Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Special Stray Vacancy Rounds: Schedule & Eligibility

Maharashtra's State CET Cell has announced the schedule for Special Stray Vacancy Rounds for MBBS and BDS courses (Group A only) for the 2026–27 academic year. These rounds are designed to fill seats that remain vacant after the regular CAP (Centralised Admission Process) rounds. The Special Stray Vacancy Rounds will run from 4 November to 16 November 2026, with three separate rounds of allotment and joining. If you registered for NEET UG 2026 counselling but were not allotted a seat in any CAP round, you may be eligible to participate. This is your last opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Maharashtra through the state counselling process.

What Are Special Stray Vacancy Rounds?

Special Stray Vacancy Rounds are additional counselling rounds conducted after the main CAP (Centralised Admission Process) rounds to fill any MBBS and BDS seats that remain vacant. Unlike the regular CAP rounds, these rounds are open only to candidates who registered for counselling but were not allotted a seat in any of the three main CAP rounds.

Maharashtra's State CET Cell is conducting three separate Special Stray Vacancy Rounds in November 2026. Each round has its own merit list, seat matrix, choice-filling window, and joining deadline. Seats that remain vacant after Round 1 will be offered in Round 2, and any remaining seats after Round 2 will be offered in Round 3. This is the final opportunity to secure admission through state counselling.

Who Is Eligible for Special Stray Vacancy Rounds?

To participate in the Special Stray Vacancy Rounds, you must meet two conditions. First, you must have qualified NEET UG 2026 and registered for counselling. Second, you must not have been allotted a seat in any CAP round of Group A (the main counselling rounds). If you were allotted a seat in CAP Round 1, 2, or 3 but did not join, you are NOT eligible for these stray rounds.

Additionally, you must be eligible as per Clause 4 of the official Information Brochure. This clause covers general eligibility criteria such as Indian nationality, age limits, and educational qualifications. Refer to the brochure on the CET Cell website (www.mahacet.org) to confirm you meet all requirements.

• NEET UG 2026 qualified and registered for counselling
• Not allotted a seat in any CAP Round (1, 2, or 3) of Group A
• Eligible as per Clause 4 of the Information Brochure

Who Is NOT Eligible?

Certain candidates are explicitly barred from participating in the Special Stray Vacancy Rounds. If you have already joined an MBBS or BDS seat (Group A) on or before 26 October 2026, you cannot participate. Similarly, if you were allotted a seat through the All India Quota (AIQ) stray vacancy rounds—including the AIQ special round—you are ineligible.

Critically, if you were allotted a seat in CAP Round 3 or any subsequent stray vacancy round but failed to join that seat, you are also ineligible for the Special Stray Vacancy Rounds. This rule is strict: non-joining in an earlier round disqualifies you from later rounds. The notice emphasises that candidates must be vigilant and join only seats they genuinely intend to pursue.

• Already joined an MBBS/BDS seat (Group A) by 26 October 2026
• Allotted and joined a seat through All India Quota stray vacancy rounds (including special round)
• Allotted a seat in CAP Round 3 or subsequent stray rounds but failed to join

Complete Schedule: Dates and Deadlines

The Special Stray Vacancy Rounds follow a tight, multi-step schedule across three separate rounds. Below is the complete timeline from candidate registration through final joining. Every date and time is fixed; missing a deadline means you lose your opportunity in that round.

Note that the schedule is subject to change at the direction of the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), AACCC, Central Government, State Government, or the Hon'ble Court. However, as of the notice date (3 November 2026), the dates below are official.

How to Fill Preferences and Participate

Participation in the Special Stray Vacancy Rounds requires you to fill your preferences (choices) online during the designated windows. The process is similar to the main CAP rounds, but with one critical difference: you must fill fresh choices for each round. Choices you filled in earlier CAP rounds or in a previous stray vacancy round are automatically cancelled and will not carry forward.

For Round 1, the preference-filling window is 5–7 November 2026 up to 12:00 noon. You must log into the CET Cell portal (www.mahacet.org) and select your preferred colleges and courses. Only fill choices for colleges where you genuinely wish to study; if you are allotted a seat, joining is mandatory. For Rounds 2 and 3, new preference-filling windows open after the previous round's joining deadline. You must fill fresh choices each time; old choices are void.

• Log into www.mahacet.org during the preference-filling window
• Select colleges and courses in order of preference
• Submit your choices before the deadline (12:00 noon for Round 1; 11:00 AM for Rounds 2 & 3)
• Fill fresh choices for each round; previous choices are automatically cancelled
• Only select colleges where you are willing to join

Joining: Documents, Fees, and Mandatory Compliance

If you are allotted a seat in any round, you must join the college in person within the specified joining window. Joining is not optional—failure to join will result in penalty and disqualification as per the Information Brochure. You must bring all original documents and pay the requisite fees (admission fee, caution deposit, etc.) at the time of joining.

Fees can be paid by Demand Draft (DD), NEFT, or RTGS. The exact fee amount and payment details will be specified by your allotted college. For Round 1, joining must occur by 5:30 PM on 10 November 2026. For Round 2, by 5:30 PM on 13 November 2026. For Round 3, by 5:30 PM on 16 November 2026. The overall last date of joining across all rounds is 16 November 2026 as per the Medical Counselling Committee.

