But as the pool shrinks and candidates accept seats elsewhere, these colleges relax their cutoffs significantly. If you are targeting a specific college and your Round 1 rank is above its closing rank, do not give up—check its Round 2 and Round 3 trends before making a final decision.

• VPS Nashik: +3,097 rank movement (1,529 → 4,626)
• SMBT Nandihills: +3,097 rank movement (1,838 → 4,935)
• Sanjeevan Miraj: +2,145 rank movement (1,845 → 3,990)
• NKP Salve Nagpur: +2,084 rank movement (1,489 → 3,573)
• GGMC Gondia: +2,195 rank movement (1,106 → 3,301)
• CGMC Chandrapur: +2,200 rank movement (1,093 → 3,293)

Minimum Rank Movement: Colleges That Stay Competitive

In contrast, premier colleges show minimal rank movement, indicating sustained high demand across all rounds. GMC Mumbai's rank movement is only +584 (from 384 to 968), and TNMC Mumbai shows just +160 (from 593 to 753, with no Round 3 data). PCMC PGM I Pimpri has the smallest movement at +13 (from 785 to 798), suggesting that its seats are consistently filled by high-ranked candidates and there is little relaxation even by Round 3. These colleges remain competitive throughout because they are located in major metros (Mumbai, Pune) and have strong reputations.

BJMC Pune (+1,084) and GMC Nagpur (+1,345) show moderate movement, while SRTR Ambajogai (+1,513) has the highest movement among the 'minimum movement' group. This tells you that if your rank is significantly below a college's Round 1 closing rank, waiting for later rounds at premier institutions is unlikely to help. However, at mid-tier colleges like BJMC Pune or GMC Nagpur, a rank that misses in Round 1 might succeed in Round 2 or 3. Plan your strategy accordingly: apply to a mix of colleges—some where you are competitive in Round 1, and others where you have a realistic chance in later rounds.

• GMC Mumbai: +584 movement (384 → 968)
• TNMC Mumbai: +160 movement (593 → 753)
• PCMC PGM I Pimpri: +13 movement (785 → 798)
• BJMC Pune: +1,084 movement (753 → 1,837)
• GMC Nagpur: +1,345 movement (798 → 2,143)
• SRTR Ambajogai: +1,513 movement (1,011 → 2,524)

How to Use This Data for Your Counselling Strategy

First, identify your NEET-PG rank and compare it against the Round 1 closing ranks. If your rank is above (higher number than) a college's Round 1 closing rank, you are unlikely to secure a seat there in Round 1, but check its Round 2 and Round 3 trends. If the college shows significant rank movement (e.g., VPS Nashik, SMBT Nandihills), your chances improve in later rounds. If it shows minimal movement (e.g., GMC Mumbai, TNMC Mumbai), waiting is unlikely to help.

Second, create a priority list of colleges where your rank is competitive across at least one round. Include a mix: one or two 'dream' colleges where you are borderline, several 'realistic' colleges where you are comfortably within range, and a few 'safety' colleges where your rank is well above the closing rank. This balanced approach maximizes your chances of securing a seat you are happy with. Third, be prepared to make quick decisions during counselling. If you secure a seat at a college you are satisfied with, accepting it in an earlier round is often wiser than gambling on a better option in a later round, especially if the data shows that college's rank is unlikely to relax further.

• Compare your rank to Round 1 closing ranks first
• Check rank movement to assess Round 2 and Round 3 chances
• Create a balanced priority list: dream, realistic, and safety colleges
• Accept a seat early if it meets your criteria—do not over-gamble
• Remember: colleges with high rank movement offer later-round opportunities

Important Eligibility and Application Details

To participate in Maharashtra NEET-PG 2026 counselling for ENT, you must meet several criteria. You must have qualified NEET-PG 2026, hold a recognized MBBS degree with completed internship, possess valid registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or your state medical council, and satisfy Maharashtra's domicile or state eligibility requirements. The application fee is Rs. 3,000 (non-refundable). Counselling is conducted by the Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell through the portal medical2026.mahacet.org or mahacet.org.

Seats are allocated under three quotas: Maharashtra State Quota (for Maharashtra domicile candidates), Institutional Quota (including NRI seats), and Minority Quota. The exact number of ENT seats available, the counselling schedule, and the seat matrix for 2026–27 are expected to be released by the CET Cell soon. Keep checking the official portal regularly for updates. The data presented here is based on previous year trends and is meant to guide your planning, not guarantee outcomes—actual cutoffs in 2026 may vary based on the number of applicants, seat availability, and candidate choices.

• Qualified NEET-PG 2026 required
• Recognized MBBS degree and completed internship mandatory
• Valid NMC or state medical council registration required
• Maharashtra domicile or state eligibility criteria apply
• Application fee: Rs. 3,000 (non-refundable)
• Three quotas: State, Institutional (including NRI), Minority
• Counselling portal: medical2026.mahacet.org or mahacet.org

Frequently asked questions

As you prepare for Maharashtra NEET-PG 2026 counselling, use this round-wise ENT cutoff data to build a realistic and balanced college preference list. Monitor the Maharashtra CET Cell's official portal (medical2026.mahacet.org) for the 2026–27 seat matrix and counselling schedule, which are expected soon. Remember: historical trends guide strategy, but your final outcome depends on your rank, your choices, and the decisions of other candidates in your counselling pool.