MHT CET

Overview

The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test, or MHT CET, is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra (State CET Cell). It is an online, computer-based test held in several shifts at centres across Maharashtra. Engineering aspirants take the PCM group paper (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics). In the 2026 cycle the PCM group was offered in two attempts, in April and May, and the better of a candidate’s two scores was used. There is no negative marking.

What MHT CET is used for

• Engineering and technology: B.E./B.Tech seats at government, government-aided, university-run and private unaided colleges in Maharashtra, filled through the CET Cell’s centralised admission process.
• Pharmacy and allied courses: B.Pharm and Pharm.D admissions (open to PCM or PCB candidates), along with several agriculture-related degree programmes.
• Maharashtra State candidates: the main route to state-quota seats for students who meet one of the Maharashtra candidature types in the CET Cell brochure.
• All India candidates: students from other states can also write the test and compete for the limited All India seats, where JEE Main scores are also considered.

Counselling and seat allotment

Seats are allotted through the MHT CET CAP (Centralised Admission Process) run by the State CET Cell. Candidates register online, upload documents for verification (e-scrutiny or at a facilitation centre), check the provisional merit list and raise grievances, and then fill option forms for successive CAP rounds once the final merit list is out. After each allotment you accept the seat, pay fees and report to the institute; seats left after the CAP rounds go to institute-level rounds. Keep your MHT CET scorecard, Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, domicile or nationality certificate, and caste, caste-validity and non-creamy-layer certificates (if claiming a reserved seat) ready.

Important dates

The State CET Cell has not yet published an official MHT CET 2027 schedule (no notice on cetcell.mahacet.org as of 25 September 2026). CET Cell Commissioner Dileep Sardesai has said the first attempt could be held between December 2026 and January 2027, and media reports mention a tentative 15 December 2026 to 15 January 2027 window, but these are not official dates. For reference, in 2026 the PCM group's first attempt was held on 11–20 April and the second attempt in mid-May; first-attempt PCM results were published on 16 June 2026 and second-attempt results on 19 June 2026.

Eligibility

Passed Class 12 (HSC) or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects along with Chemistry (or another subject permitted in the CET Cell brochure). For B.E./B.Tech admission you need at least 45% combined in these subjects, or 40% for reserved-category candidates of Maharashtra State. There is no age limit for taking MHT CET.

State-quota seats are for candidates who fall under one of the Maharashtra State candidature types (based on domicile, place of schooling or parents' domicile or employment). All India candidates may also appear but compete only for the All India seats. Check the current MHT CET information brochure for the exact rules for your category.

Exam pattern

Syllabus

Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics from the Maharashtra State Board Class 11 and 12 syllabus, with most of the weight on Class 12 topics. As per the 2026 brochure, the PCM group has 150 multiple-choice questions in 180 minutes: Physics and Chemistry carry 1 mark per question and Mathematics 2 marks per question, for a total of 200 marks. There is no negative marking.

Colleges accepting MHT CET

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Frequently asked questions