If you are preparing for NEET-PG 2026 and aiming for a surgery seat in Maharashtra, understanding how previous-year cutoffs moved across counselling rounds is essential for realistic college planning. The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell released detailed opening and closing State Merit List (SML) ranks for surgery admissions in 2025, showing how competition intensified from round 1 through round 3. This data reveals which colleges remained highly competitive and which saw significant rank shifts, helping you benchmark your own rank and make informed choices during counselling.
Maharashtra surgery seats in 2025 opened at SML rank 39 (GSMC Mumbai) and closed at ranks ranging from 39 to over 3,700 by round 3, with private colleges showing the largest rank movements—use this to estimate where your rank may land in 2026.
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Unlock My College ListWhat the Maharashtra NEET-PG Surgery Cutoff Data Shows
The Maharashtra State CET Cell concluded round 1 counselling for NEET-PG 2026 on 10 November 2026, with the first selection list released on 5 November 2026. The data presented here reflects the actual opening and closing State Merit List ranks for surgery admissions across three counselling rounds in 2025, organised by college and quota. This is historical data—not a prediction—but it is the most reliable guide available to understand how seats fill and how competition evolves as candidates accept or reject offers.
State Merit List rank is the ranking assigned to you within Maharashtra based on your NEET-PG score and category (open, OBC, SC, ST). Your SML rank determines your eligibility for Maharashtra state-quota seats. Unlike all-India counselling, where you compete nationally, Maharashtra state-quota seats are reserved for candidates whose SML rank falls within the college's opening and closing range for that round.
Round 1 Surgery Cutoffs: Where Competition Was Fiercest
In round 1 of 2025 counselling, the most competitive surgery seats were at Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College (GSMC), Mumbai, which opened and closed at SML rank 39 for the open quota. This means only candidates with a state merit rank of 39 or better could secure a surgery seat there in round 1. Government Medical College (GMC), Mumbai followed closely, opening at rank 54 and closing at rank 87—a spread of 33 ranks, indicating that as candidates with ranks 54–87 were offered seats, some accepted and others rejected, allowing the college to fill its quota.
Other premier government colleges like Lokmanya Tilak Municipal College (LTMC), Mumbai opened at rank 139 and closed at 172, while Byramjee Jamnadas Medical College (BJMC), Pune remained at rank 112 throughout round 1. Private and semi-private colleges showed much wider spreads: Vedanta Medical College, Palghar opened at rank 1,502 but closed at rank 2,175—a gap of 673 ranks—indicating that many candidates ranked between 1,502 and 2,175 were offered seats but chose other colleges or specialties.
- GSMC Mumbai: SML 39–39 (no movement; extremely competitive)
- GMC Mumbai: SML 54–87 (33-rank spread)
- LTMC Mumbai: SML 139–172 (33-rank spread)
- BJMC Pune: SML 112–112 (no movement)
- Vedanta Medical College, Palghar: SML 1,502–2,175 (673-rank spread)
How Ranks Shifted Across Rounds: The Rank Movement Story
As counselling progressed from round 1 to round 3, candidates who were offered seats in earlier rounds either accepted them or rejected them to try for better colleges in later rounds. This created a 'rank movement'—the difference between a college's closing rank in round 1 and its closing rank in round 3. Colleges with large rank movements typically saw many candidates reject their offers, forcing the college to go deeper into the merit list in later rounds to fill remaining seats.
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Vedanta Medical College, Palghar showed the largest rank movement: it closed at rank 2,175 in round 1 but at rank 3,758 in round 3—a movement of +1,583 ranks. This suggests that many candidates offered seats at Vedanta in round 1 rejected them, hoping for better colleges in later rounds. Similarly, Prakash Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islampur moved from rank 1,846 (round 1) to rank 3,363 (round 3), a movement of +1,517 ranks. In contrast, Topiwala National Medical College (TNMC), Mumbai showed minimal movement: it closed at rank 196 in round 1 and rank 255 in round 3—only +59 ranks—because candidates who were offered TNMC seats in round 1 largely accepted them, reflecting TNMC's strong reputation.
