The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has announced a revised timetable for the first round of centralised admission counselling under the NEET-PG 2026 process for MD, MS, and DNB seats at government and private medical colleges across the state. The schedule brings forward key milestones, including the opening of the online choice-filling window and the declaration of the first merit list. For MBBS graduates preparing to secure a postgraduate seat in Maharashtra, understanding these dates and the procedural requirements is essential to avoid missing critical deadlines.
Maharashtra NEET-PG 2026 CAP round 1 choice filling opens November 2 and closes November 4 at 11:59 pm; the first merit list will be declared November 5, with physical reporting to colleges required between November 6 and 10.
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Unlock My College ListRevised Timeline for Maharashtra NEET-PG 2026 CAP Round 1
The Maharashtra CET Cell has restructured the counselling schedule to streamline the admission process for MD, MS, and DNB candidates. The revised calendar compresses several key activities into a tight window in early November, requiring aspirants to act quickly once the process begins.
The merit list publication and choice-filling window are now synchronised to allow candidates minimal time between seeing their eligibility and submitting their college preferences. This compressed schedule reflects the state's effort to accelerate seat allotment and college reporting, reducing the overall duration of the counselling cycle.
- Grievance submission window: October 30 to November 1, 12 noon (with supporting documents required)
- Final provisional state merit list and seat matrix release: November 2
- Online choice-filling period: November 2 to 4, 11:59 pm
- First selection list announcement: November 5
- Physical reporting to colleges: November 6 to 10, by 5:30 pm
Choice Filling: What NEET-PG Aspirants Must Know
Once the merit list is published on November 2, eligible candidates will have access to the online preference or choice-filling portal. The window remains open for only three days—until 11:59 pm on November 4—so aspirants must be prepared to submit their college and speciality choices immediately after verifying their position on the merit list.
Before filling choices, the Maharashtra CET Cell has mandated that candidates verify the quota-wise fee structure for each college and speciality. This step is critical because fees can vary significantly between government colleges, private colleges, and those with deemed-university status. Aspirants should cross-reference the seat matrix released on November 2 with the fee information to make informed decisions aligned with their budget and career preferences.
- Choice-filling window: 3 days only (November 2–4)
- Mandatory fee verification before submitting preferences
- Quota-wise fee details available in the seat matrix
- Portal closes at 11:59 pm on November 4—no extensions
- Candidates must rank colleges and specialities in order of preference
Grievance Redressal: Correcting Errors in Your Merit List Entry
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The Maharashtra CET Cell has opened a grievance window from October 30 to November 1 (until 12 noon) for candidates to flag errors or discrepancies in their merit list data. This is the only opportunity to correct issues such as incorrect qualification details, category classification, or in-service status before the final merit list is locked on November 2.
The Cell has explicitly stated that grievance requests without supporting documents will not be entertained. Aspirants must attach all relevant proof—such as degree certificates, category certificates, or employment letters—when submitting corrections. Given the tight timeline, candidates should prepare and submit grievances as early as possible within the window to allow time for processing.
- Grievance submission: October 30 to November 1, 12 noon only
- Supporting documents are mandatory; requests without proof will be rejected
- Common grievances: qualification errors, category misclassification, in-service status
- Submit early to allow processing time before merit list finalisation
- No grievances accepted after November 1, 12 noon
Merit List Publication and Seat Matrix Release
On November 2, the Maharashtra CET Cell will simultaneously release the final provisional state merit list and the in-service state merit list, along with the complete seat matrix for CAP round 1. The merit list determines the order in which candidates are eligible to select colleges and specialities, while the seat matrix shows the total number of MD, MS, and DNB seats available at each institution, broken down by category (general, OBC, SC, ST) and quota (government, private, deemed).
Candidates should download and carefully review both documents on November 2. The merit list will show their rank and eligibility status; the seat matrix will display available seats by college, speciality, and category. Cross-referencing these two documents is essential for making strategic choices during the preference-filling window.
- Final provisional state merit list released November 2
- In-service state merit list released November 2
- Seat matrix (college-wise, speciality-wise, category-wise breakdown) released November 2
- Merit list determines selection order and eligibility
- Seat matrix shows total available seats and quota distribution
Physical Reporting: Documents, Fees, and Deadlines
Candidates allotted MD, MS, or DNB seats in CAP round 1 must report physically to their assigned college between November 6 and 10 by 5:30 pm. This is a mandatory step; failure to report within the deadline may result in forfeiture of the seat. During reporting, candidates must present all original documents, pay the requisite fees, and complete the status retention form.
The Maharashtra CET Cell has clarified that cheques will be accepted only on holidays; on regular working days, fees must be paid by demand draft. Candidates should prepare a demand draft in advance to avoid delays during the reporting window. It is advisable to report early in the window (November 6–7) rather than waiting until the last day, as colleges may experience high volumes of reporting candidates.
- Reporting window: November 6 to 10, by 5:30 pm (mandatory)
- Original documents required: degree certificate, merit certificate, category certificate, ID proof, etc.
- Fee payment: demand draft on working days; cheques accepted only on holidays
- Status retention form must be completed during reporting
- Missing the deadline may result in seat cancellation
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What Happens After Round 1: Subsequent Rounds and Stray Vacancy
The Maharashtra CET Cell has indicated that the schedule for subsequent CAP rounds (round 2, round 3, and stray vacancy round) will be announced in due course. Candidates who do not secure a seat in round 1, or who wish to upgrade their college or speciality in a later round, should remain alert for announcements regarding the next phases of counselling.
