Maharashtra NEET UG Stray Vacancy Round 2: Seats Allotted, Oct 24 Deadline

The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has released the provisional selection list for the second stray vacancy round of NEET UG 2026 counselling, covering both MBBS and BDS seats across government, municipal, aided, private and minority medical and dental colleges in the state. If you have been allotted a seat in this round, you have a tight deadline: you must physically report to your college, submit original documents, pay admission fees, and complete a status retention form all by October 24, 2026, at 5:30 PM. Missing this deadline will result in cancellation of your allotment. This is your final opportunity to secure a medical or dental seat through this counselling cycle, so understanding the process and timeline is critical.

What is the stray vacancy round and who is eligible?

A stray vacancy round is conducted after the main counselling rounds to fill any remaining empty seats in medical and dental colleges. These vacancies arise when candidates decline their allotted seats, fail to report on time, or do not meet eligibility criteria upon document verification. The second stray vacancy round in Maharashtra is designed to give another chance to NEET UG 2026 candidates who either did not participate in earlier rounds or were not allotted seats previously.

This round covers MBBS and BDS seats across all categories of institutions: government colleges, municipal corporation colleges, government-aided colleges, private unaided colleges, and minority colleges. Candidates who participated in earlier rounds and retained their status, as well as new participants, can apply for stray vacancy seats based on their NEET rank and the college's merit cutoff.

How to check if you have been allotted a seat

The provisional selection list has been published on the official Maharashtra medical counselling portal. To find out if your name appears on the list, visit medical2026.mahacet.org and log in with your credentials. Look for the notification titled 'Provisional Selection List Only for MBBS/BDS Courses – Online Stray Vacancy Round 2.'

Once you locate the selection list PDF, search for your name, NEET UG roll number, or application number. The list will show your allotted college, the course (MBBS or BDS), and the category under which you have been selected. It is essential to download and save a copy of this document for your records and to bring it to the college during reporting.

• Visit https://medical2026.mahacet.org/NEET-UG-2026/login
• Search for the stray vacancy round 2 selection list notification
• Open the PDF and locate your name or roll number
• Note your allotted college and course details
• Download and save the document

Critical deadline: October 24, 2026, 5:30 PM

All selected candidates must complete their admission process by a single, non-extendable deadline: October 24, 2026, by 5:30 PM. This deadline applies to three separate but equally important tasks: physical reporting at your allotted college, submission of original documents and payment of admission fees, and completion of the status retention form. If you miss any of these by the deadline, your allotment will be cancelled and your seat will be forfeited.

The CET Cell has made it clear that no extensions will be granted. Candidates are advised to plan their travel and document collection well in advance. If you are unable to report in person due to an emergency, contact your allotted college immediately to understand if any alternative arrangement is possible, though this is unlikely given the strict timeline.

• Physical reporting at college: October 24, 2026
• Document submission and fee payment: October 24, 2026, by 5:30 PM
• Status retention form submission: October 24, 2026, by 5:30 PM
• No extensions will be granted under any circumstances

What documents and fees do you need to bring?

When you report to your allotted college, you must carry all original documents required for admission. These typically include your NEET admit card, NEET scorecard, 10th and 12th mark sheets and certificates, Aadhaar card, caste certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate, and any other documents specified in the official admission notice. The college will verify these documents against your application to confirm your eligibility before admission is finalized.

You will also be required to pay the applicable admission fees on the same day. The fee structure varies depending on whether you have been allotted a seat in a government, aided, or private college, and whether you are a general or reserved category candidate. Contact your allotted college in advance to confirm the exact fee amount and the payment method they accept (cash, cheque, online transfer, etc.).

• NEET admit card and scorecard
• 10th and 12th certificates and mark sheets
• Aadhaar card
• Caste certificate (if applicable)
• Domicile certificate
• Any other documents mentioned in the official notice
• Admission fee (amount varies by college type and category)

Understanding the status retention form

The status retention form is a document that confirms your intention to accept the allotted seat and continue in the counselling process. By submitting this form by the deadline, you are formally accepting your allotment and agreeing to join the college. If you do not submit this form, your selection may be treated as rejected, and the seat will be offered to the next candidate on the waiting list.

