The latest list covers 96 medical and dental colleges across Maharashtra and indicates a total of 6,036 virtual vacancies, including 4,851 MBBS seats and 1,185 BDS seats. The release is particularly important for candidates preparing their preferences for Round 3, as it gives them an opportunity to assess colleges and categories where seats could potentially open up.

Candidates should, however, understand that a virtual vacancy is not the same as a confirmed vacant seat. The actual availability will depend on the movement of candidates already holding seats and the final status of those seats when the Round 3 allotment is processed.

Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Virtual Vacancy: Key Highlights

The Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 counselling process is being conducted for admission to MBBS and BDS courses under the state's centralized admission process. The State Common Entrance Test Cell has separately published the Round 3 schedule and admission-related notices for Group A courses. (Medical 2026)

What Is a Virtual Vacancy in NEET UG Counselling?

A virtual vacancy represents a seat that is currently occupied but may become available during the upcoming counselling round.

In the Maharashtra NEET UG counselling process, candidates who are holding seats may decide to participate in the next round for an upgrade. If such a candidate moves to another seat, the previously occupied seat can subsequently become available to another candidate.

Therefore, the virtual vacancy list should be treated as an indicative vacancy position rather than a final seat matrix.

This distinction is extremely important for candidates. A college showing 20 virtual vacancies does not necessarily mean that 20 seats will definitely be available for fresh allotment. The final number can change depending on candidate movement, status retention, resignations and other counselling-related developments.

Maharashtra NEET UG Round 3 Virtual Vacancy: MBBS Seats

The Round 3 virtual vacancy list indicates 4,851 MBBS seats across 67 medical colleges in Maharashtra.

Several colleges have reported comparatively high numbers of virtual vacancies. According to the latest list, some of the colleges with notable MBBS virtual vacancy positions include:

The list also shows virtual vacancies at several prominent government medical colleges in Mumbai. Grant Government Medical College has 41 virtual vacancies, Seth G.S. Medical College has 12, while Topiwala National Medical College has 65.

These figures can be useful to candidates while preparing their preference lists, but they should not be interpreted as guaranteed openings.

BDS Virtual Vacancy Position

The Round 3 list also covers dental colleges and indicates 1,185 BDS virtual vacancies across 29 colleges.

Some of the BDS institutions with relatively high virtual vacancy numbers include:

The availability shown in the virtual vacancy document covers different categories and seat types. Candidates therefore need to check the complete college-wise and category-wise details rather than relying only on the overall number of vacancies.

Category-Wise Details in the Virtual Vacancy List

The Maharashtra NEET UG Round 3 virtual vacancy document provides a detailed breakdown of seats. Candidates can check vacancies according to their applicable category and seat type.

The list includes categories such as:

• OPEN

• OBC

• SC

• ST

• SEBC

• EWS

• VJ-A

• NT-B

• NT-C

• NT-D

• PwD categories

• Defence-related categories

• Home University categories

• Institute Quota seats, wherever applicable

• Women-specific seats

Women-specific vacancies are identified separately in the document, while PwD and other special categories are also reflected in the respective college-wise vacancy positions.

This makes the document particularly useful for candidates who need to identify vacancies according to their reservation category rather than simply looking at the total number of seats at a college.

Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Choice Filling

The release of the virtual vacancy list comes at an important stage of the Maharashtra NEET UG counselling process.

According to the Round 3 schedule, candidates are required to submit their preferences during the designated choice-filling window. The schedule provides for online preference form filling from October 7 to October 9, 2026, up to 11:59 PM, followed by the declaration of the Round 3 selection list on October 11, 2026. Candidates allotted seats in Round 3 are scheduled to complete physical joining and submit the status retention form along with original documents and fees between October 11 and October 14, 2026, up to 5:30 PM. (Edufever)

Candidates should therefore review the virtual vacancy position carefully before locking their preferences.

How the Maharashtra NEET UG Round 3 Virtual Vacancy List Is Arranged

The virtual vacancy document is organized college-wise, with each college's vacancy position presented separately.

Candidates can generally find information relating to:

1.    College name and code

2.    Course – MBBS or BDS

3.    Category-wise virtual vacancies

4.    Gender-specific vacancies

5.    Home University-related seats

6.    Special reservation categories

7.    Institute Quota seats, wherever applicable

8.    Total virtual vacancies for the college

Since the document covers 96 colleges, candidates should use the complete PDF rather than relying on a short list of selected institutions.

