Maharashtra NEET PG 2026 In-Service Quota: Final Merit List & Eligibility

The Maharashtra Directorate of Health Services (DHS) has released the final merit list of in-service medical officers eligible for NEET PG 2026 in-service quota seats. This list, issued on 4 November 2026, determines which serving doctors can compete for reserved in-service positions in postgraduate medical courses (MD, MS, DNB) across Maharashtra. The merit list is divided into two annexures: Annex-A for officers with regular service and Annex-B for officers with incomplete service. Every in-service candidate must verify their name, qualification, NEET score, category allocation, and grace marks eligibility before the counselling process begins.

What is the In-Service Quota in NEET PG 2026?

The in-service quota is a reserved set of postgraduate medical seats in Maharashtra for doctors who are already employed by the state government or central government health services. These seats are filled through NEET PG 2026 merit, but only in-service medical officers are eligible to compete for them.

In-service officers are MBBS doctors working in government hospitals, health centres, or health departments. They may have completed their full service period (regular service) or may still be completing it (incomplete service). Both categories are included in this merit list, but they are listed separately in Annex-A (regular service) and Annex-B (incomplete service).

The in-service quota allows serving doctors to pursue postgraduate qualifications (MD, MS, DNB) without leaving their jobs, and they may be eligible for grace marks based on their years of service.

Two Merit Lists: Annex-A (Regular Service) and Annex-B (Incomplete Service)

The final merit list is split into two annexures based on the officer's service status as of the reference date (19 July 2023).

**Annex-A: Regular Service Officers** — These are in-service medical officers who have completed the required service period as per the Government Resolution (GR) dated 19 July 2023. They are listed with their full eligibility for in-service quota seats. The list includes 57 officers.

**Annex-B: Incomplete Service Officers** — These are in-service medical officers who had not yet completed the required service period as of 19 July 2023 but are still eligible to compete. The list includes 10 officers. These officers may have specific restrictions on which specialities they can pursue (e.g., some may be eligible only for Paediatrics, Anaesthesia, or Orthopaedics).

Every candidate must locate their name in the correct annexure. If you are in Annex-B, note any speciality restrictions mentioned in the 'Remarks' column—these are binding.

How to Read the Merit List: Key Columns Explained

The merit list is a detailed table with 17 columns. Understanding each column is essential to know your exact eligibility.

**Column 1–2: Sr. No. & CET Cell Sr. No.** — Your serial number in the merit list and your CET Cell registration number.

**Column 3–4: Roll No. & Application No.** — Your NEET PG application number and roll number.

**Column 5: Name of Medical Officer** — Your full name as registered with NEET PG.

**Column 6: Qualification** — Your degree (MBBS, MBBS DCH, MBBS DA, etc.). This must match your NEET PG registration.

**Column 7: CAST** — Your category: OPEN, OBC, SC, ST, NT (Nomadic Tribe), DT-VJ(A) (Denotified Tribe), or other reserved categories.

**Column 8: NEET Score 2025** — Your NEET PG 2026 score (the year shown as 2025 in the table header is a reference to the GR; your actual score is from NEET PG 2026).

**Column 9: No. of years of Regular Service** — The number of complete years you have worked in government service as of the reference date.

**Column 10: Category as per GR 19.3.2019 & 19.07.2023** — Your in-service category allocation (A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, etc.). This determines which seats you are eligible for.

**Column 11–13: Years, Month, Max Total period in completed Years for Incentive marks** — Your service period broken down; used to calculate grace marks.

**Column 14: Allotted %** — The percentage of grace marks you are eligible for (e.g., 16%, 20%, 30%). This is added to your NEET score for merit ranking.

**Column 15–16: Grace Marks as per GR & Total Marks NEET** — Your calculated grace marks and your final merit score (NEET score + grace marks).

**Column 17: Remarks** — Any special eligibility notes (e.g., 'Eligible for in-service quota in any degree' or 'Eligible only for Paediatrics degree').

Grace Marks: How Your Service Years Boost Your Score

In-service officers are eligible for grace marks based on their years of government service. Grace marks are added to your NEET PG score to calculate your final merit rank. This is a significant advantage for officers with longer service.

The grace marks percentage depends on your service period and category. For example, an officer with 4 years of service may receive 16% grace marks, while an officer with 8 years may receive 30% or more. The exact percentage is shown in Column 14 of the merit list.

**How grace marks are calculated:** If your NEET score is 300 and you are eligible for 20% grace marks, your grace marks = 300 × 20% = 60. Your final merit score = 300 + 60 = 360. This final score is used to rank you against other in-service candidates.

Check Column 14 carefully. If the percentage shown is lower than you expected, verify your service period in Columns 11–13. If there is an error, you must raise a grievance immediately (see the grievance section below).

Category Allocation: Understanding A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3

Column 10 shows your category allocation under the in-service quota rules. These categories determine which seats you can compete for and are based on your service period, qualification, and the GR dated 19 July 2023.

**A1 (10%)** — Typically allocated to officers with shorter service or specific qualifications. Eligible for a broad range of specialities.

**A2 / B1 (7%)** — Allocated to officers with moderate service. Eligible for most specialities.

**A3 / B2 (4%)** — Allocated to officers with longer service or specific qualifications. Eligible for most specialities.

**Speciality-Specific Categories** — Some officers (especially in Annex-B) may see remarks like 'Eligible for in-service quota only for Paediatrics degree' or 'Eligible only for Orthopaedics degree'. This means you can ONLY apply for that speciality; you cannot choose any other course.

