Maharashtra's State CET Cell has opened Round 3 of centralised counselling for NEET UG 2026, releasing a seat matrix showing 1,931 vacant MBBS and BDS positions across government, corporation, and private colleges. This is the final counselling round for state quota seats in Maharashtra, and candidates who do not participate now will have to wait for stray vacancy or institutional rounds. The choice-filling window is tight—just three days, from October 7 to October 9, 2026—so aspirants must act quickly if they wish to secure a seat in this round.
If you are a registered NEET UG 2026 candidate in Maharashtra and did not get a seat in Rounds 1 or 2, you must fill your college preferences between October 7 and October 9 to participate in Round 3—the last centralised counselling opportunity.
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Unlock My College ListWhat Happened: Round 3 Seat Matrix Released
On October 6, 2026, Maharashtra's State CET Cell published the official seat matrix for Round 3 counselling on the portal medical2026.mahacet.org. The matrix lists all vacant MBBS and BDS seats available under the state quota after Round 2 counselling concluded.
A total of 1,931 seats remain unfilled. These seats span government medical colleges, government dental colleges, corporation-run institutions, and private medical and dental colleges across Maharashtra. The vacancy represents 17.25% of the 11,196 total state quota seats available for MBBS and BDS in the state.
How Many Seats Were Filled in Round 2?
Round 2 counselling filled 9,265 of the 11,196 state quota seats, achieving an 82.75% fill rate. This means that despite two rounds of centralised counselling, nearly one in five seats remained vacant, creating a significant opportunity for candidates in Round 3.
The high number of vacancies in Round 3 can occur for several reasons: candidates rejecting allotments, candidates not reporting to colleges after allotment, or colleges having fewer eligible applicants in certain categories or merit bands. Regardless of the cause, these 1,931 seats are now available for fresh allocation in Round 3.
| Metric | Number |
|---|---|
| Total State Quota MBBS and BDS Seats | 11,196 |
| Seats Filled After Round 2 | 9,265 |
| Vacant Seats for Round 3 | 1,931 |
| Fill Rate After Round 2 | 82.75% |
| Vacancy Rate Before Round 3 | 17.25% |
Critical Dates: When to Fill Choices and When Allotment Happens
The timeline for Round 3 is compressed and non-negotiable. Candidates must complete their preference filling within a 72-hour window: October 7 to October 9, 2026. Missing this deadline means automatic exclusion from Round 3.
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After choice filling closes, the State CET Cell will process all preferences and release the Round 3 selection list on October 11, 2026. Candidates who are allotted a seat must then physically report to their assigned college between October 11 and October 14, 2026, to complete admission formalities. Failure to report within this window may result in forfeiture of the seat and potential penalties.
- Final Merit List for MBBS and BDS: October 5, 2026
- Seat Matrix for CAP Round 3 Released: October 6, 2026
- Online Preference Filling Window: October 7–9, 2026
- CAP Round 3 Selection List: October 11, 2026
- Physical Joining at Allotted College: October 11–14, 2026
Who Is Eligible to Participate in Round 3?
Eligibility for Round 3 is broad but conditional. Any registered NEET UG 2026 candidate who has paid the CAP (Centralised Admission Process) fee can participate. This includes candidates who did not receive a seat in Rounds 1 or 2, as well as those who were allotted a seat but chose to exit or did not report.
Importantly, candidates who were already admitted in earlier rounds can also participate in Round 3 if they wish to upgrade to a better college or course. However, such candidates must understand the rules on seat retention: if they are allotted a new seat in Round 3 but do not report, they may lose their original seat and face penalties. The decision to participate as an upgrade candidate should be made carefully.
- Registered NEET UG 2026 candidates who have paid the CAP fee
- Candidates who did not get a seat in Rounds 1 or 2
- Candidates who exited earlier rounds voluntarily
- Already-admitted candidates seeking an upgrade (subject to seat retention rules)
How to Download 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 easy to identify which institutions have vacancies in your category.
Reviewing the matrix carefully before choice filling is essential. Note the college name, course (MBBS or BDS), category, and number of vacant seats. Cross-reference this with your NEET rank and category to shortlist realistic options. Do not wait until the last day to download and review—do this immediately so you have time to make informed decisions.
- Visit medical2026.mahacet.org
- Click 'Final Collegewise Vacancy Before Round 3'
- Download the PDF file
- Review college-wise and category-wise vacancies
- Shortlist colleges matching your rank and category
Why Round 3 Matters: This Is Your Last Centralised Chance
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Round 3 is the final centralised counselling round for Maharashtra NEET UG 2026. After this round closes, candidates who do not secure a seat will have to wait for stray vacancy rounds (if announced) or apply directly to colleges during their institutional-level admission phases. Stray rounds are unpredictable in timing and often have fewer seats, making them a less reliable option.
