The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has released the virtual vacancy list for NEET-PG Round 3 counselling for the 2025–26 academic session, dated 9 February 2026. This document lists over 1,400 seats across 52 medical colleges and institutes in Maharashtra—including government, private, and specialty centres—broken down by college, specialty, quota category, and number of seats. Virtual vacancies are seats currently occupied by candidates who have not submitted a Status Retention Form and are therefore likely to opt out in the next round, making them available for fresh allotment. This is a critical reference for candidates preparing to participate in Round 3 counselling.
Over 1,400 virtual vacancy seats are available across 52 Maharashtra medical colleges in Round 3 NEET-PG counselling; check your target specialty, college, and quota category to confirm seat availability before registering.
Your matched MD/MS/DNB seats
LockedEnter your NEET-PG rank to unlock the real colleges you can get — All India Quota and state — with closing ranks, fees and stipend.
Unlock My College ListWhat Are Virtual Vacancies?
Virtual vacancies are seats that are currently occupied by candidates who have been allotted in an earlier round but have not yet submitted a Status Retention Form. These candidates are considered likely to opt out in the next round—either because they wish to upgrade to a better college or specialty, or because they have decided not to pursue the course.
When a candidate does not submit the Status Retention Form by the deadline, their seat is marked as a virtual vacancy and becomes available for fresh allotment in the next round. This mechanism ensures that seats do not remain blocked and that more candidates get a fair opportunity to secure admission.
Virtual vacancies are different from actual vacancies (seats that were never filled). They represent a realistic pool of seats that will likely become available once the retention deadline passes and candidates make their final choices.
Which Colleges and Specialties Are Included?
The virtual vacancy list covers 52 medical institutions across Maharashtra, ranging from government medical colleges in major cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) to rural and private medical colleges. The list includes well-known institutions such as Grant Government Medical College (Mumbai), Seth G.S. Medical College (Mumbai), B.J. Medical College (Pune), and Government Medical College (Nagpur), as well as newer private colleges and specialty institutes.
Specialties available include broad-speciality MD/MS courses such as Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology (OBGY), Paediatrics, Anaesthesia, Radiology, Pathology, Psychiatry, Orthopaedics, and many others. Some colleges also offer PG Diploma and specialty courses such as Emergency and Critical Care, Geriatric Medicine, Palliative Medicine, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiotherapy.
The list is comprehensive and includes seats across all major quota categories: OPEN (unreserved), OBC (Other Backward Class), SC (Scheduled Caste), ST (Scheduled Tribe), EWS (Economically Weaker Section), and various special quotas such as VJA (Vimukta Jati), NTC, NTB, NTD, and others. Some colleges also have seats reserved for candidates with disabilities (I.Q. — Intellectual Quotient quota) and minority institutions.
How to Read the Virtual Vacancy List
The document is organized by college (numbered 01 to 52) and then by specialty within each college. For each entry, you will see: the college name and code, the specialty name and code, the quota category (e.g., OPEN, OBC, SC), and the total number of virtual vacancy seats available in that category.
For example, Grant Government Medical College (College 01) lists Anaesthesia with 1 seat in the EWS quota, 1 seat in the IS SC quota, 3 seats in the OPEN quota, 1 seat in the SC quota, and 1 seat in the VJA quota—for a total of 7 virtual vacancy seats in Anaesthesia across all quotas at that college.
To find seats relevant to you, first identify your target college and specialty, then locate your quota category. The number shown is the count of virtual vacancy seats available in that specific combination. If a specialty or quota is not listed for a college, no virtual vacancies are available in that category.
Total Virtual Vacancies by College
The total number of virtual vacancy seats varies significantly by college. Government medical colleges in major cities typically have higher numbers: Grant Government Medical College (Mumbai) has 78 virtual vacancies, Government Medical College (Nagpur) has 90, and N.K.P. Salve Medical College (Hingna, Nagpur) has 79. Smaller colleges and specialty institutes have fewer vacancies—for example, All India Institute of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation (Mumbai) has only 1 virtual vacancy, and Sanjeevan Medical Foundation ENT Institute (Miraj) has 2.
Know the exact MD/MS/DNB seats your rank can get
Official round-wise closing ranks with fee and stipend, matched to your rank.
