Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell (State CET Cell), Government of Maharashtra, acting as the Competent Authority for admission to MBBS and BDS courses in Government, Government Aided, Municipal Corporation and Private Unaided colleges of the state, on the basis of NEET UG 2026 merit. This centralised process is commonly referred to as CAP, the Centralised Admission Process, and covers 85% state quota seats along with the 15% institutional quota seats of private and minority colleges.
As per this revised schedule, online registration and session apply is extended up to 21.08.2026, 08:00 pm, and payment of registration fees is extended up to 21.08.2026, 10:00 pm. Candidates going through Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026 will move through online registration, document upload and verification, provisional and final merit list, publication of the seat matrix, choice filling, seat allotment and physical reporting for admission.
This guide explains the complete Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 process for MBBS and BDS courses, including dates, eligibility, application fee, documents, seat matrix, reservation policy, participating colleges and the merit list process.
Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Overview
Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 is an online, merit based admission process for MBBS and BDS courses, run through a single combined application form that covers Government, Corporation, Government Aided and Unaided Private/Minority institutions together. The table below summarises the key details of the counselling:
| Particulars | Details |
| Counselling Name | Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 (Centralised Admission Process, CAP) |
| Conducting Authority | State Common Entrance Test Cell (State CET Cell), Government of Maharashtra |
| Courses Offered | MBBS and BDS (Also covers BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BNYS, BPTh, BOTh, BASLP and BP&O under separate groups) |
| Admission Through | NEET UG 2026 |
| Counselling Type | State Quota (85%), Institutional Quota (15% in Private/Minority colleges), NRI/OCI within Institutional Quota |
| Official Website | www.mahacet.org |
Important Dates for Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026
Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 dates for CAP Round 1 (Group A, MBBS/BDS) were revised on 13.08.2026, in line with the extension granted by the Medical Counseling Committee for All India Quota Counselling. Candidates should follow this revised schedule instead of any earlier notified dates. Dates for CAP Round 2, Round 3 and the Stray Vacancy Round have not been announced yet.
Revised Schedule for CAP-1 of MBBS/BDS (Group A)
| Activity | Revised Date & Time |
| Grievance Period for Already Registered Candidates | 19–20 August 2026, up to 5:00 PM |
| Online Registration & Session Apply for MBBS/BDS candidates | 20 August 2026, 8:00 PM to 21 August 2026, 8:00 PM |
| Payment of Registration Fees | 20 August 2026, 8:00 PM to 21 August 2026, 10:00 PM |
| Uploading & Submission of Original Requisite Documents | 20 August 2026, 8:00 PM to 21 August 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Uploading Documents for Candidates Who Missed Earlier Submission | 20 August 2026, 8:00 PM to 21 August 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Online Document Verification | 23 August 2026 |
| Revised Registered Candidate List – Group A | 23 August 2026 |
| Revised Provisional Merit List – Group A | 23 August 2026 |
| Submission of Grievances, if Any | 24 August 2026, up to 5:00 PM |
| Final Merit List – Group A | 25 August 2026 |
| Seat Matrix – Group A | 25 August 2026 |
| Online Choice/Preference Filling – Group A | 26 August to 29 August 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
| Declaration of CAP Round 1 – Group A | 30 August 2026 |
| Physical Joining at Allotted College | 31 August to 4 September 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
CAP Round 2, Round 3 and Stray Vacancy Round
| Event | Date |
| Fresh Registration/Choice Filling for Round 2 | To be notified by the counselling authority |
| Round 2 Seat Allotment | To be notified by the counselling authority |
| Fresh Registration/Choice Filling for Round 3 | To be notified by the counselling authority |
| Round 3 Seat Allotment | To be notified by the counselling authority |
| Stray Vacancy Round | To be notified by the counselling authority |
NRI candidates need to register separately on the Foreign Candidate Registration Portal before 20.08.2026, up to 11:59 pm, for verification of eligibility, with the rest of the schedule remaining the same as given above.
