Maharashtra MBBS stray round: seat matrix out today, choice filling on Oct 15-16
By TUF News Desk · Published 14 October 2026 · 4 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
The seat matrix is out today, and Maharashtra’s medical aspirants now have a full schedule to plan around. The State Common Entrance Test Cell has released the dates for its online stray vacancy rounds for NEET UG 2026 counselling, covering MBBS and BDS seats for the 2026-27 academic year.
The CET Cell issued the schedule on October 12. Up to three online stray vacancy rounds will run between October 14 and October 26 to fill the vacant seats in government, municipal corporation, government-aided, private unaided and minority medical and dental colleges.
Round 1 dates to remember
The round 1 seat matrix is published today. Candidates can fill and submit their college preferences on October 15 and 16, up to 11:59 pm on October 16. The CET Cell will declare the round 1 selection list on October 17.
Students who get a seat in round 1 must report to the allotted college with original documents and the required fee between October 18 and October 20, up to 5:30 pm. The last date to resign from an allotted seat without penalty is also October 20, up to 5:30 pm.
Our admission documents checklist walks through the paperwork colleges usually ask for at reporting, so keep originals and self-attested copies ready before you travel.
Rounds 2 and 3 follow immediately
There is no gap between the rounds. Round 2 opens with a fresh seat matrix on October 20, and choice filling runs on October 20 and 21, closing at 10 am on October 21. The round 2 selection list comes out the same day, and joining happens on October 22 and 23, up to 5:30 pm.
Round 3 follows the same pattern: seat matrix and choice filling on October 23 and 24, up to 10 am on October 24; selection list on October 24; joining on October 25 and 26, up to 5:30 pm. The final joining deadline, fixed by the Medical Counselling Committee, is October 26.
Who can take part
Only candidates who qualified for NEET-UG 2026, registered for the Maharashtra state admission process and submitted their preferences earlier are eligible. Anyone allotted a seat up to the third centralised round cannot take part, and fresh registration will not be permitted.
The CET Cell has cancelled the preferences submitted during round 3, so those choices will not be considered for stray vacancy allotment. Eligible candidates must fill fresh choices for each stray round, and candidates allotted a seat in the first stray round will not be eligible for the later ones.
How to fill the preferences
Preference filling happens on the official Maharashtra NEET UG counselling portal. Log in with your existing credentials, go through the vacant seat details published on October 14, and arrange the colleges and courses in the order you would actually accept them. Save the form after each session and keep a screenshot of the final submission for your records.
These are the last rounds of state counselling, so order your preferences by what you would genuinely take if allotted. Our guide on how to choose a university in India explains how to weigh location, fees and course type when the decision window is this short.
Frequently asked questions
When does choice filling start for Maharashtra NEET UG stray vacancy round 1?
Choice filling for round 1 runs on October 15 and 16, 2026, closing at 11:59 pm on October 16. The round 1 selection list is declared on October 17.
Can I register fresh for the Maharashtra NEET UG stray vacancy rounds?
No. The CET Cell has said fresh registration will not be permitted. Only candidates already registered for the state admission process, who have not been allotted a seat up to round 3, can take part.
Do I need to fill fresh choices for the stray round?
Yes. Preferences submitted in round 3 have been cancelled and will not be considered. You must fill fresh choices for each stray vacancy round.
How many stray vacancy rounds will Maharashtra hold for NEET UG 2026?
Up to three online stray vacancy rounds, running from October 14 to October 26, 2026. The final joining deadline set by MCC is October 26.
Frequently asked questions
When does choice filling start for Maharashtra NEET UG stray vacancy round 1?
Choice filling for round 1 runs on October 15 and 16, 2026, closing at 11:59 pm on October 16. The round 1 selection list is declared on October 17.
Can I register fresh for the Maharashtra NEET UG stray vacancy rounds?
No. The CET Cell has said fresh registration will not be permitted. Only candidates already registered for the state admission process, who have not been allotted a seat up to round 3, can take part.
Do I need to fill fresh choices for the stray round?
Yes. Preferences submitted in round 3 have been cancelled and will not be considered. You must fill fresh choices for each stray vacancy round.
How many stray vacancy rounds will Maharashtra hold for NEET UG 2026?
Up to three online stray vacancy rounds, running from October 14 to October 26, 2026. The final joining deadline set by MCC is October 26.
Sources: Hindustan Times, Careers360, Jagran Josh