Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Round 3: 1,931 Seats Open, Preference Window Oct 7–9

Maharashtra's State CET Cell has released the final round of centralised counselling for NEET UG 2026 MBBS and BDS seats. After two rounds of allotment, 1,931 seats remain vacant across government, corporation, and private medical and dental colleges in the state. If you did not secure a seat in earlier rounds, or if you want to upgrade to a better college, Round 3 is your last chance through the formal counselling process. The preference-filling window is just three days long—October 7 to 9, 2026—so timing and preparation are critical.

What Happened: Round 3 Vacancy Details

The Maharashtra State CET Cell released the seat matrix for Centralised Admission Process (CAP) Round 3 on October 6, 2026. The matrix lists all vacant MBBS and BDS positions across the state's medical and dental colleges under the state quota. A total of 1,931 seats are now available for allotment in this final round.

These vacancies emerged after Round 2 counselling concluded with 9,265 of 11,196 state quota seats filled—a fill rate of 82.75 percent. The remaining 1,931 seats (17.25 percent of the total) now move into Round 3. This is the last centralised counselling round; any seats that remain unfilled after Round 3 will be handled through stray vacancy or institutional-level admission processes, which are far less predictable and offer fewer options.

Who Can Apply for Round 3 and Why It Matters

Round 3 is open to all registered NEET UG candidates who have paid the CAP fee. This includes candidates who did not receive a seat in Rounds 1 or 2, those who exited earlier rounds without accepting a seat, and even candidates who were already allotted a seat but wish to upgrade to a better college or location. However, if you are already admitted and choose to participate in Round 3, you must understand the rules: if you are allotted a new seat and do not report for joining, you may face penalties or forfeiture of your original seat.

Round 3 is effectively your final opportunity to secure a seat through the formal counselling system in Maharashtra. After this round closes, the only remaining options are stray vacancy rounds (which are unpredictable and often have very few seats) or direct admission through individual colleges if they have unfilled seats. For most aspirants, missing the Round 3 preference window means losing a structured path to admission.

Key Dates: Timeline for Round 3 Counselling

The counselling process follows a tight schedule. The final merit list was released on October 5, and the seat matrix became available on October 6. The critical window for you to act is October 7 to 9, 2026—just three days to review the matrix, shortlist colleges, and submit your preferences online.

• October 5: Final Merit List published
• October 6: Seat Matrix (vacancy list) released
• October 7–9: Online preference filling window
• October 11: CAP Round 3 selection list announced
• October 11–14: Physical joining at allotted college

How to Access and Review the Seat Matrix

The seat matrix is available as a downloadable PDF on the official portal. To access it, visit medical2026.mahacet.org, locate the link titled 'Final Collegewise Vacancy Before Round 3,' and download the file. The matrix is organised by college and category (general, OBC, SC, ST, etc.), making it easier to identify which colleges have vacancies in your category.

Before you fill preferences, spend time reviewing this matrix carefully. Note which colleges have seats available in your category, cross-reference them with your NEET rank, and identify colleges where you have a realistic chance of admission. The matrix covers government medical colleges, corporation-run colleges, and private medical and dental colleges across Maharashtra. Do not rush this step—a thoughtful review now can prevent regret later.

What to Do Right Now: Your Action Plan

Time is short, so follow a structured approach. First, download the seat matrix PDF immediately and save it. Second, identify colleges where vacancies exist in your category and where your NEET rank is competitive. Third, arrange your original certificates (10th, 12th, NEET admit card, category certificate if applicable) and ensure you have the fee amount ready for joining. Fourth, log in to the CAP portal between October 7 and 9, fill your preferences in order of preference, and lock them before the deadline.

Do not leave preference filling to the last moment. The portal may experience traffic congestion on the final day, and technical issues could prevent you from submitting. Aim to complete your preferences by October 8 at the latest. Once you lock your preferences, you cannot change them, so be certain of your choices before finalising.

• Download the seat matrix PDF from medical2026.mahacet.org now
• Shortlist colleges based on your NEET rank and category
• Gather all original certificates and proof of fee payment
• Log in to the CAP portal between October 7–9
• Fill preferences in order of your choice and lock them
• Keep the allotment date (October 11) and joining deadline (October 14) in mind

Understanding the Fill Rate and What It Tells You

After Round 2, 82.75 percent of state quota seats were filled. This means roughly 1 in 5 seats remained vacant. While this might seem like a small proportion, 1,931 vacant seats is still a substantial number—enough to accommodate many aspirants who did not secure a seat earlier. However, the distribution of these vacancies is uneven: some colleges may have many vacancies, while others may have very few or none. This is why reviewing the college-wise breakdown in the seat matrix is essential.

The 17.25 percent vacancy rate also reflects the reality of counselling: not all candidates who are eligible choose to join, some upgrade in later rounds, and some colleges may have had fewer applicants than expected. Round 3 is designed to fill these gaps and ensure that as many seats as possible are utilised before the academic year begins.

What Happens After Round 3: Your Next Steps

On October 11, the selection list for Round 3 will be announced. If your name appears on the list, you will be allotted a seat at one of the colleges you listed in your preferences. You must then report physically to that college between October 11 and 14 to complete the joining process. Bring all original certificates, the fee amount, and any other documents specified by the college.

If you do not report by October 14, your seat may be cancelled, and you will lose your place. If you are not allotted a seat in Round 3, your only remaining options are stray vacancy rounds (if announced) or direct admission through colleges. These processes are less structured and offer far fewer guarantees, so treating Round 3 as your final formal opportunity is the right mindset.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many candidates make preventable errors during preference filling. Do not assume that a college with vacancies will definitely allot you a seat—allotment depends on your rank relative to other applicants and the category-wise distribution of seats. Do not fill preferences randomly or without reviewing the seat matrix; this wastes your opportunity. Do not delay preference filling until the last day; technical glitches or portal congestion could cost you your chance.

If you are already admitted from an earlier round, do not participate in Round 3 unless you are genuinely willing to move to a different college. Participating and then not reporting for joining can result in penalties. Finally, do not ignore the joining deadline of October 14; missing it is treated as voluntary withdrawal and will result in loss of your seat.

Frequently asked questions

Round 3 is your final structured opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Maharashtra through centralised counselling. Download the seat matrix today, shortlist colleges based on your rank and category, and fill your preferences between October 7 and 9. Remember: joining your allotted college by October 14 is mandatory—missing this deadline will cost you your seat.