If you are a NEET UG aspirant waiting for an MBBS or BDS seat in Maharashtra, the third round of counselling is now in its final hours. The State CET Cell has set October 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM as the hard deadline for submitting your choice of colleges and courses. This is not an extension window—it is your last chance to lock in fresh preferences for Round 3 seat allotment. Understanding the rules and timeline is critical, because missing this deadline means losing your opportunity to secure a seat in this round.
You must submit completely fresh college and course preferences by October 9, 2026, 11:59 PM on medical2026.mahacet.org; all earlier Round 1 and Round 2 choices are now invalid.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is happening: Maharashtra Round 3 choice filling window closing
Maharashtra's Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has announced that the online preference form for NEET UG 2026 CAP Round 3 will close on October 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM. This is the window during which you must log into the official portal (medical2026.mahacet.org) and tell the system which colleges and courses you wish to be considered for. After this deadline passes, no new preferences can be submitted, and the CET Cell will proceed to generate the seat allotment list based on your choices, merit rank, and category.
According to Notice No. 18 issued by the CET Cell, this round represents a fresh start. Any preferences you submitted in Round 1 or Round 2 are now null and void. The system will not carry forward your earlier choices automatically. This is a deliberate rule designed to give candidates a chance to revise their strategy based on how earlier rounds played out and which seats remain available.
Why fresh choice filling is mandatory in Round 3
The CET Cell requires every candidate to submit new preferences in Round 3 because the pool of available seats has changed. Seats filled in Rounds 1 and 2 are no longer in play. Some candidates may have joined their allotted seats, while others may have rejected them. The vacant seats now available are different from what was on offer earlier. By forcing fresh choice submission, the system ensures that your preferences match the current reality of seat availability.
This rule also protects you from accidentally being locked into an outdated preference list. If the system had carried forward your Round 1 choices, you might end up being allotted a seat you no longer want, or miss out on a better option that has now become available. Fresh choice filling gives you agency and the chance to make an informed decision based on updated information.
Key dates and timeline for Round 3
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The CET Cell has released a clear schedule for Round 3. Your choice filling window is open until October 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM. The selection list (the list of candidates allotted seats) will be declared on October 11, 2026. After that, you will have from October 11 to October 14, 2026, until 5:30 PM, to report physically to your allotted college and submit a status retention form if required.
This compressed timeline means you have only two days between the closure of choice filling and the release of results. There is no buffer. If you miss the October 9 deadline, you cannot participate in Round 3 at all. Plan to submit your choices well before the deadline to avoid server congestion or technical issues on the final day.
- Choice filling deadline: October 9, 2026, 11:59 PM
- Selection list release: October 11, 2026
- Physical reporting and form submission: October 11–14, 2026, until 5:30 PM
The compulsory joining rule: What happens if you are allotted a seat
The CET Cell has made it clear that joining a seat allotted in Round 3 is mandatory. This means that if you are allotted a seat in this round and you report to the college, you are committing to that seat. You cannot later withdraw and participate in stray vacancy rounds (the final round where individual colleges fill remaining seats directly). Even if you do not join, simply being allotted a seat in Round 3 makes you ineligible for stray vacancy rounds.
This rule is important because it affects your strategy. If you are unsure about a particular college or course, you need to think carefully before submitting it as a choice in Round 3. Unlike earlier rounds where you might have had more flexibility, Round 3 is effectively your final opportunity to secure a seat through the counselling process. After this, only stray vacancies remain, and those are filled on a first-come, first-served basis directly by colleges.
AIQ filter: If you joined an All-India Quota seat, you are out of Round 3
The CET Cell has stated that candidates who have already joined a seat under the All-India Quota (AIQ) in Round 3 will be automatically removed from the Maharashtra state selection list. This means if you secured an MBBS or BDS seat through the national-level AIQ counselling and have already reported to that college, you cannot also participate in the Maharashtra state Round 3 counselling.
This rule prevents double allotment and ensures that state seats go to candidates who are genuinely available. If you are in this situation, you do not need to submit a choice form for Maharashtra Round 3. Your participation in AIQ Round 3 has already secured your admission, and you should focus on completing your joining formalities at your AIQ college.