The total across all 52 colleges and institutes is approximately 1,400 virtual vacancy seats. This represents a significant pool of opportunities for Round 3 counselling. However, not all of these seats will necessarily be filled in Round 3; the actual number of seats available will depend on how many candidates submit their Status Retention Forms and choose to retain their current allotment.
Candidates should note that virtual vacancies are provisional and subject to change. The final list of available seats for Round 3 will be confirmed only after the Status Retention Form submission deadline has passed and the CET Cell processes all retention decisions.
Quota Categories Explained
OPEN quota seats are unreserved and available to all eligible candidates regardless of caste or economic status. OBC (Other Backward Class) seats are reserved for candidates belonging to OBC communities as per the state's OBC list. SC (Scheduled Caste) and ST (Scheduled Tribe) seats are reserved for candidates from these communities. EWS (Economically Weaker Section) seats are reserved for candidates from the general category who meet the income and asset criteria for EWS status.
SEBC (Socially and Educationally Backward Class) is a state-specific category in Maharashtra. VJA (Vimukta Jati) seats are reserved for members of communities historically classified as 'criminal tribes' and now recognized as Vimukta Jati. NTC, NTB, NTD refer to various nomadic and tribal communities. EM (Ear-marked) seats are reserved for candidates from specific communities or backgrounds as per state policy.
I.Q. (Intellectual Quotient) quota seats are reserved for candidates with disabilities. MINORITY seats are available at minority-run institutions for candidates from the minority community. IS (In-Service) seats are reserved for in-service doctors and medical professionals. PH (Persons with Disability) seats are reserved for candidates with disabilities. It is essential to verify your eligibility for each quota category before applying; using an incorrect quota can lead to rejection of your application.
Important Dates and Deadlines
The virtual vacancy list was released on 9 February 2026. This is the date printed on the official document and marks the publication of the seat matrix for Round 3. Candidates should use this date as a reference point for all subsequent counselling timelines.
The exact dates for Round 3 counselling—including the choice-filling window, processing period, and allotment announcement—are not specified in this virtual vacancy document. Candidates must check the official CET Cell website (https://cetcell.mahacet.org) or the admission portal for the complete Round 3 counselling schedule, including registration deadlines, choice-filling dates, and allotment result dates.
⚠️ **Critical:** Do not miss the Status Retention Form submission deadline if you are currently allotted a seat and wish to retain it. Failure to submit this form by the deadline will result in your seat being marked as a virtual vacancy and released to other candidates. Check the CET Cell portal for the exact deadline.
How to Use This List for Round 3 Counselling
**Step 1: Identify your target specialties and colleges.** Review the virtual vacancy list and note which colleges and specialties have seats available in your quota category. For example, if you are an OPEN category candidate interested in Medicine, check which colleges have OPEN quota seats in Medicine listed.
**Step 2: Verify your eligibility.** Ensure that you meet all eligibility criteria for NEET-PG, including the MBBS degree requirement, registration with the Medical Council, and any other state-specific requirements. Confirm that you are eligible for the quota category you plan to apply under.
**Step 3: Prepare your choice list.** During the choice-filling window in Round 3, you will be asked to rank your preferred college–specialty–quota combinations in order of preference. Use this virtual vacancy list to create a comprehensive and realistic choice list. Include colleges and specialties where virtual vacancies are available, as these are more likely to result in allotment.
**Step 4: Submit your choices on time.** Register on the CET Cell counselling portal and fill in your choices before the deadline. Do not delay; late submissions may not be accepted. Double-check all entries before final submission.
**Step 5: Monitor the allotment result.** After the choice-filling window closes, the CET Cell will process all choices and release the allotment result. Check the portal on the announced date to see if you have been allotted a seat. If allotted, follow the joining instructions and document verification procedures.
Key Traps and Common Mistakes to Avoid
Every kind of PG seat, one rank
See the real seats your NEET-PG rank can reach.
**Trap 1: Assuming all virtual vacancies will be filled.** Virtual vacancies are provisional. Not all of them will necessarily result in allotments in Round 3. The actual number of seats available depends on how many candidates retain their current allotment. Do not rely solely on virtual vacancies; also consider actual vacancies if available.
