Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026: Complete Guide to Registration, Eligibility, Dates, Seat Allotment & Merit List

Qualifying in NEET UG 2026 is only the first step to get an MBBS/BDS seat. The next equally important stage is to participate in the counselling process. If you are seeking admission to Medical and Dental Colleges in Maharashtra under State Quota, Private, Minority or Institutional Quota seats then you have to go through the Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 conducted by the State CET Cell.

The counseling process includes online registration, uploading of documents, publication of state merit list, choice filling, seat allotment and reporting to the allotted college. There are different rules and deadlines for each stage, and candidates need to keep themselves updated during the whole admission process.

This is your guide to Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 including important dates, eligibility criteria, registration process, reservation policy, seat matrix, counselling rounds, documents required and the complete admission process.

Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Highlights

The table below highlights the key details, including the counselling authority, admission process, and participating institutes.

Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Important Dates

The complete counselling schedule for Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026 will be released by the State CET Cell. 

Who Conducts Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling?

The State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell, Maharashtra is the competent authority responsible for conducting Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 for admission to undergraduate health science courses.

The counselling process covers admissions to:

• Government Medical Colleges

• Government-Aided Medical Colleges

• Municipal/Corporation Medical Colleges

• Private Medical Colleges

• Minority Medical Colleges

• Government and Private Dental Colleges

• AYUSH colleges

• Allied Health Science colleges
  

The counselling is conducted through a centralised online admission process based entirely on NEET UG merit. Eligible candidates are required to register online, upload the required documents, participate in choice filling, and report to the allotted institute after seat allotment.

Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before registering for Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026, candidates must ensure they satisfy all eligibility requirements prescribed by the State CET Cell for the previous year.

1. NEET UG Qualification

Candidates must have appeared for NEET UG 2026 and secured the minimum qualifying percentile prescribed by the National Medical Commission (NMC). Admission to all participating colleges is based solely on the NEET UG merit list.

2. Nationality

Candidates applying under the Maharashtra State Quota should be Indian Nationals. Certain categories of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) candidates are also eligible, subject to the conditions specified by the State CET Cell.

3. Maharashtra Domicile

For admission under the State Quota, candidates are generally required to possess a valid Maharashtra domicile certificate. However, specific exemptions apply to certain categories, including children of Government employees, Defence personnel, and other notified categories as mentioned in the official counselling brochure.

4. Educational Qualification

Candidates should have:

• Passed Class 12 or equivalent examination.

• Studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as compulsory subjects.

• Obtained the minimum qualifying marks prescribed for their respective category.

For MBBS, BDS courses:

• General & EWS: Minimum 50% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry & Biology.

• SC, ST, OBC, SEBC and other reserved categories: Minimum 40%.

• PwD (General): Minimum 45%.

5. Age Limit

Candidates should have completed 17 years of age on or before 31 December 2026 to be eligible for admission to undergraduate medical courses. The date of birth mentioned in the SSC certificate, School Leaving Certificate, or Birth Certificate is accepted as proof of age. The previous year's brochure specified the corresponding cut-off date for that admission cycle.

6. Medical Fitness

Applicants must be medically fit and submit a valid Medical Fitness Certificate during document verification or admission, as prescribed by the State CET Cell.

7. Eligibility for Institutional Quota

Unlike State Quota seats, eligible candidates from across India, including Outside Maharashtra State (OMS), Non-Resident Indian (NRI), and eligible OCI candidates, can apply for Institutional Quota seats in Private and Minority Colleges, subject to the applicable rules and NEET eligibility.

Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling Registration Process

Candidates seeking admission through Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 must complete the online registration process within the schedule announced by the State CET Cell. 

Follow the steps below to complete the registration process:

Step 1: Visit the Official Website

Visit the Maharashtra State CET Cell counselling portal and click on the NEET UG 2026 Admission link once registrations begin.

Step 2: Register Yourself

Create your candidate account by providing the required details such as:

• NEET UG 2026 Roll Number

• NEET UG Application Number

• Candidate's Name

• Date of Birth

• Mobile Number

• Email ID

After successful registration, login credentials will be generated.

Step 3: Fill the Online Application Form

Log in using your credentials and enter the required information, including:

• Personal details

• Academic qualifications

• NEET UG details

• Category details

• Domicile information

• Reservation claims (if applicable)

Candidates should carefully verify all details before final submission, as incorrect information may affect eligibility or merit ranking.

Step 4: Upload Required Documents

Upload scanned copies of the prescribed documents in the specified format.

These generally include:

• NEET UG Admit Card

• NEET UG Scorecard

• Class 10 Certificate

• Class 12 Marksheet

• Domicile Certificate

• Category Certificate (if applicable)

• Other supporting documents as required

Step 5: Pay the Registration Fee

Pay the applicable online counselling registration fee through the available payment gateway.

The application fee is non-refundable, even if the candidate is later found ineligible. Candidates should ensure they satisfy all eligibility requirements before making the payment.

