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 |
| Chemistry | Physical Chemistry basics, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry |
| Mathematics | 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
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
