The Maharashtra government has eliminated the institutional-level admission round for postgraduate medical and dental courses in 2026. Now, all admissions, including those under the institutional quota and Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quota, will be conducted through a centralized online process managed by the Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell. This change aims to make the admission process more transparent and quality-focused.
- The institutional-level admission round has been discontinued.
- All admissions will be conducted online by the Maharashtra CET Cell.
- Eligibility for institutional quota seats has been expanded.
- Stray vacancy rounds will also be conducted online.
- Two-year ban imposed on candidates skipping the final admission round.
Why has Maharashtra scrapped the institutional-level admission round?
The Maharashtra Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admission) Rules, 2026, notified on October 5, 2026, have removed the institutional-level round to improve transparency and ensure quality in postgraduate medical and dental admissions. Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif emphasized that this change encourages fair participation and reduces irregularities in the admission process.
How will the admission process work now?
All admissions, including seats under the institutional and NRI quotas, will be conducted through a centralized online counselling process managed by the Maharashtra CET Cell. This includes the filling of vacant seats through stray vacancy rounds, which will also be held online. Candidates must register and participate in the online counselling to secure admission.
What changes have been made to eligibility criteria for institutional quota seats?
The revised rules have expanded eligibility for institutional quota seats in private medical and dental colleges. Candidates with a Maharashtra domicile certificate are now eligible even if they completed their qualifying degree outside Maharashtra. Additionally, candidates from outside Maharashtra and foreign medical degree holders can apply for these seats. This broadens the candidate pool while maintaining centralized admission control.
What is the significance of the registration deadline?
The last date of registration will serve as the cut-off for determining candidates' eligibility. Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria by this deadline will be declared ineligible for that academic year. Eligibility obtained after the registration deadline will not be considered for the current admission cycle. Therefore, candidates must ensure they fulfill all requirements before registering.
What happens if a candidate skips the final admission round?
According to the new rules, candidates who fail to report to or join their allotted seat in the final Centralised Admission Process (CAP) round, causing the seat to remain vacant, will face a two-year ban from admission. This rule, already applied in undergraduate NEET admissions, now extends to postgraduate medical and dental admissions to discourage seat blocking and promote commitment.
Where can candidates find more information?
Detailed admission schedules, information booklets, and notifications are available on the official Maharashtra State CET Cell website. These resources provide comprehensive instructions on the admission process and eligibility requirements for postgraduate medical and dental courses.
