Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026: Registration, CAP Rounds, Seat Matrix, Eligibility & Cutoff

Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026: Important Dates and Official Websites

The Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 process is expected to begin shortly after the declaration of the NEET UG 2026 results. The counselling will be conducted online by the State Common Entrance Test Cell (CET Cell), Maharashtra, for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and allied health science courses offered by government, private, aided, and minority institutions across the state.

Candidates must regularly monitor the official counselling portal for notifications regarding registration, merit lists, seat matrices, choice filling, allotment results, and reporting deadlines.

Official Websites

Candidates are advised to complete every stage of the counselling process within the prescribed timeline, as missed deadlines may result in cancellation of candidature.

Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates seeking admission through Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 must satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra. Eligibility is determined based on NEET UG qualification, educational background, age requirements, and domicile status.

Maharashtra State Quota Eligibility

Admission to 85% State Quota MBBS and BDS seats is primarily available to candidates fulfilling Maharashtra domicile requirements.

Candidates generally become eligible under the State Quota if they:

• Possess a valid Maharashtra domicile certificate, or
• Have passed Class 10 and Class 12 from institutions located in Maharashtra, or
• Meet eligibility conditions prescribed for children of Maharashtra government employees, defence personnel, or central government employees posted in Maharashtra.

Candidates who do not satisfy domicile requirements may still be eligible for admission under Management Quota, NRI Quota, Institutional Quota, or All India Quota seats, depending on the participating institution.

Important Eligibility Notes

• Qualifying NEET UG 2026 is mandatory for all categories.
• Eligibility verification is conducted during counselling and admission.
• Submission of incorrect domicile or category documents may lead to cancellation of admission.
• Candidates should carefully review the CET Cell information brochure before participating in counselling.

Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Registration Process

The Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling registration process is conducted entirely online through the CET Cell Maharashtra portal. Only candidates who qualify NEET UG 2026 are eligible to participate in the state counselling process.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

1. Visit the official Maharashtra NEET UG counselling portal.
2. Register using the NEET UG 2026 application details.
3. Fill in personal, academic, category, and domicile information.
4. Upload scanned copies of required documents.
5. Pay the prescribed counselling registration fee online.
6. Verify all details carefully before final submission.
7. Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.

Counselling Registration Fee

Important Registration Guidelines

• Registration is mandatory for participation in seat allotment rounds.
• Candidates must upload valid documents in the prescribed format.
• Incorrect information may lead to cancellation during verification.
• Fresh notifications regarding Round 2 and subsequent rounds will be released by CET Cell.
• Candidates should preserve payment receipts and registration confirmations until admission is completed.

Only successfully registered candidates will be included in the state merit list and become eligible for choice filling and seat allotment.

Documents Required for Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026

Candidates must upload the necessary documents during registration and produce original documents at the time of admission. Document verification plays a crucial role in confirming eligibility, reservation claims, and seat allotment.

Academic Documents

• NEET UG 2026 Admit Card
• NEET UG 2026 Scorecard
• Class 10 Marksheet and Passing Certificate
• Class 12 Marksheet and Passing Certificate
• School Leaving Certificate / Transfer Certificate
• Migration Certificate (if applicable)

Identity and Residence Documents

• Aadhaar Card
• PAN Card (if available)
• Valid Photo Identity Proof
• Maharashtra Domicile Certificate
• Nationality Certificate (if required)

Category and Reservation Documents

Additional Documents

• Passport-size photographs
• Online Registration Form Printout
• Application Fee Receipt
• Provisional Allotment Letter
• Gap Certificate (if applicable)
• Medical Fitness Certificate (if required by allotted institute)

Candidates are advised to keep multiple self-attested photocopies along with all original documents for reporting and admission formalities.

Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Seat Matrix, CAP Rounds and Admission Process

Maharashtra is among the largest contributors of medical seats in India, offering admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and allied health science courses through the Centralised Admission Process (CAP). The counselling process covers admissions under the 85% State Quota, while the remaining 15% All India Quota seats are filled separately through MCC counselling.

Maharashtra MBBS Seat Matrix 2026

Courses Covered Under Maharashtra CAP Counselling

• MBBS
• BDS
• BAMS
• BHMS
• BUMS
• BSMS
• BPTh
• BOTh
• BASLP
• B(P&O)

Maharashtra CAP Counselling Rounds

CAP Round 1

• Registration and document verification
• Publication of merit list and seat matrix
• Choice filling and locking
• First round seat allotment

CAP Round 2

• Upgradation opportunity for existing candidates
• Fresh allotment against vacant seats
• Revised seat matrix publication

CAP Round 3

• Allocation of remaining vacant seats
• Further upgradation options for eligible candidates

Mop-Up Round

• Conducted for vacant seats remaining after Round 3
• Primarily applicable to private and unfilled government seats

Stray Vacancy Round

• Final admission round
• Conducted only if seats remain vacant after the Mop-Up Round
• Admissions are made strictly on merit

Seat Allotment Criteria

Seat allotment is determined on the basis of:

• NEET UG 2026 rank
• State merit rank
• Category and reservation eligibility
• Domicile status
• Choices filled by the candidate
• Seat availability

Candidates allotted seats must complete document verification and report to the allotted institution within the specified reporting period to confirm admission.

Status Retention Option

Candidates satisfied with their allotted seat may submit a Status Retention Form to opt out of further rounds. Candidates seeking better allotment or upgradation should not exercise this option.

