The MAH CET examinations are among the most important entrance gateways for students seeking admission to professional courses such as engineering, pharmacy, agriculture, and management across Maharashtra. Conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, these exams play a key role in determining admission to a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in government and private institutions throughout the state.
This comprehensive guide to Maharashtra CET Exams 2026 covers everything candidates need to know, including important dates, eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, application process, and counselling details for both MHT CET and MBA/MMS CET.
Table of Contents
MAH CET 2026 Exam Dates Overview (MHT CET – PCM & PCB)
The MHT CET 2026 exam will be conducted in two sessions for the first time, giving candidates an additional opportunity through a second attempt. The exam is held separately for PCM and PCB groups across multiple dates in April and May 2026.
This dual-session structure makes the MAHCET exam more flexible and competitive, allowing students to improve their scores in the second attempt.
Exam Session
Group
Dates
Exclusions
Session 1
PCM
April 11 to 20, 2026
April 12
Session 1
PCB
April 21 to 26, 2026
None
Session 2 (Second Attempt)
PCB
May 10 to May 11, 2026
None
Session 2 (Second Attempt)
PCM
May 12 to May 21, 2026
May 16 and 17
Session 2 registration is expected from April 15 to April 17, 2026, with a special late window on April 23, 2026 (₹500 late fee).
MAH CET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The MAH CET 2026 eligibility criteria vary depending on whether a candidate is applying for MHT CET (Engineering/Pharmacy/Agriculture) or MBA/MMS CET (Management courses). Candidates must meet academic, nationality, and subject-specific requirements to be considered for admission.
General Eligibility Rules
Candidate must be an Indian national
Must fulfill Maharashtra domicile or category rules (as applicable)
No upper age limit for MAH CET exams
Course-wise Eligibility
MHT CET 2026 (Engineering / Pharmacy / Agriculture)
Must have passed or appearing in Class 12 (HSC) or equivalent
Mandatory subjects:
PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) for Engineering
PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) for Pharmacy/Agriculture
Minimum marks: As per admission rules of respective institutes
MBA/MMS CET 2026
Bachelor’s degree of minimum 3 years duration
Minimum marks required:
General Category: 50%
Reserved Category: 45%
Final-year graduation students are eligible
Additional Notes
Distance education degrees must be recognized by UGC/AICTE/DEB
Reservation benefits apply as per Maharashtra government rules
MHT CET & MBA/MMS CET 2026 Application Process (Step-by-Step Guide)
The application process for MHT CET and MAH MBA/MMS CET 2026 is completely online and conducted through the official State CET Cell Maharashtra portal. Candidates must carefully complete registration, upload documents, and pay the application fee before the deadline to successfully appear for the MAHCET exam.
Each exam has a slightly different application flow, so candidates must ensure they apply for the correct course category (Engineering/Pharmacy/Agriculture or MBA/MMS).
MHT CET 2026 Application Steps
Visit the official State CET Cell Maharashtra website
Click on “MHT CET 2026 Registration”
Register using email ID and mobile number (OTP verification)
Fill personal details (name, DOB, category, domicile, etc.)
Enter academic details (Class 10/12 marks and stream selection: PCM or PCB)
Upload scanned documents (photo, signature, certificates if required)
Pay application fee online
Download confirmation page for future reference
MAH CET 2026 Application Fee Structure
Before submitting the form, candidates must pay the prescribed application fee online. The fee varies based on category.
Category | Fee General | ₹750 SC/ST/PwD | ₹550
The fee must be paid online using debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI. Applications without fee payment will not be accepted.
Documents Required for MAH CET 2026 Application
Candidates must keep the following documents ready before filling the application form:
Passport-size photograph (recent, scanned)
Signature (scanned copy)
Class 10 mark sheet
Class 12 mark sheet (for MHT CET)
Graduation mark sheet (for MBA/MMS CET)
Category certificate (if applicable)
Domicile certificate (if required)
Date of birth proof (SSC certificate)
All documents must be uploaded in the prescribed format during online registration.
MBA/MMS CET 2026 Registration & Exam Schedule
The MAH MBA CET 2026 is conducted separately for management admissions, with multiple exam dates and a structured admission timeline.
Particulars
Dates
Registration Start
January 10, 2026
Last Date to Register
February 12, 2026
Application Correction
February 2026
Admit Card Release
End of March 2026 (approx. one week before exam)
Exam Dates
April 6, 7, 8, 2026
Second Attempt
May 9, 2026
Answer Key
Second week of April 2026
Result Declaration
May 2026
CAP Counselling
June to August 2026
MHT CET 2026 PCM vs PCB Exam Pattern (Key Difference)
The MHT CET 2026 exam pattern differs for PCM and PCB groups, especially in Section 2. While Physics and Chemistry remain common, Mathematics and Biology differ in weightage, marking, and question structure.
