Maharashtra is one of India's leading states for medical education, offering a large number of MBBS and BDS seats across government, municipal, aided, and private medical colleges. Home to prestigious institutions in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Nashik, the state attracts thousands of NEET-qualified students every year. With a well-structured admission process and a wide range of medical colleges, Maharashtra remains a preferred destination for aspiring doctors.
The Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026 process is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra (CET Cell Maharashtra). Through this centralized counselling system, eligible candidates can apply for admission to MBBS and BDS courses under the state quota in participating institutions.
Students often search for details regarding the Maharashtra NEET counselling 2026 date, eligibility criteria, registration process, merit list, and seat allotment procedure. Understanding the complete counselling framework is essential because Maharashtra has one of the largest and most competitive state medical admission systems in the country. This guide covers every important aspect of Maharashtra NEET UG counselling 2026, helping candidates navigate the admission process with confidence.
Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Counselling Name | Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | State CET Cell, Maharashtra |
| Admission Basis | NEET UG 2026 Score |
| Courses Offered | MBBS and BDS |
| Mode of Counselling | Online |
| Participating Colleges | Government, Municipal, Aided and Private Medical Colleges |
| Quota Covered | State Quota, Institutional Quota and Other Eligible Categories |
| Counselling Rounds | Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Stray Vacancy Round |
| Seat Allotment Basis | NEET Rank, Merit and Reservation |
| State | Maharashtra |
Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026 Dates
Candidates eagerly wait for the announcement of the Maharashtra NEET counselling 2026 date after the declaration of NEET UG results. The official schedule will be published by the Maharashtra CET Cell.
| Event | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Begins | July–August 2026 |
| Application Form Submission | August 2026 |
| Document Verification | August 2026 |
| State Merit List Release | August 2026 |
| Preference Filling | August 2026 |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment | August 2026 |
| Reporting to Allotted College | August–September 2026 |
| Round 2 Counselling | September 2026 |
| Round 2 Seat Allotment | September 2026 |
| Round 3 Counselling | October 2026 |
| Stray Vacancy Round | October–November 2026 |
Candidates should regularly monitor the official counselling portal for updates regarding schedules, notices, and seat allotment results.
Maharashtra NEET Counselling Process Step by Step
The Maharashtra counselling NEET UG 2026 process is conducted through a centralized online system. Candidates must carefully complete each stage to participate successfully.
Step 1: Online Registration
Candidates must register on the Maharashtra CET Cell portal using their NEET UG details and personal information.
Step 2: Application Submission
Applicants need to fill out the counselling application form and provide all required academic and personal details.
Step 3: Upload Documents
Candidates must upload the necessary certificates and supporting documents for verification.
Step 4: Document Verification
The counselling authority verifies candidate details, eligibility criteria, reservation claims, and educational qualifications.
Step 5: State Merit List Publication
After verification, the Maharashtra State Merit List is released for eligible candidates.
Step 6: Preference Filling
Candidates can select and prioritize their preferred medical and dental colleges.
Step 7: Seat Allotment
Seats are allotted based on:
- NEET UG Rank
- Maharashtra State Merit Rank
- Reservation Category
- Candidate Preferences
- Seat Availability
Step 8: Reporting and Admission
Candidates allotted seats must report to the respective college and complete admission formalities within the specified timeline.
Maharashtra NEET Counselling Eligibility Criteria
Candidates applying for Maharashtra state counselling NEET UG 2026 must satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed by the counselling authority.
Educational Qualification
- Must have passed Class 12 or equivalent examination.
- Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English should be compulsory subjects.
- Candidates must satisfy the minimum qualifying marks prescribed for medical admissions.
NEET Qualification
- Applicants must qualify NEET UG 2026.
- The required qualifying percentile applicable to the candidate's category must be achieved.
Age Requirement
- Candidates should have completed 17 years of age as per NEET admission regulations.
Domicile Requirement
- Candidates claiming state quota seats generally need to fulfill Maharashtra domicile and eligibility requirements as prescribed by the state authorities.
- Certain institutional or private college seats may have separate eligibility provisions.
Reservation Criteria
Reservation benefits are available for eligible SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwD, and other notified categories according to Maharashtra Government regulations.
Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026 Documents Required
Candidates should keep the following documents ready during registration and admission.
- NEET UG 2026 Admit Card
- NEET UG 2026 Scorecard
- Class 10 Marksheet and Passing Certificate
- Class 12 Marksheet and Passing Certificate
- Domicile Certificate (where applicable)
- Nationality Certificate
- Aadhaar Card or Valid Government ID
- Passport Size Photographs
- School Leaving Certificate
- Transfer Certificate
- Migration Certificate (if applicable)
- Category Certificate
- EWS Certificate (if applicable)
- Non-Creamy Layer Certificate (where applicable)
- PwD Certificate (if applicable)
- Allotment Letter
Candidates should carry original documents along with photocopies during reporting.
Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026 Fees
The counselling fee structure is announced by the State CET Cell during the admission process.
| Fee Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee | As prescribed by CET Cell |
| Counselling Fee | Applicable during registration |
| Security Deposit | If applicable as per counselling rules |
| Tuition Fee | Depends on institution and quota category |
Government medical colleges generally have significantly lower tuition fees compared to private and deemed institutions. Candidates should review the fee structure of their preferred colleges before participating in counselling.
Maharashtra NEET Counselling Cut Off
The cutoff for Maharashtra NEET counselling 2026 changes every year due to variations in competition and seat availability. Several factors influence the cutoff:
- Number of NEET Applicants
- Difficulty Level of NEET UG
- Total Available MBBS and BDS Seats
- Reservation Policies
- Category-Wise Competition
- Candidate Preferences
Top government medical colleges in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Aurangabad typically witness high cutoff scores because of their reputation and clinical exposure. Candidates aiming for premier institutions should target strong NEET scores to improve their admission prospects during Maharashtra NEET UG counselling 2026.
Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026 Merit List
The merit list is one of the most important stages of the admission process. The Maharashtra State CET Cell prepares the merit list after verifying candidate eligibility and NEET performance. The merit ranking generally considers:
- NEET UG Score
- All India Rank
- Eligibility Status
- Reservation Category
- Verification of Documents
Candidates with higher merit positions receive preference during seat allotment. The state merit list forms the basis of admissions under Maharashtra counselling NEET UG 2026.
Top Medical Colleges in Maharashtra
Maharashtra is home to some of India's most prestigious medical institutions known for academic excellence and extensive clinical training.
| College Name | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Grant Government Medical College | Mumbai | Government |
| Seth G.S. Medical College | Mumbai | Government/Municipal |
| B.J. Government Medical College | Pune | Government |
| Government Medical College | Nagpur | Government |
| Government Medical College | Aurangabad | Government |
| Topiwala National Medical College | Mumbai | Government/Municipal |
| Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College | Mumbai | Municipal |
| Dr. Vasantrao Pawar Medical College | Nashik | Private |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College | Pune | Private/Deemed |
| Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences | Karad | Private/Deemed |
These institutions are recognized for their experienced faculty, modern infrastructure, research opportunities, and strong patient exposure.