Securing a postgraduate medical seat in India can be competitive. Postgraduate medical education is popular in Maharashtra, and the state has reputable government and private colleges with strong academic and clinical exposure.

Admissions to MD, MS, and PG Diploma seats are based on counselling by the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test Cell. The merit-based process involves the NEET PG rank, domicile, reservation, and seat availability in the various rounds.

Continue reading to know all the details of the Maharashtra NEET PG Counselling, such as eligibility, necessary dates, and registration process.

Overview of Maharashtra NEET PG Counselling

The State Common Entrance Test Cell of Maharashtra is in charge of M.D, M.S, and PG Diploma admissions under the state and private quota under the Maharashtra NEET PG counselling, while the medical counselling committee is in charge of the All India Quota.

The NEET PG for MD, MS, and PG Diploma seats is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra. The CET Cell regulates counselling for 50% state quota seats in government and corporation medical colleges, and for all seats in private and minority colleges.

The remaining government college seats are allocated under the All India Quota (AIQ), which is administered separately by the Medical Counselling Committee at the national level. All recognised postgraduate medical courses affiliated to Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik, and other state universities are included in the state counselling process.

The CET Cell annually publishes a comprehensive information brochure, seat plan, and counselling plan. Maharashtra has a reservation policy that includes categories for OBC, SC, ST, and EWS. Only those who have qualified in NEET PG and wish to appear in the Maharashtra state merit list are eligible to participate in the counselling process.

Eligibility Criteria for NEET PG Counselling in Maharashtra

Maharashtra NEET PG counselling requires a valid NEET PG score, an MBBS in an NMC-recognised Indian college, an internship, and registration by the National Medical Commission or the Maharashtra Medical Council.

Maharashtra follows standard NEET PG eligibility criteria with a few state-specific conditions:

• Candidates must have a valid NEET PG score.
• Candidates must possess an MBBS degree from an NMC-recognised Indian college.
• Candidates must complete a 12-month internship.
• Candidates must hold a permanent or provisional MBBS certificate.
• Candidates must register with the National Medical Commission or the Maharashtra Medical Council, which is also mandatory.

Applicants with an MBBS obtained from foreign countries are not eligible to apply for Maharashtra NEET PG seats.

Choice filling is restricted to individuals on the official state merit list. No special age restriction exists; however, NMC norms must be satisfied, and in-service doctors must practice according to the in-service quota (where necessary).

Maharashtra NEET PG Counselling: Registration Process and Important Dates

Registration for Maharashtra NEET PG counselling is conducted online through the State CET Cell. Candidates need to register, pay fees, and may upload documents before locking their preferences.

Applicants should apply online on the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra portal, within the stipulated time, which is most often announced in October or November.

Registration involves the applicant creating an account, paying the counselling fee, providing the essential documents, and completing a form before the stipulated deadline. Once the choice locking is done, the CET Cell releases the seat matrix and draws the provisional allotment list.

Selected candidates are then expected to report to their assigned college to be admitted in accordance with the actual counselling schedule.

The table below is a close reference of the counselling schedule of Rounds 1 and 2 in Maharashtra (2025) according to the CET Cell notification:

Event	Round 1 Dates (2025)	Round 2 Dates (2025)
Seat Matrix Publication	25 Nov 2025	15 Dec 2025
Online Choice Filling	25–27 Nov 2025	15–17 Dec 2025
Provisional Selection List	28 Nov 2025	19 Dec 2025
Reporting & Verification at College	29 Nov–3 Dec 2025	20–24 Dec 2025

For exact dates, always visit the CET Cell website. Missing a deadline (e.g., filling out a choice or reporting a choice) may result in the loss of a seat. Notices and counselling updates (e.g., updated schedules or new rounds) are also published by the CET Cell.

Maharashtra NEET PG Counselling Fees and Security Deposit

Financial preparation is a necessary component of the Maharashtra NEET PG counselling. This section describes the non-refundable application fees and the organised security deposit to attend the seat allocation rounds.

Refer to the table below for the fee structure for different categories:

Fee Type	Amount (₹)	Applicable To	Remarks
Application / Registration Fee	₹3,000	All candidates	Non-refundable; payable during online registration
Security Deposit – Government College	₹25,000	General category candidates	Refundable after completion of admission formalities
Security Deposit – Private College	₹1,00,000	Allotted private college candidates	Refundable as per counselling rules
Security Deposit – Reserved Category (Govt. College)	₹12,500	SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates	Refundable after the admission process

Note: The allotted college retains the security deposit and may forfeit it if the student fails to adhere to admission rules. Applicants are required to keep fee receipts to verify them when reporting.

