Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has released the schedule for the Online Stray Vacancy Rounds for MBBS and BDS courses under NEET UG 2026-27. The schedule was issued dated 12 October 2026, and is applicable to Group A courses in Government, Corporation, Government-Aided, Private Unaided and Minority Colleges.
The authority has also issued Notice, containing important instructions for candidates and colleges participating in the stray vacancy rounds. According to the notices, multiple online stray vacancy rounds will be conducted to fill vacant MBBS and BDS seats.
Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round Schedule
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Publication of seat matrix for Stray Vacancy Round 1 | 14 October 2026 |
| Online choice filling for Round 1 | 15–16 October 2026, up to 11:59 PM |
| Round 1 selection list | 17 October 2026 |
| Joining and admission for Round 1 | 18–20 October 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
| Last date to resign without penalty | 20 October 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
| Seat matrix and choice filling for Round 2 | 20–21 October 2026, up to 10:00 AM on 21 October |
| Round 2 selection list | 21 October 2026 |
| Joining and admission for Round 2 | 22–23 October 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
| Seat matrix and choice filling for Round 3 | 23–24 October 2026, up to 10:00 AM on 24 October |
| Round 3 selection list | 24 October 2026 |
| Joining and admission for Round 3 | 25–26 October 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
| Last date of joining as per MCC | 26 October 2026 |
The schedule is subject to change according to directions from the MCC, NMC, Central Government, State Government or courts. The notices also state that Saturdays, Sundays and gazetted holidays are to be treated as working days for the counselling schedule.
Who Can Participate in the Stray Vacancy Rounds?
According to Notice, eligible candidates must:
- Have qualified NEET UG 2026.
- Have registered and filled online preferences previously but not been allotted a seat through CAP Round 3.
- Meet the eligibility requirements specified in Clause 4 of the information brochure.
No new registration will be conducted for these CAP Online Stray Vacancy Rounds.
Candidates who have already joined a seat in Round 1 or Round 2 and hold that seat up to Round 3, candidates freshly allotted a seat in Round 3 of state counselling, candidates holding an All India Quota seat up to Round 3, and candidates allotted seats in the All India Quota or earlier stray vacancy round are listed as ineligible under the notice.
Fresh Choice Filling Is Mandatory for Every Round
Candidates must submit fresh choices for each online stray vacancy round. Choices filled during CAP Round 3 will be treated as null and void for the stray vacancy process.
The authority has specified separate choice-filling windows for Rounds 1, 2 and 3. Candidates can edit their choices multiple times by unlocking them through OTP verification sent to their registered email address and mobile number, but only within the prescribed schedule.
Candidates are advised to select only colleges and courses in which they are genuinely interested. The notices state that joining an allotted seat during the stray vacancy round is mandatory.
Important Admission and Fee Instructions
The authority has directed candidates to pay fees through Demand Draft (DD), NEFT or RTGS during the stray vacancy rounds. Since there is no further betterment after this round, candidates should make the payment arrangements in advance.
Colleges must publish the relevant fee and account details before the stray vacancy round begins. Fees must follow the amounts decided by the Fee Regulating Authority (FRA).
Candidates must report to the allotted college with original documents and the required fees within the joining period. Failure to report or join an allotted seat may result in consequences under the applicable information brochure.
Important Warning: Non-Joining May Affect Future Eligibility
Notice No. 24 states that, under Clause 20 of the NEET UG 2026 Information Brochure, selected candidates who do not report or join their allotted seat in the last round of the admission process, thereby causing the seat to lapse, will not be eligible for admission for the subsequent two years for that group.
Candidates should therefore fill choices carefully and select only those seats they are prepared to accept.
What Should Candidates Do Now?
Eligible candidates should check the published seat matrix, prepare their college preferences and complete fresh choice filling within each round’s deadline. They should also verify the fee payment instructions and reporting requirements issued by their allotted institution.
Candidates should follow the official notices published by the Maharashtra State CET Cell for any changes to the schedule or further instructions.
My name is Rajesh Mishra. For the past 18 years, I have been helping students get admission into the right colleges. I believe that even students with average or low ranks deserve admission in good colleges—without chasing agents, falling for false promises, or paying donations.
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