Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Stray Vacancy: Seat Allotment & Reporting Deadline

The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has released the third and final stray vacancy round selection list for NEET UG 2026 MBBS and BDS admissions. This round fills remaining vacant seats across medical and dental colleges in Maharashtra for the 2026–27 academic year. If you have been allotted a seat, you must complete your college reporting and admission formalities by October 26, 2026—a single-day deadline. Missing this window means losing your allotted seat, so understanding the process and preparing your documents now is critical.

What is Stray Vacancy Round 3 and Why Does It Matter?

Stray vacancy rounds are the final counselling stage in Maharashtra's NEET UG admission process. They exist to fill seats that remain empty after the main counselling rounds and earlier stray vacancy phases. Round 3 is typically the last opportunity for candidates to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Maharashtra colleges for that academic year.

If you have been waiting for a seat or were not satisfied with earlier allotments, this round may offer your final chance. However, the compressed timeline—with allotment announced on October 25 and reporting due on October 26—means you must act immediately. Delays in document collection, travel, or payment can cost you the seat.

How to Check Your Stray Vacancy Round 3 Allotment Status

Your allotment result is available on the official Maharashtra NEET UG counselling portal at medical2026.mahacet.org/NEET-UG-2026/login. You will need your login credentials (typically your application number and password) to access the selection list.

Once logged in, navigate to the notifications or results section and look for the 'Online Stray Vacancy Round 3 Selection List' for MBBS and BDS. The list may be published as a PDF or as an online searchable document. Search for your name, application number, or roll number to locate your allotment details, including the college name, course (MBBS or BDS), and any special instructions from the college.

• Visit medical2026.mahacet.org/NEET-UG-2026/login
• Log in with your application number and password
• Go to the notifications or results section
• Find the Stray Vacancy Round 3 selection list
• Search for your name or application number
• Note your allotted college, course, and reporting instructions
• Download and save a copy of the list for your records

Critical Reporting Deadline: October 26, 2026

This is the single most important date for you. The Maharashtra CET Cell has set October 26, 2026, as the final deadline for physical reporting and completion of admission formalities at your allotted college. This is not a soft deadline or a guideline—missing it means your seat will be cancelled and offered to the next candidate on the waiting list.

You must arrive at your allotted college on or before October 26 with all original documents, admission fees, and completed application forms. Do not wait until the evening of October 26 to travel or collect documents. Plan to arrive early in the day to allow time for document verification, fee payment, and any unforeseen delays.

• Reporting deadline: October 26, 2026 (final)
• Physical presence at the college is mandatory
• Missing the deadline results in forfeiture of the seat
• Plan to arrive early in the day, not at the last moment
• Confirm the college's reporting location and timings in advance

Essential Documents You Must Carry to the College

Prepare all original documents before October 26. The college will verify these during admission, and missing any document may delay or block your admission. Below is the standard list of documents required for medical and dental college admission in Maharashtra. However, always check your allotted college's specific instructions, as some institutions may ask for additional documents.

Bring originals of all certificates and proofs, along with 2–3 photocopies of each. Keep your NEET scorecard and admit card safe—these are proof of your eligibility. If you belong to a reserved category (SC, ST, OBC, etc.), bring the original category certificate issued by the competent authority. Ensure all documents are dated and signed where required.

• NEET UG 2026 admit card (original)
• NEET UG 2026 scorecard or result document (original)
• Class 10 certificate and mark sheet (original + copies)
• Class 12 certificate and mark sheet (original + copies)
• Valid identity proof (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, or driving licence)
• Category or reservation certificate (if applicable)
• Any other documents specified in the college's admission notice
• Proof of admission fee payment (as instructed by the college)
• Completed admission form (if pre-filled, bring it; otherwise, fill it at the college)

Admission Fee and Payment: What You Need to Know

Each college sets its own admission fee structure for MBBS and BDS programmes. The fee amount and payment method (online, cheque, demand draft, or cash) will be specified in the college's admission notice or on the counselling portal. Do not assume the fee is the same across all colleges—verify the exact amount and payment mode for your allotted institution.

Bring proof of fee payment (receipt, transaction ID, or bank confirmation) to the college. If you are paying on the day of reporting, arrive with sufficient funds or a cheque/demand draft made in the college's name. Some colleges may require the fee to be paid before document verification, so clarify the sequence of steps when you contact the college.

• Check your allotted college's fee structure on the counselling portal or college website
• Confirm the payment method (online, cheque, demand draft, or cash)
• Bring proof of payment or sufficient funds to pay on the day
• Do not delay payment—it may hold up your admission
• Keep a receipt or transaction confirmation for your records

What Happens After You Report to the College?

Once you arrive at the college on October 26, the admission team will verify your documents, confirm your eligibility, and process your admission. This typically involves checking your NEET scorecard, certificates, identity proof, and category certificate (if applicable). The college will then issue you an admission receipt and provide details about hostel allotment, course start date, and further instructions.

After admission is complete, you will be officially enrolled as a student of that college for the 2026–27 academic year. The college will provide you with a student ID, course schedule, hostel information (if applicable), and any other relevant details. Keep all admission documents and receipts safe—you will need them for future reference, including during your internship and final examinations.

• Document verification by the college admission team
• Confirmation of your NEET eligibility and score
• Payment of admission fee
• Issuance of admission receipt and student ID
• Hostel allotment (if applicable)
• Course schedule and orientation details
• Registration for the academic year

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Stray Vacancy Reporting

Many candidates lose their seats due to preventable errors. The most common mistake is arriving at the college without all original documents or with incomplete paperwork. Another frequent error is misunderstanding the college's location or reporting time and arriving late. Some candidates also fail to check the college's specific admission instructions, which may differ from the general guidelines.

Do not assume you can report on October 27 or later—the deadline is firm. Do not send a relative to report on your behalf unless the college explicitly permits it (most do not). Do not delay fee payment, thinking you can pay later—many colleges require it upfront. Finally, do not ignore the college's admission notice or instructions; always read them carefully and contact the college directly if you have doubts.

• Arriving without all original documents
• Misunderstanding the college's location or reporting time
• Not checking the college's specific admission instructions
• Attempting to report after October 26
• Sending someone else to report without explicit college permission
• Delaying fee payment
• Ignoring the college's admission notice or counselling portal updates

If You Are Not Allotted a Seat in Round 3

If your name does not appear in the Stray Vacancy Round 3 selection list, it means no seat was available for you in this round. This does not mean your NEET score is invalid or that you cannot pursue MBBS or BDS. You have several options: you can apply to private medical colleges (which often have their own counselling processes), pursue BDS if you were aiming for MBBS, or consider medical colleges in other states that accept NEET scores.

You can also contact the Maharashtra CET Cell or your allotted college (if you had a seat in an earlier round) to understand your status and explore alternative pathways. Some candidates also choose to take a gap year and reappear for NEET in the following year. Whatever you decide, do not panic—there are multiple routes to a medical or dental career in India.

• Check if you are on the waiting list for any earlier round
• Explore private medical and dental colleges in Maharashtra
• Consider BDS if MBBS seats are unavailable
• Look into medical colleges in other states
• Contact the Maharashtra CET Cell for clarification on your status
• Consider a gap year and reappear for NEET if needed

Frequently asked questions

If you have been allotted a seat in Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round 3, act immediately: verify your allotment on the counselling portal, gather all original documents, arrange the admission fee, and plan to report to your college on October 26, 2026. Do not delay—this is your final opportunity to secure your seat for the 2026–27 academic year.