Admission to MBBS and BDS courses in Maharashtra is conducted through a centralized counselling process based on NEET UG scores. Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 will be organized by the State Common Entrance Test Cell (CET Cell), Maharashtra, for admission to government, government-aided, municipal, and private medical and dental colleges across the state. This counselling process plays a crucial role in determining seat allotment for aspiring medical students who wish to study in Maharashtra.
This article provides a detailed overview of Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026, including important dates, eligibility criteria, reservation policy, counselling procedure, seat distribution, choice filling, documents required, and important instructions for candidates.
Overview of Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026
Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling is conducted for admission to:
- MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)
- BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
Admissions are based strictly on:
- NEET UG 2026 rank
- Eligibility and domicile status
- Reservation category
- Availability of seats
The counselling process will be conducted online through the official website of the Maharashtra CET Cell.
Important Dates (Tentative)
The official dates will be released after the NEET UG 2026 result announcement. Tentative timeline:
- NEET UG 2026 Result: June 2026
- Maharashtra Counselling Registration: July 2026
- Document Verification: July 2026
- Merit List Release: July 2026
- Round 1 Choice Filling: July–August 2026
- Round 1 Seat Allotment: August 2026
- Round 2 Counselling: August–September 2026
- Mop-Up Round: September 2026
- Stray Vacancy Round: October 2026
Candidates must regularly check the official website for updates.
Eligibility Criteria for Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026
To participate in Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026, candidates must meet the following eligibility conditions:
1. NEET Qualification
- Candidate must qualify NEET UG 2026.
- Must score above the minimum cutoff percentile set by NTA.
2. Nationality
- Candidate must be:
- Indian citizen, or
- OCI/PIO (as per government rules)
3. Age Limit
- Minimum age: 17 years as on 31 December 2026
- No upper age limit (as per current NEET rules)
4. Educational Qualification
- Must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
- Minimum marks:
- General category: 50%
- SC/ST/OBC: 40%
- PwD (General): 45%
5. Domicile Requirement
- Maharashtra state quota seats are reserved for:
- Candidates having Maharashtra domicile certificate, or
- Candidates who passed Class 10 and 12 from Maharashtra, or
- Children of Maharashtra government employees (as per rules)
Seat Distribution in Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling
Seats in Maharashtra medical colleges are divided into different quotas:
1. All India Quota (15%)
- Conducted by MCC (Medical Counselling Committee).
- For government medical colleges only.
2. State Quota (85%)
Handled by Maharashtra CET Cell:
- Government Medical Colleges
- Municipal Medical Colleges
- Government-Aided Colleges
- Private Medical Colleges
- Minority Colleges
Reservation Policy in Maharashtra
Maharashtra follows a strict reservation policy as per state government rules:
- SC – 13%
- ST – 7%
- VJ/DT (NT-A) – 3%
- NT-B – 2.5%
- NT-C – 3.5%
- NT-D – 2%
- OBC – 19%
- EWS – 10%
- PwD – 5%
- Minority quota – as applicable
Reservation is applicable only for state quota seats.
Counselling Process Step by Step
Step 1: Online Registration
Candidates must register on the Maharashtra CET Cell website by:
- Entering NEET roll number
- Providing personal details
- Creating login credentials
- Paying the registration fee
Step 2: Upload Documents
Candidates must upload scanned copies of:
- NEET UG Scorecard
- Class 10 & 12 Marksheet
- Domicile Certificate
- Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- Caste Validity Certificate
- Non-Creamy Layer Certificate
- EWS Certificate (if applicable)
- Aadhaar Card
Step 3: Document Verification
Verification is done online or offline as notified. Candidates must ensure:
- All documents are genuine
- Information matches NEET data
Step 4: State Merit List
The CET Cell publishes a provisional and final merit list based on:
- NEET score
- Category
- Eligibility
Step 5: Choice Filling
Candidates select:
- Preferred colleges
- Preferred courses (MBBS/BDS)
- Order of preference
Choices must be locked before deadline.
Step 6: Seat Allotment
Seats are allotted based on:
- NEET rank
- Category
- Choices filled
- Seat availability
Step 7: Reporting to College
Candidates must report to the allotted college with original documents and tuition fees.
Rounds of Counselling
Round 1
- Open to all eligible candidates.
- Fresh registration and choice filling allowed.
Round 2
- For candidates not allotted seat in Round 1 or those who opted for upgradation.
Mop-Up Round
- For vacant seats after Round 2.
- New candidates may also register.
Stray Vacancy Round
- Conducted by colleges directly.
