The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell (CET Cell) has released the official NEET PG 2026 Information Brochure along with Notice No. 01 for registration and CAP Round 1 and Notice No. 02 explaining the NRI eligibility and registration process.
The counselling covers admission to MD, MS and PG Diploma courses for the academic year 2026–27 in Government, Corporation, Government-aided, Unaided Private and Minority Medical Colleges in Maharashtra. Notice No.01
Candidates planning to participate in Maharashtra NEET PG counselling should carefully understand the registration dates, eligibility rules, security deposit, document requirements, preference-filling system and the separate procedure prescribed for NRI candidates.
Maharashtra NEET PG 2026 Counselling – Who Can Apply?
Candidates who have appeared and qualified in NEET PG 2026 and want admission to postgraduate medical seats available through the Maharashtra State CET Cell must complete the online registration process.
The application is used for preparation of the Maharashtra State Provisional Merit List. The notice specifically states that NRI candidates, Outside Maharashtra State candidates and In-service candidates can also participate, subject to their applicable eligibility conditions. Notice No.01
NEET PG 2026 is the mandatory entrance examination for admission to MD/MS/PG Diploma courses in Maharashtra. The counselling includes State Quota and seats in private/minority colleges that are placed under the State CET Cell admission process. PGM-26_IB
Important Dates for Maharashtra NEET PG 2026 CAP Round 1
The State CET Cell has announced the following schedule:
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Information Brochure released | 16 October 2026 |
| Online Registration & Session Apply | 17 October to 23 October 2026, up to 11:59 PM |
| Registration Fee & Security Deposit Payment | 17 October to 24 October 2026, up to 5:00 PM |
| Uploading Original Scanned Documents | 17 October to 24 October 2026, up to 11:59 PM |
| Online Document Verification | 18 October to 27 October 2026, up to 11:59 PM |
| Registered Candidate List | 28 October 2026 |
| Provisional Merit List | 28 October 2026 |
| Grievance Period | 29–30 October 2026 |
| Final Provisional State Merit List | 1 November 2026 |
| CAP Round 1 Seat Matrix | 1 November 2026 |
| Round 1 Preference Filling | 2–4 November 2026, up to 11:59 PM |
| CAP Round 1 Selection List | 5 November 2026 |
| Physical Joining | 6–10 November 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
The CET Cell has clarified that the schedule can change based on directions from MCC, Central or State Government, NMC or courts. Notice No.01 Notice No.01
Registration Fee and Security Deposit
Every candidate has to pay a non-refundable registration/application fee of ₹3,000.
In addition, candidates must pay a refundable security deposit depending on the type of institutions for which they want to exercise preferences.
Candidates choosing only Government institutions
- General / candidates without constitutional reservation: ₹25,000
- Candidates with constitutional reservation: ₹12,500
Candidates wanting Government as well as Private institutions
- Security Deposit: ₹1,00,000
A candidate who pays the Government-only deposit can exercise preferences only for Government, Corporation and Government-aided institutions. Candidates who pay the ₹1 lakh deposit can exercise preferences for Government as well as Private/Minority institutions. PGM-26_IB
The security deposit is refundable in eligible situations, but it may be forfeited if a candidate fails to join an allotted seat in certain later rounds, resigns under specified conditions, submits incorrect information or fails to produce required documents. PGM-26_IB
Basic Eligibility for Maharashtra NEET PG 2026
For admission, candidates must meet the eligibility conditions prescribed in the official brochure.
A candidate generally must have:
- Qualified NEET PG 2026
- Completed MBBS from a recognised medical institution
- Completed the required internship on or before 30 September 2026
- Provisional or permanent registration with NMC, Maharashtra Medical Council or another recognised State Medical Council. PGM-26_IB
Minimum NEET PG Percentile
The brochure prescribes:
- General / EWS: 50th percentile
- Reserved Categories: 40th percentile
- General/EWS PwD: 45th percentile
- Reserved Category PwD: 40th percentile
Any revision subsequently announced by NMC or Government of India will apply. PGM-26_IB
Maharashtra Candidates Who Studied MBBS Outside the State
A Maharashtra domicile candidate who obtained an MBBS seat outside Maharashtra under the 15% All India Quota in a Government Medical College, AIIMS or Central Government institution can also be eligible.
