Registration for the MHT CET 2026 and other state-level entrance exams may soon become costlier. The Maharashtra State CET Cell has proposed a fee hike for all major higher-education entrance tests conducted in the state. The move aims to manage the rising operational and administrative costs associated with large-scale exams.
The proposal suggests increasing the registration fee by INR 150 to INR 250, depending on the exam. As of now, candidates pay between INR 500 and INR 1,000, based on whether the test is in pen-and-paper or computer-based mode. The final decision is pending approval from the Higher and Technical Education Department.
A senior official explained that the fee increase is planned with caution. The department does not want to burden students and is therefore keeping the proposed hike within a reasonable limit. The final call will be taken after discussion with all concerned officials.
Current Fee Structure and Proposed Changes
For pen-and-paper exams, the existing fee ranges between INR 500 and INR 600. For CBT-based tests, candidates currently pay between INR 800 and INR 1,000. The proposal intends to add a maximum of INR 250 to these amounts. The exact hike will vary for each entrance test once the government approves the plan.
The CET Cell conducts 19 entrance exams for 72 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including engineering, pharmacy, nursing, hotel management, and teacher education. These exams witness heavy participation every year. More than 1.4 million students appeared last year, and the number is expected to cross 1.5 million in 2026.
Officials highlight that conducting CETs involves strict planning, multi-level coordination, and secure operations. The proposed fee revision is meant to strengthen these processes and maintain quality and fairness in the examination system.
Maharashtra CET 2026 Exam Schedule Released
Along with the proposal, the CET Cell has also released the tentative schedule for Maharashtra CET 2026. For the first time, MHT CET and MBA CET will be conducted twice a year, giving candidates two opportunities to improve their scores. This change is expected to help students reduce pressure and target better performance.
As per the tentative dates, the Maharashtra CET 2026 exams will begin on March 24, 2026, and will continue until May 8, 2026. The second session for MHT CET and MBA CET will take place in May 2026 after the first cycle ends.
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