Maharashtra NEET UG 2026: Choice Filling Begins for First CAP Round; Merit List Released
Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has officially commenced the choice-filling process for the first round of the Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 counselling. With the release of the final merit list, thousands of aspiring medical students are now moving into the critical phase of college selection for MBBS and BDS admissions.
The final merit list features 35,463 eligible candidates. Those participating in the process can log in to the official counselling portal, medical2026.mahacet.org, to register their preferences for colleges and programmes.
Critical Deadlines and Schedule
The CET Cell has set a strict timeline for the Centralised Admission Process (CAP) Round 1:
- Choice Filling Deadline: Candidates must submit their final college preferences by August 29, 2026, no later than 5:30 pm. Officials have advised students to carefully review their selected choices before submission, as the allotment will be based on these preferences, NEET UG scores, reservation criteria, and available seat matrices.
- Seat Allotment Release: The results for the first round of seat allotment are scheduled to be published on August 30, 2026.
- Reporting Period: Successful candidates who are allotted seats must complete their reporting and admission formalities at their respective colleges between August 31 and September 4, 2026 (closing at 4:30 pm).
Overview of Admissions
The 2026 counselling cycle is set to facilitate admissions into 12,526 seats across a mix of government and private medical institutions. This figure encompasses approximately 9,000 MBBS seats and 3,526 BDS seats.
The final merit list provides a comprehensive overview of the applicant pool, including details such as the NEET All India Rank (AIR), roll number, gender, NRI status, candidature type, and specific category reservations.
How to Access the Final Merit List
Candidates who wish to review the merit list or verify their status can follow these steps:
- Navigate to the official portal at cetcell.maharashtra.org.
- Select the “UG Medical Admissions” section from the homepage.
- Locate the link labeled “NEET UG Revised Candidate List for Group A.”
- Download the PDF to search for your NEET roll number and verify your eligibility details.
The CET Cell has urged all participants to monitor the official website regularly for real-time updates and any potential changes to the counselling schedule. As the competition for seats remains intense, candidates are encouraged to finalize their college choices well ahead of the August 29 deadline to avoid any last-minute technical complications.
