NEET UG 2026: Three Maharashtra colleges to skip round 1 amid private university transition

Three private medical and dental colleges in Maharashtra will not participate in the first round of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, NEET UG 2026 admissions for MBBS and BDS courses for the 2026-27 academic year. As specified in the notice issued by Maharashtra CET cell, Dr. Vithalrao Vikhe Patil Foundation’s Medical College, Ahilyanagar; N.K.P. Salve Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur; and Ranjit Deshmukh Dental College and Research Centre, Nagpur, are on the list. NEET UG counselling LIVE updates.

The notice said the three institutions have initiated the process of establishing private universities. They will participate in a subsequent admission round after completing all necessary formalities for establishing their respective private universities.

The development comes shortly after the Maharashtra Cabinet approved private university status for two of the three medical colleges -N.K.P. Salve Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr Vithalrao Vikhe Patil Foundation’s Medical College. The proposed universities are Lata Mangeshkar University in Nagpur and Balasaheb Vikhe Patil University in Ahilyanagar.

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The report said the Cabinet's decision followed scrutiny of the two institutes by a state committee in accordance with National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines. It also reported that private medical colleges in Maharashtra have been seeking greater control over financial and administrative matters, including issues related to fee structures and scholarship reimbursements.

The official NEET UG admission notice, however, does not state that all three colleges have already received private university status. It says the institutions have initiated the process and will join a later admission round after completing the required formalities.

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Seat reservation

The notice states that after the concerned colleges obtain recognition or approval as private universities, provisions under Clause 9.3 of the NEET UG 2026 Information Brochure will apply. Under these provisions, 40 percent of institutional seats at the concerned colleges will be reserved for candidates holding a Maharashtra domicile certificate.

The fees applicable to the colleges will be determined by the fee fixation committee constituted by the respective private university. Another key provision concerns government financial assistance. Candidates admitted to these colleges will not be eligible for scholarship or fee reimbursement schemes of the Maharashtra government, according to the notice.

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Impact on NEET UG 2026 candidates

Candidates participating in NEET UG 2026 counselling conducted by Maharashtra CET cell will need to account for the three colleges' absence from the first admission round. The institutions are expected to become available in a subsequent round once the required formalities for their private university status are completed.

The state authorities have advised all candidates participating in the admission process to take note of the development and undertake necessary action accordingly.

For candidates considering these institutions, the proposed change in university status is also relevant because of the provisions concerning Maharashtra domicile reservation, fee determination and eligibility for government scholarship or fee reimbursement.