Maharashtra's State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has announced a revised timetable for the Stray Vacancy Round of NEET UG 2026 counselling. This is the final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Maharashtra state quota after the three main counselling rounds. If you qualified NEET UG 2026 and registered for Maharashtra counselling but did not get a seat, or if you want to explore remaining options, the stray round is your last chance. The choice-filling window is extremely tight—just two days—so understanding the exact dates and process is critical.
Maharashtra stray round choice filling runs October 17–18, 11:59 PM; the first allotment list drops October 19, with reporting mandatory by October 21, 5:30 PM.
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Unlock My College ListWhat Is the Stray Vacancy Round and Why Does It Matter?
The stray round is the final stage of Maharashtra's Centralised Admission Process (CAP) for NEET UG 2026. It fills MBBS and BDS seats that remain vacant after the three main CAP rounds conclude. These are genuine leftover seats—colleges that still have empty benches after all previous allotments and candidate reporting.
For many aspirants, the stray round represents a genuine second chance. If you were not allotted a seat in Rounds 1, 2, or 3, or if you chose to withdraw from an allotment, the stray round opens fresh opportunities. However, it is also the absolute final window; once the stray round closes, no more state quota MBBS or BDS seats will be available for the 2026–27 academic year in Maharashtra.
Revised Schedule: Key Dates You Must Know
The Maharashtra CET Cell issued Notice No. 27 on October 17, 2026, revising the stray round timetable. This revision supersedes an earlier Notice No. 26, which had cancelled the previous Notice No. 23 schedule. The new dates are tight and non-negotiable.
Online choice filling begins on October 17, 2026, and closes on October 18, 2026, at 11:59 PM. This is a 48-hour window to log in, review available seats, and lock your college and course preferences. The first allotment list will be released on October 19, 2026. Candidates who receive an allotment must report to their assigned college between October 20 and 21, 2026. The final reporting deadline is October 21, 2026, at 5:30 PM; failure to report by this time will result in cancellation of your allotment.
- Notice No. 27 issued: October 17, 2026
- Choice filling opens: October 17, 2026
- Choice filling closes: October 18, 2026, 11:59 PM
- First allotment list released: October 19, 2026
- College reporting window: October 20–21, 2026
- Final reporting deadline: October 21, 2026, 5:30 PM
How to Fill Your Choices: Step-by-Step Process
To participate in the stray round, you must visit the official Maharashtra NEET UG portal at medical2026.mahacet.org. Log in using the same credentials you used for the main CAP rounds. Your username and password remain valid; you do not need to register again.
Once logged in, navigate to the Online Stray Vacancy Round section. Here, you will see a list of available MBBS and BDS seats across Maharashtra colleges. Importantly, any preferences you submitted during CAP Round 3 are now cancelled and will not carry forward. You must enter fresh college and course choices for the stray round. Review the seat matrix carefully, rank your preferred colleges and courses in order of priority, and lock your choices before the deadline of October 18, 2026, at 11:59 PM. After locking, download and save your choice confirmation receipt for your records.
- Visit medical2026.mahacet.org
- Log in with your existing CAP registration credentials
- Open the Online Stray Vacancy Round section
- Review the available seat matrix
- Enter fresh college and course preferences (previous CAP Round 3 choices do not apply)
- Rank colleges and courses in order of preference
- Lock your choices before October 18, 11:59 PM
- Download and save your choice confirmation receipt
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Who Is Eligible to Apply in the Stray Round?
All candidates who qualified NEET UG 2026 and registered under the Maharashtra CAP are eligible to participate in the stray round. However, there is one critical exclusion: if you are currently holding an allotted seat from CAP Round 1, 2, or 3 and have already reported to a college, you are not eligible for the stray round. The stray round is only for candidates who do not yet have a confirmed seat.
Fresh choice filling and locking are mandatory for every eligible candidate. You cannot carry forward or modify choices from earlier rounds. Even if you participated in CAP Round 3, you must fill the stray round form independently if you wish to be considered.
