What Happens to Vacant Seats After Maharashtra Counselling Mop-Up Round?

Every year, many MBBS seats remain vacant even after NEET UG counselling rounds are held in Maharashtra, including the Mop-up round. In 2024, even top colleges like BJMC Pune and G.S. Medical College had vacant seats after the mop-up round. With 11,745 MBBS seats available in Maharashtra for 2025, the question arises about what the medical aspirants need to know regarding vacant seats after the Maharashtra counselling Mop-Up round. 

 Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling Rounds

1. Round 1 and Round 2: Centralised Online Counselling

Maharashtra CET Cell conducts such first two rounds of counselling online. These two rounds are conducted for government, private, and minority medical colleges across the state. Candidates are allotted seats based on their NEET-UG scores, preferences filled, and reservation criteria applied. The seat allotment results are announced at the official CET Cell website.

Tentative Schedule:

2. Mop-Up Round: Offline Centralised Counselling

The Mop-Up round also keeps MBBS and BDS seats vacant due to withdrawal of students, non-reporting, or a change of preference. In the past, more than 4,000 seats were kept vacant after the culmination of Round 2, and the Mop-Up was an opportunity for most of the aspirants. The Mop-Up Round is conducted offline for candidates who:

• Did not get a seat in the first two rounds.
• Did not report to their allotted college.
• Chose to exit earlier rounds.

Tentative Schedule:

3. Stray Vacancy Round: Final Institutional-Level Admissions

The Stray Vacancy Round is the last round of counselling for the Maharashtra NEET UG. It is conducted by the colleges at the institute level. The candidates who remain unallotted and are on the state merit list in any case are eligible to participate. The colleges fill vacant seats on merit and submit the list of finally admitted candidates to the CET Cell for approval and publication. This is the final way to ensure that the MBBS/BDS seats do not remain vacant at the end of the admission cycle.

Tentative Schedule:

Vacant Seats After Mop-Up Round

After several rounds of NEET UG counselling, huge numbers of MBBS and BDS seats are still left vacant after the Mop-Up round, with cancellations at the last minute, non-reporting, or improper documentation. In previous admission cycles, more than 1,500 seats across private, deemed, and some government medical colleges in India remained unfilled even after the third round of counselling. Post-Mop-Up vacant seats are usually carried forward to the Stray Vacancy Round, which acts as the last opportunity for admission before the academic session starts. At this phase, candidates have to keep their eyes open and act fast to grab these remaining seats.

1. Vacant MBBS/BDS Seats in Private Unaided and Minority Colleges

• After Round 2 and the Mop-Up Round, some private unaided and minority colleges still have vacant seats.
• These seats often remain due to:
• • Lower-ranked candidates are not opting for them.
  • High tuition fees or management/NRI quota costs.
  • Location or low academic quality of the institution.

The Data Point From Previous Years:

In Maharashtra NEET counselling 2023, between 300 and 400 seats were vacant in private and minority colleges after the Mop-Up Round.

2. Seat Vacancies Caused by Give-Up or Non-Reporting

• Candidates who are given seats but do not report to take admission or pay for formalities, thus leaving those seats empty.
• The seats, therefore, are known as drop-out seats or seats in which admission has not been granted. Such seats again become available in the Stray Vacancy Round.

3. Seats Not Included Under the All India Quota (AIQ)

• Maharashtra has a policy that medical seats in India are largely divided between the State Quota (85%) and AIQ (15%).
• Seats not taken under the State Quota (after Mop-Up) are retained for allotment under Stray Rounds and are not sent to AIQ after Mop-Up.

Stray Vacancy Round

The Stray Vacancy Round is the final chance to fill vacant MBBS/BDS seats in Maharashtra after the Mop-Up Round. In 2024, over 500 seats were left unfilled, mainly in private or minority colleges. This round is offline, merit-based, and open only to previously registered candidates who haven’t been allotted a seat. It’s conducted by individual colleges, and quick action with proper documents is essential.

