MHCET Law 2026: Exam Date, Registration, Syllabus & Cutoff
The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test for Law (MH CET Law), conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, is one of the most important entrance examinations for law aspirants in the state. It acts as the primary admission route for undergraduate law programs, including the 5-year integrated courses (BA LLB, BBA LLB) and the 3-year LLB program offered by leading law colleges across Maharashtra. The MH CET Law 2026 examination is expected to uphold its significance as a merit-based, standardized screening test that ensures fair and competitive selection of candidates.
This article offers a comprehensive overview of the MH CET Law Exam 2026, covering key details such as important dates, eligibility requirements, exam pattern and syllabus, admit card information, and expected cutoff trends to support candidates in their preparation journey.
Table of Contents
MHCET Law Exam 2026 Highlights
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Title | Maharashtra Common Entrance Test for Law (MHCET Law) |
| Organizing Body | State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra |
| Examination Level | State-Level Entrance Exam |
| Courses Available | 5-Year Integrated Law Programs (BA LL.B./BBA LL.B.) and 3-Year LL.B. |
| Examination Mode | Online Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Question Format | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Number of Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 Marks (1 Mark per Question) |
| Negative Marking | Not Applicable |
| Exam Duration | 1 Hour 30 Minutes |
| Medium of Examination | English |
| Official Website | https://cetcell.mahacet.org/ |
| Application Process | Online Submission |
| Reservation Policy | As per Maharashtra Government Guidelines |
| Participating Institutes | Government and Private Law Colleges across Maharashtra |
MHCET LAW 2026 Exam Dates
Keeping track of important exam dates is essential for effective preparation. Below is the tentative schedule for the MHCET LAW 2026 examination:
| Event | Tentative Schedule |
|---|---|
| Start of Online Applications | January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | February 2026 |
| Release of Admit Card | April 2026 |
| MHCET LAW 2026 Exam Date | Third Week of April 2026 |
| Release of Answer Key | Last Week of April 2026 |
| Declaration of Result | May 2026 |
| Commencement of Counselling | June 2026 |
Candidates are advised to stay updated by regularly visiting the official CET Cell Maharashtra website for confirmed dates and any changes to the schedule.
Eligibility Criteria for MHCET Law 2026
The Maharashtra CET Law exam prescribes specific academic and age requirements that applicants must meet to be eligible.
For the 5-Year Integrated Law Programme (BA LLB / BBA LLB)
Applicants must have completed their 10 2 or an equivalent examination from a recognised board with a minimum of 45% aggregate marks (40% for reserved category candidates). The candidate should be at least 17 years of age by the time of admission, typically by December 31 of the admission year. Students appearing in their qualifying examination are also eligible to apply, provided they submit the necessary proof later.
For the 3-Year LLB Programme
Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university with at least 45% marks (40% for reserved categories). They must also have completed a minimum age of 20 years. Aspirants are advised to carefully check their eligibility before submitting the application form to avoid any risk of disqualification.
MHCET Law 2026 Syllabus
The MHCET Law syllabus is structured to evaluate a candidate’s core abilities required for legal education. The examination mainly focuses on the following areas:
Legal Aptitude and Legal Reasoning:
This section tests the candidate’s understanding of legal principles, common legal terminology, the ability to apply logical reasoning to legal situations, and awareness of current legal developments along with fundamental rights.
General Knowledge and Current Affairs:
Questions are based on national and international events, significant historical and cultural topics related to law, and basic concepts of political science, the Constitution, and governance.
English Language Proficiency:
Candidates are assessed on their command of vocabulary and grammar, reading comprehension skills, sentence correction, and paragraph arrangement.
Mathematical Aptitude and Logical Reasoning:
This part covers fundamental arithmetic, number series, data interpretation, and analytical reasoning through puzzles and problem-solving questions.
MHCET Law 2026 Admit Card
The admit card is an essential document required to appear for the MHCET Law 2026 examination. Candidates will be able to download it from the official CET Cell website in April 2026 by logging in using their registered application credentials.
Important details regarding the admit card
It includes the candidate’s personal information, photograph, signature, examination centre address, and exam schedule.
Candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid government-issued photo ID to the exam venue.
In case of any errors or discrepancies on the admit card, candidates should immediately contact the exam conducting authority for correction.
Cutoff Patterns for MHCET LAW
The cutoff for MHCET LAW changes each year depending on key factors like the paper’s difficulty level, the total number of applicants, and seat availability. These cutoff scores represent the minimum marks required to qualify for admission through the exam.
Based on trends from previous years (out of 100), the approximate cutoffs are:
General (Open): 60–70 marks
OBC: 55–65 marks
SC/ST: 45–55 marks
Economically Weaker Section (EWS): Comparable to OBC
These scores are used to prepare the merit list for the counseling process. Aspirants targeting top law colleges in Maharashtra should aim for a score above 70 to strengthen their chances.