Eligibility Criteria for Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026
Eligibility for Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026 depends on nationality, domicile, date of birth, medical fitness, and the qualifying examination. Candidates seeking institutional quota seats in private/minority colleges follow a relaxed domicile rule, since these seats are open on an All India basis.
| Eligibility Requirement | Details |
| Nationality | Must be an Indian National; OCI candidates are eligible for AY 2026-27 provided the OCI status was obtained on or before 04.03.2021, along with passing 10th and 12th from Maharashtra and satisfying the domicile/residence condition |
| Domicile Requirement | Must be domicile of Maharashtra for state quota seats, except candidates applying under Institutional Quota, children of Government employees under the transfer exemptions, Defence quota and Maharashtra-Karnataka Border (MKB) quota |
| Date of Birth | Must be born on or before 31 December 2009 |
| Academic Qualification | Passed SSC (10th) and HSC (12th) or equivalent from an institution situated in Maharashtra, with English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology (Botany & Zoology)/Biotechnology, subject to listed exemptions for those who passed SSC in 2017 or earlier from outside the state |
| Qualifying Marks (HSC) | Open/EWS: minimum 50% (150/300) in PCB; Constitutional reservation/SEBC/PWD with constitutional or SEBC claim: minimum 40% (120/300) in PCB; PWD in General category: minimum 45% (135/300) in PCB |
| NEET UG 2026 Qualifying Percentile | Open/EWS: minimum 50 percentile in PCB; Constitutional reservation/SEBC/PWD with constitutional or SEBC claim: minimum 40 percentile; PWD in General category: minimum 45 percentile |
| Medical Fitness | Must submit a medical fitness certificate before the last date of registration, in the prescribed format |
| Category Eligibility | As applicable to SC/ST/DT(A)/NT(B)/NT(C)/NT(D)/OBC(SBC)/EWS/PWD/Defence/MKB/Hilly Area/Orphan/Female reservation, subject to claiming the category at the time of original online registration |
| Institutional Quota Eligibility | Open to any eligible candidate on All India basis, including NRI, OCI and Outside Maharashtra State (OMS) candidates, for MBBS and BDS seats in unaided private/minority colleges |
The eligibility of a candidate is determined as on the last date of registration, treated as the cut off date. If a candidate is found ineligible as on that date, acquiring eligibility later does not make the candidate eligible for admission.
Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026 Registration Process
Maharashtra NEET UG registration 2026 is done through a single combined online application form for Government, Corporation, Government Aided and Unaided Private/Minority institutions together. The steps below summarise the process:
- Visit the official website, www.mahacet.org, and click the “Apply Online for NEET-UG 2026” link.
- Read the instructions carefully, then proceed to the actual online application form.
- Fill in the required personal, academic and category information using an active mobile number and email address, since OTP verification is sent to both.
- Fill in all entries in the application form, keeping in mind that the system validates required fields before allowing submission.
- Read the declaration by the candidate carefully and click “I Agree” before proceeding to final submission, since there is no provision to make changes once the Submit button is clicked.
- Set a password and submit the form, then pay the applicable non-refundable online application fee.
- Take a printout of the fee payment receipt and download the confirmation copy of the application form using the login credentials.
- Upload the required documents online on the same portal, using the same login, up to the last date of registration or as decided by the Competent Authority.
Candidates should note that the application form fee is not refundable, so it is important to check eligibility carefully before submitting. Applicants need not send a physical copy of the application form or documents to the counselling office.
Application Fee for Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026
Maharashtra NEET Counselling application fee depends on whether a candidate is applying for State Quota seats, Institutional Quota seats, or both. This fee is non-refundable, and candidates are responsible for ensuring successful online payment within the prescribed period.
| Candidate Category | Application/Registration Fee |
| MBBS/BDS – State Quota Seats Only | Rs.1,000 |
| MBBS/BDS – Institutional Quota Seats Only | Rs.5,000 |
| MBBS/BDS – Both State Quota and Institutional Quota | Rs.6,000 |
Candidates who are allotted a seat in Round 2 but fail to report, or who resign after joining, or whose admission is cancelled due to any reason up to Round 2, will need to register again and pay the application form fee afresh to participate in Round 3.
Documents Required for Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026
Candidates need to upload the required documents online at the time of registration and later produce the original documents at the time of physical document verification at the allotted college.
