The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has issued Notice No. 27 announcing a revised schedule for the online Stray Vacancy Round(s) for MBBS and BDS Group-A courses for the academic year 2026–27.
The notice, dated October 16, 2026, follows the earlier Notice No. 26 issued on October 15. The revised schedule has been prepared in view of the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) All India Quota counselling timeline and the need to fill vacant seats before the prescribed final joining deadline.
The stray vacancy process covers vacant MBBS and BDS seats in government, corporation, government-aided, private unaided and minority colleges across Maharashtra.
Candidates should check the revised dates and complete each step within the specified deadline.
| Activity | Date and Time |
|---|---|
| Publication of Round 1 seat matrix | October 16, 2026 |
| Round 1 online choice filling | October 17–18, 2026, until 11:59 PM |
| Round 1 selection list | October 19, 2026 |
| Round 1 physical joining and fee payment | October 20–21, 2026, until 5:30 PM |
| Last date to resign without penalty | October 21, 2026, until 5:30 PM |
| Round 2 seat matrix and choice filling | October 21–22, 2026, until 11:00 AM |
| Round 2 selection list | October 22, 2026 |
| Round 2 physical joining and fee payment | October 23–24, 2026, until 5:30 PM |
| Round 3 seat matrix and choice filling | October 24–25, 2026, until 11:00 AM |
| Round 3 selection list | October 25, 2026 |
| Round 3 physical joining and fee payment | October 26, 2026 |
| MCC-prescribed final joining deadline | October 26, 2026 |
The schedule is subject to changes based on directions issued by the MCC, the National Dental Commission (NDC), the Central Government, the Maharashtra Government or the courts.
The CET Cell has specified eligibility conditions for candidates seeking admission through the Maharashtra State Quota CAP Stray Vacancy Rounds.
Eligible candidates must:
Have qualified NEET UG 2026.
Have registered and submitted the online preference form previously.
Not have been allotted a seat up to CAP Round 3.
Meet the eligibility requirements specified under Clause 4 of the applicable information brochure.
Candidates should verify their eligibility before filling in preferences for the stray vacancy rounds.
The following candidates are not eligible to participate in the Maharashtra CAP online Stray Vacancy Rounds, according to the notice:
Candidates who joined a seat in Round 1 or Round 2 and hold a seat up to Round 3, including those 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 counselling process.
Candidates allotted a seat in Maharashtra CAP Stray Vacancy Round 1, who cannot participate in subsequent stray vacancy rounds.
Candidates allotted a seat through the All India Quota Stray Vacancy Round.
Candidates should carefully check their current admission status before submitting preferences.
The CET Cell has clarified that fresh choice filling is mandatory for the online Stray Vacancy Rounds. Preferences submitted during CAP Round 3 will be treated as null and void.
Candidates must submit new choices for each stray vacancy round separately:
Round 1 choices will apply only to Round 1.
Round 2 requires a fresh set of preferences.
Round 3 also requires fresh choice filling.
Candidates can edit their choices multiple times within the applicable window. However, changes will not be permitted after the deadline. They should select only colleges and courses where they are willing to accept admission.
The notice also confirms that no new registration will be conducted for this CAP Stray Vacancy process. Only previously registered and eligible candidates can participate.
Candidates allotted seats must physically report to their respective colleges with all original documents and the required admission fees within the prescribed joining period.
The notice permits payment through demand draft (DD) or NEFT/RTGS, as applicable. Candidates should confirm the exact payment procedure and any additional admission requirements with their allotted institution.
The CET Cell has made joining mandatory for candidates allotted seats in the online Stray Vacancy Rounds. Candidates are therefore advised to fill in preferences carefully and avoid selecting seats they do not intend to accept.
The notice further directs participating colleges and institutes to treat Saturdays, Sundays and gazetted holidays as working days to comply with the limited counselling timeline.
Candidates should regularly check the Maharashtra State CET Cell website for updates, seat matrices, selection lists and any changes to the counselling schedule.
Official Website: https://www.mahacet.org
Counselling Authority: Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell, Mumbai
Notice Number: 27
Notice Date: October 16, 2026
For the latest Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026, MBBS and BDS Stray Vacancy Round schedules, choice filling, selection lists and admission updates, visit AdmissionDuniya for timely admission news and guidance.Click here
AP BDS Management Quota 2026: Dr NTRUHS Releases List of Candidates Who Did Not Report After Phase I
UP NEET PG Counselling 2026: Round 1 Registration Begins October 21, Check Complete Schedule
Punjab NEET UG Counselling 2026: Stray Round Schedule Released for MBBS and BDS Admissions
Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026: Revised MBBS, BDS Stray Vacancy Schedule Released; Round 1 Choice Filling Starts October 17
Assam NEET UG Counselling 2026: Stray Round Registration Opens October 17 for MBBS and BDS Seats
Assam NEET PG Counselling 2026: Round 1 Registration Begins October 21, Check Complete Schedule
Meghalaya AYUSH Admission 2026: Revised BAMS and BHMS Eligible Candidates List Released
Meghalaya AYUSH Admission 2026: Revised BAMS and BHMS Selected Candidates List Released
Manipur NEET UG Counselling 2026: Round 3 Seat Allotment Released for MBBS, BDS and BASLP
Kerala PG Homeopathy Admission 2026: Application Deadline Extended to October 22
Copyright ©2021 Admissions Duniya