Such candidates have to produce supporting documents including:
- Certificate from the Dean confirming admission under the 15% All India Quota, and
- Maharashtra domicile certificate. PGM-26_IB
Outside Maharashtra and FMG Candidates
The official notification states that candidates who completed their UG medical qualification outside Maharashtra, as well as Foreign Medical Graduates where applicable, are eligible only for Institutional Quota seats in Private Colleges, subject to fulfilment of the applicable eligibility conditions. Notice No.01
The information brochure similarly provides that certain candidates who passed the qualifying examination outside Maharashtra are restricted to Institutional Quota seats. PGM-26_IB
Private Medical College Seat Distribution
In Unaided Private and Minority Medical Colleges:
- 50% seats are State CET Cell quota seats.
- Remaining 50% seats are Institutional Quota seats, including NRI seats.
- The Institutional Quota is filled on an All India basis.
- A maximum of 15% of the total seats may be filled through the NRI category, according to the applicable provisions. PGM-26_IB
Maharashtra NEET PG 2026 NRI Eligibility
A separate official notice has been issued specifically for NRI candidates.
For NEET PG 2026, an eligible NRI claim may relate to:
- The candidate himself/herself being an NRI.
- Candidate whose parent is an NRI.
- Candidate who is the legally recognised ward of an NRI, where ward status must satisfy the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890.
- The candidate must also satisfy all other NEET PG 2026 eligibility requirements. Notice No.02
The brochure also states that an NRI candidate is not eligible for other quotas merely on the basis of NRI status and is eligible for NRI quota seats subject to the applicable conditions. PGM-26_IB
Separate NRI Registration Is Mandatory
Candidates claiming NRI status must first register on the Foreign Candidate Registration (FCR) Portal – fn.mahacet.org.
The process is:
Step 1 – FCR Registration
Register on the Foreign Candidate Registration Portal, complete the application and upload the required documents.
Step 2 – Pay USD 50 Eligibility Fee
A non-refundable USD 50 eligibility fee must be paid.
The application is then examined. If the candidate is found eligible, a Provisional Eligibility Certificate (PEC) is generated in the candidate’s login.
Step 3 – Pay USD 1,150 Processing Fee
After receiving the PEC, a candidate who wants to continue in the admission process must pay a one-time USD 1,150 processing fee.
This means the prescribed NRI process involves USD 50 + USD 1,150.
Step 4 – Use FCR Application Number for CAP
The FCR application number is subsequently used for registration/access to the CAP admission process, preference filling and seat allotment. Notice No.02
The NRI registration for eligibility verification must be completed before 22 October 2026. Notice No.02
Documents Required for NRI Candidates
Apart from regular NEET PG admission documents, an NRI claimant needs specific supporting documents, including:
- NRI certificate issued by an Indian Mission/Post abroad for the candidate, parent or guardian.
- Passport and nationality documents of candidate and parent/guardian.
- If claiming through a guardian, a court-issued guardianship document.
- Foreign bank account passbook, including relevant details and entries for the preceding six months.
- Foreign Candidate Registration Portal receipt. Notice No.02
This point is particularly important for candidates claiming NRI status through a guardian: the official notice specifically requires legally recognised guardianship documentation.
Regular Documents Candidates Should Keep Ready
Candidates should prepare scanned copies and originals of the required documents, including:
- Maharashtra NEET PG 2026 application form
- NEET PG 2026 Admit Card
- Photo ID
- NEET PG 2026 result/marksheet
- Nationality proof
- MBBS degree/passing certificate
- Internship completion certificate
- NMC/MMC/State Medical Council registration certificate
- College recognition certificate where required
- Medical Fitness Certificate
- Registration fee/security deposit receipt
- Caste Certificate, if applicable
- Caste Validity Certificate
- Non-Creamy Layer Certificate where applicable
- EWS Certificate
- PwD Certificate
- AIQ admission proof, where applicable
- In-service NOC
- Orphan Certificate, where applicable
- NRI documents, where applicable. PGM-26_IB
Uploading documents is compulsory. Notice No. 01 warns that candidates who fail to upload the required documents may not be considered under their claimed category and the application may be rejected. Notice No.01
Important Reservation Document Rules
Reserved-category candidates must claim their category in the application itself.