General documents required for all candidates:
- Copy of downloaded NEET-UG 2026 Admit Card
- Any Government photo ID proof (Aadhar Card/Driving Licence/PAN Card/Passport)
- Copy of downloaded NEET-UG 2026 result/marksheet
- Nationality Certificate issued by the District Magistrate/Additional District Magistrate/Metropolitan Magistrate, or a valid Indian Passport, or School Leaving Certificate of HSC/12th indicating nationality as Indian
- Domicile Certificate issued by the District Magistrate/Metropolitan Magistrate/Additional District Magistrate or competent authority
- SSC (10th Standard) or equivalent certificate, school leaving certificate, or birth certificate indicating the candidate’s name and date of birth
- HSC (12th Standard) or equivalent Statement of Marks
- Medical fitness certificate in the prescribed format
Category-specific documents (if applicable):
- Constitutional reservation claim (SC/ST/DT-A/NT-B/NT-C/NT-D/SEBC/OBC): Caste Certificate, Caste Validity Certificate, and Non-Creamy Layer Certificate (valid up to 31.03.2027 or later) issued by the appropriate authority
- EWS candidates: Eligibility certificate in the prescribed state government format for the year 2026-27; certificates in central government format are not accepted
- Specified reservation claims: Defence Category Claim, Person with Disability (PWD) Certificate, MKB Claim, Hilly Area (HA) Claim, or Orphan Certificate from the Women & Child Welfare Department, as applicable
- Religious/linguistic minority status: School Leaving Certificate or certificate from a religious place confirming Jain/Muslim/Christian/Gujarati/Sindhi minority status, or School Leaving Certificate confirming Hindi as mother tongue for Hindi Linguistic Minority, along with a supporting affidavit in each case
- Children of Government employees transferred to/from Maharashtra: Necessary transfer orders of the parent, along with a certificate from the office where the parent has reported for duty
- NRI/OCI candidates: Required certificates as per the format prescribed for NRI/OCI candidates
Choice Filling and Choice Locking Process
Choice filling for Maharashtra NEET Counselling choice filling opens only for candidates whose online/physical document verification is complete and who appear in the provisional state merit list. Preference filling is done separately for Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and the Online Stray Vacancy Round.
- Log in to the State CET Cell portal at www.mahacet.org using registered credentials.
- Fill the four-digit college code with the correct suffix, S for State Quota seats or N for Institutional Quota seats, for each course-college combination preferred.
- Arrange preferences in order, starting with the most preferred choice as Preference 1.
- The candidate can fill the online preference form multiple times before clicking Submit.
- Once the Submit button is clicked, there is no provision to change the preferences for that round.
Choices filled for one round are valid only for that round and are not carried forward to the next round, except preferences filled for the Online Stray Vacancy Round, which do carry forward to subsequent stray vacancy rounds. Candidates who join a seat in Round 1 and are satisfied with it may submit a Status Retention Form to opt out of further rounds; this is an irrevocable step, and Status Retention candidates are not considered in later rounds.
Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Reservation Policy
Seats at the disposal of the Competent Authority in Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 are distributed under constitutional reservation and several specified (parallel) reservations. Candidates must claim any reservation category in the original online application form, since claims made after submission are not entertained.
| Reservation Category | Percentage/Reservation |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 13% |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 7% |
| Vimukta Jati DT(A) | 3% |
| Nomadic Tribes NT(B) | 2.5% |
| Nomadic Tribes NT(C) | 3.5% |
| Nomadic Tribes NT(D) | 2% |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) including SBC | 19% |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 10% of available State Quota seats in Government/Corporation/Government Aided colleges |
| Defence Category (Def-1/Def-2/Def-3) | 5% of intake capacity, subject to a maximum of 5 seats, in Government/Corporation/Government Aided Medical, Dental and allied Health Science colleges |
| Persons with Disability (PWD) | Reservation as per the schedule to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 |
| Maharashtra-Karnataka Border (MKB) Area | 8 seats in Government Medical Colleges and 2 seats in Government Dental Colleges |
| Hilly Area (HA) | 3% seats at Government/Government Aided/Corporation Medical colleges (MBBS course only) |
| Orphan Category | 1% of available seats |
| Female Candidates | 30% of seats at the disposal of the Competent Authority, applied in parallel across all categories |
Seats remaining vacant from SC, ST, DT(A), NT(B), NT(C) and NT(D) are filled by inter-se merit within defined groups before being converted to the combined merit list, and seats vacant from EWS and SEBC category are allotted to general category candidates.
Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Merit List
State CET Cell prepares and publishes the Provisional State Merit List for the Maharashtra NEET UG merit list 2026 based on NEET UG 2026 rank, limited to candidates who have submitted a complete online application and undergone document verification.
| Round | Download |
| Round 1 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Round 1 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Round 2 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Round 3 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Stray Vacancy | Link will be updated after official release |
Seat Allotment Process for Maharashtra
Maharashtra NEET UG seat allotment 2026 is done centrally on the basis of NEET UG 2026 merit and the preferences submitted by each candidate for the respective round. The process is explained step by step below.
