Maharashtra BE/BTech 2026 Third CAP Round Releases 1,16,690 Seats
The third round of Maharashtra’s CAP for 2026 BE/BTech programmes is out, allocating 1,16,690 seats – a decisive moment for waiting‑list candidates and their families.
The Maharashtra government released the third round of the Centralized Admission Process (CAP) for 2026 undergraduate engineering programmes on 25 August 2026. The list covers both BE and BTech courses across the state’s public and private engineering colleges, and it offers seats to 1,16,690 students.
Where the third round fits in the overall admission calendar
CAP runs in successive rounds, each designed to fill the remaining vacancies after the previous one. The first round typically locks in the top‑ranked aspirants, the second round captures the next tier, and the third round is meant to mop up the leftover seats. Because it follows two earlier rounds, the cut‑off marks in this list are lower, widening the eligibility window.
Who benefits from this round and how the cut‑off shifts
Students who missed out in the first two rounds but hold ranks that now fall within the new cut‑off will see their names on the list. The 1,16,690 seats are spread across all participating colleges, meaning candidates from both government‑run institutes like College of Engineering, Pune and private players such as MIT World Peace University stand a chance. The round also accommodates those who requested a change of branch or college after the second round, freeing up additional spots.
Financial and campus implications
Fees for BE/BTech programmes remain as stipulated by each college; the CAP round does not alter tuition structures. However, students must be ready to meet the payment deadlines mentioned in the official notification – missing those dates means the seat is re‑offered to the next eligible candidate. For many families, the third round presents a cheaper alternative to private counselling services, which can charge upwards of ₹30,000 for seat‑search assistance.
Counsellor’s perspective: weighing risk and reward
Our counsellors often tell families that a seat secured in the third round is usually better than waiting for a later spot‑admission round, where cut‑offs dip further and the pool of available branches shrinks. The trade‑off is that the allotted branch may not be the first‑choice one, but the certainty of a confirmed seat outweighs the gamble of hoping for a better option later.
What should you do now?
Log in to the CAP portal, enter your roll number and locate the third‑round list. If your name is there, note the college, branch and seat number, gather the required documents (marksheet, ID proof, domicile), and follow the payment instructions within the dates on the official notification. Confirm your acceptance before the deadline expires. If you do not appear on the list, keep an eye on subsequent spot‑admission notices that many colleges publish after the third round.
Frequently asked questions
How can I be sure my seat is officially confirmed?
After you pay the fee, the portal generates a receipt with a unique transaction ID. The status column next to your name will change from “Pending” to “Confirmed”. Keep the receipt safe for future reference.
What if I miss the payment deadline?
The seat is automatically released to the next eligible candidate. You can still apply for any later spot‑admission rounds, but you will need to start the fee‑payment process again.
Can I switch to a different engineering branch at this stage?
Branch changes are only possible if the desired branch has vacant seats and the college’s policy permits it. The portal will show a “Change Branch” option where applicable; otherwise you will have to wait for the next round or a spot‑admission notice.
Reported across 2 news outlets including India Today, The Times of India. Details can change — always confirm dates and fees on the official website.
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