The registration schedule for MHT-CET 2026 has been formally announced by the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test Cell, marking a major shift in the structure of one of Maharashtra’s most significant entrance examinations. It has been confirmed that applications will be accepted from January 10 to February 12, with detailed instructions, an information booklet, and application forms being made available on the official website.
MHT-CET is conducted annually for admission to professional undergraduate programmes including engineering, agriculture, and pharmacy across the state. In recent years, the examination has witnessed consistently high participation, with more than 4.64 lakh candidates from the Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics group and over 3.01 lakh candidates from the Physics, Chemistry, Biology group registering in the previous cycle. These figures have highlighted the growing reliance on the examination as a primary gateway to professional education in Maharashtra.
A notable reform has been introduced for the 2026 cycle, with the examination now set to be conducted twice a year. This revised format has been implemented on the lines of the Joint Entrance Examination, allowing candidates an additional opportunity to improve their performance. Under the new system, candidates may choose to appear for one or both attempts, and in cases where both are attempted, the higher of the two scores will be considered for the admission process.
As per the announced schedule, the first session of MHT-CET 2026 for both PCM and PCB groups will be held between April 11 and April 26. The second session has been scheduled from May 10 to May 17. This staggered approach is expected to reduce pressure on candidates while providing greater flexibility and fairness in evaluation.
In addition to examination reforms, stricter registration requirements have been notified. It has been made mandatory for all candidates to possess an APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) ID along with Aadhaar for successful registration. Candidates with disabilities will be required to upload either a valid disability certificate issued by a competent authority or a Unique Disability ID card. Applicants have been advised to complete APAAR ID generation well in advance to avoid last-minute delays.
Alongside MHT-CET, the registration process for the MBA-MMS entrance examination will also commence on January 10 and conclude on February 12. Last year, more than 1.16 lakh candidates registered for MBA-MMS, reflecting strong demand for postgraduate management programmes. From 2026 onwards, the MBA-MMS CET will also follow the two-attempt format, with examinations scheduled between April 6 and 8 for the first session and May 9 for the second.
The CET Cell has also indicated that registrations for several other professional entrance tests, including education and law programmes, have already been initiated, signalling the beginning of an extensive admission cycle for the upcoming academic year.