- Publication of the seat matrix for the round.
- Online choice/preference filling by eligible candidates who feature in the merit list.
- Locking of preferences once the Submit button is clicked, since no further changes are allowed.
- Central processing of the seat allotment on the basis of merit-cum-preference and category.
- Declaration of the round’s result on www.mahacet.org, with the list also sent to concerned colleges.
- Downloading the allotment result/letter from the candidate login.
- Physical joining at the allotted college with all original documents for verification.
- Payment of the requisite fee at the college, by demand draft, with cheque payment allowed only on bank holidays.
- Completion of admission formalities within the prescribed reporting period.
- Option to fill a Status Retention Form if satisfied with the seat, or to fill fresh choices for the next round for a possible upgrade, following the round-wise CAP process rules.
Candidates who are allotted a seat in Round 1 but do not join within the prescribed period lose that seat, which is treated as vacant from the day after the last date of joining and is offered again in Round 2.
| Round | Download |
| Round 1 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Round 2 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Round 3 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Stray Vacancy | Link will be updated after official release |
MBBS and BDS Seat Matrix in Maharashtra
Checking the Maharashtra NEET UG seat matrix 2026 before choice filling helps candidates understand which colleges, courses and quotas have seats available in a particular round. The exact college-wise and category-wise intake numbers are notified by the State CET Cell on www.mahacet.org.
| Round | Download |
| Round 1 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Round 2 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Round 3 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Stray Vacancy | Link will be updated after official release |
Out of the total intake capacity at each college, 15% seats at Government/Corporation Medical and Dental Colleges are filled under the All India Quota by the Medical Counseling Committee and are not part of this state counselling. Of the remaining seats, 85% form the State Quota filled through Maharashtra NEET Counselling, while in Unaided Private/Minority colleges, 15% of the total intake is reserved as Institutional Quota, filled on an All India basis including NRI and OCI candidates.
Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026 Process
The complete Maharashtra MBBS counselling 2026 and Maharashtra BDS counselling 2026 journey, from qualifying the exam to joining college, follows these steps.
- Qualify NEET-UG-2026 conducted by the National Testing Agency.
- Register for Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026 on www.mahacet.org.
- Complete and submit the single combined online application form within the notified window.
- Pay the applicable non-refundable application fee based on the quota chosen.
- Upload the required documents for eligibility verification.
- Undergo online/physical document verification as decided by the Competent Authority.
- Check the provisional and then final state merit list published for the round.
- Review the seat matrix published for that round before filling choices.
- Fill preferences of course, college and quota with the correct S/N suffix during the choice filling window.
- Submit the preferences, keeping in mind that they cannot be changed once locked.
- Check the declared seat allotment result for the round.
- Report physically to the allotted college with original documents, fee and requisite formalities.
- Complete admission, or fill a Status Retention Form if satisfied, or participate in the next round for a possible upgrade.
Participating Medical & Dental Colleges in Maharashtra
Candidates should always cross-check the participating college list against the latest official seat matrix published for each round, since seat availability and intake capacity are subject to confirmation by the respective regulatory authorities.
Medical Colleges in Maharashtra
Maharashtra has one of the largest networks of medical colleges among Indian states, with 41 Government/Corporation colleges and 24 Private colleges participating in this counselling.
| College Type | Number of Colleges |
| Government/Corporation Medical Colleges | Click Here |
| Private Medical Colleges | Click Here |
Dental Colleges in Maharashtra
Maharashtra has 5 Government/Corporation dental colleges and 25 Private dental colleges participating in this counselling.
| College Type | Number of Colleges |
| Government/Corporation Dental Colleges | Click Here |
| Private Dental Colleges | Click Here |
Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Cut Off
Maharashtra NEET UG cut off 2026 will only be known after the Round 1 seat allotment result is declared, and it will vary by college, course, category and quota. Previous-year cut-off ranks give a general sense of admission trends at popular colleges, but they should not be treated as a guaranteed or predicted cut-off for the 2026 session, since the applicant pool and seat matrix change every year.