**Trap 2: Applying for a quota you are not eligible for.** Each quota category has specific eligibility criteria. For example, OBC seats require OBC certificate, SC/ST seats require SC/ST certificate, EWS seats require EWS certificate, and I.Q. seats require disability certificate. Applying for a quota without the required certificate will result in automatic rejection. Verify your eligibility before filling choices.
**Trap 3: Ignoring the college code and specialty code.** Each college and specialty has a unique code. When filling choices, you must select the correct code. Selecting the wrong code can result in allotment to an unintended college or specialty. Cross-check the codes from the official list before submission.
**Trap 4: Not submitting the Status Retention Form if already allotted.** If you are currently allotted a seat from an earlier round and wish to keep it, you must submit the Status Retention Form by the deadline. Failure to do so will result in your seat being released as a virtual vacancy. Mark the deadline on your calendar and submit well in advance.
**Trap 5: Misunderstanding 'virtual' as 'guaranteed.'** Virtual vacancies are not guaranteed seats. They are seats that are likely to become available based on historical patterns of candidate opt-outs. There is no guarantee that a virtual vacancy will result in an allotment. Treat them as opportunities, not certainties.
Colleges with Highest Virtual Vacancies
The colleges with the largest number of virtual vacancies are typically the larger government medical colleges and newer private colleges with higher intake. Government Medical College, Nagpur leads with 90 virtual vacancies, followed by N.K.P. Salve Medical College (Hingna, Nagpur) with 79, and Grant Government Medical College (Mumbai) with 78. These colleges offer a wide range of specialties and quota categories, providing more opportunities for candidates.
Other colleges with significant virtual vacancies include Government Medical College, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (58), B.J. Medical College, Pune (58), Padmashri Dr. Vithalrao Vikhe Patil Foundations Medical (Ahmednagar) (53), and SMBT Institute of Medical Sciences (Nashik) (38). Candidates with lower NEET-PG scores may find better opportunities at these colleges compared to smaller or more competitive institutions.
Smaller colleges and specialty institutes have fewer virtual vacancies. For example, All India Institute of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation (1), Sanjeevan Medical Foundation ENT Institute (2), and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (2) have very limited seats. Candidates targeting these institutions should be prepared for highly competitive selection.
Specialties with Most Virtual Vacancies
Across all colleges, certain specialties consistently have higher numbers of virtual vacancies. Surgery, Medicine, Anaesthesia, Paediatrics, Radiology, and Pathology are among the most popular and widely available specialties. These broad-speciality courses are offered at most colleges and have multiple seats across different quota categories.
Specialties with fewer virtual vacancies include Geriatric Medicine, Emergency and Critical Care, Palliative Medicine, Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy, and specialty courses like D.A. (Diploma in Anaesthesia), D.G.O. (Diploma in Gynaecology & Obstetrics), and D.M.R.D. (Diploma in Medical Radiology & Diagnostics). These are offered at only a few colleges and have limited seats.
Candidates should consider both their preference and the availability of seats. Choosing a specialty with more virtual vacancies increases the likelihood of allotment, but only if it aligns with your career goals and interests. Do not compromise on specialty choice solely for the sake of higher seat availability.
What to Do If Your Target Specialty/College Is Not Listed
If your target college or specialty does not appear in the virtual vacancy list, it means no virtual vacancies are available in that combination for Round 3. This does not mean the college or specialty is not available; it only means that all seats are currently occupied and no candidates have opted out.
In such cases, you have two options: (1) Check if actual vacancies (seats that were never filled) are available for that college–specialty combination. The CET Cell may release a separate list of actual vacancies. (2) Consider alternative colleges or specialties with available virtual vacancies. You can still include your target college–specialty in your choice list as a lower-ranked option, but be prepared that allotment may not occur.
If you are determined to pursue a specific college or specialty with no virtual vacancies, you may consider waiting for a later round (Round 4 or stray vacancy round) when more seats may become available. However, there is no guarantee that seats will be released in later rounds.
See the exact MD/MS/DNB seats your NEET-PG rank can get
Free 2-minute preview — round-wise closing ranks, fees and stipend for every seat your rank can reach.
See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between virtual vacancies and actual vacancies?
