MAH MCA CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Option Form Open; Submit Choices by August 1

The State Common Entrance Test Cell (CET Cell), Government of Maharashtra, has started the Centralized Admission Process (CAP) Round 1 option form for the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test for Master of Computer Applications (MAH MCA CET) 2026. Candidates can now fill their choices on the official website at mca2026.mahacet.org.in. The option form submission period will end on August 1, 2026. Only those candidates who registered for CAP counselling by July 21, 2026 and made it to the final merit list are eligible to fill the option form. The final merit list and the Round 1 seat matrix were published on July 29, 2026 on the same portal. It is important for candidates to save and lock their preferences within the given time to be considered for seat allotment.

MAH MCA CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Key Details

How to Fill the MAH MCA CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Option Form?

Candidates must log in using their CAP application ID and password to access the option form.

The portal lets aspirants add as many college and course preferences as they want, but they have to enter them in the order of their choice. Higher preferences are considered first during the seat allotment process.

Steps to fill the form:

• Visit the official portal at mca2026.mahacet.org.in.
• Log in with your CAP application ID and password.
• Open the CAP Round 1 option form dashboard.
• Search for participating institutes and add MCA programs you are interested in.
• Arrange the choices in the exact order of your preferences.
• Save the form and click on the lock option to confirm.
• Download the confirmation page for future use.
• Once you lock your form, you cannot edit it anymore.

Candidates who do not lock their form before the deadline will not be eligible for Round 1 seat allotment.

MAH MCA CET 2026 Counselling Structure

The MAH MCA CET 2026 admission process is carried out through four CAP rounds.

Rounds 1, 2, and 3 are online, whereas Round 4 is conducted offline for Maharashtra state candidates. Rounds 1 and 2 are open to both Maharashtra state and outside-Maharashtra candidates.

Each round begins with a new option form window, followed by a provisional seat allotment.

Candidates who have been allotted a seat must confirm, freeze, or upgrade it within the specified deadline. Reporting for the first three rounds is done online through the same portal.

Why This Matters

CAP Round 1 usually has the most available seats at top institutes in Maharashtra.

The choices made during this round greatly influence the college a candidate ends up joining. Locking a well-ordered list during this round is more important than in later rounds.

Action Plan for Candidates

• Visit the official portal at mca2026.mahacet.org.in and log in.
• Review the final merit list and the Round 1 seat matrix carefully.
• Shortlist the institutes and MCA programs based on your merit rank.
• Enter and reorder your preferences in the actual order of your choice.
• Save and lock the option form before August 1, 2026.
• Keep the locked confirmation page ready for the next steps