| Round | Download |
| Round 1 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Round 2 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Round 3 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Stray Vacancy | Link will be updated after official release |
Fee Structure for Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026
Candidates should also be aware of the course fee payable at the time of admission, which is separate from the counselling application fee. For Government, Government Aided and Corporation colleges, the annual tuition and development fee for Academic Year 2026-27 is fixed by the state government, while fees for Private and Minority colleges are fixed by the Fee Regulating Authority and published separately.
| Course | Annual Tuition Fee | Development Fee (per annum) |
| Medical (MBBS) | Rs.1,66,000 | Rs.5,000 |
| Dental (BDS) | Rs.1,25,800 | Rs.3,000 |
In addition to tuition and development fee, Government/Aided/Corporation colleges charge the following:
| Item | Amount | Remark |
| Admission Fee | Rs.1,500 | At the time of admission |
| Gymkhana Fee | Rs.500 | Per annum |
| Hostel Fee | Rs.4,000 | Per annum |
| Library Fee | Rs.2,000 deposit (one time) + Rs.1,000 per annum | Deposit at time of admission, fee per annum thereafter |
Fees for Institutional Quota seats, including NRI seats, in Private Unaided Medical/Dental colleges are made available on the respective college’s website, and fees at all Private and Minority colleges are governed by the Fee Regulating Authority and published on www.mahafra.org.
Backward Class candidates selected under Open Merit are eligible for freeship and scholarship as per government orders, and candidates with annual family income below Rs.8,00,000 who are admitted under EWS/General quota can apply for state scholarship schemes through the MAHADBT portal after securing final admission.
Official Website for Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026
All official notifications, registration, merit lists, seat matrix and seat allotment results for Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 are published on the State CET Cell website: www.mahacet.org. Fee details for private and minority colleges are separately published by the Fee Regulating Authority at www.mahafra.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the revised registration deadline for Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026?
A. Online registration and session apply is extended up to 21.08.2026, 08:00 pm, and fee payment is extended up to 21.08.2026, 10:00 pm.
Q. Who is eligible for state quota seats in Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026?
A. Candidates must be domicile of Maharashtra, born on or before 31 December 2009, and must have passed SSC and HSC from an institution in Maharashtra, subject to listed exemptions.
Q. What is the application fee for Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026?
A. It is Rs.1,000 for State Quota only, Rs.5,000 for Institutional Quota only, and Rs.6,000 if applying for both quotas.
Q. What documents are required for Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026?
A. NEET admit card and scorecard, nationality and domicile certificates, SSC/HSC certificates, a government photo ID, medical fitness certificate, and category certificates where applicable.
Q. Can choices be edited after locking in Maharashtra NEET Counselling choice filling?
A. No, once the Submit button is clicked in the online preference form, choices for that round cannot be changed.
Q. How is the Maharashtra NEET UG merit list 2026 prepared?
A. The State CET Cell prepares a Provisional and then Final State Merit List based on NEET-UG 2026 rank, limited to candidates with a complete and verified application.
Q. How many medical and dental colleges participate in Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026?
A. 41 Government/Corporation and 24 Private Medical Colleges, along with 5 Government/Corporation and 25 Private Dental Colleges.
Rajesh Mishra is an admission counsellor and the founder of GLN Admission Advice Pvt. Ltd. with more than 16 years of experience in student counselling and admission guidance. He has worked with thousands of students and parents seeking clarity in complex admission processes across India.
His guidance approach is practical, transparent, and strategy focused. Rajesh Mishra helps families understand counselling systems, admission rules, and college selection in simple language so they can make informed decisions.
Through GLN Admission Advice, he provides guidance for Medical, AYUSH, Engineering, MBA, PGDM, and Law admissions, and regularly shares content to help students understand counselling procedures, cutoff trends, and common mistakes during admission counselling.
Rajesh Mishra is an admission counsellor and the founder of GLN Admission Advice Pvt. Ltd. with more than 16 years of experience in student counselling and admission guidance. He has worked with thousands of students and parents seeking clarity in complex admission processes across India.
His guidance approach is practical, transparent, and strategy focused. Rajesh Mishra helps families understand counselling systems, admission rules, and college selection in simple language so they can make informed decisions.
Through GLN Admission Advice, he provides guidance for Medical, AYUSH, Engineering, MBA, PGDM, and Law admissions, and regularly shares content to help students understand counselling procedures, cutoff trends, and common mistakes during admission counselling.