- Largest rank movements: Vedanta MC (+1,583), PIMS Islampur (+1,517), MIMSR Latur (+1,604)
- Smallest rank movements: TNMC Mumbai (+59), LTMC Mumbai (+108), GMC Mumbai (+109)
- High movement = many rejections; low movement = high acceptance rate
Round 3 Cutoffs: The Final Seat Allocation Picture
By round 3, the final counselling round, cutoffs had shifted significantly. GMC Mumbai, which closed at rank 87 in round 1, closed at rank 196 in round 3—a jump of 109 ranks. This happened because candidates with ranks 87–196 who were not offered GMC in round 1 or 2 finally got seats in round 3 as higher-ranked candidates filled seats at GSMC and other top colleges. GSMC Mumbai itself moved from rank 39 (round 1) to rank 364 (round 3), reflecting the fact that after round 1, GSMC had filled its quota and no new seats were available.
Private colleges in round 3 showed the deepest cutoffs. Vedanta Medical College, Palghar closed at rank 3,758 in round 3, while PIMS Islampur closed at rank 3,363. This does not mean these colleges are less desirable; rather, it reflects that candidates with lower ranks (who were not competitive for government colleges) finally got seats in private colleges by round 3. For a candidate with a rank around 2,000–3,500, round 3 is often the best opportunity to secure a private college seat in Maharashtra.
- Government colleges: Ranks tightened in round 1, then widened in rounds 2–3 as lower-ranked candidates got seats
- Private colleges: Closing ranks deepened significantly by round 3
- Round 3 is typically the last chance to secure a seat; after round 3, only spot admissions or mop-up rounds may be available
What This Means for Your NEET-PG 2026 Rank Strategy
If your NEET-PG 2026 state merit rank falls between 39 and 200, you are competitive for top government colleges like GSMC, GMC, LTMC, and BJMC in round 1. However, these colleges fill quickly, and if you are not offered a seat in round 1, your chances in round 2 and 3 diminish because higher-ranked candidates will have already accepted seats. If your rank is between 200 and 1,000, you should target mid-tier government colleges like IGMC Nagpur, GMC Nagpur, GMC Sambhajinagar, and GMC Miraj, where you have a realistic chance in round 1 or 2.
If your rank is between 1,000 and 3,500, private and semi-private colleges are your primary target. The 2025 data shows that colleges like Vedanta, PIMS, MIMSR, and NKP Salve filled seats up to ranks 2,000–3,700 by round 3. Do not assume that a private college with a round 1 closing rank of 1,500 is out of reach if your rank is 2,500; by round 3, that college may close at rank 3,000 or higher. Conversely, if your rank is below 500 and you are not offered a government college seat in round 1, do not panic—round 2 and 3 will bring new opportunities as candidates move up the ladder.
- Rank 39–200: Target GSMC, GMC, LTMC, BJMC in round 1
- Rank 200–1,000: Target mid-tier government colleges in round 1–2
- Rank 1,000–3,500: Target private colleges; expect to secure a seat by round 3
- Rank movement data shows that rejecting a round 1 offer for a 'better' college is risky; many candidates end up with lower-ranked colleges in later rounds
Why Rank Movement Matters: The Risk of Waiting for a Better Offer
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One of the most important lessons from rank movement data is that rejecting a seat offer in an earlier round to wait for a better college in a later round is a high-risk strategy. When a college shows a large rank movement (e.g., Vedanta's +1,583), it means many candidates rejected their offers. Some of those candidates did get better colleges in later rounds, but many did not—they ended up with the same college or a worse one because by round 3, all the top colleges had filled their quotas.
The 2025 data shows that colleges with small rank movements (TNMC +59, LTMC +108, GMC Mumbai +109) are colleges where candidates are satisfied with their offers and accept them. If you are offered a seat at such a college, accepting it is often the safer choice. Conversely, if you are offered a seat at a college with a large rank movement, it may indicate that many candidates are rejecting it—which could mean either that the college is less desirable or that candidates are gambling on better colleges in later rounds. Your decision should depend on your own career goals and risk tolerance, not on what others do.
