Maharashtra NEET UG 2026: Stray Vacancy Round 3 Choice Filling Commences

The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has officially opened the choice filling window for the third online stray vacancy round of NEET UG 2026 counselling. This phase is dedicated to filling remaining MBBS and BDS seats across medical and dental institutions in the state. Candidates participating in this round are required to review the newly released seat matrix before finalizing their college preferences.

It is essential for all eligible candidates to note that the choice filling process for this round must be completed afresh. Preferences submitted during previous rounds of counselling will not be carried forward or considered for this specific allocation. To participate, candidates must log in to the official portal at medical2026.mahacet.org and submit their prioritized list of colleges and courses.

Key Dates and Counselling Schedule

According to the revised counselling schedule released by the CET Cell, the window for choice filling is open from October 24 to October 25, 2026. The deadline for submitting these preferences is set for 8:00 AM on October 25, 2026. Following the submission process, the selection list for this round is scheduled to be published on October 25, 2026. Candidates who are allotted seats will then be required to complete the physical reporting process at their designated colleges on October 26, 2026.

Guidelines for Choice Submission and Admission

Before submitting their preferences, candidates are advised to carefully examine the updated seat matrix to identify available vacancies in their preferred institutions. The CET Cell has emphasized that students should only select colleges where they are genuinely willing to accept admission. Participation in this round is subject to the eligibility criteria previously established by the state authority, and no new registrations are being accepted for this stage.

Upon the announcement of the selection list, candidates who receive an allotment must adhere to the official admission protocols. This includes reporting to the allotted college with all original documentation and completing the payment of the prescribed fees within the stipulated timeframe. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the forfeiture of the allotted seat.