If you're a NEET UG 2026 candidate hoping to study MBBS or BDS in Maharashtra, there's a firm deadline you cannot miss right now. The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell is currently accepting online applications for state quota seats under CAP (Centralised Admission Process) Round 1, and this registration window is separate from the All India Quota (AIQ) process run by the Medical Counselling Committee. Missing this state-level window, even if you've already registered for AIQ, could cost you a seat in a Maharashtra government, municipal, aided, or private medical or dental college. The clock is ticking, so it's worth understanding exactly what's due and by when.
Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 candidates must register separately on the state CET Cell portal for state quota MBBS/BDS seats by August 12, 2026 — AIQ registration alone will not make you eligible for these seats.
What is actually happening
The Maharashtra CET Cell has opened online registration for NEET UG 2026 candidates who want to be considered for state quota seats in MBBS and BDS courses across Government, Municipal Corporation, Government-Aided, and Private Unaided medical and dental colleges in the state.
This registration is being conducted through the official portal for CAP Round 1, and it runs on its own separate timeline from the central AIQ counselling. Candidates who only register for AIQ and skip this state process will not be eligible for Maharashtra's state quota allotment at all.
The exact dates you need to track
The CET Cell has laid out a tight, sequential schedule. Each stage has its own cut-off, and missing one can knock you out of the process entirely, so treat these as hard deadlines rather than guidelines.
| Activity | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Online registration and session (course) selection for MBBS/BDS | Ongoing till August 12, 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Online registration fee payment | Ongoing till August 13, 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Uploading of required original documents | Ongoing till August 13, 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Online document verification / scrutiny | Ongoing till August 14, 2026 |
Documents you should have scanned and ready
Since document upload has its own deadline right after registration closes, it helps to have clear, colour scans of everything ready in advance rather than scrambling at the last minute.
- NEET UG 2026 admit card and scorecard
- Class 10 (SSC) passing certificate
- Class 12 (HSC) marksheet
- Domicile certificate and nationality certificate
- Category/caste certificate, caste validity certificate, and Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate, where applicable
- Medical fitness certificate in the prescribed format
How to actually register — the steps
The process is entirely online through the state's dedicated medical admission portal. Broadly, it involves creating an account, filling in academic and category details, uploading documents, and paying the fee.
- Visit the official Maharashtra medical admission portal for 2026 and click on 'New Registration'.
- Enter your NEET UG 2026 roll number, application number, mobile number, and email ID to generate login credentials.
- Log in and fill in personal details, category information, address, and NEET score details carefully — mistakes here can delay verification.
- Upload the scanned colour copies of all required documents listed above.
- Pay the registration fee online using a credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI.
- Review everything in the preview screen, submit the form, and download the confirmation receipt and fee acknowledgement for your records.
Why this matters even if you've already done AIQ counselling
A common and costly mistake among NEET aspirants is assuming that registering once for AIQ counselling covers all their bases. It does not. State quota seats — which typically make up the majority of MBBS/BDS seats in any state, including Maharashtra — are allotted only to candidates who register with the state's own competent authority, in this case the CET Cell.
If you skip this state-level registration, you remain eligible only for the smaller AIQ share of seats and lose access to the much larger pool of state quota seats in Maharashtra's medical and dental colleges. For students and families targeting a Maharashtra college specifically, this registration is not optional paperwork — it is the gateway to that goal.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Is this registration only for Maharashtra domicile candidates?
The registration on the state portal is for candidates seeking state quota MBBS/BDS seats in Maharashtra colleges, which generally require eligibility linked to domicile or institutional quota rules set by the state. Candidates should check their specific eligibility category (state quota, minority quota, NRI, etc.) before applying, as requirements vary by category.
What happens if I miss the August 12 registration deadline?
If registration is not completed by the stated deadline, you will not be considered for Maharashtra's CAP Round 1 state quota seat allotment. You would then need to wait for any later rounds, if the CET Cell opens further registration windows, or rely solely on AIQ counselling for a seat elsewhere.
I've already registered for AIQ counselling. Do I still need to do this?
Yes. AIQ registration and Maharashtra state quota registration are two entirely separate processes. Registering with the state CET Cell is mandatory for consideration for state quota seats, regardless of whether you've already registered for AIQ.
When is my registration considered officially valid?
Registration is treated as valid only after the online processing fee payment is successfully completed, not merely after filling in the form. Make sure your payment goes through and you have a receipt before the fee payment deadline.
What documents cause the most delays during verification?
Category, caste validity, and Non-Creamy Layer certificates are common sources of delay when they are unclear, expired, or incomplete. Domicile and nationality certificates should also be current and match the details entered in the application form exactly.
Does this registration also cover BDS seats?
Yes, the same registration process on the state portal covers both MBBS and BDS admissions under the state quota for CAP Round 1.
If Maharashtra is on your MBBS or BDS college shortlist, don't leave this registration for the last hour — verify your NEET UG 2026 details, keep documents scanned and ready, and complete the fee payment well before each deadline closes. Once registration and document verification wrap up, watch for the CAP Round 1 merit list and choice-filling schedule, which will determine your actual seat allotment.
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