- Only registered candidates are eligible.
Fees for MBBS and BDS in Maharashtra
Government Colleges
- MBBS: ₹1,00,000 to ₹1,30,000 per year
- BDS: ₹60,000 to ₹85,000 per year
Private Colleges
- MBBS: ₹6 lakh to ₹25 lakh per year
- BDS: ₹3 lakh to ₹7 lakh per year
Fees vary based on:
- College
- Category
- Management or minority quota
Documents Required at College Reporting
- NEET UG Admit Card
- NEET UG Scorecard
- Class 10 Marksheet
- Class 12 Marksheet
- Transfer Certificate
- Domicile Certificate
- Caste Certificate
- Caste Validity Certificate
- Non-Creamy Layer Certificate
- Aadhaar Card
- Passport size photographs
- Allotment Letter
Tie-Breaking Criteria
If two candidates score the same marks in NEET UG, tie-breaking is done based on:
- Higher marks in Biology
- Higher marks in Chemistry
- Fewer incorrect answers
- Older age
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Register only on the official counselling website.
- Upload clear and correct documents.
- Fill maximum number of choices to increase chances.
- Do not miss deadlines.
- Keep multiple photocopies of documents.
- Always verify college recognition before joining.
Participating Medical Colleges in Maharashtra
Some well-known government medical colleges include:
- Grant Medical College, Mumbai
- BJ Government Medical College, Pune
- Government Medical College, Nagpur
- Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai
- Government Medical College, Aurangabad
Private medical colleges include:
- DY Patil Medical College, Navi Mumbai
- Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad
- MGM Medical College, Navi Mumbai
- Terna Medical College, Navi Mumbai
- Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College, Pune
Advantages of Studying MBBS in Maharashtra
- High number of medical colleges
- Excellent clinical exposure
- Reputed government institutions
- Good infrastructure
- Strong academic reputation
- Affordable government college fees
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not checking eligibility
- Uploading incorrect certificates
- Filling limited choices
- Missing reporting deadline
- Ignoring merit list updates
- Depending on unofficial sources
Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 – Expected Cutoff
Cutoff varies by:
- College
- Category
- Number of applicants
- Difficulty of NEET paper
Approximate trends:
- Government MBBS: 600+ for General category
- Private MBBS: 450–550
- BDS: 350–450
✅ 1. Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 – Expected Cutoff Table
Cutoff is based on previous years’ trends and may vary in 2026.
🏥 Government Medical Colleges (MBBS)
| Category | Expected NEET Score Range | Expected AIR Range |
|---|---|---|
| General (Open) | 600 – 650+ | 1 – 30,000 |
| OBC | 570 – 600 | 30,000 – 55,000 |
| EWS | 575 – 610 | 25,000 – 50,000 |
| SC | 500 – 560 | 55,000 – 1,10,000 |
| ST | 450 – 520 | 1,00,000 – 1,80,000 |
| VJ/NT | 520 – 580 | 45,000 – 90,000 |
🏥 Private Medical Colleges (MBBS)
| College Type | Expected NEET Score |
|---|---|
| Top Private Colleges | 520 – 580 |
| Mid-Level Colleges | 480 – 520 |
| Low Demand Colleges | 430 – 480 |
🦷 BDS Cutoff (Dental Colleges)
| Category | Expected NEET Score |
|---|---|
| Government BDS | 400 – 450 |
| Private BDS | 300 – 400 |
🏛️ Government Medical Colleges (MBBS)
| S.No | College Name | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grant Medical College | Mumbai |
| 2 | Seth GS Medical College (KEM) | Mumbai |
| 3 | BJ Government Medical College | Pune |
| 4 | Government Medical College | Nagpur |
| 5 | Government Medical College | Aurangabad |
| 6 | Government Medical College | Miraj |
| 7 | Government Medical College | Akola |
| 8 | Government Medical College | Jalgaon |
| 9 | Government Medical College | Latur |
| 10 | Government Medical College | Solapur |
🏥 Private Medical Colleges (MBBS)
| S.No | College Name | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DY Patil Medical College | Navi Mumbai |
| 2 | MGM Medical College | Navi Mumbai |
| 3 | Terna Medical College | Navi Mumbai |
| 4 | Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences | Karad |
| 5 | Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College | Pune |
| 6 | DY Patil Medical College | Pune |
| 7 | Dr. Ulhas Patil Medical College | Jalgaon |
| 8 | Ashwini Rural Medical College | Solapur |
| 9 | Vedantaa Institute of Medical Sciences | Palghar |
| 10 | SMBT Medical College | Nashik |
🦷 Dental Colleges (BDS – Major)
| S.No | College Name | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government Dental College | Mumbai |
| 2 | Government Dental College | Nagpur |
| 3 | Nair Dental College | Mumbai |
| 4 | DY Patil Dental College | Navi Mumbai |
| 5 | Bharati Vidyapeeth Dental College | Pune |
| 6 | Terna Dental College | Navi Mumbai |
Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 is the centralized admission process conducted by the State CET Cell for MBBS and BDS courses in the state. It allows eligible NEET-qualified candidates to secure seats in government, municipal, aided, and private medical and dental colleges of Maharashtra. The counselling process includes online registration, document verification, merit list publication, choice filling, seat allotment, and reporting to the allotted college. Admission is strictly based on NEET score, category reservation, and availability of seats.