After submission, a request to change from Open/General category to a reserved category will not be entertained. Candidates should therefore ensure their caste, validity and Non-Creamy Layer documents are ready before final submission. Notice No.01
For EWS candidates, the State CET Cell has specifically stated that the Maharashtra State Government format must be used. A Central Government-format EWS certificate will not be accepted for this counselling. Notice No.01
How Preference Filling Works
Maharashtra NEET PG counselling is conducted through an online preference system. There is no offline preference form.
Candidates must fill fresh preferences separately for Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and Online Stray Vacancy Round. Once the preferences for a round are finally submitted, they cannot be changed for that round. PGM-26_IB
This is one of the most important rules for candidates:
Round 1 preferences do not automatically continue into Round 2. Fresh choices must be submitted for the next round.
Except for preferences used in subsequent Online Stray Vacancy rounds, previous-round choices are generally not carried forward. PGM-26_IB
Understanding S, I and N Quota Codes
The Maharashtra preference system uses a college-subject combination with a suffix indicating the quota:
- S = State Quota
- I = Institutional Quota
- N = NRI Quota
For Private and Minority Medical Colleges, the candidate must be extremely careful while selecting the correct suffix because the fee structure and eligibility can differ significantly between S, I and N seats. PGM-26_IB
The brochure recommends checking the applicable fee before submitting preferences.
Can a Non-NRI Candidate Fill NRI Choices?
An important provision in the brochure states that candidates who are not NRI or ward of NRI may still enter N-suffix preferences. However, NRI candidates receive priority for NRI quota seats. If an NRI seat remains vacant after considering eligible NRI candidates, it may be allotted as per merit to another eligible candidate who has exercised that NRI preference, subject to the rules in force. PGM-26_IB
This must not be confused with claiming NRI status. Claiming NRI candidature requires the separate eligibility and FCR process described in Notice No. 02.
CAP Round 1 and Upgradation
Candidates allotted a seat in Round 1 must complete joining within the prescribed period.
A candidate who is satisfied with the Round 1 seat can submit the Status Retention Form. Once Status Retention is submitted, the candidate will not be considered for subsequent rounds.
A candidate who wants upgradation should not submit Status Retention and must fill fresh preferences for Round 2. PGM-26_IB
Round 2 – Important Rule
Candidates eligible for Round 2 include, among others:
- Registered candidates who did not fill choices in Round 1.
- Candidates who participated but received no Round 1 seat.
- Candidates whose Round 1 claim/allotment was cancelled but who remain otherwise eligible.
- Candidates who joined Round 1 but did not submit Status Retention.
- Candidates who did not join their Round 1 seat.
- Candidates who joined and resigned within the permitted Round 1 period.
All such candidates must submit fresh Round 2 choices. Round 1 choices become null for Round 2. PGM-26_IB
Joining After CAP Round 1
The first selection list is scheduled for 5 November 2026.
Selected candidates must physically join the allotted college between 6 November and 10 November 2026 up to 5:30 PM, produce original documents and pay the required institutional fees. Notice No.01
Candidates should remember that allotment alone does not complete the admission. Reporting, original document verification and payment of the required college fee are essential.
Key Advice for Students and Parents
Maharashtra NEET PG 2026 has several separate layers—State Quota, Institutional Quota, Minority seats and NRI seats. Candidates should therefore avoid filling choices merely by looking at the college name.
Before submitting preferences, verify:
- Your eligibility for that particular quota
- College and branch priority
- S/I/N suffix
- Tuition fee and other charges
- Bond/penalty conditions, where applicable
- Your willingness to join if allotted
- Upgradation strategy for subsequent rounds
The brochure specifically advises candidates to verify the fee structure of State, Institutional and NRI quota seats before submitting their online preferences. PGM-26_IB
Conclusion
Maharashtra NEET PG 2026 counselling registration begins on 17 October 2026, and the initial CAP Round 1 process runs through November.
The most important points candidates should remember are:
Registration + correct security deposit + complete document upload + correct quota selection + carefully planned fresh preferences for every round are all essential.
NRI candidates have an additional and separate FCR eligibility process, including the NRI documentation requirement, USD 50 eligibility fee and USD 1,150 processing fee. Notice No.02
Candidates should rely on the Maharashtra State CET Cell’s official notices and Information Brochure throughout the counselling process because schedules and procedures can be modified by the competent authorities.
ICCC Bharat – Medical Admission Guidance
For counselling guidance, document verification and choice-filling strategy, candidates may contact ICCC Bharat.