Every year, thousands of Maharashtra NEET UG candidates track their state merit list before they can even think about choice filling. The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has now put out the revised provisional merit list, an updated registered candidate list, and a separate list of candidates rejected from Round 1 of the state's Centralized Admission Process (CAP) for NEET UG 2026. This list decides your provisional state rank for state quota MBBS and BDS seats, so any error here can directly affect the colleges you're eligible to choose. The counselling calendar has also been pushed slightly because of changes on the all-India side, and every remaining step over the next ten days runs on tight, non-negotiable deadlines.
Check your name, application number, category and NEET rank on the revised Maharashtra merit list immediately and file any grievance by 5 pm on August 24 — after that window closes, the final merit list used for choice filling cannot be corrected.
What was released and why it matters
The CET Cell has published three separate documents for CAP Round 1: the revised provisional merit list, the revised registered candidate list, and a list of candidates whose registration or documents were rejected. These are available on the official counselling portal fe2026.mahacet.org under the 'Provisional merit list (Group A)' link.
This merit list is not the same as your NEET UG all-India rank. It is a state-specific ranking generated after document verification, used only for allotting seats through Maharashtra's own CAP rounds — separate from the All India Quota (AIQ) seats handled by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).
If your name appears in the rejected candidates list, your registration will not be considered for Round 1 allotment unless you resolve the issue within the grievance window. This is one of the most common — and most avoidable — reasons candidates lose a counselling round entirely.
Why the schedule shifted
Maharashtra's CET Cell had earlier extended the online document verification stage, pushing it to conclude on August 23 instead of an earlier date. This adjustment was made because the MCC extended its own AIQ counselling timeline, and state counselling schedules are generally kept in sync so candidates aren't forced to choose between two overlapping processes.
For aspirants, the practical effect is simple: state counselling now runs a few days later than originally planned, but the sequence of steps — verification, grievance, final list, choice filling, allotment, joining — remains the same.
Full CAP Round 1 schedule
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Revised Provisional Merit List & Registered Candidate List | August 23, 2026 |
| Grievance submission window | August 24, 2026 (up to 5 pm) |
| Final Merit List and Seat Matrix release | August 25, 2026 |
| Choice filling | August 26 to August 29, 2026 (up to 5:30 pm) |
| CAP Round 1 seat allotment result | August 30, 2026 |
| Physical reporting/joining at allotted college | August 30 to September 4, 2026 |
How to check the list and raise a grievance
Go to fe2026.mahacet.org and open the 'Provisional merit list (Group A)' link on the homepage. The PDF will list candidates by rank; use your application number or name to locate your entry, then verify your NEET score, rank, category and personal details against your original application.
If you spot a mismatch — wrong category, missing reservation benefit, incorrect rank, or your name appearing in the rejected list without valid reason — you must raise a grievance through the process specified by the CET Cell before 5 pm on August 24. Keep your application receipt, NEET admit card, and category certificates ready, as you may be asked to upload or reference these.
Save a downloaded copy of the merit list PDF. You'll need to refer to your rank repeatedly during choice filling, and portals can be slow to load closer to deadlines.
What comes next: choice filling and allotment
Once grievances are resolved, the CET Cell will publish the final merit list along with the seat matrix — the list of MBBS/BDS seats available across Maharashtra's government, private and deemed colleges for this round — on August 25.
Choice filling opens August 26 and closes August 29 at 5:30 pm. This is where your strategy matters most: list colleges and courses in genuine order of preference, not just by perceived prestige, because allotment is based strictly on your rank and the order you submit.
Seat allotment results for Round 1 are due August 30, followed immediately by the reporting and joining window until September 4. Missing the joining deadline after being allotted a seat can mean forfeiting it, so candidates should keep original documents and fee amounts ready well before allotment day.
2 minute · Free preview
Which MBBS colleges can your NEET rank actually get?
See the real colleges your rank can reach — every state and All India Quota — with official closing ranks and the exact fee for each seat.
See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Where can I download the Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 revised merit list?
It is available on the official counselling website fe2026.mahacet.org under the 'Provisional merit list (Group A)' section.
What should I do if my name is in the rejected candidates list?
Check the specific reason given and follow the CET Cell's grievance process before 5 pm on August 24, 2026. This is the only window to fix registration or document issues before the final list is prepared.
Is this merit list the same as my NEET UG all-India rank?
No. This is a state-specific merit list prepared by Maharashtra's CET Cell for state quota MBBS/BDS seats, separate from the All India Quota counselling run by the MCC.
When does choice filling for Maharashtra CAP Round 1 open?
Choice filling runs from August 26 to August 29, 2026 (until 5:30 pm), after the final merit list and seat matrix are published on August 25.
When will Round 1 seat allotment results be announced?
The CAP Round 1 seat allotment result is scheduled for August 30, 2026, with physical reporting to allotted colleges running from August 30 to September 4.
Why did the Maharashtra counselling schedule change?
The CET Cell extended document verification because the MCC extended its own All India Quota counselling timeline; Maharashtra adjusted its dates to stay aligned with the national process.
If you're in Maharashtra's NEET UG counselling pool, don't wait till the last hour — download the revised merit list today, verify every field, and use the August 24 grievance window if anything looks off. The real decisions on college and course preference come fast right after, during the August 26–29 choice-filling window.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.