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Maharashtra Applied Arts and Crafts Common Entrance Test (MAH AAC CET) 2026, conducted by State Common Entrance Test Cell (CET Cell), Maharashtra, is the state-level entrance exam for admission to four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs in Applied Art, Painting, Sculpture, Textile Design, Interior Decoration, and other specializations across government, aided, and private institutes in Maharashtra. The exam assesses candidates' drawing skills, design aptitude, observation, and general knowledge relevant to visual arts. Qualifying candidates participate in Centralized Admission Process (CAP) rounds for seat allotment based on merit, preferences, and reservation norms. Over 2,000 seats are available in participating colleges like Sir J.J. School of Art, Rachana Sansad, and government art colleges.
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MAH AAC CET 2026 Important Dates
State CET Cell has announced the MAH AAC CET 2026 exam date. Candidates should check cetcell.mahacet.org regularly for the detailed notification and schedule. Based on official announcement and previous trends, key dates include:
- Notification Release: January 2026
- Application Form Start: Second week of January 2026
- Last Date for Application: February 2026
- Admit Card Release: March 2026
- Exam Date: April 10, 2026
- Result Declaration: May 2026
- Counselling Registration and CAP Rounds: June-July 2026
- Seat Allotment and Admissions: Multiple rounds till August 2026
Exact dates and any extensions will be updated on the official portal cetcell.mahacet.org.
MAH AAC CET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy these criteria to appear for MAH AAC CET 2026:
- Nationality: Indian citizen.
- Educational Qualification: Passed HSC (10+2) or equivalent examination with English as a subject from a recognized board.
- Minimum Marks: 45% aggregate for General category (40% for reserved categories from Maharashtra).
- Age Limit: No upper age limit.
- Domicile: Maharashtra domicile preferred for state quota seats; All India candidates eligible for limited seats.
- Appearing Candidates: Final year HSC students can apply provisionally.
Refer to the information brochure for branch-specific requirements.
MAH AAC CET 2026 Application Form and Fees
Registration is online at cetcell.mahacet.org. Process includes:
- One-time registration with mobile and email.
- Filling personal, academic, and domicile details.
- Uploading scanned photograph, signature, and documents (HSC marksheet, caste certificate if applicable).
- Online payment of fee.
Application Fee (Expected based on trends):
- General/All India: Rs. 1700
- Reserved Category (Maharashtra): Rs. 1200
Form correction window available briefly post-submission.
MAH AAC CET 2026 Exam Pattern
MAH AAC CET is conducted offline with practical and theory components.
| Paper | Type | Marks | Duration | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Object Drawing Practical | Practical | 50 | 1 hour | Drawing objects with shading, proportion |
| Paper 2: Design Practical | Practical | 50 | 1 hour | Creating designs in given space |
| Paper 3: Memory Drawing Practical | Practical | 50 | 1 hour | Drawing from memory with coloring |
| Paper 4: General Knowledge | Theory (Objective) | 40 | 1 hour | MCQs on art history, aesthetics, current affairs |
Total: 190 marks. No negative marking. All papers mandatory.
MAH AAC CET 2026 Syllabus
Syllabus focuses on practical skills and basic knowledge for fine arts.
- Object Drawing: Realistic drawing, proportion, perspective, light-shade, texture.
- Design Practical: Arrangement of forms, color harmony, balance, rhythm in 2D/3D.
- Memory Drawing: Scenes from daily life, human figures, coloring with imagination.
- General Knowledge: Art history, famous artists, materials, techniques, aesthetics, visual perception.
Detailed syllabus in the official brochure on cetcell.mahacet.org.
MAH AAC CET 2026 Preparation Tips
Build strong drawing fundamentals using pencils, colors, and shading techniques. Practice daily sketching from observation and memory. Study art history and basic design principles. Solve previous practicals and theory questions. Focus on time management for practical papers. Use quality drawing sheets and materials during practice. Join coaching if needed for structured guidance on perspective and composition.
MAH AAC CET 2026 Admit Card and Exam Centres
Admit card downloadable from the portal using login. Carry printed copy with photo ID. Centres in major cities: Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Nashik, Kolhapur, and others across Maharashtra.
MAH AAC CET 2026 Result and Merit List
Results declared online as scorecards and merit lists (state and category-wise). Merit based on total marks out of 190. Tie resolved by practical scores, then theory, then age.
MAH AAC CET Previous Year Cutoff Trends
Cutoffs vary by college, specialization, category, and seats. Top institutes like Sir J.J. School of Art require high ranks. In recent years, Applied Art and Painting branches in government colleges closed at top merit positions for general category.
Understanding previous trends helps set realistic targets. Cutoffs are released round-wise during CAP. Government colleges have lower closing ranks due to high demand. Reserved categories see relaxed cutoffs.
Approximate merit rank trends from recent years (General Category):
| College/Specialization | 2023 Closing Rank (Approx) | 2024 Closing Rank (Approx) | 2025 Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai - Applied Art | Top 100 | Top 150 | Top 200 |
| Sir J.J. School of Art - Painting | Top 200 | Top 250 | Top 300 |
| Government School of Art, Aurangabad | 500-1000 | 600-1200 | 700-1500 |
| Rachana Sansad College - Applied Art | 300-800 | 400-1000 | 500-1200 |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Fine Arts | 800-1500 | 1000-2000 | 1200-2500 |
Check official CAP round PDFs on cetcell.mahacet.org for exact previous year data.
MAH AAC CET Previous Year Question Papers
Practicing previous papers is essential for understanding practical expectations and theory topics. Official papers and keys released post-exam on cetcell.mahacet.org. Download from reliable sources like aglasem.com or careers360.com for 2018-2025 papers. Focus on recurring themes in drawing and design.
MAH AAC CET 2026 Counselling and Seat Allotment
Counselling via online CAP with multiple rounds. Register, verify documents, fill choices of colleges and branches. Allotment based on merit and preferences. Report to institute for confirmation. Total seats around 2,500-3,000. 2025 trends: High competition for Applied Art in Mumbai colleges; many seats filled in first rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
- It is the common entrance test for BFA admissions in Maharashtra fine arts colleges.
- No for application, but required for state quota seats in government colleges.
- Passed HSC with 45% marks (40% reserved) and English subject.
- No negative marking in any paper.
- Sir J.J. School of Art Mumbai, Government School of Art Aurangabad, Rachana Sansad, L.S. Raheja School of Art.
- Approximately 2,500-3,000 across participating institutes.
- Drawing board, pencils, colors, eraser as specified in admit card/instructions.
- Yes, single exam; preferences during counselling.
- Usually June after results.
- Not mandatory, but helpful for practical skills and portfolio building.
- Offline pen-paper with practical drawing.
- From official CET Cell website or educational portals post-exam release.
