Step-by-Step Guide to Maharashtra Stray Vacancy Round

The stray vacancy round is considered the last opportunity for a NEET UG 2025 aspirant to get an MBBS or BDS seat in Maharashtra. The Stray Vacancy Round happens after the Mop-Up round to fill seats left vacant due to withdrawals or candidates not reporting to colleges. It is highly competitive and time-sensitive, and is usually conducted directly by colleges under CET Cell guidelines. To help you gain admission, we have provided guidelines on how to undertake the Maharashtra stray vacancy round in 2025 step by step.

Who Gets Eligible for Maharashtra NEET UG 2025 Stray Vacancy Round?

Eligible Candidates:

• Candidates who have registered with the Maharashtra CET Cell for NEET UG counselling but have never been allotted a seat in any of the earlier counselling rounds.
• Candidates who were allotted a seat in any of the earlier counselling rounds but either did not join or report to the allotted college.

Not Eligible:

• Candidates who have joined and taken admission in a college seat through any previous counselling rounds shall not be eligible to participate in the stray vacancy round.

How to Register and Participate in the Maharashtra NEET UG 2025 Stray Vacancy Round

Registration, participation, and securing a seat in any rounds are important for acquiring MBBS or BDS seats in Maharashtra outside the last counselling. Each stage shall be correctly followed for registration to the final admission. Here is an explanation for the entire step-by-step process:

1. Registration

• Visit the official webpage https://cetcell.mahacet.org/
• Fill in your details like application number, password, etc. Check all the details filled in. If anything appears to be wrong, rectify it. 
• Submit the registration form for the stray vacancy round before the due date. 

2. Choice Filling

• The candidates would be directed to the webpage displaying the updated seat matrix, colleges, and courses available to them. 
• Set your selections and rankings for colleges and courses based on your choice and NEET rank. 

3. Seat Allotment

• The Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Maharashtra, shall effect allotment strictly based on merit and preferences.
• Candidates should visit the official portals on specified dates and check if their name appears in the allotment list.
• Get the letter of allotment printed and keep a copy safely as proof of allotment.

4. Reporting to the College

• Report to the allotted college within the timeframe mentioned in the allotment letter.
• Carry all original documents for verification (see the documents section for more details).
• Complete admission formalities, including document verification and fees payment

5. Document Verification

• The college authorities will verify all original certificates and documents.
• Incomplete or mismatched documents may lead to the cancellation of admission.
• You may have to keep photocopies handy as some colleges demand them during verification.

6. Payment of Fees

• Pay the admission fees as instructed by the college within the given time.
• Generally, the fees consist of tuition fees, admission fees, and other miscellaneous charges.
• Some fee components may not be refundable in case of withdrawal.

7. Confirmation of Admission

• Admission shall be considered confirmed upon reporting and paying the fees.
• Obtain the admission receipt and joining report from the college.

8. No Further Upgradation

Keep in mind that the stray vacancy round is the last round, following which no further upgradation or transfer of a seat shall be allowed.

Tentative Schedule – Maharashtra Stray Vacancy Round 2025

Knowledge of tentative dates for the Stray Vacancy Round is very crucial for planning, as this round is very important, and not meeting deadlines means losing that last chance to take up MBBS/BDS admission. Here is the tentative schedule:

Documents Required for Reporting

Reporting to your allotted college for the Maharashtra stray vacancy round 2025 without having all the right documents required by the college can create a problem. Even missing a single document can lead to the cancellation of your allocated seat. 

