In a major development, the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has announced that the MHT CET 2026 for BTech, MBA, and other allied courses will now be conducted twice a year — in April and May 2026. The announcement was made by Maharashtra’s Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, aligning the state-level exam pattern with national-level tests like JEE Main. This move will provide students across India, including those from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and other states, two opportunities to improve their performance and secure better ranks for admission into top colleges.
MHT CET 2026 Overview
The MHT CET Cell will organize entrance examinations for BTech (Engineering), PCB (Pharmacy/Medical), and MBA twice a year beginning from the academic year 2026–27. The first session will take place in April 2026, while the second session will be held in May 2026. Students will have the option to appear in one or both exams. If a candidate attempts both sessions, the highest score among the two will be considered for the final merit list and admission process.
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET) 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | State CET Cell, Maharashtra |
| Courses Covered | BTech (Engineering), PCB (Pharmacy/Medical), MBA |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Session 1 Exam Dates | April 2026 |
| Session 2 Exam Dates | May 2026 |
| Best Score Rule | Higher of the two scores considered for admission |
| Official Website | cetcell.mahacet.org |
Official Statement from Maharashtra Education Minister
Education Minister Chandrakant Patil announced that “since JEE Main allows students two attempts annually, Maharashtra students should have equal opportunities through the MHT CET. This new system ensures fair competition and stress-free preparation for aspirants.” He added that the best score of the two attempts will be considered for engineering, pharmacy, and MBA admissions.
MHT CET 2026 Review Meeting
The decision was finalized during a high-level review meeting chaired by the Education Minister. Attendees included:
- B. Venugopal Reddy, Chief Secretary, Higher & Technical Education Department
- Dilip Sardesai, Commissioner, CET Cell
- Shailendra Devlankar, Director of Higher Education
- Vinod Mohitkar, Director, Technical Education Department
- Other senior officials from the Maharashtra Government
The officials discussed ways to make the entrance process more flexible, transparent, and student-centric.
Why Two Attempts Are Beneficial for Students
Introducing two MHT CET exams per year will help reduce pressure on students and provide them with:
- Two chances to improve performance and ranking.
- Flexible preparation schedules aligned with board exams.
- Improved accuracy in assessing actual potential.
- Equal opportunity compared to students appearing for JEE Main or NEET.
Courses Covered Under MHT CET 2026
- Engineering (BTech/B.E) – Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (PCM) stream.
- Pharmacy/Medical (PCB) – Physics, Chemistry, Biology.
- MBA/MMS – Management entrance for postgraduate programs.
MHT CET 2026 Important Highlights
- MHT CET 2026 will be conducted twice annually – April and May.
- Score normalization will apply across both sessions.
- The best of the two scores will determine merit ranking.
- The CET Cell will announce the detailed schedule and notification soon.
- Applicable for BTech, PCB, and MBA admissions across Maharashtra colleges.
The MHT CET 2026 reform marks a historic change for students across Maharashtra, providing two attempts each year for Engineering, Pharmacy, and MBA aspirants. This move aligns the state-level exams with national standards, offering greater flexibility and opportunity. Candidates should regularly visit the official CET Cell website cetcell.mahacet.org for the official notification and exam schedule, and bookmark this page for timely updates, for more details CLICK HERE
