Maharashtra will conduct the MHT CET 2026 examinations twice annually for BTech and MBA admissions. Education Minister Chandrakant Patil announced this significant policy change, effective from the next academic year. The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell will administer these exams in April and May 2026 , offering students two distinct opportunities for admission to engineering and management programs.
Dual Examination System Introduced
The new system allows students to attempt the crucial state-level entrance exam twice. Minister Patil stated this approach mirrors the successful model of national JEE examinations, which also provide two attempts. This strategic change aims to significantly reduce pressure on students, offering a second chance to improve their scores without waiting another year.
Students are required to take at least one entrance exam. The second attempt is optional. If a student appears for both examinations, the higher score achieved between the two attempts will be considered for final admission. This policy ensures that students are evaluated based on their absolute best performance, fostering a fairer selection process.
MHT CET 2026 Key Dates and Courses
The first entrance examination for PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) , PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) , and MBA courses is scheduled for April 2026 . The second examination will follow in May 2026 . The state’s 11 CET boards will collectively conduct these tests across various centers. The CET Cell will release the complete, detailed examination schedule, including registration dates and specific venue information, shortly. Students are advised to monitor official announcements.
Anticipated MHT CET 2026 Schedule
| Exam Attempt | Courses Covered | Approximate Month |
|---|---|---|
| First Attempt | BTech (PCM), BTech (PCB), MBA | April 2026 |
| Second Attempt | BTech (PCM), BTech (PCB), MBA | May 2026 |
Official Review and Consultation
This policy decision followed a comprehensive review meeting. Education Minister Chandrakant Patil chaired the meeting, specifically focusing on the existing CET examination framework and potential reforms. Senior officials from various education departments attended the session to discuss the proposed changes and their implementation.
Key attendees included B Venugopal Reddy, Chief Secretary of the Higher and Technical Education Department, who contributed to the strategic discussions. Dilip Sardesai, Commissioner of the CET Cell, provided insights into operational aspects. Other prominent officials present were Shailendra Devlankar, Director of Higher Education, and Vinod Mohitkar, Director of the Technical Education Department. Their collective input shaped the final decision on the dual exam system.
Role of MHT CET Cell in State Admissions
The MHT CET Cell holds a central role in Maharashtra’s higher education system. It is responsible for organizing and conducting a wide array of entrance examinations throughout the state. These exams are vital gateways for admissions into numerous professional programs. These include core fields like engineering and pharmacy, medical disciplines, management studies, and other allied courses offered by state-affiliated institutions.
Recent Admission Trends and Statistics
Recent data from the Mah CET CAP 2025 admission cycle provides context to the state’s admission processes. Over 100,000 students successfully secured admission to BTech programs across Maharashtra. This cycle also highlighted high success rates within reserved categories, which recorded an admission rate of 86.89% , demonstrating effective reservation implementation.
Furthermore, the Maharashtra CET Cell’s 2025 enrollment statistics for other programs also indicated robust participation. For instance, approximately 92% of B.Ed seats were filled, reflecting strong and consistent demand for various higher education courses within the state’s academic institutions. These figures underscore the importance of the CET examinations in managing large-scale admissions.