MHT CET Exam Dates 2026

The Maharashtra Health and Technical Common Entrance Test (MHT CET) 2026 represents a landmark shift in the state's professional admission landscape. For the first time, the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, has introduced a dual-session examination format, mirroring national standards like JEE Main. This provides over half a million aspirants looking for admission into Engineering, Technology, Pharmacy, and Agricultural courses an additional opportunity to improve their scores.

This guide provides the final confirmed dates, registration timelines, shift protocols, and eligibility criteria for the MHT CET 2026 academic cycle.

1.0MHT CET 2026 Key Highlights

2.0Official MHT CET 2026 Exam Dates (Final Schedule)

The examination is bifurcated into two primary academic groups: PCM (Physics-Chemistry-Mathematics) for engineering aspirants and PCB (Physics-Chemistry-Biology) for pharmacy and agriculture candidates.

Session 1: April 2026 Window

The first session is conducted in mid-to-late April. Note that the PCM schedule was revised due to clashes with national examinations originally slated for April 12.

• PCM Group (Engineering): April 11 to April 20, 2026 (Excluding April 12 and April 14).
• PCB Group (Pharmacy): April 21 to April 26, 2026.

Session 2: May 2026 Window (Improvement Session)

The second session offers a "second attempt" for candidates to leverage their experience from the first phase.

• PCB Group (Pharmacy): May 10 and May 11, 2026.
• PCM Group (Engineering): May 12 to May 16, 2026.

MHT CET 2026 Registration Lifecycle

The registration process for 2026 was designed with multiple windows to ensure maximum accessibility.

Phase 1 Registration (January – March 2026)

The primary window captured the bulk of candidates before board exams.

• Registration Start Date: January 10, 2026.
• Extended Regular Deadline: February 24, 2026.
• Late Fee Window (Rs. 500): February 25 to February 27, 2026.
• Form Correction Window: March 5 to March 7, 2026.
• Final Re-opened Window: March 19 to March 20, 2026 (Requires additional Rs. 500 late fee).

Phase 2 Registration (April 2026)

A dedicated window was opened specifically for the second attempt.

• Session 2 Registration: April 15 to April 16, 2026.
• Special Single-Day Window: April 23, 2026.
• • Note: This special window was for candidates who initiated but could not finish payments; no edit facility was provided during this period.

3.0Examination Shift Timings and Center Protocols

To manage the massive candidate volume, exams are conducted in two daily shifts across approximately 226 test centers within Maharashtra.

Important Exam Day Rules:

• Gate Closure: Candidates will strictly not be permitted to enter after 8:45 AM or 1:45 PM under any circumstances.
• Sectional Submission: The exam interface auto-submits sections. For example, in PCM, Physics & Chemistry are enabled for the first 90 minutes, followed by Mathematics for the final 90 minutes.
• Required Documents: A clear printout of the final Admit Card and a valid original Photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, or Voter ID) are mandatory.

4.0Admit Card Release Dates

Admit cards are issued separately for each group through the candidate login portal.

• PCM Group Hall Ticket: Issued on April 7, 2026.
• PCB Group Hall Ticket: Issued on April 17, 2026.
• Download Steps: Candidates must visit cetcell.mahacet.org, log in with their registered email ID and password, and click on 'Get Hall Ticket'.

Eligibility Criteria for 2026

Aspiring candidates must meet the following criteria to qualify for the entrance test and subsequent Centralized Admission Process (CAP).

• Nationality: Must be an Indian Citizen.
• Educational Qualification: Passed or appearing for Class 12 (HSC) or equivalent examination with Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects along with Mathematics or Biology.
• Minimum Marks: At least 45% marks in the above subjects (40% for Reserved categories, EWS, and PwD candidates belonging to Maharashtra State only).
• Age Limit: There is no age limit for appearing in MHT CET 2026.
• Candidature Types: Candidates are classified from Type A to E based on domicile status, birth in Maharashtra, or parental employment in state/central government within Maharashtra.

5.0MHT CET 2026 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

The exam tests mastery over the Maharashtra State Board curriculum.

• Structure: Three papers consisting of MCQs with four alternatives.
• Language: Question papers are available in English, Urdu, and Marathi.
• Marking:
• • Mathematics: 2 marks per correct answer.
  • Physics/Chemistry/Biology: 1 mark per correct answer.
• Negative Marking: There is NO negative marking for incorrect or unattempted questions.

6.0Syllabus Standards (80/20 Weightage)

The syllabus is derived from the Maharashtra State Board curriculum with a distribution of 20% weightage to Class 11 and 80% to Class 12 topics.

• Class 11 (20%): Focuses on foundational units like Mole Concept, Trigonometry II, Gravitation, and Biomolecules.
• Class 12 (80%): Encompasses the entire senior secondary syllabus, including high-weightage topics like Rotational Dynamics, Calculus, and Chemical Thermodynamics.