- Small rank movement = high acceptance rate = safer choice to accept
- Large rank movement = many rejections = risky to reject and wait
- Rejecting a round 1 offer does not guarantee a better college in round 2 or 3
How to Use This Data for Your College Preference List
When you fill your college preference list during NEET-PG 2026 counselling, use the 2025 cutoff data as a guide, not a guarantee. Your preferences should be ordered by your own career priorities (location, college reputation, infrastructure, faculty), not just by cutoff ranks. However, understanding where your rank is likely to land helps you avoid unrealistic expectations and make informed choices.
For example, if your state merit rank is 500, you might prefer GSMC (rank 39) as your first choice, knowing it is unlikely but worth trying. Your second choice could be GMC Mumbai (rank 87 in round 1, but potentially rank 196 by round 3), your third choice LTMC (rank 139–172), and so on. By round 3, if you have not been offered any of these, you should have realistic mid-tier and private college options in your list so that you secure a seat rather than going unmatched. The colleges listed in the 2025 data—from GSMC at rank 39 to PIMS at rank 3,363—represent the full spectrum of surgery seats available in Maharashtra; your list should span this spectrum based on your rank and preferences.
- Order preferences by career goals first, cutoff ranks second
- Include at least one 'safe' college where your rank is well below the closing rank
- Include 'target' colleges where your rank is near the closing rank
- Include 'stretch' colleges where your rank is above the closing rank but you want to try
- Ensure your list covers all three rounds so you have options if you are not matched in round 1 or 2
Important Dates and Next Steps for NEET-PG 2026
The Maharashtra State CET Cell has already concluded round 1 counselling for NEET-PG 2026 (as of the data release date in October 2026). If you are reading this after round 1, you should focus on round 2 and round 3 counselling timelines and ensure you have registered and filled your preferences on time. The first selection list for round 1 was released on 5 November 2026, and round 1 counselling concluded on 10 November 2026. Round 2 and round 3 will follow with their own registration, preference-filling, and result dates.
If you have already been offered a seat in round 1 or 2, you must decide whether to accept it or reject it and participate in the next round. Use the rank movement data to assess the risk: if you are offered a seat at a college with a small rank movement (indicating high satisfaction), accepting it is often wise. If you are offered a seat at a college with a large rank movement, you have more flexibility to reject and try for a better college, but understand the risk. After round 3, any remaining seats may be filled through spot admissions or mop-up counselling, which typically have fewer seats and less predictable cutoffs.
- Round 1 selection list: Released 5 November 2026
- Round 1 counselling: Concluded 10 November 2026
- Rounds 2 and 3: Follow with their own timelines (check Maharashtra CET Cell website for exact dates)
- After round 3: Spot admissions and mop-up counselling may be available
- Always register and fill preferences on time; missing deadlines results in forfeiture of your seat
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is State Merit List (SML) rank in Maharashtra NEET-PG counselling?
State Merit List rank is your ranking within Maharashtra based on your NEET-PG score and category (open, OBC, SC, ST). It determines your eligibility for Maharashtra state-quota seats. For example, if your SML rank is 150, you can apply for any college whose opening rank is 150 or lower. SML rank is different from all-India rank; it is specific to Maharashtra candidates competing for Maharashtra state-quota seats.
If a college's round 1 closing rank is 2,175 and my rank is 2,500, can I get a seat in round 2 or 3?
Yes, it is possible. The 2025 data shows that many colleges' closing ranks deepened significantly in rounds 2 and 3. For example, Vedanta Medical College closed at rank 2,175 in round 1 but rank 3,758 in round 3. This happened because candidates who were offered seats in round 1 rejected them, forcing the college to go deeper into the merit list in later rounds. If your rank is 2,500 and the college's round 1 closing rank is 2,175, you should include this college in your round 2 or 3 preferences; you have a reasonable chance of getting a seat.
What does 'rank movement' mean, and why is it important?
