The Maharashtra State CET Cell has officially opened the MHT-CET 2026 registration window for engineering and pharmacy aspirants. Candidates can apply online at cetcell.mahacet.org until February 12, 2026.The state-level test will be conducted in two sessions across April and May for PCM and PCB groups .Applicants are encouraged to complete their forms early to avoid server delays.

The State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, has officially activated the online application-link for the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT-Entrance) 2026. As of today, January 20, 2026, the portal is processing a high volume of submissions from students seeking entry into professional undergraduate courses. This year, the authorities have introduced a two-session format similar to national-level exams, providing a dual opportunity for candidates to improve their scores. The state-portal remains the only authorized platform for generating the mandatory APAAR ID and completing the profile verification.

Detailed Examination Timeline and Session Structure

The MHT-Entrance authorities have structured the 2026 cycle to accommodate two distinct attempts for both the Physics-Chemistry-Mathematics (PCM) and Physics-Chemistry-Biology (PCB) streams.

• Registration Deadline: The primary window for the form-submission will remain open until February 12, 2026, without a late fee.
• Session 1 Dates: The first phase of testing is scheduled from April 11 to April 19 for the PCM group, while the PCB group will follow from April 21 to April 26, 2026.
• Session 2 Dates: To offer flexibility, a second session will be held in May, with PCM exams occurring between May 14 and May 17, and PCB exams on May 10 and May 11, 2026.
• Score Normalization: For candidates appearing in both sessions, the state-portal will automatically consider the highest percentile score for the final merit list during the Centralised Admission Process (CAP).

Eligibility Norms and Mandatory Documentation

To ensure a valid form-submission, applicants must adhere to the latest candidate-rules established by the Maharashtra government for the 2026-27 academic year.

• Academic Criteria: Candidates must have cleared or be appearing for their Class 12 exams with a minimum of 45% aggregate in core subjects (40% for reserved categories).
• Mandatory IDs: Under the new candidate-rules, it is compulsory for all registrants to possess a valid Aadhaar number and a linked APAAR ID.
• Domicile Status: While the exam is open to All India candidates, specific seat reservations apply only to those who hold a valid Maharashtra state domicile certificate.
• Technical Mode: The examination will be a computer-based test (CBT), and students must select their preferred city centers during the initial application-link process.

Application Fee and Category Breakdown

The fee structure for the MHT-Entrance has been updated to reflect the processing costs for the dual-session model.

• Payment Methods: Fees must be paid via the application-link using credit cards, debit cards, or UPI; offline payments are not accepted.
• Syllabus Coverage: The test will cover the Class 11 and Class 12 syllabus of the Maharashtra State Board, with 20% weightage given to the junior year and 80% to the senior year.
• No Negative Marking: Unlike other competitive tests, there is no penalty for incorrect answers, though the difficulty level is maintained at par with JEE Main and NEET.

Conclusion

With the form-submission window closing in a few weeks, the CET Cell has issued an advisory for students to finalize their profiles on the state-portal immediately. Avoiding the final week rush ensures that technical glitches or payment failures do not hamper the B.Tech and Pharmacy intake process. Adherence to the candidate-rules regarding document uploads is essential, as the correction window in March will only allow for limited modifications to the original data.

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