MHT CET 2026 Registration Window Extended to February 20
The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has officially extended the registration deadline for MHT CET 2026, providing prospective students with additional time to submit their applications. Aspirants now have until February 20, 2026 to complete their registration process through the official portal at cetcell.mahacet.org.
Extended Registration for Multiple Academic Programs
This deadline extension applies to a comprehensive range of professional courses, including:
- MBA and MMS programs
- Engineering (BTech) courses
- Pharmacy programs
- Agriculture-related courses
The registration window was originally scheduled to close on February 12 but has now been extended by eight additional days to accommodate more applicants.
Examination Schedule and Important Dates
The computer-based test for MBA and MMS courses will be conducted in two phases:
- First attempt: April 6-8, 2026
- Second attempt: May 9, 2026
For candidates seeking admission to PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) and PCB (Biology) streams, the examination schedule is as follows:
- First phase: April 1-26, 2026
- Second phase: May 10-17, 2026
Application Fee Structure
The MHT CET 2026 registration fee has been standardized across categories:
- General category candidates (from Maharashtra and outside the state): Rs 1,500
- Reserved category candidates including Backward Classes, SC, ST, EWS, and other gender categories: Rs 1,300
Eligibility Requirements and Documentation
According to the latest notification from the Maharashtra CET Cell, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria:
- A graduation degree in any discipline with minimum 50% marks (45% for reserved category candidates)
- Mandatory creation of APAAR ID through DigiLocker for those who haven't generated one yet
For Persons with Disabilities (PwD) candidates, specific requirements include:
- Upload of Disability Certificate issued by competent authority or Unique Disability ID (UDID) card
- Advised to obtain UDID card for Common Admission Process (CAP) requirements
- For those eligible for scribes: submission of details for two scribes including name, Aadhaar number, photograph, bona fide certificate, and qualification certificate
Major Policy Change: Twice-Yearly Examination
In a significant development, the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET) will now be conducted twice annually, beginning with the 2026-27 academic session. This strategic move aligns the state-level entrance examination with the national Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) pattern, providing engineering aspirants with two opportunities to enhance their performance and secure admissions to professional courses.
The decision was formally announced by Maharashtra's Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil following a comprehensive review meeting with the State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell, which oversees various entrance examinations for higher education institutions across Maharashtra.
This policy shift represents a substantial enhancement to the examination framework, offering greater flexibility and multiple opportunities for candidates to demonstrate their academic capabilities while competing for admissions to prestigious professional programs throughout the state.
