The revised timetable was issued through Notice No. 28 dated October 21, 2026, and applies to MBBS and BDS courses under Group A. The CET Cell extended the Round 1 physical joining deadline to October 22, 2026, up to 5:30 PM. It also specified new dates for the subsequent rounds to ensure that the remaining medical and dental seats can be filled within the prescribed admission timeline.

Candidates participating in Maharashtra NEET UG counselling should carefully check the revised dates and follow the instructions issued by the admission authority. Since the counselling schedule is compressed, missing a choice-filling, fee-payment or reporting deadline could affect a candidate's admission prospects.

Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Revised Schedule: Highlights

Why Has Maharashtra Revised the NEET UG Stray Vacancy Schedule?

The revised timetable follows a delay in the publication of the final stray vacancy selection list for the All India Quota by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), New Delhi. The All India Quota selection list was displayed on October 20, 2026, later than anticipated.

This delay also affected the state-level counselling timeline. Consequently, the Maharashtra CET Cell revised its earlier schedule, which had been issued through Notice No. 27 on October 16, 2026.

The updated notice extends the Round 1 joining period and changes the schedule for the second and third online stray vacancy rounds. The purpose is to coordinate the remaining admission activities with the applicable national counselling deadlines.

Candidates should refer to the latest notice rather than rely on older schedules, screenshots or previously circulated counselling calendars. Where earlier dates differ from the revised timetable, the latest official instructions should be followed.

Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Stray Round Revised Dates

The updated schedule for MBBS and BDS admissions is provided below.

Candidates should note the precise closing times for choice filling and physical reporting. The windows are short, and the revised timetable does not provide much flexibility for delays in submitting preferences or completing admission formalities.

Round 1 Candidates Get an Extension for Physical Joining

One of the most important changes in the revised schedule is the extension of the physical joining deadline for candidates allotted seats in Stray Vacancy Round 1.

Candidates who received a seat in this round must complete the required admission formalities at the allotted college by October 22, 2026, at 5:30 PM. They should carry all required original documents and pay the prescribed fees according to the college's instructions.

The extension is particularly important for candidates who needed additional time to arrange documents, travel to the allotted institution or complete the payment process.

Candidates should not assume that receiving an allotment letter automatically confirms admission. Physical reporting, document verification and fee payment must be completed as required by the counselling authority.

The revised notice also specifies October 22, 2026, up to 5:30 PM, as the last date to resign from a seat without penalty. Candidates considering resignation should read the official rules carefully and complete the process within the applicable deadline.

Maharashtra NEET UG Stray Round 2: Choice Filling and Seat Allotment

The second online stray vacancy round will follow immediately after the extended Round 1 joining period.

According to the revised schedule, the seat matrix will be displayed and online choice filling will take place from October 22 to October 23, 2026, until 8:00 AM. The Round 2 selection list is scheduled for October 23, 2026.

Candidates allotted seats in Round 2 must complete physical joining at the designated college by October 24, 2026, up to 5:30 PM.

Important instructions for Round 2

• Check the updated seat matrix before submitting preferences.

• Fill in fresh choices within the revised choice-filling window.

• Review the order of college and course preferences carefully.

• Submit the choices before the specified closing time.

• Check the selection list as soon as it is published.

• If allotted a seat, report to the college with original documents and the required fees within the prescribed deadline.

Choices submitted during Stray Vacancy Round 1 will become null and void for Round 2. Candidates must therefore submit fresh preferences instead of assuming that their earlier choices will automatically carry forward.

Applicants should select only those colleges and courses where they are genuinely prepared to take admission, keeping in mind the rules governing seat acceptance and joining.

Maharashtra NEET UG Stray Round 3: Final Selection List and Reporting

The third online stray vacancy round is scheduled to take place on October 24 and October 25, 2026.

The revised timetable provides for seat matrix publication and online choice filling between October 24 and October 25, up to 8:00 AM. The Round 3 selection list is scheduled for October 25, 2026, while physical joining is scheduled for October 26, 2026.

