The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has announced that three newly recognized private medical colleges will reserve 40% of their seats for students holding a Maharashtra domicile certificate, while the remaining 60% will be allocated to candidates from other states. These colleges have also been excluded from the first round of the state’s NEET counselling for the 2026–27 academic year, raising questions among medical aspirants and their families about admission opportunities.
New Private Medical Colleges and Their Status
The three private medical colleges affected by this decision are Dr Vithalrao Vikhe Patil Foundation’s Medical College in Ahilyanagar, NKP Salve Institute of Medical Sciences in Nagpur, and Ranjit Deshmukh Dental College and Research Centre, also in Nagpur. These institutions recently received private university status, which changes their admission and fee structures.
Because of their new status, these colleges will not participate in the first round of Maharashtra’s NEET counselling seat matrix. Instead, they will join subsequent admission rounds after completing all formalities related to their establishment as private universities. This move has caused concern among students who had hoped to secure seats in these colleges during the initial counselling phase.
Key Details About Seat Allocation and Fees
- 40% of seats in these three colleges are reserved for Maharashtra domicile students.
- The remaining 60% of seats are open to students from other states.
- Students admitted to these colleges will not be eligible for Maharashtra government scholarships or fee reimbursement schemes.
- Fees for these colleges will be set by a Fee Fixation Committee appointed by the respective private universities, potentially leading to higher tuition costs.
- These colleges will participate in later rounds of NEET counselling after completing necessary formalities.
- Recently, Prakash Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Sangli changed its status from a charitable trust to a Section 8 company, similar to Vedantaa Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) in Palghar, which is run by a private company.
- Maharashtra currently has 85 undergraduate medical colleges, including 43 government and 42 private institutions.
- About 29 colleges are affiliated with Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) Nashik, a state public university, while others are linked to deemed universities.
How This Affects Medical Aspirants in Maharashtra
The exclusion of these three private medical colleges from the first round of NEET counselling means that students will have fewer options initially when applying for MBBS and BDS courses in Maharashtra. The reservation of 40% seats for domicile students also limits the availability for out-of-state candidates, which could impact those seeking admission from other regions.
Additionally, the lack of eligibility for government scholarships and fee reimbursements at these colleges may increase the financial burden on students and their families. The fees set by private university committees are often higher than government-regulated rates, potentially making medical education less affordable.
For students and parents, these changes highlight the importance of understanding the evolving landscape of medical college admissions in Maharashtra. The shift towards private university status for some colleges introduces new rules and financial considerations that could influence decisions about where to apply and enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why were these three private medical colleges excluded from the first round of NEET counselling?
A: They have recently been granted private university status and must complete formalities before participating in counselling, so they will join in later rounds.
Q: What does reserving 40% of seats for domicile students mean?
A: It means that 40% of the seats in these colleges are reserved for students who have a Maharashtra domicile certificate, giving preference to local candidates.
Q: Are students admitted to these colleges eligible for government scholarships?
A: No, students admitted to these private universities are not eligible for Maharashtra government scholarships or fee reimbursement schemes.
