The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell released the final consolidated merit list for NEET UG 2026 Round 3 (MBBS and BDS) on October 5, 2026, in the evening. This list determines your state merit rank and eligibility for remaining vacant seats across government, municipal corporation, and private unaided medical and dental colleges in Maharashtra. If you are participating in Round 3 counselling, you must now verify your rank, category, and domicile status, then submit fresh college preferences before the October 7–9 window closes. Previous choices from Rounds 1 and 2 do not carry forward, so this is a critical step to secure your seat.
Download your Round 3 merit list from medical2026.mahacet.org, verify your state rank and category, and submit entirely new college preferences between October 7 and 9, 2026—old choices are cancelled.
Your matched MBBS & BDS colleges
LockedEnter your NEET rank to unlock the real colleges you can get — All India Quota and every state — with official closing ranks and fees.
Unlock My College ListWhen and Where to Download Your Round 3 Merit List
The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell announced the release of the final merit list for Round 3 on October 5, 2026, between 5 PM and 8 PM. You can access and download the merit PDF directly from the official state medical portal at medical2026.mahacet.org.
To find your name and details quickly, visit the portal, locate the link for 'Combined Final Merit List of registered Candidates for MBBS/BDS Courses (CAP Round 3)' in the Recent Notifications section, download the PDF, and use Ctrl + F to search by your name, NEET UG application number, or All India Rank (AIR). This merit list is essential because it shows your state merit rank (SML), which determines your position in the queue for seat allocation.
What Your Round 3 Merit List Tells You
Your merit list entry includes three critical pieces of information: your state merit rank (SML), your category (General, OBC, SC, ST, or other), and your domicile eligibility status. Before you proceed to fill preferences, you must carefully cross-check all three. Any error in category or domicile could affect your eligibility for specific seats or scholarships.
The state merit rank is not the same as your All India Rank (AIR) from NEET UG. Your SML is calculated based on your NEET score and is specific to Maharashtra's counselling process. This rank determines the order in which you will be considered for seat allocation in Round 3. A lower SML means you will be considered earlier in the allocation process.
Why Previous Choices Are Cancelled: Fresh Preferences Required
Know the exact MBBS/BDS colleges your rank can get
Official 2023–2025 closing ranks and fees, matched to your rank.
A key rule for Round 3 is that all college choices you submitted in Rounds 1 and 2 are now invalid. You cannot rely on or modify your earlier preferences. Instead, you must log in to the counselling portal and submit an entirely new set of college choices during the preference-filling window from October 7 to 9, 2026.
This reset happens because Round 3 is designed to fill only the remaining vacant seats after Rounds 1 and 2 have been completed. The vacancy matrix—the list of how many seats are still open in each college, course, and category—will be published on October 6, 2026. You should review this matrix carefully before deciding which colleges and seats to apply for in Round 3.
How to Use the Vacancy Matrix to Make Smart Choices
On October 6, 2026, the state will release the seat matrix showing exactly how many MBBS and BDS seats remain unfilled in each college, broken down by category (General, OBC, SC, ST) and course. This is your roadmap for Round 3 preference filling. Before you log in on October 7, download and study this matrix so you know which colleges have seats available in your category.
When filling preferences, prioritize colleges where seats are still open in your category. If a college shows zero vacancies in your category, applying for it is unlikely to result in an allocation. Use the matrix to create a realistic and strategic list of colleges ranked by your preference. Remember, the system will allocate you to the highest-ranked college on your list for which you are eligible based on your state merit rank.
The Preference-Filling Window: October 7–9, 2026
You have exactly three days—October 7, 8, and 9, 2026—to submit and lock your college preferences for Round 3. This is a strict deadline. Once you submit and lock your preferences, you cannot change them. If you miss this window, you will not be considered for Round 3 seat allocation.
Log in to the counselling portal using your NEET UG application number and password, select your preferred colleges in order of priority, and click 'Lock' to finalize your choices. Take your time to review the vacancy matrix and your state merit rank before making this decision. Many candidates regret rushing through preference filling, so plan ahead and avoid last-minute submissions.
Every kind of MBBS/BDS seat, one rank
See the real seats your NEET rank can reach.