Maharashtra NEET PG Counselling: Seat Matrix and Participating Colleges

The State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, releases a seat matrix before each round. In 2025, Maharashtra offered 2,510 MD/MS seats (1,522 government and 988 private) and 16 PG Diploma seats. Applicants are advised to study the round-wise matrix and then complete the selections.

Before every round of counselling, the CET Cell publishes a list of available seats per college, per course, and per category (General, SC and ST, OBC, EWS, in-service, etc.). For 2025, Maharashtra provided 1,522 MD/MS in government colleges, 988 in private/minority colleges, and 16 seats for the PG Diploma, for a total of 2,510 MD/MS.

Participating institutions include the government, corporations, and the central government, as well as aided and recognised statewide medical colleges in the minor/private category.

Applicants are advised to use the official PDFs of the seat matrices available on the CET Cell website to make informed choices. The broad distribution can be summarised as:

• Government/Corporation Colleges (MD/MS): 1,522 Seats
• Private/Minority Colleges (MD/MS): 988 Seats
• Total MD/MS Seats: 2510 Seats (govt + private)
• PG Diploma (MD/MS) Seats: 16 total

The figures are renewed annually. Seats of every college are further subdivided (e.g., Institute Quota, EWS, orphans, PWD). The round-wise official seat matrix is the most reliable source of the precise counts and should be well researched before filling options.

Step-by-Step Maharashtra NEET PG Counselling Process

To navigate the Maharashtra NEET PG counselling, one needs to have a thorough idea of the centralised admission process. The process establishes an online profile and secures college choices with admission to the allotted institute.

The NEET PG Maharashtra Counselling has a Centralised Admission Process (CAP). The applicants will be required to go through several steps online. To maintain transparency, the authority releases provisional lists at each level.

Students should also keep their login details secure and double-check any data they submit, as the CET Cell usually does not accept correction requests once the forms have been submitted.

• Online Registration: Visit the CET Cell portal and enter your NEET PG roll number, personal details, and then fill the application form with your academic, internship, and category details.
• Fee Payment: Submit the non-refundable registration fee and a refundable security deposit online to confirm the applicant’s participation in the Maharashtra medical PG counselling process.
• Document Upload: Scanned copies of academic, identification, and category certificates in the prescribed format should be uploaded for verification.
• Common State Merit List (CSML): The merit list is published by the CET Cell, which is dependent on the NEET PG scores, domicile, and category. Only listed candidates can proceed further.
• Choice Filling: When registering through the NEET PG Counselling Maharashtra portal, shortlist and bind the first- and second-preferred courses by ranking the preferred MD/MS or PG Diploma and college.
• Seat Allotment: Allocation of seats is done automatically based on merit rank, preferences, reservations, and the seat matrix. The results are made available online.
• Reporting & Verification: The allotted candidates are required to report to the college with their original documents and pay tuition fees to ensure admission.
• Status Retention Form: All candidates who are content with their seat may fill out this form to complete the admission and avoid additional counselling rounds.

NEET PG Maharashtra Counselling: Document Verification and Reporting

The process of Maharashtra’s medical pg counselling relies on proper documentation. The section gives a comprehensive list of the required certificates and evidence that applicants will have to submit online and present in person at the stage of college reporting.

If you fail to report physically to present the original documents, it can cause instant cancellation of allocated seats during NEET PG Maharashtra Counselling. It is highly recommended that all candidates maintain several copies of attested photocopies of their files along with their original files.

Misspellings, dates or absent signatures of official certificates might lead to serious delays or disqualification. This typically includes:

• NEET PG admit card and rank card
• MBBS (Undergraduate degree) certificate (or provisional certificate).
• MBBS 1st, 2nd, 3rd year mark sheets
• Certificate of competition in internship
• Permanent Medical Registration (from either MCI/NMC or the Maharashtra Medical Council)
• Mark sheets to prove age (10th and 12th)
• Identification proof (Aadhar card, passport, etc.)
• Caste/Category certificate (if applicable) issued by the competent authority
• Domicile certificate (when one applies under the Maharashtra quota)
• Nationality certificate (if required)
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the employer in case the candidate is in service.
• Work experience certificate for in-service candidates.