Rank movement is the difference between a college's closing rank in round 1 and its closing rank in round 3. For example, Vedanta Medical College moved from rank 2,175 (round 1) to rank 3,758 (round 3), a movement of +1,583 ranks. Large rank movements indicate that many candidates rejected their offers at that college, likely because they were hoping for better colleges in later rounds. Small rank movements (e.g., TNMC +59) indicate high satisfaction and acceptance rates. Understanding rank movement helps you decide whether to accept or reject a seat offer: if a college has a small rank movement, accepting is often safer; if it has a large rank movement, you have more flexibility to reject and try for a better college, but you take the risk of not getting any seat.
Why did GSMC Mumbai's closing rank stay at 39 in round 1 but jump to 364 in round 3?
GSMC Mumbai is one of the most prestigious colleges in Maharashtra, and its surgery seats fill very quickly in round 1. Once GSMC fills its quota in round 1 (at rank 39), no new seats are available in rounds 2 or 3. The rank 364 shown for GSMC in round 3 likely represents a different quota (e.g., reserved category) or a different scenario. The key point is that top government colleges like GSMC fill their seats early, and if you are not offered a seat in round 1, your chances in later rounds are minimal. This is why having realistic backup colleges in your preference list is crucial.
If I am offered a seat at a private college in round 1, should I accept it or wait for a government college in round 2?
This depends on your career goals and risk tolerance. If the private college is your preferred choice (e.g., better infrastructure, location, or faculty), accepting is a safe option. However, if you are hoping for a government college, rejecting and waiting for round 2 is a gamble. The 2025 data shows that many candidates who rejected private college seats in round 1 did not get government colleges in later rounds; they either got the same private college or a worse one. If your rank is competitive for a government college (e.g., rank 200 or better), waiting for round 2 may be worth the risk. If your rank is below 500, accepting a private college seat in round 1 is often the safer choice.
How should I order my college preferences if my state merit rank is 1,500?
With a rank of 1,500, you are not competitive for top government colleges (which close at ranks 39–400), but you are competitive for mid-tier government colleges and private colleges. Your preference list should include: (1) a few 'stretch' colleges where your rank is above the closing rank but you want to try (e.g., GMC Miraj, which closed at rank 393 in round 1); (2) several 'target' colleges where your rank is near the closing rank (e.g., MIMSR Latur, which closed at rank 1,258 in round 1); and (3) 'safe' colleges where your rank is well below the closing rank (e.g., Vedanta Medical College, which closed at rank 2,175 in round 1 and rank 3,758 in round 3). This ensures you have options across all three rounds and are likely to secure a seat.
What happens if I do not get a seat in rounds 1, 2, or 3?
After round 3, the Maharashtra CET Cell may conduct spot admissions or mop-up counselling to fill any remaining seats. In spot admissions, you typically register and are offered available seats on a first-come, first-served basis, with less predictable cutoffs. However, the number of seats available in spot admissions is usually small. To avoid this situation, ensure your preference list includes colleges across the full spectrum of ranks (from your stretch colleges to your safe colleges) so that you are matched in one of the three main rounds.
Does the 2025 cutoff data guarantee my admission in 2026?
No. The 2025 data is historical and reflects the competition and choices of candidates in 2025. Your 2026 cutoffs may be different depending on the number of candidates, the distribution of ranks, and the choices made by 2026 candidates. However, the 2025 data is the most reliable guide available and is typically a good predictor of 2026 trends. Use it to estimate where your rank is likely to land, but do not assume it is exact. Always include realistic backup colleges in your preference list to account for uncertainty.
The 2025 Maharashtra NEET-PG surgery cutoff data provides a clear roadmap for your 2026 counselling strategy. Use the opening and closing ranks to identify colleges where your state merit rank is competitive, and use the rank movement data to decide whether to accept or reject seat offers in earlier rounds. Remember: a seat in hand (especially at a college with a small rank movement) is often better than the gamble of waiting for a better college in a later round. Register on time, fill your preferences carefully, and monitor the Maharashtra CET Cell website for round 2 and round 3 timelines.
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