Virtual vacancies are seats currently occupied by candidates who have not submitted a Status Retention Form and are likely to opt out in the next round. Actual vacancies are seats that were never filled in earlier rounds. Virtual vacancies are provisional and depend on candidate opt-outs, while actual vacancies are confirmed and guaranteed to be available. This document lists only virtual vacancies; actual vacancies, if any, will be listed separately by the CET Cell.
When will Round 3 counselling begin, and what is the choice-filling deadline?
The virtual vacancy list was released on 9 February 2026, but the exact dates for Round 3 counselling—including choice-filling window, processing period, and allotment announcement—are not specified in this document. Candidates must check the official CET Cell website (https://cetcell.mahacet.org) or the admission portal for the complete Round 3 schedule. Do not miss the choice-filling deadline; late submissions will not be accepted.
I am currently allotted a seat from Round 2. What should I do to retain it?
If you wish to retain your current allotment, you must submit the Status Retention Form by the deadline announced by the CET Cell. If you do not submit this form, your seat will be marked as a virtual vacancy and released to other candidates in Round 3. Check the CET Cell portal for the exact deadline and submit the form well in advance to avoid missing it.
How do I know if I am eligible for a specific quota category?
Each quota category has specific eligibility criteria: OPEN is for all candidates; OBC requires OBC certificate; SC/ST requires SC/ST certificate; EWS requires EWS certificate; I.Q. requires disability certificate; VJA requires Vimukta Jati certificate; and so on. Verify your eligibility by checking the state's official criteria and ensuring you have the required certificate. Applying for a quota without the required certificate will result in rejection.
Can I apply for multiple quota categories in the same college–specialty combination?
No. During counselling, you must choose one quota category for each college–specialty combination. You cannot apply for the same college–specialty under multiple quotas simultaneously. However, you can include the same college–specialty under different quota categories as separate choices in your ranked preference list, and the system will allot you based on your rank and availability.
What if my target college or specialty does not appear in the virtual vacancy list?
If your target college–specialty combination is not listed, no virtual vacancies are available for that combination in Round 3. This means all seats are currently occupied and no candidates have opted out. You can still include it in your choice list as a lower-ranked option, but allotment is unlikely. Check if actual vacancies are available, or consider alternative colleges or specialties with available virtual vacancies.
Are all virtual vacancies guaranteed to be filled in Round 3?
No. Virtual vacancies are provisional and depend on how many candidates actually opt out after submitting their Status Retention Forms. Not all virtual vacancies will necessarily result in allotments. The actual number of available seats will be confirmed only after the retention deadline passes. Treat virtual vacancies as opportunities, not guarantees.
How should I prepare my choice list for Round 3 counselling?
Use the virtual vacancy list to identify colleges and specialties where seats are available in your quota category. Rank your preferred college–specialty–quota combinations in order of preference, with your most preferred choice first. Include realistic options where virtual vacancies are available, as these are more likely to result in allotment. Submit your choices before the deadline and double-check all entries before final submission.
What is the I.Q. quota, and am I eligible for it?
I.Q. (Intellectual Quotient) quota seats are reserved for candidates with disabilities as per the Persons with Disability (PwD) Act. To be eligible, you must have a valid disability certificate issued by a competent medical authority. The disability must be recognized under the PwD Act. If you have a disability certificate, you can apply for I.Q. quota seats; otherwise, you are not eligible.
Can I change my choices after submitting them during Round 3 counselling?
The CET Cell typically allows candidates to edit their choices during the choice-filling window. Once the window closes, no further changes are allowed. Check the portal for the exact edit deadline and make any necessary changes before the window closes. After the window closes, your choices are locked and will be used for allotment processing.
What documents will I need to submit if I am allotted a seat in Round 3?
If you are allotted a seat, you will need to report to the college for document verification and admission formalities. Typically required documents include: MBBS degree certificate, NEET-PG admit card and score card, category certificate (if applicable), disability certificate (if applicable), and other documents as specified by the college. Check the allotment letter and the college's website for the complete list of required documents and the reporting date.
The virtual vacancy list for NEET-PG Round 3 (2025–26) is now available. Review the document carefully, identify colleges and specialties with available seats in your quota category, and prepare your choice list. Register on the CET Cell counselling portal and submit your choices before the deadline. Monitor the portal for the allotment result and follow all joining instructions if allotted. For the latest updates, visit https://cetcell.mahacet.org or contact the CET Cell directly.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.