The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has extended the joining deadline for CAP Round 3 of NEET UG 2026 counselling, giving MBBS and BDS candidates a little more time to complete admission formalities. As of October 16, 2026, the revised cut-off is 3:00 PM today, which means students who were allotted a seat in Round 3 and have not yet joined their colleges are working against a very short clock.
The extension follows a revised reporting timeline from the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), and it arrives alongside another change: the online stray vacancy round schedule published earlier this week has been cancelled. This report explains the revised date, what candidates must complete, how the extension affects the next stage and what to watch for on the official portals.
Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 CAP Round 3 Joining Deadline: Revised Date
According to reports on the CET Cell's decision, candidates allotted MBBS and BDS seats in Round 3 must now report to their respective colleges and finish the admission process by 3:00 PM on October 16, 2026. The original deadline was October 14, 2026, up to 5:30 PM, as set in the Round 3 schedule under Notice No. 18, which placed physical joining between October 11 and October 14.
The CET Cell is reported to have aligned its revised timeline with the MCC, which extended the deadline for reporting to allotted colleges till October 16. State counselling in India is closely linked to the national schedule, so changes in the All India Quota process often lead to matching changes at the state level. The same pattern was seen earlier this season, when the CET Cell revised its CAP Round 1 schedule after an MCC extension.
The new cut-off falls on a single afternoon, so there is no scope to wait. Candidates who plan to join today should treat the 3:00 PM time as final unless the CET Cell publishes a further notice.
Key Dates and Status of CAP Round 3
| Event | Date and Time |
|---|---|
| Round 3 registration | September 22 to September 26, 2026 |
| Final merit list | October 5, 2026 |
| Seat matrix publication | October 6, 2026 |
| Choice filling | October 7 to October 9, 2026, up to 11:59 PM |
| Selection list declared | October 11, 2026 |
| Original joining deadline | October 14, 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
| Revised joining deadline | October 16, 2026, 3:00 PM |
| Online stray vacancy round | Revised schedule to be announced |
What Candidates Must Complete Before the Deadline
- Download the Round 3 selection letter from the official admission portal
- Carry all original certificates and a set of photocopies for verification
- Arrange the admission fee within the amount and mode prescribed by the CET Cell
- Submit the Status Retention Form with documents and fees as per the notice
- Collect the admission receipt or order from the college after joining
Stray Vacancy Round Schedule Cancelled
A key part of this update is the fate of the next round. The CET Cell had published the online stray vacancy schedule on October 12, but the authority has now cancelled that schedule and said a revised one will be announced shortly. That earlier schedule had said that no fresh registration facility would be available, and candidates should therefore wait for the new notice before assuming any date or rule from it.
Related Resources
- NEET UG 2026 Exam Details
- Medical College Predictor
- Top Medical Colleges in India
- MBBS Courses and Colleges
- Medical Counselling Guidance
- Medical Counselling Updates and Alerts