The final joining date under the MCC schedule is also October 26, 2026.

Candidates who remain eligible for the third round should monitor the official portal closely and prepare their preferences in advance. The short application window means that waiting until the last moment could create difficulties if a candidate encounters login, document or technical problems.

Fresh choices are mandatory for Round 3

Preferences submitted in earlier counselling rounds cannot be assumed to remain valid. The CET Cell has clarified that choices submitted in Stray Vacancy Rounds 1 and 2 will be null and void for the subsequent round.

Eligible candidates must submit fresh choices for Round 3 within the specified window. They should also carefully review the official eligibility conditions before participating.

Candidates must remember that an allotment in a stray vacancy round carries specific admission obligations. They should read the applicable rules before submitting preferences and avoid selecting a seat unless they are prepared to complete the required admission process.

Who Is Eligible for Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Counselling?

Eligibility for the online stray vacancy rounds is governed by the Maharashtra CET Cell's information brochure and the relevant counselling notices.

Broadly, candidates must have qualified NEET UG 2026, completed the required state counselling registration and preference-filling process, and meet the eligibility conditions specified by the admission authority.

The stray vacancy rounds are intended for eligible candidates who have not secured a seat through the preceding state counselling rounds, subject to the specific rules applicable to the relevant round.

Candidates should check the official notice for the complete eligibility requirements. Eligibility should not be determined solely by whether a candidate's name appears in an earlier merit list.

Who Is Not Eligible for the Stray Vacancy Rounds?

The counselling rules restrict participation for candidates who already hold seats under certain state or All India Quota counselling stages.

Depending on the applicable rules, the following candidates are generally excluded from further participation:

• Candidates who have joined and retained a seat through the relevant state counselling rounds up to Round 3.

• Candidates freshly allotted seats in the state counselling Round 3, where the rules make them ineligible for stray vacancy participation.

• Candidates who have joined and retained seats through the All India Quota counselling process up to Round 3.

• Candidates allotted a seat in Stray Vacancy Round 1 who are not eligible for subsequent stray rounds.

• Candidates allotted a seat in the All India Quota stray vacancy round.

• Candidates who do not satisfy the eligibility requirements specified in the official information brochure.

These restrictions are important because stray vacancy counselling is intended to fill remaining vacancies among candidates who meet the prescribed conditions. Applicants should verify their individual status against the latest official notice before attempting to participate.

How to Check the Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Revised Schedule

Candidates can follow these steps to access the latest counselling notice and schedule:

1.    Visit the official Maharashtra NEET UG counselling portal at https://medical2026.mahacet.org/NEET-UG-2026/login.

2.    Locate the notifications section on the portal.

3.    Look for Notice No. 28: Extension for Joining and Revised Schedule for Online Stray Vacancy Rounds 2 and 3 for MBBS and BDS (Group A).

4.    Open the notification and read the revised schedule carefully.

5.    Download the notice and save it for future reference.

6.    Check the relevant seat matrix, selection list and other counselling updates as they are published.

7.    Follow the deadlines and instructions specified by the CET Cell.

Candidates should use the official portal to verify any changes to the timetable. Unofficial posts and older notices may contain dates that have since been revised.

Documents Required for Physical Joining

Candidates who receive an allotment should prepare their documents well before reporting to the allotted college. The exact requirements may vary according to the candidate's category, eligibility and the applicable admission rules.

The documents commonly required for medical and dental admission may include:

• NEET UG 2026 admit card.

• NEET UG 2026 scorecard or rank details.

• Class 10 marksheet or certificate as proof of date of birth.

• Class 12 marksheet and passing certificate.

• Government-issued photo identity proof.

• Maharashtra domicile or other applicable eligibility documents.

• Caste certificate and caste validity certificate, where required.

• Non-creamy layer certificate, where applicable.

• Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificate, where applicable.

• Disability certificate, where applicable.

• Allotment letter and relevant counselling documents.

• Recent passport-size photographs.

• Fee-payment receipt and any other documents prescribed by the authority.

