Maharashtra NEET UG 2026: Bombay High Court Rejects Plea for Separate MBBS Counselling

The Bombay High Court has declined a private medical college’s plea to conduct separate institution-level counselling for MBBS seats during Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026. The court described the plea as premature because the centralised admission process had not concluded. It also indicated that the college could approach the Supreme Court if seats remained vacant after the prescribed counselling rounds.

The development concerns Maharashtra’s policy of filling MBBS seats through the centralised admission process conducted by the state authorities. It may affect how private medical colleges seek to fill seats left vacant after regular and stray vacancy rounds.

Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026: Key Details

Note: Candidates should refer to the latest state counselling notices for current admission rules and seat availability.

Why Did the Medical College Approach the Court?

Parbhani Medical College sought permission to conduct institution-level counselling to fill vacant MBBS seats after the centralised admission rounds. The institution argued that seats could remain unfilled even after the regular counselling and stray vacancy process.

The college had reportedly seen 20 of its 150 MBBS seats remain unclaimed after three regular rounds. Seven of those seats were filled during the first stray vacancy round.

The petition followed Maharashtra’s decision to discontinue institution-level admissions from the current academic year. The state’s approach aims to keep admissions within the centralised process and address concerns raised about manual counselling.

What Did the Bombay High Court Say?

The court did not grant the requested permission at this stage. It considered the plea premature because the admission process was still underway and vacant seats could potentially be filled through the remaining rounds.

However, the court acknowledged legal precedents involving institution-level admissions. It indicated that the college could approach the Supreme Court to seek an extension of the admission cut-off date and permission to fill vacant seats if the process ended with unfilled seats.

The decision does not amount to a general authorisation for private medical colleges to conduct separate counselling immediately. Any further action would depend on the applicable rules and subsequent court directions.

How Could This Affect NEET UG Aspirants?

The case highlights the ongoing debate over how vacant MBBS seats should be filled after centralised counselling. A separate institution-level round could create another route to fill seats, while a centralised process keeps allotments within the state’s established admission mechanism.

For aspirants, the immediate priority remains following the official Maharashtra counselling schedule. Candidates should check seat allotment notices, reporting deadlines and instructions issued by the Maharashtra State CET Cell.

Students should not assume that direct admission at an individual college is permitted simply because a seat appears vacant. They must verify the applicable admission rules and any official order before taking action.

Where to Check Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling Updates

Candidates can visit the official Maharashtra State CET Cell website at https://cetcell.mahacet.org/ for counselling notices and admission instructions. They should also check the relevant MBBS counselling portal for the latest seat matrix, allotment results and reporting requirements.

Any change to the counselling process should be treated as confirmed only after the competent authority or court issues the relevant direction.

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