The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has announced the schedule for the stray vacancy round of NEET UG 2026 counselling for MBBS and BDS admissions. This round offers qualified candidates who did not secure a seat in earlier counselling phases a final opportunity to gain admission to medical and dental colleges in Maharashtra against remaining vacant positions. The schedule spans from mid-October through late October, with multiple rounds of seat allocation planned. If you are a NEET UG 2026 qualifier in Maharashtra and missed earlier rounds, understanding these dates and the process is critical to securing your admission.
Maharashtra's stray vacancy round begins October 14 with seat matrix release; you must fill choices by October 16 and report to your allotted college by October 20 to confirm admission.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the stray vacancy round and who can apply?
The stray vacancy round is a final counselling phase designed to fill seats that remain unoccupied after all earlier rounds of seat allocation. In Maharashtra's NEET UG 2026 process, this round is open to all candidates who have qualified the NEET UG exam and wish to participate in state counselling but have not yet secured admission.
Unlike earlier rounds where seats are allocated based on merit rank and category-wise reservations, the stray round typically operates on a first-come, first-served basis once you have filled your choices. This means your chances depend on the availability of seats in your preferred colleges and your willingness to report quickly once selected.
Complete timeline: October 14 to October 26
The Maharashtra CET Cell has structured the stray vacancy process across three rounds, each with its own seat release, choice-filling window, and selection announcement. The entire process concludes by October 26, which is the final joining deadline set by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for all NEET UG 2026 admissions in India.
It is essential to mark each date on your calendar and set reminders, as missing even a single deadline can result in forfeiture of your seat. The choice-filling windows are particularly tight—often just one or two days—so you must be ready to log in and submit your preferences immediately when the portal opens.
- October 14: First stray round seat matrix released
- October 15–16: Choice filling window (closes 11:59 PM on October 16)
- October 17: First selection list announced
- October 18–20: College reporting for first round (by 5:30 PM on October 20)
- October 20: Last date to resign without penalty
- October 21: Second stray round selection list
- October 22–23: College reporting for second round
- October 24: Third stray round selection list
- October 25–26: College reporting for third round
- October 26: Final joining deadline (MCC)
How to access the seat matrix and fill your choices
The seat matrix for the first stray round will be published on the official Maharashtra CET Cell website (cetcell.mahacet.org) on October 14. This document shows the number of vacant MBBS and BDS seats available at each college in Maharashtra, broken down by category (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwBD where applicable).
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Once the seat matrix is live, you will log into the counselling portal (medical2026.mahacet.org) using your NEET UG registration credentials. You will then rank your preferred colleges in order of choice. The system will allocate a seat based on your rank, category, and the availability of seats in your chosen colleges. Submission must occur between October 15 and 16, 2026, by 11:59 PM.
- Visit cetcell.mahacet.org to download the seat matrix on October 14
- Log into medical2026.mahacet.org with your NEET UG credentials
- Review available seats by college and category
- Rank colleges in order of preference
- Submit your choices by 11:59 PM on October 16
- Save your confirmation receipt for records
What happens after selection and college reporting requirements
If your name appears in the selection list announced on October 17, you must report to your allotted college between October 18 and 20, 2026, by 5:30 PM. Reporting means physically visiting the college with your original documents (NEET admit card, mark sheet, 10th and 12th certificates, caste certificate if applicable, domicile certificate, and any other documents specified by the college) and paying the required admission fees.
Failure to report within this window will result in automatic cancellation of your seat, and it will be offered to the next candidate in the merit list. If you are selected but wish to decline the seat, you can resign without penalty until October 20. After October 20, resignation may attract penalties or affect your eligibility for subsequent rounds.
- Carry original documents: NEET admit card, mark sheet, 10th and 12th certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate
- Report to your allotted college between October 18–20 by 5:30 PM
- Pay the admission fees as per college norms
- Obtain a receipt and confirmation of admission
- If declining, resign by October 20 to avoid penalties
Multiple rounds and your chances in subsequent stray phases
The stray vacancy round is structured in three phases. If you are not selected in the first round (October 17), your choices remain active for the second round (October 21) and third round (October 24), provided seats remain vacant. This multi-round approach increases your chances of securing admission, as more seats may become available as candidates from earlier rounds resign or fail to report.
However, do not assume you will automatically be considered in later rounds. You must ensure your choice-filling submission from October 15–16 is properly saved and confirmed. If you wish to modify your choices for subsequent rounds, check the official portal for any provision to do so; typically, the system will re-run the allocation algorithm with the same choices unless you explicitly update them.
- First round selection: October 17
- Second round selection: October 21 (if seats available)
- Third round selection: October 24 (if seats available)
- Your choices remain valid across all three rounds unless you modify them
- Monitor the portal for updates on seat availability after each round
Important documents and fees you must prepare
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Before the reporting dates arrive, gather all required original documents. Most Maharashtra medical and dental colleges require your NEET UG admit card, NEET mark sheet, 10th and 12th standard certificates, caste certificate (if you belong to a reserved category), domicile certificate, and a recent passport-sized photograph. Some colleges may also ask for a medical fitness certificate or character certificate from your school.