Step 6: Submit the Application

After completing all sections, submit the application form and download a copy for future reference.

The submitted application is considered for preparation of the provisional state merit list.

Documents Required for Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026

Candidates must upload the required documents during registration and produce the original documents during admission and document verification.

The commonly required documents include:

• NEET UG 2026 Admit Card

• NEET UG 2026 Scorecard

• Online Counselling Application Form

• Class 10 Passing Certificate (Date of Birth Proof)

• Class 12 Marksheet

• Nationality Certificate/Indian Passport/School Leaving Certificate (as applicable)

• Maharashtra Domicile Certificate

• Government-issued Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, etc.)

• Medical Fitness Certificate

Candidates claiming reservation must also submit the applicable certificates, including:

• Caste Certificate

• Caste Validity Certificate

• Non-Creamy Layer Certificate (where applicable)

• EWS Certificate

• PwD Certificate

• Defence Certificate
  

Maharashtra NEET UG Merit List

After the completion of registration and scrutiny of applications, the State CET Cell publishes the Maharashtra State Merit List.

The merit list is prepared using:

• NEET UG 2026 rank

• Information submitted during registration

• Uploaded documents

• Applicable reservation policies

The merit list generally includes:

• State Merit Rank

• Candidate Name

• NEET Roll Number

• NEET AIR

• Category

• Reservation Status

Only candidates included in the final merit list are eligible to participate in the choice filling and seat allotment process.

Maharashtra NEET UG Seat Matrix 2025

The official Maharashtra MBBS Seat Matrix 2025 is available. Click here to download.

Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Reservation Policy

The Maharashtra Government follows a reservation policy for admissions to Health Science courses in accordance with the applicable State Government rules. Reservation is applicable for eligible candidates seeking admission under the State Quota seats, based on previous year’s data.

Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Choice Filling Process

After the publication of the final state merit list, eligible candidates can participate in the online choice filling process.

Step 1: Login

Log in to the counselling portal using your registered credentials.

Step 2: View Available Colleges

Candidates can view the list of participating colleges and courses available for that counselling round.

Step 3: Fill Preferences

Select colleges and courses in the exact order of preference.

Candidates are advised to:

• Fill as many choices as possible.

• Arrange preferences carefully.

• Include a mix of dream, target, and safe colleges to improve allotment chances.

Step 4: Lock Choices

After verifying all preferences, lock the choices before the deadline.

If the choices are not modified before the last date, the saved preferences available in the system are generally considered for seat allotment as per the counselling schedule.

Step 5: Download the Preference Form

After locking the choices, download and save the filled preference form for future reference.

The official brochure describes the online preference filling process as a computerized Centralized Admission Process (CAP), where candidates submit their preferences online for seat allotment.

Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Seat Allotment Process

Seat allotment is carried out online by the Maharashtra State CET Cell through a centralized computerized counselling system.

Seats are allotted considering the following factors:

• NEET UG 2026 Rank

• Maharashtra State Merit Rank

• Reservation Category

• Candidate's Preferences

• Seat Availability

• Applicable eligibility conditions
  

After each counselling round:

1. Seat Allotment Result

Candidates can download their allotment letter by logging into the counselling portal.

2. Reporting to the College

Candidates who are satisfied with their allotted seat must report to the allotted institute within the specified deadline.

They must:

• Submit original documents.

• Complete document verification.

• Pay the admission fee.

• Confirm admission.

3. Upgradation

Candidates wishing to participate in the next round for a better college may do so according to the rules notified by the State CET Cell for that counselling round.

4. Vacant Seats

Seats that remain vacant due to non-reporting, cancellation, resignation, or upgradation become available in the subsequent counselling rounds.

The counselling brochure states that admissions are conducted through a centralized selection process under the supervision of the Competent Authority based on merit and candidate preferences.

Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Rounds

The Maharashtra counselling process generally consists of multiple rounds to ensure that all available seats are filled.

Round 1

• Fresh registration

• Merit list publication

• Choice filling

• Seat allotment

• Reporting to allotted college

Round 2

Candidates who:

• Did not receive a seat in Round 1,

• Wish to upgrade their allotted seat, or

• Become newly eligible as per the counselling schedule can participate in Round 2.

Vacant seats after Round 1 are included in this round.

Round 3

Round 3 provides another opportunity for eligible candidates to compete for the remaining vacant seats.

As per the counselling brochure, fresh registration is also permitted in Round 3 for candidates who did not register during Round 1, subject to the notified schedule.

Online Stray Vacancy Round

If seats remain vacant after Round 3, the State CET Cell conducts the Online Stray Vacancy Round.

Only eligible candidates who satisfy the counselling rules and are not holding an ineligible seat are considered for allotment in this round.

The exact eligibility conditions for the Stray Vacancy Round are notified separately by the State CET Cell before the commencement of the round.

Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2025 Fee & Security Deposit

Candidates participating in the counselling process are required to pay the prescribed application fee during online registration.