Feature
PCM Group (Engineering)
PCB Group (Pharmacy/Agriculture)
Subjects
Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany + Zoology)
Total Questions
150
200
Section 2 Subject
Mathematics
Biology
Section 2 Questions
50
100
Marks per Question
2 marks
1 mark
Section 2 Total Marks
100
100
Medium (Section 2)
English only
English, Marathi, Urdu
PCM focuses more on higher-weight Mathematics scoring, while PCB has more biology questions with language flexibility.
MAH CET 2026 Syllabus (PCM, PCB & MBA CET)
The MAH CET syllabus differs based on the course applied for. MHT CET focuses on Class 11–12 concepts, while MBA CET focuses on aptitude and reasoning skills.
MHT CET 2026 Syllabus (PCM Group)
Subject
Key Topics
Physics
Laws of Motion, Electricity & Magnetism, Heat & Thermodynamics, Optics
Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, Probability & Statistics
MHT CET 2026 Syllabus (PCB Group)
Subjects Covered:
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Biology Topics:
Botany (Plant Physiology, Genetics)
Zoology (Human Physiology, Ecology)
MBA/MMS CET 2026 Syllabus
Sections Included:
Logical Reasoning
Abstract Reasoning
Quantitative Aptitude
Verbal Ability
Key Topics:
Data interpretation
Number series
Grammar & vocabulary
Analytical puzzles
Arithmetic basics
MAH CET 2026 Admit Card & Exam City Slip
Before the examination, candidates receive a City Intimation Slip followed by the Admit Card.
The City Slip informs candidates about their exam city in advance, helping them plan travel, while the Admit Card is mandatory for entry into the examination hall.
Key Details
City Intimation Slip: Released in March 2026 (expected)
Admit Card: Released 3–4 days before exam date
Details mentioned: Candidate name, roll number, exam centre, and shift timing
Official website: cetcell.mahacet.org
Exam Day Instructions
Carry printed admit card and valid ID proof
Reach exam centre at least 60–90 minutes early
Follow instructions mentioned on admit card strictly
MAH CET 2026 Cutoff & Rank vs Marks Analysis
Cutoff marks for MAH CET 2026 vary depending on college, category, and competition level. The table below gives an expected idea of rank vs marks trend based on previous years.
Rank vs Marks (Expected)
Marks Range
Expected Rank
160+
Top 1 – 1000
140 – 159
1000 – 3000
120 – 139
3000 – 7000
100 – 119
7000 – 12000
Below 100
12000+
Factors Affecting Cutoff
Difficulty level of exam
Number of candidates
College popularity
Category reservation
Seat availability
High Cutoff Branches (Top Demand)
Computer Science
IT Engineering
MBA Finance (Top institutes like JBIMS)
Mechanical Engineering (Top government colleges)
MAH CET 2026 CAP Counselling Process
The Centralized Admission Process (CAP) is the final stage of MAH CET 2026 admissions, conducted for seat allotment into engineering, pharmacy, agriculture, and management colleges across Maharashtra.
Steps in CAP Counselling
Online registration for counselling
Document verification
Choice filling (college selection)
Seat allotment based on merit rank
Seat acceptance and fee payment
Reporting to allotted college
CAP Counselling Phases
Phase 1: June 2026 (expected)
Phase 2: July–August 2026 (expected)
Admission is strictly based on merit rank, preferences, and seat availability.
MAH CET 2026 Participating Colleges List
MAH CET 2026 scores are accepted by top engineering, pharmacy, and MBA colleges across Maharashtra.
Top Engineering Colleges (MHT CET)
COEP Technological University, Pune
VJTI Mumbai
DJ Sanghvi College of Engineering, Mumbai
Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli
PCCOE Pune
Top MBA Colleges (MBA CET)
Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai
Sydenham Institute of Management Studies
PUMBA Pune
K J Somaiya Institute of Management
Welingkar Institute of Management
Pharmacy & Other Colleges
ICT Mumbai (Institute of Chemical Technology)
Government College of Pharmacy, Pune
Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Pharmacy
READ MORE
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MAHCET exam and what programs does it cover?
The MAHCET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) is a state-level entrance exam conducted by the State CET Cell, Maharashtra. It is mainly used for admission into MBA and MMS programs across more than 100 management institutes in the state.
How do I register and apply for the MAHCET entrance exam?
Candidates can register for the MAH MBA CET 2026 through the official CET Cell online portal. The application process includes online registration, filling in the application form, uploading required documents, and paying the application fee before the deadline.
When are the MAHCET exam dates and application deadlines typically released?
The MAHCET exam is generally conducted in early April each year, while application forms are usually released a few months earlier. For 2026, registration is expected to begin around December 2025, with the exam scheduled for April 2026.
What are the career prospects after clearing the MAHCET exam?
After qualifying MAHCET, candidates can secure admission into top MBA and MMS colleges in Maharashtra. This opens career opportunities in fields such as management, finance, marketing, operations, and consulting across corporate sectors.
How does MAHCET compare with other state-level MBA entrance exams?
The MAHCET exam follows a competitive MBA entrance structure similar to other state and national-level exams. It evaluates Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and Verbal Ability, making it comparable in difficulty and scope to other major management entrance tests.