Maharashtra Medical Colleges Participating in NEET UG Counselling 2026

Maharashtra has one of the largest medical education infrastructures in India, with more than 70 medical colleges participating in the counselling process. Admissions are offered through government, municipal, private, minority, deemed, and trust-run institutions.

Government Medical Colleges

Major Private and Deemed Medical Colleges

*AIIMS admissions are conducted separately through MCC counselling.

Maharashtra is among the largest medical admission hubs in India, offering more than 12,000 MBBS seats across government, private, deemed, and central institutions. The final seat matrix for 2026 will be released by CET Cell Maharashtra during counselling.

Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Reservation Policy

Maharashtra follows the reservation policy prescribed by the state government for admissions under the 85% State Quota seats.

Category-wise Reservation in Maharashtra

Horizontal Reservations

In addition to vertical reservations, Maharashtra provides horizontal reservations for:

• Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
• Defence Personnel Wards
• Freedom Fighter Dependents
• Female Candidates (where applicable)
• Orphan Candidates
• Project Affected Persons (as per state norms)

Important Reservation Guidelines

• Reservation benefits are available only upon submission of valid certificates.
• OBC candidates must produce a Non-Creamy Layer Certificate.
• EWS certificates must be valid for the admission year.
• Reservation policies are applicable primarily to Maharashtra State Quota seats.

Maharashtra MBBS/BDS Fee Structure 2026

The fee structure varies considerably between government, private, deemed, and minority institutions. Government colleges offer comparatively affordable education, while private and deemed universities charge significantly higher tuition fees.

Government Medical Colleges MBBS Fees

Private Medical Colleges MBBS Fees

BDS Fee Structure

Fee Structure Highlights

• Government colleges remain the most affordable option.
• Hostel, examination, security deposit, and university fees are charged separately.
• NRI quota fees are significantly higher than regular quota fees.
• Actual fees may be revised by the Fee Regulating Authority (FRA), Maharashtra.

Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Cutoff Trends

The Maharashtra NEET UG cutoff varies each year depending on the number of applicants, seat availability, reservation policies, and exam difficulty level. Government medical colleges generally witness the highest competition.

Factors Affecting Maharashtra NEET Cutoff 2026

• Number of NEET qualified candidates
• Total MBBS and BDS seats available
• Reservation policy
• Candidate category
• Difficulty level of NEET UG 2026
• Number of participating colleges
• Preference filling patterns

Expected Maharashtra MBBS Cutoff Range 2026

Government vs Private College Cutoffs

Government institutions such as BJ Medical College Pune, Grant Medical College Mumbai, Seth GS Medical College Mumbai, and Government Medical College Nagpur are expected to record the highest closing ranks due to their reputation, lower fee structure, and strong placement opportunities.

Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Merit List

The Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling Merit List 2026 will be published by the State Common Entrance Test Cell (CET Cell), Maharashtra, after the completion of the registration and document verification process. Only candidates whose applications are successfully verified will be included in the state merit list and become eligible for choice filling and seat allotment.

The merit list is prepared on the basis of NEET UG 2026 scores, category details, reservation eligibility, and applicable state quota criteria.

Types of Merit Lists

Details Mentioned in Merit List

• Candidate Name
• NEET Roll Number
• NEET Score
• NEET All India Rank
• State Merit Rank
• Category
• Reservation Status
• Eligibility Status

Candidates should carefully verify all details mentioned in the merit list and immediately report discrepancies within the correction window announced by CET Cell Maharashtra.

Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Choice Filling Process

Choice filling is one of the most important stages of Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling. During this process, candidates must select and prioritize colleges and courses according to their preferences.

The choices submitted by candidates play a crucial role in determining seat allotment and future upgradation opportunities.

Steps for Choice Filling

1. Login to the CET Cell counselling portal.
2. Access the college and course preference section.
3. Select preferred colleges and courses.
4. Arrange choices in order of priority.
5. Review all entered preferences carefully.
6. Lock the choices before the deadline.
7. Download the confirmation page.

Important Guidelines

• Candidates should fill as many preferences as possible.
• Higher-ranked choices should reflect genuine admission priorities.
• Locked preferences cannot be modified after the deadline.
• Choice filling completed during Round 1 may remain valid for subsequent rounds as per counselling rules.
• Seat allotment is based on merit rank, reservation category, and preference order.

Candidates are advised to prioritize government colleges first, followed by private institutions according to their academic goals and budget.

Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Seat Allotment Rules

The Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 seat allotment process is conducted through the Centralised Admission Process (CAP) based on merit and candidate preferences. After each counselling round, CET Cell Maharashtra publishes the allotment result online.

Factors Affecting Seat Allotment

• NEET UG 2026 Rank
• Maharashtra State Merit Rank
• Category and Reservation Eligibility
• Domicile Status
• College Preferences Submitted
• Availability of Seats
• Previous Round Seat Acceptance Status

Post-Allotment Process

Candidates allotted seats must:

• Download the allotment letter.
• Report to the allotted institute within the prescribed timeline.
• Complete document verification.
• Pay the admission fee.
• Confirm admission.

Upgradation Rules

Candidates who accept a seat but wish to participate in subsequent rounds for a better option may be eligible for upgradation according to counselling guidelines.

Candidates satisfied with their allotted seat may submit a Status Retention Form, after which they will generally not be considered for further rounds.

Failure to report within the prescribed period may lead to cancellation of the allotted seat.