Maharashtra MBBS Vacant Seats: Stray Vacancy Round Explained

Latest Updates:

• Maharashtra NEET seat matrix 2026 has been released for CAP Round 1. Check here.
• Maharashtra NEET final merit list has been released for CAP Round 1.
• Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Round 1 seat allotment result has been published on 30 August, 2026. Check here.
• The last date for physical joining at the allotted college for Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026 is 4 September 2026 till 5:30 PM.

The Maharashtra NEET counselling is an important step for medical aspirants who want to pursue MBBS, BDS, and other allied health science courses in medical colleges across the state of Maharashtra. After the regular counselling rounds and the Mop-Up Round, there are still vacant seats for admission to MBBS/BDS courses in Maharashtra in government, private, and deemed medical colleges.

In the counselling process, to fill the remaining vacant seats, a stray vacancy round is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell, Government of Maharashtra. The stray vacancy round is the last round in the counselling process to give the students a final chance to get a seat in MBBS/BDS colleges. 

In this blog, we will explain everything about the last round, its eligibility criteria, documents required, the step-by-step process, how to apply, and more.

Check:

• Top Medical Colleges in Maharashtra
• Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1
• Maharashtra NEET Counselling Round 2
• How to Upgrade from Allotted Seat to Vacant Seat in Maharashtra Counselling 2026

Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026 Schedule: Revised Dates for Round 1

The Maharashtra NEET seat allotment result 2026 has been published depending on the choices filled by applicants. Candidates can have a look at the Maha CET Cell NEET Counselling dates 2026 for the Round 1 events provided below.

Read More: Maharashtra State Quota Counselling vs All India Quota Counselling

Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 Key Highlights

The NEET UG counselling of Maharashtra 2026 is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra. Here is the table below about the counselling process and other details about the Maharashtra NEET 2026 counselling:

What is the stray vacancy round?

The stray vacancy round is the final round in the counselling phase for MBBS and BDS courses to fill the remaining vacant seats after the mop-up round of Maharashtra counselling. After numerous counselling rounds, some seats remain vacant in medical and dental colleges. Here is the point why seats are left vacant due to:

• If a candidate withdraws from the allotted seat.
• If a candidate did not take admission after the allotment of the seat.
• If a candidate is disqualified from the allotted seat due to document issues or technical errors.
• If a candidate’s admission has been cancelled.
• If a candidate did not report to the college within the stipulated time.

Who conducts it?

The State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, conducts the round for:

• Government Medical Colleges
• Private and Minority Medical Colleges
• Deemed Universities (For Institutional Quota)
• Dental Colleges

Read More:

• Maharashtra Counselling 2026: How to Apply for Vacant Seats
• Maharashtra Counselling Vacant Seats List 2026: Where to Check & When
• Step-by-Step Guide to Maharashtra Stray Vacancy Round 2026

Maharashtra NEET stray vacancy round counselling dates

The Maharashtra NEET counselling 2026 is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra. If you fulfil the eligibility criteria of NEET Counselling, you can apply for the last round of the Counselling process for the vacant seats. Here is the table below about the Maharashtra NEET UG stray vacancy round counselling 2026.

Eligibility criteria for the stray vacancy round

The eligibility criteria for the Maharashtra Counselling Round 4 need to be fulfilled by the candidates to secure a seat in the counselling process. Here are the eligibility criterion required for participation in the counselling process:

Academic Qualifications

A candidate must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology from a recognized board.

NEET qualifying criteria

A candidate must have qualified for the NEET UG 2026 exam with a valid score.

Age criteria

• A candidate's minimum age should be 17 years as on 31st December 2026.
• There should be no upper age limit (as per NMC guidelines).
• A candidate’s maximum age should be 25 years and 30 years for the reserved category.

Domicile requirement

• A candidate or parent must hold a domicile of Maharashtra for state quota seats.
• Domicile is not required for the Management or NRI quota.

Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quota

The NRI candidate can also apply under NRI/OCI/PIO/Foreign quota if it is applicable.

Not allotted or joined any seat previously

The candidate must not have been allotted or joined any seat in previous rounds or the mop-up round.

