Candidates who completed the required registration and document-related formalities should carefully check their details, merit position, category information and eligibility status in the final merit list. The merit position will play an important role during the seat-allotment process, along with factors such as reservation, seat availability and the choices submitted by candidates.

Final Merit List Released; Over 35,000 Candidates Eligible for Maharashtra MBBS and BDS Counselling

The final merit list is a key document in the Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Centralised Admission Process (CAP). According to the latest available updates, 35,463 candidates have been included in the final merit list for MBBS and BDS admissions. The publication of the list has been followed by the commencement of the CAP Round 1 choice-filling process, with eligible candidates required to submit their preferred colleges and courses within the notified schedule.

Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Final Merit List: Important Highlights

The official Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 portal had announced the publication of the final merit list and the start of choice filling, while recent reports confirm that eligible candidates can proceed with their Round 1 preferences through the state counselling system.

What Does Inclusion in the Final Merit List Mean?

Candidates whose names appear in the final merit list are eligible to participate in the subsequent stage of the counselling process, subject to the applicable rules and conditions.

However, candidates must remember that inclusion in the final merit list does not guarantee admission or automatic allotment of an MBBS or BDS seat.

The actual seat allotment will depend on several factors, including:

• Candidate's NEET UG 2026 merit and state merit position

• Category and applicable reservation rules

• Eligibility conditions

• Availability of seats in participating colleges

• Order of preferences submitted during choice filling

• Other applicable counselling regulations

Therefore, candidates must carefully complete the preference-filling process even after their names have been included in the final merit list.

How to Check the Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Final Merit List

Candidates can follow these general steps to access the merit list:

Step 1: Visit the Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling Portal

Open the official Maharashtra medical admission portal.

Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Admission Portal

Step 2: Locate the NEET UG 2026 Section

Navigate to the section related to NEET UG 2026 admissions for MBBS and BDS courses.

Step 3: Find the Final Merit List Notification

Look for the notification or PDF relating to the Final Merit List for Group A – MBBS/BDS.

Step 4: Download or Open the Merit List

Candidates can access the document and search for their details.

Step 5: Verify Personal and Merit Details

Applicants should carefully check the information shown against their candidature, including their:

• Name

• NEET UG roll number

• Application or registration number

• NEET-related rank details

• State merit position

• Category

• Reservation details, wherever applicable

• Other relevant counselling information

Any candidate who notices an issue should refer to the applicable counselling instructions and official grievance or communication mechanism.

Final Merit List Followed by CAP Round 1 Choice Filling

With the release of the final merit list, the Maharashtra CET Cell has moved ahead with CAP Round 1 preference or choice filling.

Eligible candidates can select their preferred medical and dental colleges and arrange the available options in their desired order. The latest schedule indicates that the choice-filling process is open until August 29, 2026, at 5:30 PM. (NDTV)

This makes the preference-filling stage extremely important for all candidates included in the final merit list.

Why the Choice-Filling Order Matters

Candidates should not fill their preferences randomly. During seat processing, the counselling system considers the candidate's merit position along with eligibility, category, seat availability and the order of options submitted.

A candidate should therefore ideally:

1.    Place the most preferred college and course at the top.

2.    Add other institutions where admission would also be acceptable.

3.    Consider both MBBS and BDS options according to individual preferences.

4.    Review the college details and available seat matrix before final submission.

5.    Avoid adding colleges that the candidate is not genuinely willing to join.

The final preference order should be checked carefully before submission.

Candidates Should Check the Seat Matrix Before Filling Choices

Along with the merit-list process, the seat matrix is an important document for candidates participating in Maharashtra NEET UG counselling.

The seat matrix helps aspirants understand the availability of seats across participating institutions and categories. Candidates should study the available options before preparing their final list of preferences.

Factors that may be considered include:

• Type of college

• MBBS or BDS course preference

• Available seats

• Category-wise availability

• College location

• Fee structure

• Personal academic and admission preferences

Candidates should make their choices based on their own merit position and realistic admission possibilities while also including their preferred institutions at the top of the list.

Final Merit List Is Different From Seat Allotment

Candidates must clearly understand the difference between the final merit list and the seat allotment result.

The final merit list establishes the eligible candidate's position for participation in counselling. The actual seat allotment will take place only after the choice-filling process is completed and the submitted preferences are processed according to merit, eligibility, reservation rules and seat availability.

Therefore, appearing in the final merit list should not be interpreted as confirmation of admission.

The final allotment result will be published separately after the completion of the relevant counselling procedures.

What Candidates Should Do After Checking the Merit List

Candidates included in the final merit list should immediately focus on the next stages of the admission process.

They should:

• Verify their name and merit details in the final list.

• Check their category and reservation information carefully.

• Review the available seat matrix.

• Prepare a well-planned list of preferred colleges and courses.

• Complete choice filling before the deadline.

• Save or retain proof of the submitted preferences.

• Keep all original documents ready for future verification and admission.

• Monitor the counselling portal for the Round 1 seat-allotment announcement.

Documents Should Be Kept Ready

Candidates moving ahead in the counselling process should ensure that their important documents are readily available. Depending on the applicable counselling requirements, these may include:

• NEET UG 2026 admit card

• NEET UG 2026 scorecard

• Class 10 and Class 12 certificates and marksheets

• Valid photo identity proof

• Domicile certificate, wherever applicable

• Category and caste certificates, where applicable

• EWS certificate, if applicable

• PwD or other reservation-related certificates, where applicable

• Other documents prescribed for Maharashtra NEET UG counselling

Candidates should ensure that the information submitted during counselling matches their original documents.

A Crucial Phase for Maharashtra MBBS and BDS Aspirants

The release of the Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 final merit list is a major step forward in the admission process for candidates aspiring to secure seats in undergraduate medical and dental programmes across the state.

With 35,463 candidates included in the final merit list, competition for available MBBS and BDS seats will now move into the preference-filling and seat-allotment stages.

Candidates should not delay the choice-filling process and must carefully arrange their college and course preferences before the deadline. The Round 1 seat allocation will be based on the applicable counselling rules, candidate merit, reservation, availability of seats and the choices submitted.

For candidates, the immediate priority is to check their final merit position, study the available options, submit preferences carefully and remain prepared for the upcoming seat-allotment and admission-reporting stages.