- July 05, 2025
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In a significant shift from the previous format, the state government has decided to increase the total number of CAP rounds from three to four. This change will be implemented from the upcoming academic session and is expected to make the entire counselling and admission system more flexible, transparent, and student-friendly.
These updated rules are being released just before the declaration of CET results, which determine eligibility for admissions to full-time technical courses such as MCA across Maharashtra.
With these reforms, the admission process is expected to become more merit-driven and accessible to all categories of students, including those from reserved and economically weaker backgrounds.
This major update is designed to give aspirants more attempts to get into top colleges and to reduce the number of vacant seats at the end of the CAP cycle.
Minister Patil also mentioned that a Government Resolution (GR) would be published soon to make these new guidelines officially binding on all institutions participating in the CAP.
● Round II: If a student is allotted a seat among their first 3 preferences, the seat will be auto-frozen.
● Round III: If the allotment falls within the first 6 preferences, it will also be auto-frozen.
👉 Once auto-frozen, students must accept the seat and cannot participate in subsequent rounds. This move ensures quicker seat filling and better planning for students and colleges alike.
Students are now allowed to revise their college/course preferences before Rounds II, III, and IV. This additional flexibility helps candidates re-strategize based on remaining seats and improves chances of betterment.
● Colleges must now publish the number of seats available under management quota.
● This ensures greater transparency and reduces backdoor entries.
Candidates can now cancel their admission online via the CAP portal. Key highlights include:
● Refunds can be processed before the deadline, subject to a deduction of ₹1,000.
● No refund if the cancellation is after the deadline.
● Once cancelled, the seat becomes available in the next round.
To ensure full transparency, all participating institutes must regularly update:
● Eligibility lists
● Merit lists
● Final seat allotments
● Admission timelines
| CAP ROUNDS Rules | Auto-Freeze Condition |
|---|---|
| CAP ROUND 1 | If 1st Preference is Allotted → Auto Freezed |
| CAP ROUND 2 | If allotted in top 3 preferences → Auto Freezed |
| CAP ROUND 3 | If allotted in top 6 preferences → Auto Freezed |
| CAP ROUND 4 | Final – Admission confirm in any allotted college |
•If Betterment in next CAP, previous CAP seat will automatically Cancelled
•If no Betterment, you’ll have option to get previous CAP seats, else move to further Round
•Auto-freeze → Visit ARC for doc verification
•No Self Verification = Seat Cancelled
| CAP ROUNDS | When Betterment Allowed |
|---|---|
| CAP ROUND 1 | Only if NOT allotted 1st preference |
| CAP ROUND 2 | Only if NOT allotted top 3 preferences |
| CAP ROUND 3 | Only if NOT allotted top 6 preferences |
| CAP ROUND 4 | Final – no betterment after this |
| Aspect | Old Rule (Till 2024) | New Rule (2025 Onwards) |
|---|---|---|
| Cap Rounds | Final round was Round III | Final round is Round IV |
| Option Form Edit | Allowed in Rounds II and III | Allowed in Rounds II, III and IV |
| Auto-Freezing Of Seat | No auto-freeze; manual freeze required | Round II: Auto-freeze if allotted top 3 preferences Round III: Auto-freeze if allotted top 6 |
| Participation/Betterment Eligibility | All candidates could participate in next round if they accepted seat | If auto-freezed in top 3/6, cannot participate in next rounds |
| Seat Acceptance and Reporting | Self-scrutiny option available + online payment of acceptance fee | |
| Seat Retention | Seat retained if no upward allotment in next round | |
| Final Allotment | After Round III | After Round IV |
| Seat Cancellation | Seat may be canceled | Seat automatically forfeited if candidate doesn’t confirm acceptance online or at ARC |
| Rule/Change | What You Should Do | Mistake to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Round IV added | Use it if you're still waiting for betterment | Ignoring it or assuming CAP ends in Round III |
| Betterment chances expanded | Understand Auto-freeze logic and track preferences | Not understanding your freeze status |
| Process now more defined | Follow instructions, pay fees, confirm seat | Missing confirmation or fee deadlines |
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