Maharashtra Counselling: Refund and Cancellation Policy for Vacant Seats

Every year, several MBBS and BDS seats in Maharashtra go unfilled due to student withdrawals, upgradations, or failure to report on time during the later rounds of NEET UG counselling. In fact, in 2024 alone, over 1,200 seats across the state remained vacant even after the Mop-Up and Stray Vacancy Rounds. This has led to growing concerns about admission cancellations, refund policies, and the overall utilisation of available seats.

With the Maharashtra NEET UG 2025 counselling rounds approaching, it is important for aspirants to understand the cancellation and refund process, especially for vacancies arising in the Mop-Up and Institute-Level Rounds. Whether a seat is vacated due to upgradation, voluntary withdrawal, or non-reporting, having a clear understanding of how the refund system works can help candidates avoid unnecessary financial loss or confusion during the admission process.

In this blog, we’ve clearly explained the rules for seat cancellation and refunds during Maharashtra NEET UG 2025. You’ll find details on when cancellations usually happen, what the refund timelines are, and what deductions or penalties you might face at different stages of the admission process.

Registration & Seat Acceptance Fee Policy

Before taking part in Maharashtra NEET UG 2025 counselling, it’s important to understand the fee structure and refund rules. In 2024, over 1.3 lakh candidates registered for NEET UG counselling in Maharashtra, and nearly 12% ended up losing their fees due to late withdrawals, missed deadlines, or issues with their documents. Knowing the rules in advance can help you avoid these common mistakes and prevent unnecessary financial loss.

To help you avoid such losses, this section explains the registration and seat acceptance fees, the conditions under which refunds are given, and the timeline you need to follow. Having this clarity can make the counselling process smoother and help you make informed decisions.

Notes:

• All refunds are credited to the same bank account or the payment mode that was used while making the payment.
• To initiate a refund, candidates must submit a formal cancellation or withdrawal letter to the principal or the allotted college. Without this step, the refund process will not begin.
• The refund is usually processed within 15 working days, although the exact duration may vary depending on the bank’s processing time.
• Always keep a photocopy of all the payment receipts, communication, etc., until the process is complete.

Tuition Fee Refunds and Seat Cancellation

Any candidate planning to take part in Maharashtra NEET UG 2025 counselling should have a clear understanding of the tuition fee refund and seat cancellation rules. Every year, many students lose their hard-earned money due to last-minute decisions or a lack of clarity about the correct withdrawal process and deadlines. For instance, in 2024, around 9–11% of candidates who withdrew after the cut-off date were charged the full tuition fee. Being informed in advance can help avoid such financial setbacks.

Cut-Off Date

Candidates who choose to resign from their allotted seat before the cut-off date are eligible for a refund of the tuition fee, after a small deduction for processing charges as per the rules of the respective college.

It’s important to know that these processing fees may vary from one college to another, but they are usually minimal compared to the full tuition fee. The purpose of this rule is to ensure that students who withdraw in a timely manner can recover almost the entire fee, with only a small amount retained for administrative purposes.

After the Cut-Off Date

No refund of the tuition fee shall be made to any candidate who resigns and withdraws from their allotted seat after the cut-off date. This policy helps discourage last-minute withdrawals and ensures the seat allotment and admission process runs smoothly and fairly for all candidates.

The Process of Refund

• The refund shall be made and ordered by the Dean/ Principal of the concerned Medical / Dental College in question.
• Candidates must submit a formal cancellation/resignation letter addressed to the college authority (Dean/Principal) clearly stating their intention to withdraw and request a refund.
• Upon receipt of the cancellation request, the college administration will initiate the refund process following their internal guidelines and the procedures of the bank concerned for refunding the college fees.
• Depending upon the administrative efficiency of the institution and the banking transactions, the time taken for processing and crediting the refund varies.

Penalties for Lapsed Seats

Every year, over 1.5 lakh candidates register for NEET UG exams in Maharashtra, creating strong competition for seats in MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses. To ensure that seats are taken seriously and not wasted, strict penalties are imposed on candidates who fail to join their allotted college on time or withdraw after counselling ends. These penalties can be as high as ₹10 lakh for MBBS and BDS seats, and up to ₹3,00,000 for AYUSH courses. The purpose of these penalties is to prevent candidates from blocking seats unnecessarily and to make sure that seats are filled promptly, giving others a fair chance to secure admission.

MBBS/BDS Courses

• Any candidate who fails to join the allotted college within the given deadline or withdraws after the specified cut-off date during counselling may be required to pay a penalty fee.
• This penalty may extend up to ₹10,00,000 (Ten lakh rupees).
• This penalty is charged to discourage registrants from blocking seats without due cause, which prevents other eligible candidates from being considered.
• The penalty also ensures that candidates are bound to a timely commitment and confirmation so that colleges themselves can plan their schedule for admissions in due time.

AYUSH Courses

• For candidates allotted seats in AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) courses, similar rules apply regarding seat cancellation and late withdrawal.
• A penalty of up to ₹3,00,000 (Three lakh rupees) may be charged if a candidate fails to join on time or withdraws after the allotment date.
• This penalty helps maintain discipline in admissions and ensures a fair opportunity for all candidates.

Stray Vacancy Round & Vacant Seat Policy

After the regular rounds and mop-up rounds of NEET counselling for admission in private and minority colleges, there remain vacant seats that often go unfilled. Hence, to ensure that the seats do not go to waste, the Stray Vacancy Round is held as the very last step in an attempt to fill whatever vacancies might remain. It thus becomes a big opportunity for candidates who failed to secure a seat earlier, giving them one last chance for admission entirely based on merit in NEET-UG. Aims of the Stray Vacancy Round:

Tips to Avoid Refund Issues

With around 1.5 lakh students appearing in NEET UG in Maharashtra every year, many of the candidates face refund issues due to delays in meeting the deadlines, improper withdrawals, or incomplete processing, especially in the later stages of counselling. To avoid losing your security deposit or unexpected penalties, remember to strictly follow the admission and withdrawal procedures. Some important suggestions to keep you off the common refund-related problems are as follows.

1. Always Keep Track of Official Notifications:

Important instructions and deadlines related to the refund policy, counselling schedule, etc., are posted here. Staying up to date will help you not miss any critical appointment. 

2. Make Early Submission of Cancellation and Withdrawal Applications:

If you wish to withdraw or cancel your seat, make sure that you submit your cancellation forms and letters well before the cut-off dates. An early submission will ensure a smooth processing of your refund request and help avoid the risk of losing your eligibility for that refund.

3. Double-Check Eligibility and Uploaded Documents

Please carefully check the eligibility criteria and ensure all required documents are submitted with your application and during counselling. Submitting incomplete or incorrect documents can result in the cancellation of your seat and the forfeiture of fees.

4. Stay Alert to Deadlines to Avoid Penalties 

Strictly following all counselling and admission deadlines is essential, including those for fee payment and withdrawal. Missing any deadline can lead to penalties, loss of fees, or even disqualification from participating in future counselling rounds.

Conclusion

Every NEET aspirant in Maharashtra should be aware of the refund and cancellation policies to avoid penalties. With tough competition and limited seats, even a small mistake like missing a deadline or not withdrawing properly can lead to losing the refundable fees or facing financial penalties. Staying informed helps candidates follow the rules, meet deadlines, and avoid unnecessary losses. Always check official CET Cell notifications and contact the allotted college promptly to secure your seat and refund.