- Must have qualified NEET UG 2026
- Must have registered under Maharashtra CAP
- Must not currently hold an allotted and joined seat
- Must fill fresh choices (previous round preferences do not carry forward)
What Happens After You Get an Allotment?
If your name appears on the first allotment list released on October 19, 2026, you will be assigned a specific college and course. You must then report to that college in person between October 20 and 21, 2026. Bring all original documents (your NEET admit card, mark sheet, 10th and 12th certificates, caste certificate if applicable, and any other documents specified by the college) and be prepared to pay the admission fee at the time of joining.
Reporting is not optional. If you do not report by October 21, 2026, at 5:30 PM, your allotment will be cancelled automatically. The college will then move on to the next candidate on the waiting list. There is no grace period or extension; the deadline is firm.
- Check the allotment list on medical2026.mahacet.org on October 19, 2026
- Note your assigned college and course
- Gather all original documents
- Report to the college between October 20–21, 2026
- Pay the admission fee at the time of joining
- Obtain a joining certificate or admission confirmation
- Do not miss the October 21, 5:30 PM deadline
Why the Schedule Was Revised and What It Means
The Maharashtra CET Cell revised the stray round schedule via Notice No. 27, cancelling the earlier Notice No. 26 and its associated Notice No. 23 timeline. While the exact reason for the revision is not detailed in the official notice, such changes typically occur to accommodate administrative delays, seat confirmation from colleges, or adjustments to the overall counselling calendar.
For you as a candidate, the key takeaway is that the revised dates are now official and final. The compressed timeline—choice filling in just 48 hours, allotment within 24 hours, and reporting within 48 hours—means you must be ready to act quickly. Delays in any step could cost you your seat.
Practical Checklist: What You Should Do Right Now
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With choice filling beginning on October 17, 2026, preparation must start immediately. First, ensure you have access to your CAP registration credentials and can log in to medical2026.mahacet.org without issues. If you have forgotten your password, reset it now—do not wait until the last minute.
Second, obtain and review the latest seat matrix released by the Maharashtra CET Cell. This document lists all available MBBS and BDS seats, college names, course types (general, reserved categories), and any other relevant details. Study this carefully and identify colleges and courses that match your preferences and eligibility.
Third, gather all your original documents (NEET admit card, mark sheet, certificates, caste certificate if applicable) and keep them in one place. If you receive an allotment, you will need to produce these at the college within 48 hours. Finally, ensure you have the admission fee amount ready—check the college's website or the official notice for the exact fee structure.
- Verify your login credentials for medical2026.mahacet.org
- Download and study the latest seat matrix
- Identify 5–10 colleges and courses of interest
- Gather all original documents (NEET admit card, mark sheet, certificates, caste certificate if applicable)
- Check the admission fee amount for your preferred colleges
- Plan your reporting logistics (travel, accommodation if needed)
- Set a reminder for October 18, 11:59 PM to lock your choices
- Set a reminder for October 19 to check the allotment list
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Choice Filling
One frequent error is forgetting that previous CAP Round 3 choices do not carry forward. Candidates sometimes assume their earlier preferences are still active and fail to fill the stray round form, only to discover too late that they are not in the running. Always fill fresh choices for the stray round.
Another mistake is locking choices too hastily without reviewing the seat matrix thoroughly. Take time to understand which colleges have which seats available, the course type (MBBS vs. BDS), and any category-specific reservations. Rank your choices strategically—put your most preferred college first, even if it is competitive.
Finally, do not assume you have time to report after the allotment list is released. The reporting window is only 48 hours (October 20–21), and if you live far from your allotted college, travel delays could cause you to miss the deadline. Plan your reporting logistics in advance.
