State Engineering Entrance Exams 2026: Registration Windows Open

Various state-level engineering entrance exams in India have officially entered their registration phases for the 2026 academic cycle. Institutes and state cells, including MHT CET, KEAM, and WBJEE, are opening portals for undergraduate engineering and pharmacy admissions. Applicants must adhere to the specific state deadlines and documentation requirements, such as Aadhaar and APAAR ID, for successful submission. This phase marks the beginning of the competitive state-level admission season, following the conclusion of national-level preliminary tests earlier this January.

As of January 2026, several state education boards have transitioned from planning to the active execution of their entrance cycles. The Portal for the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET) officially opened on January 10, while Kerala's KEAM registration began earlier in the month. These state-specific Portal systems are designed to manage high volumes of traffic as lakhs of students register for local engineering and professional seats.

• MHT CET 2026 registration is currently active on the official website, cetcell.mahacet.org.
• Kerala's CEE has opened the KEAM application link, with a primary deadline of January 31, 2026.
• West Bengal (WBJEE) and Odisha (OJEE) are expected to activate their respective registration links by the final week of January.
• Most states have adopted a fully digital submission process to streamline candidate data management.

Registration Timelines and Key Exam Dates

The 2026 state entrance calendar is densely packed, with most application windows closing in February to allow for an April or May examination schedule. A significant update this year is the introduction of two attempts for the MHT CET, mirroring the national JEE Main format. This shift in the Calendar allows students to use their best score for the final state-level merit list.

• The Calendar for Kerala's KEAM includes specific buffer days to accommodate any technical contingencies.
• West Bengal's WBJEE remains an offline, OMR-based test, while most other state exams have transitioned to Computer-Based Tests (CBT).
• Students are advised to synchronize their Calendar to avoid overlaps between state-level tests and national board examinations.
• Most state cells provide a correction window immediately following the registration deadline.

Mandatory Documentation and Eligibility Requirements

To complete the Application, candidates must now provide advanced identification such as the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID in certain states like Maharashtra. This digital identity, linked to the Academic Bank of Credits, is becoming a standard requirement for the Application process across various professional streams.

• Eligibility: Candidates must have cleared or be appearing for Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM).
• Identification: Aadhaar card and APAAR ID are mandatory for MHT CET 2026 registration.
• Domicile: State-quota seats require valid nativity or domicile certificates to be uploaded during the document verification phase.
• Fee Payment: The registration fee generally ranges from ₹250 to ₹1,300, depending on the state and candidate category.

Conclusion

The opening of registration phases for state engineering entrance exams signals a crucial period of action for the 2026 academic batch. With major portals like MHT CET and KEAM already active, the focus for aspirants is on accurate data entry and timely document submission. The inclusion of new digital requirements like the APAAR ID reflects a broader move toward a unified academic tracking system. As more states like West Bengal and Odisha prepare to launch their forms in the coming days, students must remain vigilant of the varying deadlines. This organized start to the state-level admission process ensures that the transition from school to professional engineering education remains transparent and merit-based.