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How to submit your preferences: Step-by-step
Visit the official portal medical2026.mahacet.org and log in using your credentials (typically your NEET roll number and password). Once logged in, you will see a list of available colleges and courses. You will be shown only those colleges and courses for which you are eligible based on your NEET rank, category, and domicile status.
Carefully review each option. You can rank colleges in order of preference—your first choice is your highest priority, and so on. The system will try to allot you the highest-ranked college for which you are eligible and for which a seat is available. After you have finalized your list, lock your choices. Once locked, you cannot change them unless you unlock and resubmit before the deadline. Do not wait until the last minute; submit your choices at least a few hours before 11:59 PM on October 9 to avoid technical delays.
- Log in to medical2026.mahacet.org with your NEET credentials
- Review all eligible colleges and courses
- Rank your preferences in order of priority
- Lock your choices before the deadline
- Submit well before 11:59 PM on October 9 to avoid server issues
What happens after October 9: The allotment process
Once the choice filling window closes, the CET Cell will run an algorithm that matches your preferences with your merit rank and the available seats. On October 11, the selection list will be published. You will be able to log in and check whether you have been allotted a seat, and if so, which college and course.
If you are allotted a seat, you must report to the college in person between October 11 and October 14, 2026, by 5:30 PM. You will need to submit a status retention form and complete admission formalities. If you do not report within this window, your seat may be cancelled, and it will be offered to the next eligible candidate. If you are not allotted a seat in Round 3, you will be eligible for stray vacancy rounds, where colleges fill remaining seats directly.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not assume your Round 1 or Round 2 preferences will carry forward. They will not. You must submit fresh choices. Do not leave your choice submission to the last hour; server congestion is common on deadline days, and you risk being locked out. Do not submit preferences for colleges you are not genuinely interested in, because if you are allotted one, you are bound to join it.
Do not ignore the AIQ filter rule if it applies to you. If you have already joined an AIQ seat, do not waste time submitting a Maharashtra state choice form. Do not forget to report physically to your allotted college within the given window; online allotment alone does not confirm your admission. Finally, do not panic if you are not allotted in Round 3. Stray vacancy rounds still offer opportunities, though on a more competitive, first-come-first-served basis.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the deadline for submitting choices in Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Round 3?
The deadline is October 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM. You must submit your preferences on medical2026.mahacet.org before this time. No extensions are expected, and late submissions will not be accepted.
Will my Round 1 and Round 2 preferences be carried forward to Round 3?
No. According to Notice No. 18 from the CET Cell, all preferences submitted in earlier rounds are now null and void. You must submit completely fresh choices for Round 3. The system will not automatically carry forward any earlier preferences.
When will the Round 3 seat allotment list be released?
The selection list will be declared on October 11, 2026. You can log in to medical2026.mahacet.org to check your allotment status on that date.
What happens if I am allotted a seat in Round 3?
If you are allotted a seat, you must report physically to the college between October 11 and October 14, 2026, by 5:30 PM. You will need to submit a status retention form and complete admission formalities. Joining a seat in Round 3 is mandatory, and you will become ineligible for stray vacancy rounds.
Can I participate in Maharashtra Round 3 if I have already joined an AIQ seat?
No. If you have already joined a seat under the All-India Quota in Round 3, you will be automatically filtered out from the Maharashtra state selection list. You cannot participate in both AIQ and state counselling simultaneously.
What should I do if I miss the October 9 deadline?
If you miss the deadline, you will not be able to participate in Round 3. Your next opportunity will be stray vacancy rounds, where colleges fill remaining seats directly on a first-come-first-served basis. These rounds are typically more competitive and offer fewer seats.
How many colleges can I list in my preferences?
The source does not specify a maximum number of preferences. You should list as many eligible colleges and courses as you are genuinely interested in, ranked in order of your priority. The system will attempt to allot you the highest-ranked option for which you are eligible.
What if I am not allotted a seat in Round 3?
If you are not allotted in Round 3, you will remain eligible for stray vacancy rounds. In these rounds, individual colleges advertise their remaining vacant seats, and candidates apply directly to colleges on a first-come-first-served basis. You will need to monitor college websites and apply quickly when vacancies are announced.
Mark October 9, 2026, 11:59 PM as a hard deadline on your calendar and submit your fresh preferences well before that time. Review the CET Cell's Notice No. 18 on medical2026.mahacet.org for any additional updates, and plan to report to your allotted college immediately after the selection list is released on October 11.
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