Maharashtra MBBS/BDS Stray Vacancy Round 2026 Schedule Released: Candidates can check the counselling timetable, important dates and admission process for the stray vacancy round.
The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has released the schedule for the Online Stray Vacancy Rounds for MBBS and BDS (Group A) courses for the 2026-27 academic year. The schedule is in Notice No. 23 (NEET UG 2026), dated October 12, 2026.
The CET Cell has completed the three rounds of counselling for NEET-UG-2026 MBBS/BDS (Group A). The Competent Authority has now decided to hold Online Stray Vacancy Rounds to fill vacant seats. These cover Government, Corporation, Government Aided, Private Unaided and Minority colleges.
Stray Vacancy Round Schedule for MBBS and BDS (Group A)
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Publication of seat matrix for Stray Vacancy Round 1 | October 14, 2026 |
| Online choice/preference filling for Stray Vacancy Round 1 | October 15 to 16, 2026, up to 11:59 PM |
| Declaration of Stray Vacancy Round 1 selection list | October 17, 2026 |
| Physical joining at the allotted college | October 18 to 20, 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
| Last date to resign the seat without penalty | October 20, 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
| Seat matrix display and choice filling for Stray Vacancy Round 2 | October 20 to 21, 2026, up to 10:00 AM |
| Declaration of Stray Vacancy Round 2 selection list | October 21, 2026 |
| Physical joining at the allotted college | October 22 to 23, 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
| Seat matrix display and choice filling for Stray Vacancy Round 3 | October 23 to 24, 2026, up to 10:00 AM |
| Declaration of Stray Vacancy Round 3 selection list | October 24, 2026 |
| Physical joining at the allotted college | October 25 to 26, 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
| Last date of joining as per the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) | October 26, 2026 |
Eligibility for the Stray Vacancy Rounds
Candidates are eligible if both of these apply:
- They are NEET UG 2026 qualified, have registered and filled the online preference form earlier, but were not allotted a seat up to CAP Round 3.
- They are eligible as per clause 4 of the Information Brochure.
Who Is Not Eligible
- Candidates who joined a seat in Round 1 or Round 2, hold it up to Round 3, and candidates freshly allotted a seat in Round 3 of state counselling
- Candidates who joined and hold a seat up to Round 3 of the All India Quota process
- Candidates allotted a seat in Stray Vacancy Round 1, who are not eligible for further stray vacancy rounds
- Candidates allotted a seat in a stray vacancy round of the All India Quota
Important Instructions
- No new registration will be done for the Stray Vacancy Rounds.
- Fresh choices are mandatory. Choices filled during CAP Round 3 are null and void.
- Choice filling is separate for each round. Choices from earlier stray vacancy rounds become null and void in later rounds.
- Joining is mandatory. Candidates must join the seat allotted in a Stray Vacancy Round. They should fill only the choices where they intend to take admission.
- Joining process: candidates must report in person at the allotted college with all original documents and the requisite fees. Fees can be paid by DD/Cheque or by NEFT/RTGS.
- Penalty: cancelling an admitted seat after the last date for resignation without penalty will attract a penalty as per the Information Brochure.
Colleges Directed to Work on Weekends
To keep to the schedule, all participating institutes and colleges are directed to treat Saturdays, Sundays and Gazetted Holidays as working days.
Schedule Subject to Change
The schedule may change as per directions from authorities such as the MCC, NDC, the Central Government, the State Government or the Hon’ble Court. Candidates should check the official CET Cell website, www.mahacet.org, for updates.
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