How to Check Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Virtual Vacancy

Candidates can follow these steps to access the vacancy details:

1.    Visit the Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 admission portal.

2.    Open the section related to MBBS/BDS admissions.

3.    Look for the notification or PDF titled “Virtual Vacancy for Round 3.”

4.    Open or download the PDF.

5.    Search for the preferred medical or dental college.

6.    Check the relevant course, category and seat type.

7.    Note the total virtual vacancy position before preparing or modifying preferences.

8.    Keep checking the admission portal for subsequent updates and the final Round 3 allotment.

The Maharashtra admission portal currently lists the Round 3 schedule for MBBS/BDS courses along with other important counselling notifications. (Medical 2026)

Virtual Vacancy vs Actual Vacancy: What Candidates Should Know

One of the most important points for NEET UG aspirants is the difference between virtual vacancy and clear vacancy.

A clear vacancy generally represents a seat that is actually vacant and available for allotment.

A virtual vacancy, on the other hand, is based on expected movement of seats currently held by candidates. It can become a real vacancy if the candidate occupying the seat moves to another college or otherwise vacates the seat during the counselling process.

For this reason, candidates should not assume that every seat appearing in the virtual vacancy list will necessarily be available when the allotment is processed.

How Candidates Should Use the Virtual Vacancy List

The Round 3 virtual vacancy list can be used as an important choice-filling planning tool.

Candidates should consider the following factors:

1. Check Your NEET Rank

The existence of a vacancy does not guarantee allotment. The candidate's NEET UG rank, category, merit position and other applicable criteria remain important.

2. Check Your Category

A candidate should specifically examine vacancies under the category applicable to them. The overall vacancy of a college may be much higher than the number of seats available under a particular category.

3. Consider Previous Cut-Off Trends

Candidates should compare the vacancy position with previous round cut-offs and their own rank before deciding how aggressively to place a college in the preference list.

4. Fill Preferences Strategically

Candidates should include colleges according to their genuine preference rather than selecting options solely because a college shows a high virtual vacancy.

5. Do Not Treat Virtual Vacancy as Guaranteed Admission

This is the most important point. Virtual vacancy figures can change before the final allotment.

What Happens After Round 3 Choice Filling?

Once the preference submission period closes, the counselling authority processes the choices along with the applicable merit and seat availability conditions.

The Round 3 selection list is scheduled to be declared on October 11, 2026. Candidates who receive an allotment must follow the instructions applicable to their allotted seat and complete the joining and documentation formalities within the prescribed period. (Edufever)

Candidates should keep their original documents, fee requirements and other admission-related paperwork ready well in advance.

Documents Candidates Should Keep Ready

Candidates participating in the Maharashtra NEET UG counselling process should generally keep the following documents available, as applicable:

• NEET UG 2026 admit card

• NEET UG 2026 scorecard/result

• Maharashtra NEET UG counselling registration details

• Class 10 certificate

• Class 12 certificate and marksheet

• Valid identity proof

• Domicile certificate, wherever applicable

• Category certificate, if applicable

• Caste Validity Certificate, wherever applicable

• Non-Creamy Layer certificate, wherever applicable

• EWS certificate, if applicable

• PwD certificate, where applicable

• Medical fitness certificate

• Passport-size photographs

• Other documents specified in the counselling instructions

Candidates should ensure that certificates requiring a particular validity period are valid for the admission process.

Important Advice for Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Aspirants

The release of 6,036 virtual vacancies gives Round 3 candidates an important indication of possible seat movement across Maharashtra. However, candidates should make their decisions carefully.

A high virtual vacancy at a particular college may indicate significant potential movement, but it does not mean that the college will necessarily have the same number of seats available at the time of allotment.

Candidates should therefore consider NEET rank, category, previous cut-offs, college preference, fee structure, location, course preference and the final seat matrix before locking their choices.

The Maharashtra State CET Cell has advised candidates to rely on the respective course admission portal for the latest counselling notices, schedules and admission-related information. (State Common Entrance Test Cell)

Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Round 3: Key Takeaway

The Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Round 3 virtual vacancy list is an important development for MBBS and BDS aspirants seeking admission through the state counselling process. With 6,036 virtual vacancies across 96 colleges, including 4,851 MBBS and 1,185 BDS seats, candidates have a substantial pool of potential seat movement to consider while preparing their Round 3 preferences.

However, these numbers are indicative rather than guaranteed. Candidates must carefully check the category-wise vacancy position, follow the official Round 3 schedule, submit preferences within the prescribed deadline and regularly monitor the counselling portal for changes.

With Round 3 choice filling scheduled from October 7 to October 9, 2026, candidates should use the virtual vacancy data as a planning tool while keeping their NEET rank, category and realistic admission prospects in mind.