Do not forget to take along all original documents with several photocopies for submission during college reporting:

• NEET UG 2025 Admit Card and Scorecard
• 10th and 12th Mark Sheets and Passing Certificates
• Maharashtra Domicile Certificate (mandatory for state quota)
• Caste Certificate (if applicable)
• Non-Creamy Layer Certificate (for OBC candidates)
• Income Certificate (for EWS category candidates)
• Medical Fitness Certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner or a government hospital
• Passport-size photographs (usually 4 to 6 copies)
• Aadhar Card or other valid government-issued photo ID proof
• Migration Certificate (if applicable, especially if studied outside Maharashtra)
• Transfer Certificate (TC) and Conduct Certificate from your previous institution (if required)

Additional Important Points

Fee Payment

• The student has to pay the prescribed admission fees within the deadline after seat allotment to confirm their admission.
• Keep all payment receipts and transaction proofs safely for future reference.

Spot Round and Stray Vacancy Round

• The Stray Vacancy Round is the last round of counselling and should not be confused with earlier spot or mop-up rounds.
• There will be no further rounds after this, so it is your last chance to grab a government/state quota seat.

Quota Information

• This round only fills the 85% state quota seats for candidates domiciled in Maharashtra.
• All India Quota (15%) seats are filled through a separate nationwide counselling conducted by MCC (Medical Counselling Committee).

No Transfer Allowed

• Under no circumstances will transfers to any other college or requests for upgradation be entertained after admission in this round.

Refund Policy

• One must understand clearly the rules regarding the refund of fees before making any payments.
• Some fees may be non-refundable in case one resigns or does not report to the college.

Counselling Helpline

• Keep the number and other contact details of the Maharashtra DME counselling helpline handy in case you need any clarification or help during the process.
• Use only the official emails and numbers so that you would recieve all the information in time.

Document Verification

• Ensure that all your documents are genuine, complete, and duly verified before reporting or submitting.
• Any discrepancies or incomplete documentation shall lead to the cancellation of admission. 

Medical Fitness Certificate

• The certificate should be issued recently (6 months) certifying that you are medically fit to go on with the course.  

Reporting Timelines

• Always strictly abide by the reporting dates as per the allotment letter.
• Late reporting may lead to the cancellation of the allotted seat.

Multiple Copies of Documents

• Carry 3-4 copies of all documents since some colleges ask for them while proceeding with the admission round.

Tips for Candidates

Securing a seat in the final rounds of Maharashtra NEET UG 2025 counselling takes more than just a good rank, it requires a smart strategy and thorough preparation. This stage demands that you stay organised, make timely decisions, and remain ready to act when opportunities arise. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate the final phase effectively and improve your chances of getting an MBBS or BDS seat.

Be Practical and Strategic:

When selecting colleges and courses during counselling, it’s important to base your choices strictly on your NEET rank and your realistic chances of admission. Avoid overly ambitious options that are far beyond your reach, as well as very low-preference choices that you’re unlikely to be satisfied with. Making practical and well-informed selections will increase your chances of securing a seat that truly fits your profile.

Be Organised:

Keep all the documents ready and organised before you finally report to the college. It helps to keep away the stress at the last moment. 

Meet the Deadlines:

Missing deadlines for choice filling, locking, or reporting can lead to the cancellation of your allotted seat. To avoid this, make sure to set reminders and stay updated with the counselling schedule. Timely action is crucial to secure and retain your admission.

Ask for Advice:

Seek advice from such sources as seniors, guides, or professional counselling experts if you are confused about seat-related choices or the counselling process.

Keep Alternative Plans:

Prepare alternative options, such as private colleges or counselling in states other than your own, if you do not manage to get a seat in this round.

Conclusion

The Stray Vacancy Round for NEET UG 2025 in Maharashtra is the final chance to get admission into the MBBS program. In 2024, over a thousand seats in government, private, and deemed universities were filled during this round, making it a golden opportunity for many.

With more than 1.3 lakh NEET aspirants in the state, competition is intense. If your rank is between 45,000 and 75,000, your best shot is likely in private or deemed universities. That’s why this round is extremely important; it’s the last official chance for any seat allotment, whether you’re hoping for an upgrade or even a downward shift in your college preference.

Be alert and ready to act quickly, as this is the final window to secure an MBBS seat in Maharashtra for NEET UG 2025.