MHT CET 2026: Exam Dates & Eligibility Info
The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET) is a major state-level exam for students who wish to study Engineering, Pharmacy, or Agriculture degree courses in Maharashtra. Each year, lakhs of students take this test with the aim of getting admission into top colleges such as COEP Pune, VJTI Mumbai, ICT Mumbai, PICT Pune, and many others.
Table of Contents
- MHT CET 2026 Dates
- MHT CET 2026 Highlights
- What is MHT CET?
- Eligibility Criteria for MHT CET 2026
- MHT CET 2026 Admit Card
- MHT CET 2026 Admit Card Release Date
- How to Download the MHT CET 2026 Admit Card
- Details to Verify on the MHT CET Admit Card
- MHT CET 2026 Exam Pattern
- MHT CET 2026 Syllabus Overview
- How to Apply for MHT CET 2026
- How to Prepare for MHT CET 2026
- MHT CET 2026 Counselling Process
MHT CET 2026 Dates
MHT CET 2026 will be held in two sessions in April and May 2026, with separate exam dates for the PCM and PCB groups. The CET Cell has already released the detailed schedule, and it has been covered by major exam-related websites.
PCM Group: Session 1 is scheduled from 11 April to 19 April 2026. Session 2 will take place from 14 May to 17 May 2026.
PCB Group: Session 1 is scheduled from 21 April to 26 April 2026. Session 2 will take place from 10 May to 11 May 2026.
Other Important Timelines
Application form release: Expected in December 2025 on the official CET Cell website (cetcell.mahacet.org).
Application with late fee and correction window: Expected to be available during February and March 2026. The exact dates will be provided in the official notice.
Admit card: Likely to be released in early or mid-April 2026 before the first exam session.
Result: Expected to be announced in June 2026 for both groups and both sessions.
MHT CET 2026 Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Maharashtra Common Entrance Test |
| Conducting Body | State CET Cell, Maharashtra |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (Online) |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (PCM) or Biology (PCB) |
| Courses Offered | Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate (Below JEE Main) |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
What is MHT CET?
MHT CET (Maharashtra Health and Technical Common Entrance Test) is an entrance examination conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra. It is held in computer-based mode and is required for admission to courses such as:
B.Tech / B.E
B.Pharm
Pharm D
B.Sc Agriculture
B.Tech Agriculture Engineering
The exam is accepted by most major government and private colleges across Maharashtra. For engineering aspirants, MHT CET is often considered a strong alternative to JEE Main, since many students feel that its difficulty level is slightly more manageable.
Eligibility Criteria for MHT CET 2026
To apply for MHT CET 2026, candidates must fulfill the conditions listed below:
1. Nationality
The applicant must be a citizen of India.
2. Age Limit
There is no age restriction for admission to engineering or pharmacy programmes.
3. Educational Qualification
Candidates should have passed Class 12 (HSC) or be appearing for the exam in 2026.
Subjects required:
Engineering: Physics, Mathematics, and one subject from Chemistry, Biology or Technical Vocational subjects.
Pharmacy: Physics, Chemistry, and one subject from Biology or Mathematics.
4. Minimum Marks Required
General Category: 45%
Reserved Category (Maharashtra): 40%.
MHT CET 2026 Admit Card
The MHT CET 2026 Admit Card is a crucial document for every student appearing for the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET). Whether you belong to the PCM group for Engineering and Technology or the PCB group for Pharmacy and Agriculture, the admit card acts as your official permission to enter the exam centre. Students will not be allowed to take the exam without it.
This comprehensive guide explains the expected release date of the admit card, the steps to download it, the details you should verify, and the common exam day errors you need to avoid.
MHT CET 2026 Admit Card Release Date
CET Cell usually publishes the admit cards 10 to 15 days before the examination. Since the MHT CET 2026 exam is scheduled for April and May 2026, the expected dates are as follows:
PCM Group
Session 1 Admit Card: Likely to be released in early April 2026
Session 2 Admit Card: Likely to be released in early May 2026
PCB Group
Session 1 Admit Card: Likely to be released in mid-April 2026
Session 2 Admit Card: Likely to be released in late April or early May 2026
Admit cards for PCM and PCB are generally released separately based on their individual exam schedules.
Important: The admit card will be available only on the official website: cetcell.mahacet.org. No offline copies will be issued through post.
How to Download the MHT CET 2026 Admit Card
Downloading your hall ticket is quick and easy. Follow these steps:
Go to the official website: cetcell.mahacet.org
Select “MHT CET 2026 Portal”
Look for the option “Download Admit Card for PCM/PCB”
Log in with your application number, password, and the captcha code
Your admit card will be displayed on the screen
Click on Download, then take a printout
It is best to download the admit card as soon as it becomes available to avoid any last-minute slowdowns on the website.
Details to Verify on the MHT CET Admit Card
After downloading your admit card, carefully check all the information. If you notice any errors, contact the CET Cell immediately. Make sure to verify:
Your full name, date of birth, and gender
Application number and roll number
Clarity of your photograph and signature
Exam date, time, and reporting time
Subject group, either PCM or PCB
Name and complete address of the exam centre
Exam session, either Shift 1 or Shift 2
Instructions provided at the bottom
If your photograph or signature is unclear, contact the authorities immediately. Otherwise, the invigilator may not permit you to enter the exam hall.