Regarding fees, the admission fee structure varies by college and whether you are a resident of Maharashtra or from another state. Government colleges typically charge lower fees than private institutions. Confirm the exact fee amount and payment mode (online or offline) with your allotted college immediately after selection. Many colleges allow fee payment online via their portal or through bank transfer, but some may require in-person payment at the college.
- NEET UG admit card (original)
- NEET mark sheet (original)
- 10th standard certificate (original)
- 12th standard certificate (original)
- Caste certificate (if applicable, original)
- Domicile certificate (original)
- Passport-sized photographs (4–6 copies)
- Medical fitness certificate (if required by college)
- Character certificate from school (if required)
How to stay updated and avoid missing deadlines
The official Maharashtra CET Cell website (cetcell.mahacet.org) is your primary source of information. Check it daily from October 12 onwards for any updates, clarifications, or changes to the schedule. The counselling portal (medical2026.mahacet.org) will also display notifications and reminders as each deadline approaches.
Set phone reminders for October 14 (seat matrix release), October 15 (choice-filling opens), October 16 (choice-filling closes at 11:59 PM), October 17 (selection list), and October 18 (college reporting begins). Do not rely on email or SMS alone; log into the portal yourself to confirm each update. If you encounter any technical issues while filling choices or accessing documents, contact the CET Cell helpline immediately rather than waiting until the last moment.
- Bookmark cetcell.mahacet.org and medical2026.mahacet.org
- Check the portal daily from October 12 onwards
- Set phone reminders for all key dates
- Do not wait until the last hour to fill choices
- Contact CET Cell helpline if you face technical issues
- Keep a printed copy of your choice-filling confirmation
What if you are not selected in any stray round?
If your name does not appear in any of the three stray round selection lists, your options depend on your NEET UG score and eligibility for counselling in other states. Some candidates may be eligible for All India Quota (AIQ) seats or counselling in other states like Delhi, Tamil Nadu, or others that conduct separate counselling processes. Review the eligibility criteria for AIQ and other state counselling portals to explore these avenues.
Alternatively, if your NEET UG score does not meet the cutoff for government medical or dental colleges, you may consider private institutions in Maharashtra or other states, or explore BDS (dental) seats if you have not already done so. Some private colleges conduct their own counselling rounds even after the state-level process concludes. It is advisable to keep your options open and research alternative pathways well before the final deadline of October 26.
- Check eligibility for All India Quota (AIQ) counselling
- Explore counselling in other states (Delhi, Tamil Nadu, etc.)
- Consider private medical and dental colleges
- Review BDS seats if you have not applied for dental courses
- Contact colleges directly for any additional counselling rounds
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When will the seat matrix for Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy round be released?
The seat matrix for the first stray vacancy round will be released on October 14, 2026, on the official Maharashtra CET Cell website (cetcell.mahacet.org). This document will show the number of vacant MBBS and BDS seats available at each college, broken down by category.
What are the dates for filling choices in the stray vacancy round?
The choice-filling window for the first stray round is October 15–16, 2026. You must log into the counselling portal (medical2026.mahacet.org) and submit your college preferences by 11:59 PM on October 16. Missing this deadline will result in your exclusion from that round.
When will the selection list be announced, and what must I do after selection?
The first stray round selection list will be announced on October 17, 2026. If your name appears, you must report to your allotted college between October 18 and 20, 2026, by 5:30 PM with original documents and the required admission fees. Failure to report will result in cancellation of your seat.
Can I resign from my seat after being selected, and is there a penalty?
Yes, you can resign from your seat without penalty until October 20, 2026. After this date, resignation may attract penalties or affect your eligibility for subsequent rounds. If you wish to decline, inform your college in writing before the deadline.
What documents do I need to carry when reporting to the college?
Carry your NEET UG admit card, NEET mark sheet, 10th and 12th standard certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate, and passport-sized photographs. Some colleges may also require a medical fitness certificate or character certificate. Confirm the exact list with your allotted college.
Are there multiple rounds in the stray vacancy phase, and will I be considered in later rounds if not selected initially?
Yes, there are three stray rounds. Selection lists will be announced on October 17, October 21, and October 24. If you are not selected in the first round, your choices remain active for the second and third rounds, provided seats are available. You do not need to re-fill choices unless you wish to modify them.
What is the final deadline for joining, and what happens if I miss it?
The final joining deadline is October 26, 2026, as per the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). If you are selected in any round but do not report by this date, your seat will be cancelled and you will lose your admission opportunity. Plan your college visit well in advance to avoid missing this deadline.
Where can I find the official counselling portal and how do I log in?
The official counselling portal is medical2026.mahacet.org. Log in using your NEET UG registration credentials (usually your application number and password). The seat matrix and all notifications are available on cetcell.mahacet.org. Bookmark both sites for easy access.
Mark October 14–26 on your calendar and monitor the official Maharashtra CET Cell website daily for updates. If selected, ensure you report to your college on time with all required documents and fees to secure your MBBS or BDS seat. If you have questions or face technical issues, contact the CET Cell helpline immediately rather than waiting until the last moment.
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