GENERAL

Maharashtra State Quota Counselling vs All India Quota Counselling

Samiya Khan • 6 Mins read • 4 Jun 25

In Maharashtra, students who crack the NEET-UG 2025 exam and want to study MBBS or BDS in the state’s government and private medical colleges will need to go through the counselling process organised by the State Common Entrance Test Cell. This applies to 85% of the available seats, which are reserved under the state quota. The rest, that is, the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, are filled by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), which works separately at the national level.

Anyone aiming for a seat in their preferred medical or dental college must take part in the Maharashtra NEET counselling. Now, whether one should go for the state quota or the AIQ route often depends on rank, category, and preferences. In this blog, we will discuss a clear comparison to help NEET aspirants figure out how both processes work in 2025, and which might be the better fit.

NEET AIQ vs State Quota: What’s the Difference?

Many students often ask what the State Quota and All India Quota (AIQ) actually mean in Maharashtra NEET counselling. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between the Maharashtra state quota and AIQ counselling:

Parameters	AIQ	State Quota
Seat Distribution	15% of the total seats in government medical colleges across India are reserved under the AIQ.	The remaining 85% of seats fall under the state quota. These are offered by individual states and include both government and private colleges.
Eligibility Criteria	Students need a strong All India Rank (AIR) to secure a seat in top colleges. Class 12 should be completed with the science stream and at least 50% marks from a recognised board.	Eligibility depends on state-specific rules. Generally, students must have passed class 12 in science with 50% marks, but the cut-off may vary by state. Domicile rules usually apply.
Competition Level	Competition is quite intense since students from all over India are applying for a limited number of seats.	The competition is relatively less because candidates compete within their own state.
Reservation Rules	Follows the central government’s reservation policy.	Reservation policies are based on the individual state’s rules and can differ widely.
Cut-Off Trends	Cut-off ranks are usually higher due to the national-level competition.	Cut-offs tend to be lower, offering better chances to local candidates. However, this still varies depending on the state.
Counselling Authority	Counselling is managed centrally by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) through MCC.	CET Cell is the counselling authority of Maharashtra for NEET.
Fee Structure	Fees are generally standardised for AIQ seats.	Fee structures can differ based on the college and the state’s education policies.
Domicile Requirements	Any Indian citizen is eligible, regardless of their home state.	Students typically need a valid domicile certificate issued by the government of Maharashtra to apply for seats under this quota.

NEET UG 2025 – Maharashtra State Quota (85%) Counselling:

For students aiming to get into a medical or dental college in Maharashtra, the 85% state quota offers a major chance. Here's what NEET UG 2025 aspirants in Maharashtra need to know about eligibility, the admission process, and reservation rules.

Who Can Apply?

Students must hold a valid Maharashtra domicile certificate.
The Candidate should have qualified for NEET UG 2025 as per the required cut-off.
Completing Class 10 and 12 from a recognised board strengthens eligibility, especially for specific categories.

What’s the Admission Process Like?

The State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, conducts counselling for state quota seats.
Students need to register online on the official CET Cell website during the announced schedule.
Based on NEET scores, preferences, and category, seats in government and private colleges across Maharashtra are allotted.

Reservation Rules in Maharashtra

The state follows its own reservation policy, which includes quotas for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, VJNT, and other state-recognised categories.
Maharashtra also applies horizontal reservations for women, PwD candidates, and children of defence personnel, among others.
Exact seat distribution is published in the official counselling brochure every year.

NEET UG 2025 – All India Quota (15%): How It Works for Maharashtra Students

Apart from the 85% state quota, medical aspirants from Maharashtra can also apply for the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats. These seats are available in government medical and dental colleges across different states, not just in Maharashtra. Here's what Maharashtra students should know.

Who Can Apply?

Any student who clears NEET UG 2025 is eligible to apply under AIQ — except candidates from Jammu & Kashmir, unless the government allows them specifically.
Maharashtra students are fully eligible to apply under AIQ and can compete for seats in colleges outside the state.

Who Conducts the Counselling?

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) conducts the entire AIQ counselling process online.
Everything — from registration to seat allotment — happens on the official MCC website.

How is the Merit List Made?

MCC prepares a centralised merit list using NEET 2025 scores.
Based on this list, eligible candidates are invited to take part in online choice filling, college preference selection, and seat confirmation steps.

How Are Seats Allotted?

Seat allotment is done based on your All India Rank (AIR), your category, and the college/course preferences you submit during counselling.
Once allotted, students must confirm their admission by uploading documents and paying the required fee to the assigned college.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between the state and All India quota can make a big difference when applying through Maharashtra NEET UG counselling. While the 85% state quota gives local students a strong advantage, the 15% AIQ opens up opportunities in top colleges across India. Knowing the eligibility rules, reservation policies, and counselling authorities for both helps students plan better. Whether you’re targeting colleges within Maharashtra or exploring options nationwide, staying updated with the official counselling schedule and guidelines is key. So, prepare well, choose wisely, and follow the process carefully to secure your medical or dental seat in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is eligible for the Maharashtra state quota counselling?

Students who hold a valid Maharashtra domicile certificate and have qualified for NEET UG 2025 can apply for Maharashtra state quota counselling. Completing Class 10 and 12 from a recognised board in Maharashtra also strengthens eligibility for certain reserved categories.

2. Can I apply for both AIQ and Maharashtra state quota seats?

Yes, students from Maharashtra can apply for both. They can participate in the 85% state quota counselling managed by CET Cell and also register for the 15% All India Quota seats handled by MCC.

3. What is the counselling process under Maharashtra AIQ counselling?

Maharashtra AIQ counselling is conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). Students need to register online, fill in their preferences, and go through the national-level seat allotment process based on NEET All India Rank.

4. Are private colleges included in the Maharashtra state quota counselling?

Yes, private medical and dental colleges in Maharashtra also participate in the state quota counselling. However, the number of seats and fee structures may vary from government colleges.

5. Is there a reservation policy in Maharashtra NEET counselling?

Yes, the Maharashtra state quota counselling follows the state’s own reservation rules for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, VJNT, and other categories. Horizontal reservations also apply to women, PwD, and children of defence personnel.