Undergraduate engineering applicants are closely tracking official portals as the 2026 entrance exam registration deadlines approach for major tests. With the MHT-CET 2026 deadline set for February 12 and BITSAT Session 1 applications open until mid-March, students must stay updated on mandatory requirements Portal alerts indicate significant changes this year, including the mandatory use of APAAR ID and Aadhaar-based authentication for multiple state and national level tests. Staying informed through these official channels is essential for aspirants to secure their examination slots and complete fee payments before the late-entry penalties apply.

As the first month of the 2026 academic calendar draws to a close, undergraduate engineering aspirants across India are on high alert, frequently monitoring various official portals for the latest registration and deadline updates. With several major entrance exams currently in their active application phases, the digital traffic on websites like cetcell.mahacet.org and admissions.bits-pilani.ac.in has reached record highs. As of today, January 22, the focus for millions of students has shifted from initial preparation to ensuring that their administrative formalities are completed well before the high-pressure deadlines in February and March.

National and State-Level Registration Status

The landscape for undergraduate engineering admissions in 2026 is marked by staggered deadlines that require careful planning. While the JEE Main Session 1 is currently in the examination phase, several other critical university and state-level entrance tests are in the middle of their registration window. Students are utilizing official portals to track not only the final dates but also the specific document upload requirements which have become more stringent this year.

• MHT-CET 2026: The registration began on January 10 and is scheduled to close on February 12, 2026.
• BITSAT 2026: The Session 1 registration window is currently open and will accept applications until March 16.
• VITEEE 2026: Vellore Institute of Technology continues its application process with a deadline of March 31.
• MET 2026: Manipal Academy of Higher Education has set its Phase 1 deadline for March 15.

Mandatory ID Requirements and Portal Alerts

A significant update across almost every official portals this year is the integration of the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR). This "One Nation, One Student ID" initiative is now a mandatory field for the undergraduate engineering application process. Applicants have reported that the registration window for several exams requires a pre-verified DigiLocker account to fetch Aadhaar and APAAR details instantly, a move designed to curb identity fraud.

• Identity Verification: Aadhaar-based authentication is now the standard for completing any entrance application.
• Fee Structure: Most exams have seen a moderate increase in fees, now payable exclusively through online gateways integrated into the portals.
• Late Fee Penalty: Missing the primary registration window typically incurs an additional penalty fee ranging from ₹500 to ₹1,000.
• Correction Windows: Many portals have issued alerts that only limited fields will be editable during the brief correction period following the deadline.

Conclusion

The current period represents a critical juncture for students seeking entry into premier undergraduate engineering programs. As official portals continue to release real-time alerts regarding seat availability and center allotments, the responsibility remains with the aspirants to finalize their submissions. With the primary registration window for the largest state CETs closing in early February, the surge in activity underscores the competitive nature of the 2026-27 admission cycle. The transition to fully digital, ID-linked applications has streamlined the process, yet it demands that students remain vigilant and proactive in their administrative duties.