If you're a NEET UG 2026 candidate hoping for an MBBS or BDS seat through Maharashtra's state quota, the most important part of the process is happening right now: the online choice/preference filling window for Group A candidates. The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has revised its counselling calendar, and this filling stage decides which colleges and courses you are even eligible to be allotted. Missing this window, or filling it carelessly, can cost you a seat you were otherwise eligible for. This piece breaks down the revised dates, the steps involved, and what to keep ready before you log in.
Group A candidates in Maharashtra's NEET UG 2026 counselling must submit and lock their college/course preferences within the given window, because only the choices entered here will be considered for CAP Round 1 seat allotment.
What has changed and why it matters
The Maharashtra CET Cell revised its counselling timeline for the 2026-27 academic session, pushing key steps like the final merit list, choice filling, and seat allotment to specific new dates. For an aspirant, a revised schedule is not just an administrative footnote — it changes the number of days you actually have to research colleges, compare cutoffs, and decide the order in which you want to rank your options.
This round of counselling covers admissions to MBBS and BDS courses through Maharashtra's Centralized Admission Process (CAP), which is separate from the All India Quota counselling run by MCC. Candidates who registered under the state quota and appear in the revised eligible merit list are the ones eligible to participate in this Group A choice-filling round.
Revised counselling timeline
Here is the sequence of events as notified for this round, from grievance handling to physical reporting at the allotted college.
| Counselling Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Grievance submission for newly registered candidates | August 24, 2026, up to 5 PM |
| Final merit list and seat matrix released | August 25, 2026 |
| Online choice/preference filling (Group A) | August 26 to August 29, 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
| CAP Round 1 seat allotment result | August 30, 2026 |
| Physical joining at allotted college | August 31 to September 4, 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
How to fill your choices correctly
The choice-filling step is simple in mechanics but requires care in decision-making. Log in with your registered credentials, browse the list of available courses and colleges, and select every option you are genuinely willing to join — not just your top two or three. A longer, well-ordered list improves your chances of getting an allotment in Round 1 instead of waiting for later rounds.
- Log in to the official Maharashtra NEET UG counselling portal using your registration details
- Open the online choice/preference filling section
- Select every course-college combination you would actually accept, not only your dream picks
- Arrange choices strictly in the order you prefer them — this order decides allotment priority
- Review the entire list carefully before locking it
- Submit/lock preferences before August 29, 5:30 PM, and download a copy for your records
Documents to keep ready before joining
Once the CAP Round 1 result is out on August 30, allotted candidates get a short window to physically report and join their college. Having documents sorted in advance avoids last-minute stress during the August 31 to September 4 reporting period.
- NEET UG 2026 scorecard and admit card
- Maharashtra NEET UG counselling registration proof
- Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets/certificates
- Valid photo identity proof
- Domicile certificate, where applicable
- Caste, category, and Non-Creamy Layer certificates, where applicable
- Medical fitness certificate and passport-size photographs
What this means for your admission strategy
A compressed choice-filling window means less time to deliberate, so it helps to shortlist colleges by realistic categories before you even log in — colleges where your rank comfortably clears last year's closing rank, colleges where it's borderline, and a few ambitious options at the top. Rank them in that order rather than only listing your first-choice government college and stopping there.
Remember that once you are allotted a seat and choose to join, exiting later usually comes with consequences under CAP rules, such as forfeiture of a security deposit or restrictions on further rounds, depending on the category of admission. So treat each entry in your preference list as something you would be willing to actually join if allotted.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Who can participate in this Group A choice-filling round?
Candidates who registered for Maharashtra NEET UG state counselling and appear in the revised eligible final merit list released on August 25, 2026 are eligible to fill choices in this round.
What is the last date to submit preferences?
The online choice/preference filling window is open from August 26 to August 29, 2026, until 5:30 PM, according to the revised schedule.
When will the CAP Round 1 allotment result be announced?
The CAP Round 1 seat allotment result for this round is scheduled for August 30, 2026.
Is this counselling for MBBS, BDS, or both?
This CAP round covers admissions to both MBBS and BDS courses for the 2026-27 academic session in Maharashtra.
How many days do allotted candidates get to join their college?
Candidates allotted a seat in Round 1 need to physically report and join their college between August 31 and September 4, 2026, up to 5:30 PM.
Should I fill only my most preferred colleges?
No. It is advisable to list every course-college combination you would realistically accept, ranked in true order of preference, so you have a better chance of a Round 1 allotment rather than being pushed to later rounds.
What happens if I miss the choice-filling deadline?
If you do not submit and lock preferences within the given window, you will not be considered for seat allotment in that particular CAP round.
If you're on Maharashtra's revised eligible merit list, log in and lock your preferences well before the August 29, 5:30 PM deadline — don't wait until the last hour in case of technical delays. Once the Round 1 result is out on August 30, be ready with your documents for the reporting window that follows immediately after.
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