The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell (CET Cell) released the final merit list and seat matrix for NEET UG 2026 Centralised Admission Process (CAP) Round 1 on August 25. Candidates who registered for the 85% state quota seats in MBBS and BDS courses can now check their rank and fill choices from August 26 to August 29, up to 5:30 PM, at medical2026.mahacet.org.
The final list and seat matrix mark the next step in Maharashtra’s medical admission process after the CET Cell revised its counselling calendar on August 19, following an extension granted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) to the All India Quota round 1 schedule.
Key Highlights
- Final NEET UG 2026 merit list for Maharashtra CAP Round 1 released on August 25.
- Seat matrix showing vacant MBBS and BDS seats across government, government-aided, municipal and private unaided colleges also released the same day.
- Choice filling window: August 26 to August 29, up to 5:30 PM.
- CAP Round 1 provisional allotment result expected on August 30.
- Candidates allotted seats must report physically to colleges between August 31 and September 4, up to 5:30 PM.
- Merit list applies to 85% state quota seats; all-quota seats in private and minority institutions are also covered.
- Schedule remains subject to further change based on directions from the MCC, AACCC, central or state government, or courts.
Final Merit List and Seat Matrix: What Changed
The CET Cell had first published a provisional merit list on August 18, followed by a revised provisional list on August 23 after including candidates who registered during the extended window. The final merit list, released on August 25, incorporates corrections made through the grievance redressal process that closed earlier in the week.
The seat matrix, published alongside the final list, gives candidates course-wise and college-wise vacancy details before they lock in their preferences. The CET Cell has advised candidates to study the seat matrix carefully against their category and rank before starting choice filling, since options once submitted determine eligibility for provisional seat allotment in Round 1.
Both documents are available on the official counselling portal, medical2026.mahacet.org, and candidates must log in with their application ID and password to view their individual rank, category, and NEET UG 2026 score.
Choice Filling: Round 1 Process
Choice filling for CAP Round 1 opened on August 26 and will remain open until August 29, up to 5:30 PM. During this window, candidates must log in to the counselling portal and arrange their preferred colleges and courses in order of priority.
The CET Cell has reiterated that candidates should register preferences for as many colleges and courses as they are willing to consider, since allotment is based strictly on merit rank, category, and the options entered. No changes can be made once the choice filling window closes.
What Happens Next
Based on the current schedule, the provisional selection list for CAP Round 1 is expected on August 30. Candidates allotted a seat will then need to report physically at the allotted institute between August 31 and September 4, up to 5:30 PM, with original documents for verification and admission confirmation.
Candidates who do not wish to accept an allotted seat, or who plan to appear in subsequent rounds, will need to follow the retention or resignation options that the CET Cell typically opens alongside the reporting window. The CET Cell has cautioned that this schedule, like the earlier ones, could shift again depending on further directions from the MCC or other authorities, so candidates are advised to keep checking the official portal rather than relying only on the dates listed here.
Eligibility and Coverage
The Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 CAP Round 1 merit list and admission process cover:
- 85% state quota seats in government and municipal medical and dental colleges
- Seats in government-aided medical and dental colleges
- All-quota seats in private and minority unaided medical and dental colleges
Only candidates who completed registration, document upload, and verification within the earlier deadlines and appear in the final merit list are eligible to participate in choice filling for this round.
Official Website and Important Links
- Maharashtra CET Cell (NEET UG 2026 information): cetcell.mahacet.org
- NEET UG 2026 counselling and login portal: medical2026.mahacet.org
- CET Cell official notices and circulars: available under the “Notices” section at cetcell.mahacet.org
