In a major policy shift, the Maharashtra government has announced that the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET) for Engineering, Medical, and MBA courses will be conducted twice a year starting from the 2026–2027 academic session. The decision was confirmed by the state’s Higher and Technical Education Minister, Chandrakant Patil, during a review meeting with the State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell.
MHT CET 2026 to Follow Two-Session Format
The revised schedule introduces a two-attempt system, similar to the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main). As per the announcement, the first exam will be mandatory, while the second exam will remain optional.
If a student appears in both attempts, the higher of the two scores will be considered for admission to engineering, medical, and management programmes in Maharashtra.
Minister’s Statement on the Decision
Announcing the move, Education Minister Chandrakant Patil stated on X (formerly Twitter), “The State Common Entrance Test Cell has decided to conduct CET for PCM, PCB, and MBA courses twice a year. The new structure will give students more flexibility and fairness during the admission process.” He added that the change aligns Maharashtra’s testing pattern with national-level entrance exams like JEE Main and NEET, ensuring that students have more than one opportunity to improve their scores without waiting for another academic year.
Objective Behind the Two-Exam Policy
According to the Education Department, the decision aims to reduce exam-related stress and improve accessibility for students across Maharashtra. The initiative also seeks to provide equal opportunities for candidates who may not perform well in their first attempt due to unforeseen circumstances. Additionally, conducting MHT CET in two sessions will help balance competition and maintain transparency in the admission process for professional courses like Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture, and MBA.
Implementation and Further Details
The revised format will be implemented from the 2026 admission cycle. Detailed guidelines, including the updated exam pattern, application timeline, and evaluation method, are expected to be released by the State CET Cell in early 2026. This reform marks a significant milestone in Maharashtra’s higher education framework, introducing a student-centric and flexible evaluation system. 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