- Do not assume previous CAP Round 3 choices carry forward—fill fresh choices
- Do not rush through choice filling; review the seat matrix carefully
- Do not rank colleges randomly; prioritize based on your genuine preference
- Do not delay reporting; plan your travel and logistics in advance
- Do not forget to bring original documents to the college
- Do not miss the October 21, 5:30 PM reporting deadline
Where to Find Official Information and Support
All official information about the MAH NEET UG 2026 stray round is available on the Maharashtra CET Cell's portal at medical2026.mahacet.org. This is your single source of truth for schedules, seat matrices, allotment lists, and any further notices or updates. Bookmark this page and check it regularly, especially on October 19 when the allotment list is released.
If you encounter technical issues while logging in or filling choices, contact the CET Cell's helpline or support email (details are usually provided on the portal). Do not rely on unofficial sources, social media, or third-party websites for critical information. Misinformation spreads quickly during counselling season, so verify everything through the official portal.
- Official portal: medical2026.mahacet.org
- Check for Notice No. 27 and any subsequent notices
- Download the seat matrix and allotment list from the portal
- Contact CET Cell support for technical or procedural queries
- Do not trust unofficial sources or social media for official information
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 stray round?
The stray round is the final stage of Maharashtra's Centralised Admission Process (CAP) for NEET UG 2026. It fills MBBS and BDS seats that remain vacant after the three main CAP rounds. It is the last opportunity to secure a state quota medical or dental seat in Maharashtra for the 2026–27 academic year.
When does choice filling for the stray round open and close?
Choice filling opens on October 17, 2026, and closes on October 18, 2026, at 11:59 PM. This is a 48-hour window. You must log in to medical2026.mahacet.org, enter your fresh college and course preferences, and lock your choices before the deadline.
When will the first allotment list be released?
The first allotment list will be released on October 19, 2026. You can check the list on medical2026.mahacet.org using your login credentials. If your name appears, note your assigned college and course, and prepare to report immediately.
What is the reporting deadline, and what happens if I miss it?
The reporting deadline is October 21, 2026, at 5:30 PM. You must report to your allotted college in person between October 20 and 21, 2026, with original documents and the admission fee. If you do not report by 5:30 PM on October 21, your allotment will be cancelled automatically.
Do my CAP Round 3 choices carry forward to the stray round?
No. Any preferences you submitted during CAP Round 3 are cancelled and do not carry forward. You must fill fresh college and course choices specifically for the stray round. This is mandatory for all candidates.
Who is eligible to participate in the stray round?
All candidates who qualified NEET UG 2026 and registered under the Maharashtra CAP are eligible, except those who are currently holding an allotted seat from an earlier CAP round and have already reported to a college. If you do not yet have a confirmed seat, you can apply in the stray round.
What documents do I need to bring when reporting to the college?
Bring all original documents, including your NEET admit card, mark sheet, 10th and 12th certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), and any other documents specified by the college. You will also need to pay the admission fee at the time of joining.
How do I fill my choices for the stray round?
Visit medical2026.mahacet.org and log in with your existing CAP registration credentials. Navigate to the Online Stray Vacancy Round section, review the available seats, enter your fresh college and course preferences in order of priority, and lock your choices before October 18, 11:59 PM. Download your confirmation receipt for your records.
What should I do if I cannot log in to the portal?
If you have forgotten your password, use the 'Forgot Password' option on the portal to reset it immediately. If you face technical issues, contact the Maharashtra CET Cell's helpline or support email (details are available on medical2026.mahacet.org). Do not wait until the last moment to resolve login issues.
Is there any extension or grace period for reporting if I miss the October 21 deadline?
No. The reporting deadline of October 21, 2026, at 5:30 PM is firm and non-negotiable. There is no extension or grace period. If you do not report by this time, your allotment will be cancelled automatically, and the seat will be offered to the next candidate on the waiting list.
The Maharashtra stray round is your final chance to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in the state quota for 2026–27. With choice filling lasting only 48 hours and reporting required within 48 hours of allotment, every moment counts. Log in to medical2026.mahacet.org now, review the seat matrix, prepare your documents, and be ready to act decisively between October 17 and 21, 2026.
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