Applicants are to have both the original and an attested copy of the photocopies. In the verification process, the college will verify the eligibility based on the NEET PG brochure rules.

Once they have been checked, the college decides that the admission is true and accepts the original documents (later to be returned according to the rules).

NEET PG Maharashtra Counselling: In-Service Quota Rules

Maharashtra reserves 20% of the government state quota seats for in-service doctors in rural or tribal areas. These candidates will get incentive marks of merit and special preferential treatment in allotment.

Maharashtra reserves around 20% of state quota seats at the government colleges, which are reserved for the in-service doctors in government practice on rural or tribal postings. Such applicants are awarded incentive marks depending on their service, which enhances their merit standing.

In-service doctors with incentive marks are allotted seats first, according to policy, and the remaining seats are subsequently made available to those who do not have incentive marks. Every in-service applicant should satisfy the eligibility requirements of the NEET PG, and most commonly fulfils the Maharashtra domicile requirements.

In case a candidate quits government service after gaining admission, they might need to lose the seat and face penalties as per regulations.

NEET PG Maharashtra Counselling: Stray Vacancy Round

Unfilled seats after the CAP rounds are filled by the online Stray Vacancy Round. The candidates are required to re-register and provide new preferences, where the allotment will be done based on merit. It is the last state counselling round; candidates who have passed AIQ/DNB are not eligible; however, in-service candidates can attend.

Any vacated seats remaining in colleges and courses after completion of the regular (CAP) rounds are again offered in the Stray Vacancy Round (also known as the special stray round). This is also done online by the CET Cell, Maharashtra.

The procedure is the same: the qualified candidates apply, complete new sets of preferences, and are allotted. Please remember that the stray round is the last option for gaining a state/allocated seat. Unless a candidate participates or secures a seat, they can apply to special rounds either through MCC or private management quotas.

In-service candidates could also participate in the stray round. The CET Cell clearly announces all reporting and status retention timelines. There are no more state counselling rounds that year, after the stray round allotment.

FAQs about Maharashtra NEET PG Counselling

1. Can NRI or OCI candidates participate?

Yes. Applicants of NRI/OCI may use the state counselling process to secure NRI seats in private colleges as long as the required NRI eligibility documents are provided.

2. What happens after seat allotment?

The candidates have to download the allotment letter, report to the assigned college within the stipulated deadline, undergo document verification, and pay the stipulated fees. Any failure to report results in the cancellation of the seat.

3. Is a Maharashtra domicile mandatory?

One must present a domicile certificate to claim a 50% of the State Quota seat unless the candidate has attained an MBBS degree in a recognised medical college in Maharashtra.

4. What is the Status Retention Form?

It is a statement made by candidates who are happy with their assigned seat. Submitting it confirms admission and eliminates them from subsequent counselling rounds.

5. Can I modify preferences in Round 2?

The rule of preference is based on the annual brochure. Generally, Round 1 decisions are forwarded, but new options can be introduced in case more seats are available.

6. Is the registration fee refundable?

No. The registration fee (around ₹3,000) is non-refundable. The security deposit is, however, refundable according to seat acceptance regulations.

7. What if I miss document verification?

Any failure to submit the original documents by the deadline will lead to automatic cancellation, and the seat will go to the next round.

8. How many seats are available?

It offers approximately 2,500 MD/MS seats (1,522 government and 988 private in 2025) with a certain number of diploma seats as well, allocating them to various categories of reservations.

9. Who is eligible to apply?

The applicants should have an MBBS degree awarded in a recognised college, a completed internship, an appropriate medical registration, and a valid NEET PG rank. Participation can only be among the Maharashtra merit list.

10. Is there a penalty for withdrawal?

Yes. Late withdrawal or halfway quitting may result in forfeiture of the security deposit and penalties up to ₹20 lakh according to the state bond rules.

Conclusion

The Maharashtra medical PG Counselling provides a clear-cut and merit-driven gateway to some of the most esteemed medical institutions nationwide. Applicants should make sure that they frequently check the official CET Cell portal for important updates about the seat matrix and merit lists.

Together with counselling awareness, proper academic preparation is crucial. For further guidance, DocTutorials can be your study partner. We offer crisp videos, clinical Qbank, exam-focused notes, flashcards, and mind maps, and much more. This helps aspirants gain complete clarity over complex medical concepts.

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