If your remarks column shows a speciality restriction, you are bound by it. Do not attempt to apply for any other speciality during counselling, as your application will be rejected.

Critical Eligibility Traps: What Can Get Your Application Rejected

**Trap 1: Name Mismatch** — Your name in the merit list must match your NEET PG registration exactly. If there is a spelling error or variation (e.g., 'Suresh' vs. 'Suresh Kumar'), you must correct it in your NEET PG profile immediately. A mismatch will block your seat allotment.

**Trap 2: Qualification Mismatch** — Column 6 shows your qualification as registered. If you have MBBS DCH (MBBS + Diploma in Child Health) but the list shows only MBBS, or vice versa, this must be corrected. Your actual qualification must match what is listed.

**Trap 3: Service Period Error** — If Columns 11–13 show fewer years of service than you believe you have completed, your grace marks will be lower. Verify your service dates immediately. If there is an error, submit proof (service certificate, appointment letter, relieving letter) to the CET Cell before the grievance deadline.

**Trap 4: Speciality Restriction Ignored** — If your remarks say 'Eligible only for Paediatrics' and you apply for General Medicine, your application will be rejected. Read the remarks column carefully and apply only for the speciality listed.

**Trap 5: Category Error** — If your CAST (Column 7) is listed as OBC but you are SC, or vice versa, your merit rank and seat eligibility will be wrong. Verify your category immediately.

**Trap 6: Absence from Merit List** — If your name does not appear in either Annex-A or Annex-B, you are not eligible for the in-service quota. Check both lists carefully. If you believe you should be listed, file a grievance with proof of service.

What to Do If You Find an Error in the Merit List

The DHS has issued this merit list for verification. If you spot any error—in your name, qualification, service period, category, or grace marks—you must report it immediately.

**Step 1: Gather proof.** Collect your NEET PG registration confirmation, service certificate, appointment letter, relieving letter (if applicable), and any other official documents that prove the correct information.

**Step 2: Contact the CET Cell.** The notice does not specify a formal grievance deadline, but based on standard practice, you should raise the issue within 3–5 days of the merit list release. Contact the Maharashtra CET Cell at the address or email provided in the notice header (email: pgcell2022@gmail.com, Fax: 022-22621034/22620234).

**Step 3: Submit in writing.** Send a formal letter or email with your name, roll number, the error you found, and supporting documents. Keep a copy for your records.

**Step 4: Follow up.** If you do not receive a response within 2–3 days, follow up by phone or in person at the CET Cell office.

Next Steps: Counselling and Seat Allotment

This merit list is the basis for in-service quota seat allotment in NEET PG 2026 counselling. Once the merit list is finalized (after grievance resolution), the CET Cell will announce the counselling schedule.

During counselling, you will log into the NEET PG portal, view available in-service seats, and submit your choice of college and speciality. Your rank in this merit list (based on NEET score + grace marks) will determine the order in which you get to choose.

**Important:** Only apply for specialities you are eligible for (as shown in the remarks column). If you are in Annex-B with a speciality restriction, you can only apply for that speciality.

After you submit your choices, the CET Cell will run the allotment algorithm and assign you a seat based on your rank, your choices, and seat availability. You will then be required to join the allotted college and course within the specified time.

Understanding the Two Service Categories: Regular vs. Incomplete

**Regular Service (Annex-A):** Officers listed here have completed the required service period as of 19 July 2023. They are fully eligible for in-service quota seats without any restrictions (unless the remarks column specifies otherwise). Most officers in Annex-A are eligible for 'in-service quota in any degree', meaning they can apply for any postgraduate speciality.

**Incomplete Service (Annex-B):** Officers listed here had not completed the required service period as of 19 July 2023. They are still eligible to compete for in-service seats, but many have speciality restrictions. For example, an officer in Annex-B may be eligible 'only for Paediatrics degree' or 'only for Orthopaedics degree'. This restriction is binding and cannot be changed during counselling.

If you are in Annex-B, do not assume you can apply for any speciality. Read the remarks column carefully. If it specifies a speciality, that is the only course you can pursue.

Grace Marks Calculation: Worked Examples

**Example 1:** Officer with 4 years of service, NEET score 300, allocated 16% grace marks. Final score = 300 + (300 × 16%) = 300 + 48 = 348.

**Example 2:** Officer with 8 years of service, NEET score 280, allocated 30% grace marks. Final score = 280 + (280 × 30%) = 280 + 84 = 364.

**Example 3:** Officer with 3 years of service, NEET score 250, allocated 12% grace marks. Final score = 250 + (250 × 12%) = 250 + 30 = 280.

Your final score (Column 16) is already calculated in the merit list. Do not recalculate it yourself; use the figure shown in the table. If the calculation appears wrong, raise a grievance.

Frequently asked questions

Verify your details in the merit list immediately—check your name, qualification, service period, category, grace marks, and any speciality restrictions in the remarks column. If you find any error, contact the Maharashtra CET Cell (pgcell2022@gmail.com, Fax: 022-22621034/22620234) within 3–5 days with supporting documents. Once the merit list is finalized, the CET Cell will announce the counselling schedule; watch the official website (medical2026.mahacet.org) for updates. During counselling, apply only for specialities you are eligible for, as shown in the remarks column.