MHT CET 2026 to Be Held Twice a Year; Exams Scheduled Between March and May

In a landmark decision set to redefine the competitive landscape for engineering and pharmacy aspirants in Maharashtra, the State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has confirmed that the MHT CET 2026 examination will be conducted twice a year. This significant move, aimed at reducing academic pressure and providing a crucial second opportunity for students to improve their scores, will bring the state-level entrance test in line with national exams like the JEE Main. Both sessions for MHT CET 2026 are officially scheduled to be held between March and May 2026.

Key Details for Aspirants: Two Attempts for a Better Score

This new structure will be applicable starting from the academic session 2026-27 and covers admissions to crucial professional courses, including B.Tech/B.E. (Engineering) and B.Pharm (Pharmacy). Aspirants will have the flexibility to appear for one or both of the examination sessions. The final merit list for admission through the Centralised Admission Process (CAP) will consider the best score obtained by the candidate from the two attempts, which is a major relief for lakhs of students.

The Higher and Technical Education Department’s decision is a direct response to the long-standing demand from the student community to mitigate the risk associated with a single-day, high-stakes examination. Factors like illness, technical glitches, or undue stress on the day of the exam will no longer jeopardize a student's entire academic year.

Expected Timeline and Future Plans

For the first year of implementation, MHT CET 2026, both attempts are slated to take place within the March to May 2026 window. However, officials have indicated plans for further refinement in subsequent years (from the 2027-28 session onwards) to space out the two attempts with a greater gap, similar to the JEE Main calendar.

While the specific, detailed dates for the March and May sessions are yet to be officially published, the CET Cell is expected to release a comprehensive Official Notification and start the application process in December 2025. Aspirants must keep a close watch on the official website, cetcell.mahacet.org, for confirmed dates and updated guidelines. Students are advised to utilize the coming months to develop a robust preparation strategy that accounts for the dual attempts, focusing on maximizing their performance in both sessions.

Stream-Specific Syllabus and Pattern

There are currently no major changes announced for the MHT CET 2026 exam pattern or syllabus other than the frequency. The test will continue to be a Computer-Based Test (CBT) covering the Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) group for Engineering and Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) group for Pharmacy. The syllabus weightage is maintained at approximately 20% from Class 11 and 80% from Class 12 of the Maharashtra State Board curriculum. Importantly, the exam retains its no negative marking policy.

This positive development offers an unprecedented opportunity for high school students to practice, adapt, and significantly improve their final scores.

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