MHT CET 2026 to Be Conducted Twice a Year — April & May Attempts

In a major reform for engineering and pharmacy aspirants, the Maharashtra State Government has approved that the MHT CET exam will now be conducted twice a year — once in April and again in May, starting from the 2026–27 academic session. The announcement was made by Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil following a high-level meeting with officials of the State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell. This marks a significant shift in the state’s examination structure, bringing it in line with the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) pattern.

Two Attempts for MHT CET from 2026

Under the new policy, candidates will have two chances each year to appear for the MHT CET — one attempt in April and another in May. The better of the two scores will be considered for admission into state colleges offering engineering (PCM), pharmacy/medical (PCB), and management (MBA) courses. Officials said this move aims to reduce exam stress, provide students flexibility in preparation, and allow them to improve performance across attempts.

MHT CET 2026: New Exam Model Overview

Students who appear in both sessions will automatically have their higher score used for merit ranking during the centralized admission process (CAP).

Alignment with National Standards

The reform closely follows the structure of JEE Main, conducted twice a year by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Maharashtra’s decision aims to align the state-level exam with national-level practices, improving transparency, and offering more opportunities for candidates to secure better ranks.This change is expected to benefit over 1.3 lakh engineering aspirants and 25,000 pharmacy candidates who appear for MHT CET annually. The exam serves as a gateway for admission into top government and private institutions across the state.

Next Steps and Implementation Details

The State CET Cell will soon release the official schedule, including the registration dates, exam centre list, and detailed notification for both sessions. The announcement will be available on the official website — cetcell.mahacet.org. A senior CET Cell official confirmed that guidelines are being drafted to ensure smooth implementation, including adjustments to the centralized admission process for candidates appearing in two sessions.

About MHT CET

The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET) is a state-level entrance exam conducted annually for admission into engineering, pharmacy, and agriculture courses. The test assesses candidates based on Class 11 and 12 syllabus, focusing on Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology, depending on the stream. Follow KollegeApply for the latest updates on College Admissions, Courses, Exam Dates, Results, Scholarships, Career Guidance, Education News, and Policy Changes — everything needed to stay ahead in the education journey