If you have been waiting for a second or third chance to secure a seat, Round 3 is it. The presence of nearly 2,000 vacant seats is a significant opportunity. Skipping this round without a concrete reason is a strategic mistake.
Step-by-Step Action Plan for Round 3 Participation
To maximise your chances in Round 3, follow a structured approach. First, download the seat matrix immediately and identify all colleges where vacancies exist in your category and within your rank range. Create a priority list, ranking colleges by preference (location, reputation, course preference, etc.).
Next, log in to the CAP portal using your credentials between October 7 and October 9. Fill your college preferences in order of priority and lock your choices before the deadline. Ensure you have all required original certificates (10th, 12th, NEET admit card, category certificate if applicable) and the admission fee amount ready, as you may need to report to your allotted college within 48 hours of the selection list release.
- Download the seat matrix PDF from medical2026.mahacet.org today
- Identify colleges with vacancies in your category and rank range
- Create a priority list of colleges in order of preference
- Log in to the CAP portal between October 7 and October 9
- Fill and lock your college preferences before the deadline
- Gather all original certificates and admission fee amount
- Monitor the portal for the selection list on October 11
- Report to your allotted college between October 11 and October 14
What Happens If You Don't Report After Allotment?
If you are allotted a seat in Round 3 but do not report to the college within the specified window (October 11–14, 2026), your seat will be forfeited. Additionally, you may face penalties such as being barred from future counselling rounds or losing eligibility for stray vacancy rounds. The State CET Cell takes non-reporting seriously because it blocks seats that could have been filled by other candidates.
If you are unsure about accepting an allotment, do not fill that college in your preference list. It is better to skip Round 3 than to accept a seat and then not report. However, if you are genuinely interested in a seat, commit to reporting on time.
Key Takeaway for NEET Aspirants
Round 3 represents a final, centralised opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Maharashtra. With nearly 2,000 vacant seats and a three-day choice-filling window, the onus is on you to act decisively. Download the matrix, shortlist colleges, fill your preferences on time, and be ready to report if allotted. Missing this round without a strong reason could mean waiting months for stray vacancies or institutional rounds, which are far less predictable and often have fewer seats available.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does the choice-filling window for Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Round 3 open and close?
The online preference-filling window for Round 3 opens on October 7, 2026, and closes on October 9, 2026. Candidates must fill and lock their college preferences within this 72-hour window. No extensions are typically granted, so it is critical to complete this step before the deadline.
How many MBBS and BDS seats are available in Maharashtra Round 3?
A total of 1,931 MBBS and BDS seats are vacant and available for allocation in Round 3. These seats span government, corporation, and private medical and dental colleges across Maharashtra. The exact number of seats in each college and category is listed in the official seat matrix.
Where can I download the official seat matrix for Round 3?
The seat matrix is available on the official portal medical2026.mahacet.org. Look for the link titled 'Final Collegewise Vacancy Before Round 3' and download the PDF file. The matrix shows college-wise and category-wise vacancy details.
Can I participate in Round 3 if I was already allotted a seat in Round 2?
Yes, you can participate in Round 3 as an upgrade candidate if you wish to move to a better college or course. However, you must understand that if you are allotted a new seat in Round 3 but do not report, you may lose your original Round 2 seat and face penalties. Make this decision carefully.
What is the deadline for physically reporting to the allotted college after Round 3 allotment?
The Round 3 selection list will be released on October 11, 2026. Candidates must physically report to their allotted college between October 11 and October 14, 2026, to complete admission formalities. Failure to report within this window may result in forfeiture of the seat.
What happens if I don't participate in Round 3?
If you do not participate in Round 3, you will have to wait for stray vacancy rounds (if announced by the State CET Cell) or apply directly to colleges during their institutional-level admission phases. Stray rounds are unpredictable in timing and typically have fewer seats, making them a less reliable option than centralised counselling.
What documents should I keep ready before Round 3 choice filling?
Before filling your preferences, gather all original certificates including your 10th and 12th mark sheets, NEET admit card, NEET score card, category certificate (if applicable), and any other documents required by the State CET Cell. Also, have the admission fee amount ready, as you may need to deposit it immediately after allotment.
Is Round 3 the final counselling round for Maharashtra NEET UG 2026?
Yes, Round 3 is the final centralised counselling round for Maharashtra NEET UG 2026. After this round, candidates who do not secure a seat will have to wait for stray vacancy rounds or institutional-level admissions, which are less predictable and often have fewer seats available.
If you are a NEET UG 2026 candidate in Maharashtra and have not yet secured a seat, Round 3 is your final centralised opportunity. Download the seat matrix today, shortlist colleges within your rank range, and prepare to fill your preferences between October 7 and October 9. Do not delay—missing this window means waiting for stray vacancies, which are far less reliable.
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