Willing to participate in the final round

The candidate must actively fill out fresh preferences for the final round.

Who is not eligible?

• The candidates who were allotted and joined a seat earlier (round 1, round 2, or mop-up)
• Candidates who did not report to their allotted college within the stipulated time.
• Candidates who did not register during earlier counselling rounds.

Read More: How to Check Maharashtra Counselling Results & Download Seat Allotment Letter

Step-by-step process to apply for the Maharashtra MBBS stray vacancy round 2026

The process of NEET Maharashtra counselling of round 4 is very important for the students for the allocation of vacant seats, because in this phase, students get their preferred college based on their rank. Here is the detailed breakdown of the step-by-step process of round 4 counselling of Maharashtra NEET UG.

 Step 1: Visit the official website

Go to the Maharashtra NEET UG counselling portal

Step 2: Login

Log in using:

• Application ID
• Password
• Captcha code

Step 3: Access the stray vacancy round module

After logging in, click on “Stray Vacancy Round” on your dashboard. This section becomes active once the round begins.

Step 4: Fill in fresh choices

• The candidate can select their preferred medical/dental colleges and courses.
• The candidate can fill both state quota and institutional quota preferences (if eligible).
• The previous rounds' choices are not considered; fresh registrations will be considered.

Step 5: Lock choices

• The students can review their selections carefully.
• The students can lock their choices before the deadline once the choice is locked.

Step 6: Wait for seat allotment

• The CET Cell will release a round 4 allotment List on the official website.
• Check your status in the list using your application number.

Step 7: Download allotment letter

• If the candidate has been allotted a seat must download the allotment letter from the portal.

Step 8: Report to college

• The candidate must report to the allotted college physically with original documents.
• They must complete the verification and pay the admission fees as described by the college.

Documents required for Maharashtra NEET UG counselling, stray vacancy round

Here are the details of the documents required for admission in round 4 of the Maharashtra NEET counselling. Keep the documents ready to avoid last-minute panic.

• 10th standard mark sheet
• 12th standard pass certificate
• NEET Admit Card 2026
• NEET application form 2026 copy or the confirmation page
• NEET 2026 result or scorecard
• Aadhaar card
• Nationality certificate issued by the District Magistrate or relevant Indian passport or school leaving certificate of Class 10 or Class 12
• Domicile certificate
• Caste certificate (if applicable)
• Caste validity certificate (if applicable)
• Domicile of Maharashtra certificate of Defence person (if applicable)

Important tips to keep in mind 

• No Upgradation is allowed; once the seat is allotted must be accepted.
• No further round or seat changes are allowed.
• If a candidate has been allotted a college, he/she must join the college.
• If a candidate fails to join will lead to disqualification from the future counselling process.
• The admission fee is non-refundable, especially for a private college.

Maharashtra MBBS Vacant Seats: Stray Vacancy Round Explained: FAQs

Ques: Can I participate if I got a seat in an earlier round but did not take admission?

Ans: No, if you have been allotted a seat in the previous round and did not join, you are normally eligible to take part in the stray vacancy round, provided you do not presently hold any admitted seat for Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026.

Ques: Is fresh registration allowed for the stray vacancy round?

Ans: No, only candidates who registered during previous rounds are allowed to participate. No fresh registrations will be allowed during stray vacancy round. Always check the common entrance test cell's official notice to confirm.

Ques: Do I need to fill in fresh choices for this round?

Ans: Yes, only fresh choices (preferences) are accepted in the stray vacancy round. Earlier round preferences are not considered during the stray vacancy round of Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026.

Ques: How are seats allotted in the stray vacancy round?

Ans: Seats are allotted during the stray vacancy round of Maharashtra NEET counselling based on:

• NEET UG rank (merit)
• Your filled preferences
• Seat availability at the time

Ques: Is the seat allotted in the stray round mandatory to accept?

Ans: Yes, if you have been allotted a seat in round 4 that is stray vacancy round during Maharashtra NEET Counselling 2026, you must accept it and take admission. There is no option for upgradation or declination.