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.