Eligible students

To participate in the Stray Vacancy Round for MBBS/BDS seats in Maharashtra, candidates must meet all the following conditions:

Ineligible students

All candidates falling under any of the categories mentioned below are not eligible to fill in Stray Vacancy Round seats:

Required Documents for Admission

One must have the correct set of documents during NEET UG counselling in Maharashtra to claim their MBBS/BDS seat. These documents establish eligibility, identity, and category claim over online or offline reporting. Disqualification or withdrawal of the seat can occur on failure to produce any mandatory certificate. The documents listed below are required for a smooth admission process.

1. Admit Card of NEET UG 2025 and Scorecard

• Issued by NTA.
• Identifies the candidate and proof of qualification for the NEET exam.
• It should be the same as the details furnished during CET Cell registration.

2. CET Cell Registration Proof

• Confirmation page or acknowledgement slip from the Maharashtra CET Cell portal.
• Proof of the candidate being part of the state counselling process.
• Mark-sheet and Passing Certificate 10th Standard

3. Proof of age and identity.

• To confirm the date of birth of candidates.
• Mark-sheet and Passing Certificate 12th Standard (HSC). Must show not less than 50% aggregate for General (40% for reserved).

4. Transfer Certificate (TC)/Leaving Certificate

• To be issued by the last-attended educational institution.
• It confirms educational continuity and character. 

5. Domicile Certificate and/or Nationality Certificate

• Prove one as a domicile of Maharashtra and an Indian citizen.
• Required for State Quota and other reservation benefits. 

6. Caste Certificate And Caste Validity Certificate (If Applicable)

• In the case of SC/ST/OBC/SEBC/EWS candidates asking for reservations.
• Issued by a competent authority of Maharashtra.
• A Caste Validity Certificate has to be produced along with a Caste Certificate. 

7. Non-Cream Layer Certificate (OBC/SEBC Candidates)

• Should be valid and dated after April 1, 2025.
• To be produced to avail of the OBC reservation under the State Quota. 

8. Medical Certificate Establishing Fitness

• Should be issued by a registered medical practitioner.
• Preferably, the certificate should state that the candidate is physically and mentally fit to undergo medical education. 

9. Recent Passport-size Photographs

• 6-8 in number.
• Photographs should match the one uploaded during NEET registration.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming opportunity for admission without being on the CET Cell eligible List:

• Many candidates mistakenly believe they can secure admission directly through colleges, even if their names are not on the official CET Cell Eligible Candidate List. However, only those registered with the CET Cell and included in this list are eligible to participate in the Stray Vacancy Round. Attempting admission without being on the list can lead to outright rejection.
• Decision delays and missing the reporting deadline can cost candidates dearly in the Stray Vacancy Round. Since seats are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis based on merit and availability, those who postpone their visit or fail to report on time risk losing their chance as seats fill up quickly. Acting promptly is essential to secure admission.
• Not checking if the college is recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC) is a common mistake some candidates make. Accepting admission in an unrecognised or non-accredited college can lead to serious problems, such as a degree that isn’t valid or difficulties in appearing for licensing exams later. Always verify the official recognition of the college before confirming your admission.
• Incomplete or incorrect documents can cause serious problems during counselling. If you don’t bring all the required original certificates or miss important papers like your domicile certificate, caste certificate, or medical fitness certificate, your application may be rejected during verification. To avoid delays or losing your admission chance, make sure to carry all mandatory documents as specified by the CET Cell and the college when submitting your application.

Conclusion

The Stray Vacancy Round in NEET UG counselling is the final chance for candidates in Maharashtra to fill vacant MBBS and BDS seats. Since a large number of seats often remain unfilled even after the Mop-Up Round, it’s important for candidates to stay updated on the counselling schedule and actively participate in this round to boost their chances of admission.

For the latest updates and detailed schedules, candidates are advised to regularly check Select Your University.