Maharashtra NEET UG 2026: 50 MBBS seats added late in counselling round

Maharashtra's State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has added Ideal Institute of Medical Science in Palghar to the NEET UG 2026 seat matrix during the third special stray vacancy round (SSVR 3), bringing 50 MBBS seats into play. This marks the ninth round of admissions in the state, and the late inclusion raises important questions for aspirants who have already secured seats elsewhere. The college had been awaiting affiliation from Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) Nashik, which delayed its entry into the counselling process. Understanding how this affects your options and timeline is crucial if you are still in the running for an MBBS seat.

What happened: Late addition of a new medical college to Maharashtra's seat matrix

The Maharashtra CET Cell released the provisional seat matrix for the third special stray vacancy round on November 14, 2026, listing a total of 103 vacant MBBS and BDS seats across private medical and dental colleges and private university institutions. Of these, 80 are MBBS seats and 23 are BDS seats. The most significant addition is Ideal Institute of Medical Science, Wada, Palghar, which contributes 50 MBBS seats to this round.

Ideal Institute had received approval from the National Medical Commission (NMC) but was awaiting formal affiliation from MUHS Nashik. This delay meant the college could not be included in earlier rounds of counselling, even though its seats were listed in the NMC's national MBBS seat matrix. The college's inclusion now, during the ninth round of admissions, is unusually late in the process.

Why the delay matters for NEET aspirants still seeking admission

The timing of Ideal Institute's entry into the seat matrix creates a practical challenge for many candidates. By the ninth round of counselling, most aspirants who qualified for MBBS seats have already enrolled in colleges of their choice. Those who have already taken admission in another course face a significant barrier: they may not be eligible to participate in further rounds or may face administrative hurdles in switching colleges at this late stage.

For candidates who have been waiting for a suitable college or those who did not secure a seat in earlier rounds, this round offers a fresh opportunity. However, the window to participate is narrow, and the affiliation from MUHS Nashik remains a condition for final seat allotment. This means even if you are selected in this round, your admission is provisional until the college receives its formal affiliation.

Seat breakdown at Ideal Institute and across Maharashtra

Ideal Institute of Medical Science lists 38 general category seats and 12 women category seats, totalling 50 MBBS positions. This is the largest single contribution to the third special stray vacancy round. The remaining 30 MBBS seats are distributed across six other private medical colleges and one private university institution in Maharashtra.

Beyond MBBS, the state also has 23 vacant BDS seats in this round, spread across three dental colleges. All 80 MBBS vacancies are in private institutions; no government medical college seats are listed as vacant. This reflects the reality that government MBBS seats in Maharashtra fill quickly in earlier rounds, leaving only private college seats available in later stages.

• Ideal Institute: 50 MBBS seats (38 general, 12 women)
• Vedanta Medical College, Palghar: 9 MBBS seats
• Dr. N. Y. Tasgaonkar Institute, Karjat: 3 MBBS seats
• Ashwini Rural Medical College, Solapur: 1 MBBS seat
• Dr. Rajendra Gode Medical College, Amravati: 2 MBBS seats
• ASPL CSMSS Medical College, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: 1 MBBS seat
• N.K.P. Salve Medical College (private university), Nagpur: 14 MBBS seats

The broader context: Earlier delays in including new medical colleges

Ideal Institute and another new college, Mauli Medical College Hospital and Research Center in Buldhana, were both delayed in their inclusion in Maharashtra's centralised admission process (CAP) 2026. Together, these two colleges account for 150 MBBS seats (50 at Ideal Institute and 100 at Mauli Medical College). Their absence from earlier rounds raised concerns about whether these seats would be made available during the 2026 admission cycle or deferred to the next academic year.

The inclusion of Ideal Institute's 50 seats in SSVR 3 partially addresses this concern, but Mauli Medical College's 100 seats remain unaccounted for in the current matrix. This suggests that administrative and regulatory delays in securing affiliation from state universities continue to affect the timely availability of seats from newly established medical colleges in Maharashtra.

Affiliation condition: What you need to know before applying

The Maharashtra CET Cell has explicitly stated that allotment of seats at Ideal Institute is subject to receipt of formal affiliation from MUHS Nashik or the respective regulatory council. This is a critical condition. Even if you are selected and offered a seat in this round, your admission remains provisional until the college receives its affiliation certificate.

In practice, this means you should verify the college's affiliation status before committing to the admission process. Contact the CET Cell or check the official Maharashtra NEET counselling portal for the latest updates on Ideal Institute's affiliation status. If affiliation is delayed further, it could affect your ability to enrol or may require you to defer your admission to the next year.

Who can participate in this round and what are the eligibility rules

The third special stray vacancy round is open to candidates who have qualified in NEET UG 2026 but have not yet secured admission or have chosen not to participate in earlier rounds. However, if you have already enrolled in an MBBS or BDS course at another college, your eligibility to participate in further rounds depends on the specific rules set by the Maharashtra CET Cell and your college's policies.

Candidates who have taken admission in non-MBBS/BDS courses (such as other undergraduate programmes) are generally eligible to participate in this round. However, switching from one course to another at this late stage may involve administrative complications, including the need to withdraw from your current course and potentially forfeit any fees paid. It is advisable to contact the CET Cell directly to clarify your eligibility before applying.

Private vs. government seats: Why all vacancies are in private colleges

All 80 vacant MBBS seats in this round are in private medical colleges or private university institutions. No government medical college seats are listed as vacant. This pattern is typical in later rounds of counselling: government MBBS seats, which are fewer in number and highly competitive, fill up quickly in the first few rounds. By the ninth round, only private college seats remain available.

Private colleges charge significantly higher fees than government institutions. Ideal Institute's fees, like those of other private medical colleges in Maharashtra, will be substantially higher than government college fees. Before applying, ensure you have clarity on the total cost of the course, including tuition, hostel, and other expenses, and confirm that your family can support this financial commitment.

Next steps: How to check eligibility and apply in this round

If you are eligible and interested in applying for seats in the third special stray vacancy round, visit the official Maharashtra NEET counselling portal (typically managed by the CET Cell). Check the detailed notification for the exact dates and timelines for registration, choice filling, and result declaration. These timelines are usually compressed in later rounds, so act quickly once the portal opens.

Verify Ideal Institute's affiliation status and fee structure before filling your choices. If you have already enrolled in another course, contact your current college and the CET Cell to understand the implications of switching to an MBBS seat at this stage. Keep all your NEET admit card, rank letter, and other required documents ready for the application process.

Frequently asked questions

If you are still seeking an MBBS seat in Maharashtra and have not yet enrolled elsewhere, the third special stray vacancy round offers a final opportunity with 50 seats at Ideal Institute and 30 additional seats across other private colleges. Act quickly to verify your eligibility, confirm the college's affiliation status, and submit your application within the announced timeline. Monitor the official Maharashtra NEET counselling portal for any updates on affiliation or seat availability.