Maharashtra to hold MHT-CET twice a year from 2026 for greater student flexibility

Starting from the 2026-27 academic year, students in Maharashtra will get two chances a year to appear for the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET), the state government announced on Nov 12.

The move aims to make the examination system more flexible and student-friendly, aligning it with the national JEE Main model.

The MHT-CET serves as a key gateway for admissions into engineering, pharmacy, agriculture, architecture, and other professional programs across Maharashtra.

Each year, more than 7 lakh students appear for the exam, which provides a unified platform for entry into multiple colleges through a standardized process.

Under the new format, the test will be conducted twice a year, starting in March and May 2026.

From 2027 onward, the two sessions are likely to shift to January and April. Candidates can choose to appear in one or both sessions, with their best score considered for admission.

“This decision gives students another opportunity to improve their performance and ensures that temporary setbacks, such as illness or exam stress, do not affect their academic prospects,” said Dilip Sardesai, Commissioner of the Maharashtra CET Cell.

Officials explained that the revised schedule will offer students more flexibility and reduce the high-stakes pressure of a single annual attempt.

It will also bring Maharashtra’s testing system in sync with national-level entrance patterns.

The change will not only apply to undergraduate programs but also to the MBA/MMS CET, which is used for postgraduate management admissions.

Currently held once a year in April, the MBA/MMS CET will now be organized twice annually, with the first session likely to begin earlier in the academic calendar.

Authorities plan to release a revised registration and exam schedule soon to help students plan ahead.

With this dual-exam model, the state aims to enhance fairness and accessibility, ensuring that every candidate has an equal chance to demonstrate their potential.

Education experts have welcomed the reform, calling it a timely step toward reducing exam stress and promoting merit-based opportunities.

The new system, they said, reflects the government’s intent to modernize Maharashtra’s higher education framework and provide a level playing field for all aspirants.