This is a general checklist. Candidates should refer to the latest official information brochure and reporting instructions for the final list of required documents. They should carry originals and the required photocopies.

Fee Payment and Admission Confirmation

Candidates allotted seats through the online stray vacancy rounds must follow the fee-payment instructions provided by the allotted college and the CET Cell.

The revised instructions permit fee payment through Demand Draft (DD) or NEFT/RTGS, subject to the prescribed procedure. Candidates should confirm the payment details with the official instructions and ensure that the amount reaches the designated recipient within the deadline.

After payment, candidates should retain the receipt and any confirmation documents. They should also confirm whether any additional institutional formalities remain to be completed.

A seat should not be treated as finally secured merely because the candidate has downloaded the selection list. The required reporting, fee payment and verification procedures must be completed within the prescribed period.

Saturdays, Sundays and Gazetted Holidays to Be Treated as Working Days

Given the limited time available for completing counselling, participating colleges have been instructed to treat Saturdays, Sundays and gazetted holidays as working days for the relevant admission activities.

This instruction is intended to help institutions complete document verification and admission formalities within the short reporting windows.

Candidates should contact the allotted college through its official communication channels if they need clarification about reporting arrangements. They should not assume that the college will remain closed on a weekend or holiday during the notified admission period.

Important Advice for Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Candidates

The revised schedule leaves little room for delay. Candidates should check their allotment status and eligibility as soon as the relevant lists become available.

Those participating in Round 2 or Round 3 should prepare a realistic preference order in advance, verify the seat matrix and complete choice filling before the deadline. Since previous-round preferences become invalid, candidates must ensure that their new choices accurately reflect their intentions.

Candidates allotted seats should arrange their documents and fees before travelling to the college. They should also understand the rules concerning resignation, seat acceptance and penalties before making decisions.

Above all, applicants should rely on the latest official notification. The schedule may be revised further if directions are issued by the Medical Counselling Committee, the National Dental Commission, the Central Government, the Maharashtra Government or the courts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Has the Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy schedule been revised?

Yes. The Maharashtra State CET Cell issued Notice No. 28 on October 21, 2026, revising the schedule for online stray vacancy Rounds 2 and 3 and extending the Round 1 physical joining deadline.

2. What is the last date to join after Stray Vacancy Round 1?

The revised deadline is October 22, 2026, up to 5:30 PM.

3. When will the Maharashtra NEET UG Stray Round 2 selection list be released?

The Round 2 selection list is scheduled for October 23, 2026.

4. When is physical joining for Stray Vacancy Round 2?

Candidates allotted seats in Round 2 must complete physical joining by October 24, 2026, up to 5:30 PM.

5. When will the Round 3 selection list be published?

The Round 3 selection list is scheduled for October 25, 2026.

6. What is the final joining deadline for Maharashtra NEET UG 2026?

The final joining deadline under the revised schedule is October 26, 2026.

7. Will choices submitted in Round 1 remain valid for Round 2?

No. Choices submitted during Stray Vacancy Round 1 will become null and void for Round 2. Eligible candidates must fill in fresh choices.

8. Do candidates need to fill fresh choices for Round 3?

Yes. Choices submitted during Stray Vacancy Rounds 1 and 2 will not carry forward to Round 3. Candidates must submit fresh preferences during the specified window.

9. Where can I check the official Maharashtra NEET UG counselling schedule?

Candidates can visit the official portal at https://medical2026.mahacet.org/NEET-UG-2026/login and open the latest counselling notification.

Conclusion

The revised Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy schedule provides updated deadlines for MBBS and BDS admissions and extends the Round 1 joining period to October 22. The Round 2 selection list is scheduled for October 23, while the Round 3 selection list is scheduled for October 25, with the final joining deadline set for October 26, 2026.

Candidates should carefully follow the revised timetable, fill in fresh choices for each eligible round, verify their eligibility and complete physical reporting with the required documents and fees. As the admission process is moving quickly, regular monitoring of the official Maharashtra CET Cell portal is essential for avoiding missed deadlines and ensuring compliance with the latest counselling instructions.