Short answer
The State CET Cell's brochure uses the word “freeze” but not “float” or “slide”. It describes four situations after an allotment: your seat is frozen automatically if you get a top preference; you can freeze a seat yourself and leave later rounds; you can accept a seat and still take part in later rounds for “betterment”; or you can leave the seat unaccepted and still take part in later rounds.
Based on the State CET Cell's Information Brochure for 2026–27 admissions (dated 02.07.2026). The 2027–28 brochure hasn't been published yet — rules can change, so check it when it is.
Who this applies to
Maharashtra CAP candidates for first-year B.E./B.Tech., Rounds I to IV
The rule, explained
Auto-freeze: if you are allotted your first preference in Round I, one of your first three preferences in Round II, or one of your first six in Round III, the allotment is frozen automatically. You must accept it, you can't take part in later rounds, and you must confirm it at the Admission Reporting Centre (ARC) or by self-scrutiny of your uploaded documents and paying the seat acceptance fee — otherwise the seat is forfeited.
Freeze by choice: if you get a seat lower in your list and are happy with it, you can freeze it through your login. You then accept it the same way, the allotment becomes final, and you can't take part in later rounds.
Accept and stay for betterment: if you accept a seat that isn't one of those top preferences (by reporting to the ARC or by self-scrutiny), you can take part in the next round for betterment. In the next option form you don't need to list the seat you already hold. If a higher preference is allotted, your earlier seat is cancelled automatically; if not, you keep your earlier seat.
Not accepting: if you don't accept a lower-preference seat, you can still take part in later rounds, but you must submit a fresh option form for the next round. There is no betterment after Round IV.
What the official document says
If a candidate is allotted the seat as per his first preference, such allotment shall be auto freezed and the candidate shall accept the allotment so made. Such candidate shall not be eligible for participation in the subsequent CAP rounds.
State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra · Information Brochure, Academic Year 2026–27, for admissions to Full Time Professional UG and PG Technical Courses (B.E./B.Tech., MBA/MMS and others) dated 02.07.2026, PDF page 77 (opens the official site)
Candidate who have been allotted seat other than first preference and accepted the seat by reporting to ARC or by self-scrutinising of the document uploaded in online application system for confirmation of seat acceptance, shall be eligible for participation in the subsequent rounds for betterment;
State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra · Information Brochure, Academic Year 2026–27, for admissions to Full Time Professional UG and PG Technical Courses (B.E./B.Tech., MBA/MMS and others) dated 02.07.2026, PDF page 78 (opens the official site)
Once upward preference is allotted to such candidate, his earlier seat allotment shall stand automatically cancelled. In the event of no such upward preference is allotted, his previous allotment stands retained;
State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra · Information Brochure, Academic Year 2026–27, for admissions to Full Time Professional UG and PG Technical Courses (B.E./B.Tech., MBA/MMS and others) dated 02.07.2026, PDF page 79 (opens the official site)
Candidates who reject allocated seat shall be considered for admission in subsequent rounds only if they submit fresh option form for subsequent round of admission as per schedule.
State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra · Information Brochure, Academic Year 2026–27, for admissions to Full Time Professional UG and PG Technical Courses (B.E./B.Tech., MBA/MMS and others) dated 02.07.2026, PDF page 90 (opens the official site)