The stray vacancy round typically occurs after all regular CAP rounds and allows candidates to fill seats that remain vacant after the main counselling process. Aspirants should monitor the official Maharashtra CET Cell website and their registered email for updates on round 2 and subsequent rounds.
- Round 2, round 3, and stray vacancy round schedules to be announced later
- Candidates not allotted in round 1 remain eligible for subsequent rounds
- Stray vacancy round allows filling of remaining unfilled seats
- Monitor official website for announcements
- Upgrade options may be available in later rounds
Strategic Tips for NEET-PG Aspirants During Choice Filling
With only three days to fill choices, preparation is key. Aspirants should begin researching colleges, specialities, and fee structures immediately after the merit list is published. Create a prioritised list of colleges and specialities based on your rank, career goals, and financial capacity. Consider factors such as college reputation, faculty, infrastructure, location, and whether the institution is government-funded or private.
During choice filling, remember that your rank determines how many colleges and specialities you can realistically access. Candidates ranked higher have more options; those ranked lower should focus on colleges and specialities where their rank is competitive. It is advisable to fill all available choice slots (typically 50–100 options) to maximise the chance of allotment, even if some are aspirational choices.
- Research colleges and specialities before November 2
- Prioritise based on rank, career goals, and fees
- Fill all available choice slots to maximise allotment chances
- Balance aspirational choices with realistic options
- Consider college reputation, infrastructure, and location
- Verify fees for each college and speciality before ranking
Important Clarifications from the Maharashtra CET Cell
The Maharashtra CET Cell has issued several clarifications to ensure smooth counselling. First, requests for corrections to merit list data will not be entertained without supporting documents—this applies to all grievances submitted during the October 30 to November 1 window. Second, candidates must verify quota-wise fees before submitting their choice form; fee information is available in the seat matrix released on November 2.
Third, the Cell has clarified payment procedures: demand drafts are the standard mode of fee payment on working days, while cheques are accepted only on holidays and must be replaced with a demand draft on the next working day. These clarifications are designed to prevent confusion and delays during the reporting phase.
- Grievances without supporting documents will be rejected
- Quota-wise fee verification is mandatory before choice filling
- Demand draft is the standard fee payment method on working days
- Cheques accepted only on holidays; must be replaced with DD next working day
- All clarifications are binding; no exceptions will be made
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does choice filling for Maharashtra NEET-PG 2026 CAP round 1 begin and end?
Choice filling opens on November 2 and closes on November 4 at 11:59 pm. Candidates have only three days to submit their college and speciality preferences online. The merit list and seat matrix are released on November 2, so aspirants should begin filling choices immediately after verifying their eligibility and reviewing available seats.
What documents do I need to carry when reporting to my allotted college?
You must carry all original documents, including your degree certificate, merit certificate, category certificate (if applicable), identity proof, and any other documents specified by the college. You will also need to complete the status retention form and pay the requisite fees via demand draft (or cheque if reporting on a holiday). Check with your allotted college for a complete list of required documents.
What is the deadline for physical reporting to my allotted college?
Physical reporting must be completed between November 6 and 10 by 5:30 pm. This is a mandatory step; missing this deadline may result in forfeiture of your seat. It is advisable to report early in the window rather than waiting until the last day to avoid delays and ensure your seat is confirmed.
How do I submit a grievance if there is an error in my merit list entry?
Grievances can be submitted from October 30 to November 1 until 12 noon. You must submit your grievance along with all supporting documents (such as degree certificates, category certificates, or employment letters). Requests without supporting documents will not be entertained. Submit your grievance as early as possible within the window to allow time for processing before the final merit list is locked on November 2.
What should I do before filling my choice form?
Before filling your choice form, you must verify the quota-wise fee structure for each college and speciality. This information is available in the seat matrix released on November 2. Cross-reference the seat matrix with your merit list rank to identify colleges and specialities where you are eligible. Create a prioritised list of colleges and specialities based on your rank, career goals, and financial capacity, then fill all available choice slots to maximise your chances of allotment.
What happens if I do not get a seat in CAP round 1?
If you are not allotted a seat in round 1, you remain eligible for subsequent rounds. The Maharashtra CET Cell will announce the schedule for round 2, round 3, and the stray vacancy round in due course. Monitor the official website and your registered email for announcements. The stray vacancy round typically occurs after all regular CAP rounds and allows candidates to fill seats that remain vacant.
How should I pay my fees during reporting?
On regular working days, fees must be paid via demand draft. Cheques are accepted only on holidays, but they must be replaced with a demand draft on the next working day. Prepare your demand draft in advance to avoid delays during the reporting window. Confirm the exact fee amount and payee details with your allotted college before reporting.
Can I change my choice after submitting my preference form?
The source does not specify whether changes are allowed after submission. Typically, once the choice-filling window closes at 11:59 pm on November 4, no further changes are permitted. Ensure your choices are final before submitting. If you have concerns, contact the Maharashtra CET Cell or your allotted college for clarification.
Mark the key dates on your calendar: grievance submission by November 1 (12 noon), merit list and seat matrix release on November 2, choice filling by November 4 (11:59 pm), merit list announcement on November 5, and physical reporting between November 6 and 10 (by 5:30 pm). Begin preparing your college and speciality preferences now, and monitor the official Maharashtra CET Cell website for any further updates or announcements regarding subsequent counselling rounds.
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