This form is separate from the admission fee payment and document submission, though all three must be completed by the same deadline. The form is typically available on the college's admission portal or at the college office. Ask the college staff for the form when you report, or check the official CET Cell website for a downloadable version.

• Confirms your acceptance of the allotted seat
• Must be submitted by October 24, 2026, 5:30 PM
• Available at the college or on the official portal
• Failure to submit results in cancellation of allotment

Important: College preferences do not carry forward

A critical point that many candidates overlook is that college preferences entered in earlier counselling rounds do not automatically apply to the stray vacancy round. If you participated in round 1 or round 2 of the main counselling and submitted your college choices then, those choices are not valid for this stray vacancy round. You must have submitted fresh preferences specifically for the stray vacancy round to be considered for allotment in this phase.

This means that if you did not participate in the stray vacancy round's choice-filling process, or if you did not update your preferences for this round, you would not have been allotted a seat. If you have received an allotment in this round, it is because you submitted fresh choices for stray vacancy round 2. Always verify the official notice to understand the exact rules for each round, as they can vary.

• Previous round preferences do not carry forward to stray vacancy rounds
• You must submit fresh college choices for each stray vacancy round
• Failure to submit choices for this round means no allotment in this round
• Always check the latest official notice for round-specific rules

What happens after you report and submit documents?

Once you have reported to the college, submitted your original documents, paid the admission fee, and completed the status retention form, the college will verify your eligibility and the authenticity of your documents. This verification process typically takes a few days. Only after the college confirms that all your documents are in order and you meet the eligibility criteria will your admission be formally confirmed.

During this verification period, the college may contact you if any document is missing or if there is a discrepancy in your application. It is therefore important to keep your phone number active and check your email regularly. Once the college issues an admission confirmation letter or updates your status on the portal, your seat is secure and you can proceed with other formalities such as hostel registration, course material purchase, and orientation programs.

• College verifies your documents and eligibility
• Verification typically takes a few days
• College may contact you if documents are missing or incomplete
• Admission is confirmed only after successful verification
• Keep your contact details active during this period

What if you fail to meet the deadline?

If you do not report to the college, submit your documents, pay the fee, or complete the status retention form by October 24, 2026, at 5:30 PM, your allotment will be cancelled automatically. The CET Cell will not send you a separate cancellation notice; your seat will simply be forfeited and offered to the next candidate on the waiting list. You will lose your opportunity to join a medical or dental college through this counselling cycle.

There are no exceptions to this rule, and no appeals or requests for extension are entertained. If you have a genuine emergency that prevents you from reporting on time, your only option is to contact the college and the CET Cell immediately to explain your situation, though this is unlikely to result in an extension. It is therefore crucial to plan ahead and ensure you can meet the deadline.

• Allotment is cancelled automatically if deadline is missed
• No separate cancellation notice is issued
• Seat is offered to the next candidate on the waiting list
• No appeals or extensions are granted
• Contact the college and CET Cell immediately if there is an emergency

Next steps: Stay informed and plan ahead

If you have been allotted a seat, your immediate priority is to confirm the college details, gather all required documents, and arrange travel to the college by October 24. Contact your allotted college directly to confirm the exact reporting time, location, and fee amount. Many colleges have a dedicated admission helpline or email address; use these to clarify any doubts.

After you have successfully reported and submitted your documents, monitor the college's admission portal or contact the college regularly to check the status of your document verification. Once your admission is confirmed, you will receive further instructions about course commencement, hostel allocation, and other administrative matters. Keep all your admission documents safe, as you will need them throughout your medical or dental education.

• Contact your allotted college to confirm reporting details
• Gather all required documents well in advance
• Plan your travel to meet the October 24 deadline
• Monitor the college portal for admission status updates
• Keep all admission documents safe for future reference

Frequently asked questions

If your name appears on the selection list, act immediately: confirm your college details, gather all required documents, and plan to report by October 24, 2026, at 5:30 PM. This is your final opportunity in this counselling cycle—missing the deadline will result in automatic cancellation of your seat. For the latest updates and any clarifications, visit the official CET Cell website regularly and contact your allotted college directly.