Bring all original documents including your NEET admit card, merit certificate, category certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate, and any other documents specified in the Information Brochure. The college will verify these documents and issue a status retention form confirming your admission. Keep this form safe; it is your proof of admission.

• Join in person at the allotted college within the joining window
• Bring all original documents (NEET admit card, merit certificate, category certificate, domicile, etc.)
• Pay fees by DD, NEFT, or RTGS as instructed by the college
• Obtain and retain the Status Retention Form from the college
• Joining is mandatory; non-joining results in penalty and disqualification

Critical Trap: Choices Are Null and Void Between Rounds

This is the most important rule to understand: if you fill choices in Round 1 but are not allotted a seat (or do not join), your Round 1 choices are automatically cancelled. You cannot carry them forward to Round 2. Similarly, choices filled in Round 2 are null and void for Round 3. You must fill completely fresh choices in each round.

This means if you had your heart set on a particular college in Round 1 and did not get it, you must re-select it in Round 2 if you wish to be considered for it again. The system does not remember your earlier preferences. This is by design to ensure fairness and to allow candidates to reassess their options after each round's results.

• Choices from Round 1 are null and void for Round 2
• Choices from Rounds 1 & 2 are null and void for Round 3
• You must fill fresh choices in each round
• The system does not carry forward previous preferences

What Happens to AIQ Special Round Allottees?

The notice contains a specific rule about candidates allotted seats through the All India Quota (AIQ) special round. If you were allotted a seat through the AIQ special round, you will be 'weeded out' from the Special Stray Vacancy Rounds even if you have filled preferences. This means your name will be removed from consideration, and you will not be eligible for allotment in these rounds.

This rule applies only to candidates who received an AIQ special round allotment. If you received an allotment through the state CAP rounds (Group A) and joined, you are already ineligible (as stated in the non-eligibility section). This additional rule ensures that AIQ allottees do not participate in state stray rounds.

• Candidates allotted through AIQ special round will be weeded out
• Weeding out occurs even if preferences are filled
• This rule applies only to AIQ special round allottees, not state CAP allottees

Grievance Submission: Only for Newly Registered Candidates

If you are a newly registered candidate and notice an error in your name, category, or other details in the Registered Candidate List or Provisional Merit List, you can submit a grievance. The grievance window is 4 November 2026 up to 8:00 PM. However, you must submit supportive documents (such as a corrected certificate or official proof) along with your grievance. The notice explicitly states: 'No changes will be entertained without supportive documents.'

This means if you claim your category is wrong, you must provide a valid category certificate. If your name is misspelled, you must provide proof (such as your NEET admit card or a government ID). Simply submitting a grievance without proof will not result in a correction. After 8:00 PM on 4 November, the Final Merit List will be published, and no further corrections will be made.

• Grievance window: 4 November 2026 up to 8:00 PM
• Only for newly registered candidates
• Must include supportive documents (certificates, proof of identity, etc.)
• No changes without supporting proof
• Final Merit List published 5 November; no corrections after that

Important Notes and Warnings

The notice emphasises several critical points that can make or break your admission. First, joining is mandatory. If you are allotted a seat and do not join within the deadline, you will face penalty and disqualification as per the Information Brochure. This disqualification may affect your eligibility for future counselling rounds or admissions. Therefore, only fill choices for colleges where you genuinely intend to study.

Second, the schedule is subject to change. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), AACCC, Central Government, State Government, or the Hon'ble Court may issue directions that alter the dates. Monitor the CET Cell website (www.mahacet.org) regularly for any updates or revised schedules. Do not assume the dates will remain fixed.

Third, all candidates must refer to the official Information Brochure for complete eligibility criteria, fee details, document requirements, and other procedural rules. The notice provides only a summary; the brochure is the authoritative source. Download it from www.mahacet.org and read it thoroughly before participating.

• Joining is mandatory; non-joining results in penalty and disqualification
• Fill only choices where you intend to take admission
• Schedule is subject to change; monitor www.mahacet.org for updates
• Refer to the Information Brochure for complete rules and eligibility
• All candidates must be vigilant and careful in filling preferences

Where to Find More Information

All official information, updates, and portal access are available on the Maharashtra State CET Cell website: www.mahacet.org. You can download the Information Brochure, check merit lists, access the preference-filling portal, and view any revised schedules or notices.

For technical support or queries, contact the CET Cell at: Telephone: 022-22016157/53/59, Email: cetcell@mahacet.org. The CET Cell office is located at 8th Floor, New Excelsior Building, A.K. Nayak Road, Fort, Mumbai 400 001.

• Official website: www.mahacet.org
• Telephone: 022-22016157/53/59
• Email: cetcell@mahacet.org
• Office: 8th Floor, New Excelsior Building, A.K. Nayak Road, Fort, Mumbai 400 001

Frequently asked questions

The Special Stray Vacancy Rounds are your final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Maharashtra through state counselling. Check the CET Cell website (www.mahacet.org) immediately to confirm your eligibility and review the Information Brochure. If eligible, register and fill your preferences carefully during the designated windows—remember, choices are fresh for each round and joining is mandatory. Mark all deadlines on your calendar and join your allotted college on time to avoid disqualification.