MHCET LAW serves as a reliable entry point for quality legal education in Maharashtra. Focused preparation as per the syllabus, staying informed about important dates, and clearly understanding eligibility and admission rules can significantly improve a candidate’s chances of success in this competitive examination.
MHCET Law College Fees in Maharashtra
Fees for MHCET law colleges in Maharashtra differ widely based on the type of institution—government-aided or private unaided—as well as the course structure, such as the 3-year LLB or 5-year integrated programs (BA LLB/BBA LLB). Government colleges usually offer highly affordable education, with annual fees often below ₹25,000. In contrast, private institutions may charge anywhere between ₹60,000 to over ₹6 lakh per year, excluding hostel, examination, and other miscellaneous charges. These fee estimates are based on recent trends and are revised annually by the Fee Regulating Authority (FRA), Maharashtra.
Fees for Top 5-Year Integrated Law Programs
Private and university-affiliated institutions offering 5-year integrated law courses generally have higher fees due to superior infrastructure and faculty resources. A comparative snapshot of approximate annual fees is given below:
Government Law College, Churchgate (BA LLB / BBA LLB): ₹20,000 – ₹25,000
ILS Law College, Pune (BA LLB): ₹1.12 lakh
SVKM’s Pravin Gandhi College of Law (BLS LLB): ₹3.30 lakh
University of Mumbai (BBA LLB Hons.): ₹2.52 lakh
Faculty of Law, MIT-WPU (BBA LLB Hons.): ₹11.25 lakh
Vishwakarma University (BBA LLB): ₹6.75 lakh
Government-aided seats remain the most economical option and are highly competitive during MHCET CAP counselling.
Fees for 3-Year LLB Programs
The 3-year LLB program, designed for graduates, is usually more affordable due to greater availability of government and aided colleges. Approximate annual fees include:
Government Law College, Churchgate: ₹20,610
Vidya Prasarak Mandal, Thane: ₹24,000
K.C. Law College, Mumbai: ₹21,150
Rizvi Law College, Mumbai: ₹63,000
D.Y. Patil School of Law: ₹1.50 lakh
Jitendra Chauhan College of Law: ₹20,000
Students from reserved categories may benefit from fee concessions and scholarship schemes offered by the Maharashtra government.
Additional Costs and Payment Structure
Apart from tuition fees, students should budget for extra expenses such as application fees (₹400 for reserved categories and ₹1,000 for open/OMS candidates), hostel charges ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1.5 lakh per year, and miscellaneous institutional fees between ₹10,000 and ₹20,000. In premium private colleges, the total first-year expense may cross ₹2–3 lakh. Fees are regulated by authorities, and students must check the official CET Cell notifications for final 2026 updates after counselling.
Mode of Payment and Refund Policy
Fee payment is usually done in installments during the admission process through CAP rounds. Refunds in case of withdrawal are governed by state regulations. Aspirants should plan their finances carefully and aim for higher ranks to secure admission into low-fee government and aided institutions.
MHCET LAW FAQs
The MHT CET Law exam, officially known as the MH CET Law, is a state-level entrance examination conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, for admission to 3-year LLB and 5-year integrated law programs (BA LLB, BBA LLB) offered by government, aided, and private law colleges across Maharashtra. The exam is held annually in online (computer-based) mode and tests candidates on Legal Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, English, General Knowledge with Current Affairs, and Mathematics (for 5-year LLB). Qualifying the MH CET Law is mandatory for securing a seat in top law colleges in Maharashtra, making it one of the most important law entrance exams after Class 12 and graduation for aspiring law students in the state.
Scoring 80 in MHCET Law is generally considered a good score, especially for the 5-year integrated LLB programs in Maharashtra. While the exact cutoff varies each year based on factors like exam difficulty, number of candidates, and reservation category, an 80+ score usually places candidates in a competitive range for admission to many private law colleges and some government-aided institutions. For top government law colleges, higher scores around 90–100 may be required, but an 80 still provides a strong chance for reputable colleges in the state. Aspirants should also monitor official MHCET Law cutoff trends and participate in counseling to maximize their admission opportunities.
Yes, MH CET Law (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test for Law) is generally compulsory for admission to LLB and integrated law programs (like BA LLB or BBA LLB) in most government and private colleges in Maharashtra. Conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, MH CET Law serves as the primary eligibility criterion, and candidates must qualify in this exam to secure admission through merit-based counselling. However, some private universities or institutions may offer management quota seats or direct admission based on 12th-grade marks, though such cases are limited. Therefore, for most students aiming for law colleges in Maharashtra, appearing and qualifying in MH CET Law is essential.
There are roughly 189 colleges under MH CET Law (3‑year LLB) for 2025 counselling. These colleges are spread across the 11 main universities of Maharashtra participating in MH CET‑Law admissions.
As of the 2025 counselling cycle, the total number of seats available under MH CET Law (for law admissions in Maharashtra) is roughly as follows: about 16,240 seats are allocated for the 3‑year LLB programmes and around 10,860 seats for the 5‑year (integrated) LLB programmes across various participating law colleges.