State Engineering Entrance Exams Prepare to Open Registration Phases This Month

Several state engineering entrance exams like MHT CET, WBJEE, and KEAM are opening their 2026 registration windows this January. Check key dates and details.

The month of January has emerged as a pivotal period for engineering aspirants across India as multiple state-level entrance boards announce the commencement of their application cycles. Following the national-level JEE Main trend, several state authorities have activated their portals to facilitate the online registration process for undergraduate technical courses. From Maharashtra to Kerala, the transition from administrative planning to active candidate enrollment is now in full swing, marking the beginning of a high-stakes season for the 2026-27 academic session.

Major State Boards Activate Portals

A significant number of state-level entrance examinations are seeing their first wave of applicants this week. For instance, the State Common Entrance Test Cell of Maharashtra has already enabled its primary portal for basic candidate profiling. Similarly, the West Bengal and Kerala boards have issued formal notifications regarding their respective application deadlines, urging students to keep their academic and domicile documents ready for the multi-stage submission process.

• MHT CET 2026: The Maharashtra portal is now live, requiring candidates to generate a mandatory APAAR ID and complete Aadhaar authentication before filling out the specific PCM or PCB group forms.
• KEAM 2026: In Kerala, the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations has set a clear January 31 cutoff for the initial online registration, with a separate window for document uploading extending into early February.
• WBJEE and OJEE: Eastern states are also joining the fray, with West Bengal preparing its interface for a surge in January applicants, while Odisha has indicated a mid-month start for its specialized entrance categories.

Comparative Schedule of Upcoming Registrations

To assist students in navigating the overlapping timelines of various competitive exams, the following table provides a snapshot of the current registration status for prominent state-level tests as of mid-January.

Shift Toward Digital Authentication

A notable trend in the 2026 application deadlines is the increased reliance on centralized digital identity systems. Most state-level entrance authorities are now integrating DigiLocker and Aadhaar-based verification directly into the online registration flow to curb identity fraud and streamline the counselling process later in the year. This shift requires candidates to ensure their mobile numbers are linked to their Aadhaar cards well in advance of the final submission dates.

• Mandatory Digital IDs: In states like Maharashtra, the creation of an APAAR ID is now a prerequisite, adding an extra layer to the traditional competitive exams signup process.
• Document Verification: Authorities are increasingly moving toward "Digital-First" verification, where scanned copies of category certificates and income proofs are validated against government databases in real-time.
• Payment Gateways: To accommodate the high volume of transactions, boards have updated their servers to support multiple UPI and net-banking options, specifically to handle the rush expected near the January application deadlines.

Conclusion

The synchronized opening of these registration windows highlights the organized effort by state boards to align their schedules with the national academic calendar. As the online registration portals continue to accept new users, the focus for aspirants shifts from pure study to administrative precision. Ensuring that forms are submitted within the specified application deadlines is the first hurdle in the journey toward securing a seat in a premier state technical institute. With the first phase of competitive exams just months away, the current window remains the most crucial time for students to formalize their candidacy.

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