Undergraduate engineering aspirants are closely monitoring official portals as registration deadlines for MHT-CET, VITEEE, and BITSAT 2026 approach. With JEE Main Session 1 set to begin on January 21, staying updated on application timelines and portal changes is critical for securing admissions into top technical institutes across the country.

As the third week of January commences, the digital landscape for engineering admissions is witnessing unprecedented traffic. With the JEE Main Session 1 scheduled to start in just four days, thousands of students are simultaneously managing final revisions and tracking the official portals of various state and private universities. National and state-level authorities have noted that while some registration windows are closing, others are just beginning their primary cycles, making this a high-stakes period for every aspirant aiming for a seat in the 2026-27 session.

National and State-Level Registration Status

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has already concluded the primary registration for the January session of JEE Main, but the focus has now shifted to the upcoming Session 2 window, expected to open shortly after the current round concludes. Simultaneously, state authorities in Maharashtra have launched their centralized portals for the MHT-CET 2026. This year, the introduction of a mandatory APAAR ID and Aadhaar-linked verification has led many to check the site frequently to ensure their profile status is marked as "Verified" before the February deadline.

• MHT-CET 2026: The registration window opened on January 10 and is scheduled to remain active until February 12.
• JEE Main Session 2: Official portals are expected to host the application link starting in late January or early February.
• WBJEE 2026: West Bengal’s entrance board is currently processing forms, with the portal anticipated to close its regular window in early February.
• KCET 2026: Karnataka’s exam authority is expected to release its notification on January 20, keeping every local aspirant on high alert for the document upload schedule.

Private University Deadlines and Phase 1 Cycles

Parallel to government exams, premier private institutions are seeing a surge in "Phase 1" activity. Universities like VIT and BITS Pilani utilize their own independent portals to manage a global pool of applicants. For many, these exams represent a vital opportunity to secure a branch of choice before the national results create a bottleneck in the summer. Strategic planning during this month allows students to avoid late fees and technical glitches that often occur in the final 48 hours of a deadline.

• VITEEE 2026: Applications are ongoing at the official VIT site, with a final submission date of March 31.
• BITSAT 2026: The Session 1 registration is currently in full swing and will remain open until March 16.
• SRMJEEE 2026: SRMIST is currently accepting Phase 1 applications, with the first major deadline set for mid-April.
• AEEE 2026: Amrita University has just transitioned into its next phase of registration, requiring careful planning from those who missed the early January slot.

Consolidated Deadline Tracker for January-February 2026

To assist in tracking these moving targets, the following table summarizes the current status and upcoming deadlines for the most sought-after engineering entrance exams as of today, January 17.

Conclusion

The current admissions season highlights the importance of proactive digital monitoring. As more institutions move toward multi-session formats and integrated digital IDs, the margin for error in planning has significantly narrowed. Every aspirant is encouraged to maintain a personalized calendar of deadlines and to verify information only through the primary portals of the respective testing agencies to ensure a smooth and successful transition into undergraduate engineering studies.

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