Round 3 Seat Allotment and Reporting Timeline
After the preference-filling window closes on October 9, the state will process all preferences and release the Round 3 selection list (seat allotment result) on October 11, 2026. This list will show which college and seat you have been allotted, if any. Not all candidates will receive an allocation in Round 3; it depends on your state merit rank, your preferences, and the availability of seats.
If you are allotted a seat, you must report to the college for document verification, fee payment, and admission formalities between October 11 and 14, 2026, by 5:30 PM. Failure to report within this deadline may result in forfeiture of your seat. Bring all required documents (NEET admit card, merit list printout, category certificate if applicable, domicile certificate, and other college-specific documents) to complete the admission process.
Important Verification Steps Before Preference Filling
Before you fill preferences on October 7, spend time verifying your merit list details. Check that your name, application number, AIR, and state merit rank are correct. Confirm your category and domicile status as shown in the list. If you spot any error, contact the state counselling cell immediately—do not wait until after preference filling.
Also verify that you meet the eligibility criteria for the colleges you plan to apply for. Some colleges may have additional eligibility requirements (such as a minimum NEET score or specific category reservations). Review the college prospectus or the state's official guidelines to ensure you are eligible before adding a college to your preference list.
What Happens If You Don't Get a Seat in Round 3
If your state merit rank is not called for allocation in Round 3, or if all your preferred colleges fill up before your turn, you will not receive a seat in this round. However, this does not mean your NEET UG journey in Maharashtra ends. Some states conduct additional mop-up or stray vacancy rounds after the main counselling rounds to fill any remaining seats.
Stay in touch with the state medical portal and watch for announcements about further rounds. Additionally, if you have a valid NEET UG score, you may be eligible to apply for seats in other states' counselling processes or to pursue MBBS/BDS through private college admissions or management quota seats (if applicable). Do not lose hope; explore all available options.
See the exact MBBS colleges your NEET rank can get
Free 2-minute preview — official closing ranks and fees for every seat your rank can reach, All India and your state.
See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When was the Maharashtra Round 3 merit list released?
The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell released the final consolidated merit list for NEET UG 2026 Round 3 (MBBS and BDS) on October 5, 2026, between 5 PM and 8 PM. You can download it from medical2026.mahacet.org.
How do I download my Round 3 merit list?
Visit medical2026.mahacet.org, find the link for 'Combined Final Merit List of registered Candidates for MBBS/BDS Courses (CAP Round 3)' in the Recent Notifications section, and download the PDF. Use Ctrl + F to search for your name, NEET UG application number, or All India Rank.
Can I use my preferences from Round 1 or Round 2 in Round 3?
No. All college choices submitted in Rounds 1 and 2 are cancelled for Round 3. You must submit an entirely new set of preferences between October 7 and 9, 2026. The system does not carry forward old choices.
When do I fill my preferences for Round 3, and what is the deadline?
The preference-filling window for Round 3 is October 7 to 9, 2026. You must log in to the counselling portal, select your colleges in order of priority, and lock your choices by the end of October 9. This is a strict deadline; no extensions are typically granted.
What is the vacancy matrix, and why is it important?
The vacancy matrix is a list of all remaining unfilled MBBS and BDS seats in each college, broken down by category (General, OBC, SC, ST). It will be released on October 6, 2026. You should review it before filling preferences to understand which colleges have seats available in your category and make informed choices.
When will the Round 3 seat allotment result be released?
The Round 3 selection list (seat allotment result) will be released on October 11, 2026. If you are allotted a seat, you must report to the college for document verification and fee payment between October 11 and 14, 2026, by 5:30 PM.
What should I do if I find an error in my merit list?
If you notice any error in your name, application number, state merit rank, category, or domicile status on the merit list, contact the Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell immediately. Do not wait until after preference filling. Errors must be corrected before you proceed.
What happens if I don't get a seat in Round 3?
If your state merit rank is not called for allocation or all your preferred colleges fill up, you will not receive a seat in Round 3. Watch for announcements about mop-up or stray vacancy rounds. You may also explore seats in other states' counselling or private college admissions if eligible.
Download your merit list from medical2026.mahacet.org today, verify all details carefully, and study the vacancy matrix when it is released on October 6. Use the October 7–9 preference-filling window strategically to maximize your chances of securing a seat in Round 3. Remember: old preferences are cancelled, so treat this as a fresh start.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.