MHT CET 2026 Exam Pattern
The MHT CET question paper is structured into two main sections for engineering applicants.
For PCM (Engineering)
| Paper | Subjects | Number of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Mathematics | 50 | 100 |
| Paper 2 | Physics and Chemistry | 100 | 100 |
Total Marks: 200
Duration: 3 hours
Marking Scheme:
• Mathematics: 2 marks for each question
• Physics and Chemistry: 1 mark for each question
• No negative marking
For PCB (Pharmacy / Agriculture)
| Paper | Subjects | Number of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Physics and Chemistry | 100 | 100 |
| Paper 2 | Biology | 100 | 100 |
MHT CET 2026 Syllabus Overview
The exam syllabus follows the Class 11 and Class 12 curriculum of the Maharashtra State Board. Students from all boards, including CBSE and ISC, are eligible to appear for the test.
The distribution of questions is divided as follows:
Class 11 syllabus: 20%
Class 12 syllabus: 80%
Key Topics for Engineering (PCM)
Physics
Motion in a plane
Gravitation
Laws of Motion
Current Electricity
Oscillations
Electromagnetic waves
Atoms and nuclei
Chemistry
Structure of atoms
Chemical bonding
States of matter
Thermodynamics
Basics of organic chemistry
Alcohols, phenols and ethers
Mathematics
Trigonometric functions
Basic concepts of calculus
Matrices and determinants
Probability
Coordinate geometry
Vectors
Three dimensional geometry
For PCB students, the syllabus includes major topics from botany, zoology and core Class 12 biology chapters.
How to Apply for MHT CET 2026
The complete application procedure is conducted online through the Maharashtra CET Cell’s official website.
Application Steps
Visit the CET Cell portal (the 2026 link will be provided once released).
Register using your mobile number and email ID.
Enter your personal and academic information.
Upload the required documents such as your photograph, signature, and category certificate.
Pay the application fee:
General category: ₹800
Reserved category (Maharashtra): ₹600
Download the confirmation page and keep it for future reference.
Save your login details carefully as you will need them later for the admit card and counselling process.
How to Prepare for MHT CET 2026
Preparing smartly matters more than studying for long hours. Follow this simple and effective plan:
Prioritize Class 12 Syllabus
Around 80% of the exam is based on Class 12 topics, so having a strong command over them gives you a solid advantage.
Revise Class 11 Fundamentals
Topics like trigonometry, kinematics, the periodic table, and basic concepts of organic chemistry often appear in application-based questions. Clear basics help you solve these confidently.
Build Speed and Accuracy
MHT CET is not as complex as JEE but it tests your speed. Make sure to practice using:
Previous year papers
Mock tests
Chapter wise practice quizzes
Avoid Random Guessing
There is no negative marking, but guessing without thinking can reduce accuracy and affect your overall strategy.
Follow a Good Time Management Plan
You can try this widely used approach:
45 minutes for Physics
45 minutes for Chemistry
90 minutes for Maths
This structure helps maintain balance and is recommended by many top scorers.
MHT CET FAQs
The MHT CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) is a state-level entrance exam conducted by the Government of Maharashtra for admission to undergraduate courses in engineering (B.E/B.Tech), pharmacy (B.Pharm), and agriculture in colleges across the state. The exam assesses students’ knowledge in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology, depending on the stream, and serves as a key criterion for admission to participating government and private colleges in Maharashtra. It is usually taken by students who have completed or are completing their Class 12 (HSC) education.
The MHT CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) does not have a fixed "passing marks" for all candidates, as it is a merit-based exam. However, for eligibility in admission, candidates must score a minimum of 50% marks in PCM/PCB subjects in Class 12 (for general category) and lower for reserved categories. For percentile calculation, candidates’ scores are compared with others, and admission depends on the MHT CET merit list rather than a strict pass/fail cutoff. Typically, scoring above 50–55% of the total marks is considered safe for qualifying, but exact marks vary each year depending on exam difficulty and competition.
Whether MHT CET is better than JEE depends on your priorities. MHT CET is a state-level exam primarily for admission to engineering and pharmacy colleges in Maharashtra, generally considered easier than JEE in terms of syllabus and competition, making it suitable if you aim for good colleges within the state. JEE (Main and Advanced), on the other hand, is a national-level exam for top engineering institutes like IITs and NITs, highly competitive, and tests conceptual depth more rigorously. So, if you target Maharashtra colleges with relatively less pressure, MHT CET is better; for prestige and national-level opportunities, JEE is preferable
The MHT CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) syllabus is based on the Maharashtra State Board curriculum for Class 11 and 12. For Physics, there are typically 10 chapters from Class 11 and 10 chapters from Class 12. Chemistry includes 14 chapters from both classes combined, and Mathematics has around 25 chapters from both classes. Overall, this adds up to roughly 59 chapters across all subjects that students need to prepare for MHT CET.