MHT CET Exam 2026

The MHT CET (Maharashtra Health and Technical Common Entrance Test) is a state-level entrance examination conducted annually for admission to undergraduate courses in Engineering, Pharmacy, and Agriculture. Below are the key highlights for the 2026 session:

• Exam Name: MHT CET 2026
• Conducting Body: State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra
• Exam Level: State Level
• Mode of Exam: Computer Based Test (CBT)
• Frequency: Once a year
• Courses Offered: B.E/B.Tech, B.Pharm, Pharm.D, and Agriculture
• Official Website: cetcell.mahacet.org

Candidates can refer to the tentative schedule for MHT CET 2026 based on previous years' trends:

• Release of Notification: January 2026
• Online Registration Starts: February 2026
• Last Date to Apply: March 2026
• Admit Card Release: April 2026
• MHT CET Exam Date (PCM): May 2026
• MHT CET Exam Date (PCB): May 2026
• Result Declaration: June 2026
• Counselling Process: July - August 2026

MHT CET is a competitive entrance exam used to filter candidates for admission into professional courses in various government and private colleges across Maharashtra. It is one of the most popular state-level exams in India, specifically designed for students who have completed their 10+2 education in the Science stream.

The full form of MHT CET is the Maharashtra Health and Technical Common Entrance Test. While it initially included medical admissions, it now primarily focuses on Technical (Engineering) and Health Sciences (Pharmacy and Agriculture) courses.

Over the last decade, MHT CET has evolved from a pen-and-paper (OMR) based test to a sophisticated Computer Based Test (CBT). The difficulty level has also seen a gradual rise, aligning more closely with the JEE Main standards to ensure high-quality student intake for prestigious institutes like VJTI and COEP.

The eligibility criteria for MHT CET 2026 are as follows:

• Nationality: Candidate must be an Indian Citizen.
• Educational Qualification: Passed or appearing in 10+2 (HSC) or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology.
• Minimum Marks: General category candidates must have at least 45% aggregate marks (40% for reserved categories) in PCM/PCB subjects.
• Domicile: Preference is given to Maharashtra Domicile candidates, though OMS (Outside Maharashtra State) candidates can also apply.

The application process for MHT CET 2026 is entirely online:

1. Registration: Create an account on the official portal using a valid email and phone number.
2. Fill Application Form: Enter personal, academic, and contact details.
3. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of photographs and signatures as per specified dimensions.
4. Fee Payment: Pay the application fee (approx. ₹800 for General, ₹600 for Reserved) via online payment gateways.
5. Print Confirmation: Save the confirmation page for future reference.

The exam is divided into two primary groups based on the candidate's choice of course:

• PCM Group: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (For Engineering and Technology).
• PCB Group: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (For Pharmacy and Agriculture).

The syllabus is based on the curriculum of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. It typically covers:

• 20% Weightage: Class 11th Syllabus.
• 80% Weightage: Class 12th Syllabus.

Key topics include Mechanics, Optics, Calculus, Thermodynamics, Organic Chemistry, and Diversity in Living Organisms.

• Mode: Online (CBT).
• Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
• Duration: 180 minutes (90 minutes for Physics/Chemistry and 90 minutes for Math/Bio).
• Marking Scheme: No negative marking. 1 mark for Physics/Chemistry/Biology and 2 marks for Mathematics.
• Total Marks: 200.

The admission process involves several steps:

• Appearing for the MHT CET Entrance Exam.
• Announcement of Percentile Scores and Merit Lists.
• Participation in the Centralised Admission Process (CAP).
• Document Verification at Facilitation Centres.
• Seat Allotment and Reporting to Colleges.

Several top-tier universities and institutes accept MHT CET scores, including:

• ICT Mumbai - Institute of Chemical Technology.
• COEP Technological University, Pune.
• VJTI, Mumbai.
• SPIT, Mumbai.
• Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli.
• Various Government Colleges of Engineering and private autonomous institutes.

The MHT CET 2026 result will be declared in the form of a Percentile Score. This score is calculated using a normalization process to ensure fairness across multiple shifts. The scorecard will include the candidate's name, roll number, and percentile for each subject and the overall total.

Once the results are out, candidates must register for the CAP Rounds. This is the period where students fill out their preference lists (Option Forms) for colleges and branches. It is crucial to research college rankings and previous years' cut-offs during this time.

The counselling is handled by the State CET Cell through the CAP (Centralised Admission Process). It usually consists of 3 rounds of seat allotment. Candidates must freeze, float, or slide their allotted seats based on their satisfaction with the allotment and pay the seat acceptance fee.

The cut-off for 2026 will depend on factors like the number of applicants, exam difficulty, and seat availability. Top institutes like COEP and VJTI often require a 99+ percentile for Computer Science and IT branches. Lower-ranked colleges may accept candidates with a 70-80 percentile.

Note: MHT CET is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, not NTA. For official queries, contact: