State Engineering Entrance Exams Prepare to Open Registration Windows

Major states including Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Kerala prepare to open registration for MHT CET, WBJEE, and KEAM 2026. Check key dates and application links.

As the national focus remains on the upcoming JEE Main session, several state-level technical education boards have begun activating their registration portals for the 2026-27 academic session. Today, January 9, marks a significant surge in administrative activity as the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board (WBJEEB) and the Maharashtra State CET Cell finalize their online application frameworks. These state entrance exams are critical for millions of students seeking subsidized seats in government and top-tier private engineering colleges within their respective domiciles.

Activation of State Portals and Application Cycles

The first ten days of January have traditionally served as the kickoff period for regional engineering admissions. For 2026, the Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical (KEAM) portal has already gone live, allowing candidates to begin their profile creation. In Maharashtra, the MHT CET 2026 registration is expected to follow a staggered approach, with the technical and higher education departments integrating the new APAAR ID system to streamline student data across the entrance cycle.

West Bengal's WBJEE 2026 application window is tentatively scheduled to open by the third week of this month. Candidates are advised to keep their scanned documents, particularly domicile and category certificates, ready for the upload phase. The transition to a more digital-first registration experience means that many states are now requiring Aadhaar-linked mobile verification to prevent duplicate entries and ensure a transparent entrance process.

• KEAM 2026: Registration currently active (Ends late January).
• WBJEE 2026: Expected window to open by January 20.
• MHT CET 2026: Notification released; PCM/PCB applications expected shortly.
• GUJCET 2026: Deadline extended to January 6 (Now moving to correction phase).

Comparative Timeline for Regional Engineering Tests

The 2026 entrance season is structured to avoid major clashes with board examinations. While the registrations are opening in January, the actual tests are predominantly scheduled for April and May. This year, many states are adopting a multi-session format similar to the national testing model to provide candidates with a second chance at improving their scores.

Conclusion

As the registration windows open across different regions, candidates must ensure they meet the specific domicile requirements of each state. While some exams like COMEDK and VITEEE are open to candidates nationwide, the state entrance tests primarily reserve 85% of their seats for local residents. The second half of January will see a peak in application volume, making it essential for students to complete their filings early to avoid server congestion. With the registration links for major states going live, the 2026-28 engineering admission cycle is now in its most active recruitment phase.

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