Candidates must qualify NEET UG 2026 and fulfill the eligibility criteria prescribed by the Maharashtra CET Cell. They should have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English and obtained the minimum required marks as per their category. For state quota seats, candidates must possess Maharashtra domicile or satisfy eligibility through schooling or parental service criteria. Only candidates meeting nationality, age limit, and educational requirements can participate in the counselling process.
Registration for Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling is done online through the official CET Cell website. Candidates need to create a login using their NEET roll number and personal details. After registration, they must upload scanned copies of required documents and pay the prescribed counselling fee. It is important to fill all details carefully and verify them before submission, as incorrect information may lead to rejection during document verification.
Candidates must upload and later present original documents such as NEET UG scorecard, NEET admit card, Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, transfer certificate, domicile certificate, caste certificate with validity, non-creamy layer certificate if applicable, EWS certificate for eligible candidates, Aadhaar card, and recent passport size photographs. All documents should be valid and match the details entered in the application form. Any discrepancy can result in cancellation of candidature.
The Maharashtra NEET UG merit list is prepared based on the NEET score obtained by candidates and their eligibility under state quota rules. Category reservation, domicile status, and document verification play an important role in determining merit position. A provisional merit list is published first, followed by a final merit list after resolving objections. Only candidates included in the final merit list are allowed to participate in choice filling and seat allotment rounds.
Choice filling is the process in which candidates select and arrange their preferred colleges and courses in order of priority. It is a critical step because seat allotment depends on the choices filled by the candidate and their merit rank. Candidates should include as many suitable options as possible to increase their chances of getting a seat. After selecting preferences, candidates must lock their choices before the deadline, otherwise the system may auto-lock them.
Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling is usually conducted in multiple rounds including Round 1, Round 2, Mop-Up Round, and Stray Vacancy Round. Round 1 is open to all eligible candidates. Round 2 is for those who did not get a seat or want upgradation. Mop-up round fills remaining vacant seats, and stray vacancy round is conducted by individual colleges for leftover seats. Participation rules differ slightly in each round.
Fees for MBBS and BDS courses in Maharashtra vary according to the type of institution. Government medical colleges have relatively lower fees, usually around one lakh rupees per year for MBBS. Private medical colleges have higher fees, which may range from six lakh to more than twenty lakh rupees per year depending on the college. Dental colleges generally have lower fees compared to medical colleges. Exact fees are notified by the state authority every year.
After seat allotment, candidates must download their allotment letter and report to the allotted college within the specified time. They must carry all original documents for verification and pay the admission fee as instructed. Failure to report within the given period will lead to cancellation of the allotted seat. Once documents are verified and the fee is paid, the admission process is completed and the candidate becomes officially enrolled in the institution.
Candidates who are allotted a seat in Round 1 can opt for upgradation in the next round if they are not satisfied with the allotted college. However, if they accept the seat and do not choose upgradation, they may not be allowed to participate in further rounds. Rules regarding resignation and upgradation are clearly mentioned in the counselling guidelines. Candidates should carefully decide before confirming their seat to avoid losing admission opportunities.
Final Words
Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 is a highly competitive and structured process that determines admission to MBBS and BDS courses in the state. Candidates must remain alert throughout the process, from registration to final reporting, and strictly follow the official guidelines. Understanding eligibility criteria, reservation policies, and counselling steps in advance will help students make informed decisions and avoid last-minute mistakes.
Aspirants aiming for medical education in Maharashtra should focus not only on securing a good NEET rank but also on strategic choice filling and timely document preparation. With proper planning and awareness, candidates can successfully secure a seat in a reputed medical college in Maharashtra.
Call
WhatsApp