Maharashtra students preparing for engineering and management courses will soon have more chances to qualify. From 2026 , the MHT CET exam will take place twice a year . Dr. Chandrakant Patil, the Higher and Technical Education Minister of Maharashtra, made this announcement recently. This decision aims to help students by giving them two opportunities to appear for the important entrance test.
The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell conducts this exam. It offers admission to engineering and management degree programs in colleges across Maharashtra. The new system of two exam sessions is similar to how the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) is conducted at the national level by NTA .
What is the New MHT CET Exam Schedule?
The CET Cell will now hold the MHT CET exam two times in a year. This change begins from the MHT CET 2026 academic year. Authorities expect to hold the first exam session in April 2026 . The second session will likely happen by May 2026 . The CET Cell will release the exact dates for both sessions on its official website soon.
Why Two Sessions?
Minister Patil explained the reason behind this decision. He said that national-level exams like JEE are already held twice a year. This gives students multiple chances to perform well. By having two MHT CET sessions, students in Maharashtra will also get the same benefit. This reduces pressure on students to perform perfectly in just one attempt.
How Does the Two-Session System Work?
Students will have the option to appear for one session or both sessions of the MHT CET exam. Here is how it will work:
- Option 1: Appear for One Session: If a student takes only one exam session (either April or May) and is happy with their score, they do not need to appear for the second session.
- Option 2: Appear for Both Sessions: Students can choose to take both the April and May sessions of the exam.
Considering Scores for Admission
If a student appears for both sessions, the CET Cell will consider their highest score out of the two attempts. This means if a student performs better in the second session compared to the first, their better score will be used for admission. This policy ensures students get the best possible chance to secure admission to their chosen courses.
Key Details of the Decision
The decision to conduct MHT CET twice a year was made during a review meeting. Dr. Chandrakant Patil chaired this important meeting. Other officials present included:
- B. Venugopal Reddy: Additional Secretary
- Dilip Sardesai: CET Commissioner
- Shailendra Deolankar: Higher Education Director
These officials discussed and approved the new framework to benefit students across Maharashtra.
What Students Need to Do Next
Students planning to appear for MHT CET 2026 should regularly check the official website of the Maharashtra CET Cell. The authorities will publish the complete schedule, including application dates and exact exam dates for both sessions, soon. There is no need for students to take any immediate action regarding the exam dates until the official announcement.
This change marks an important update for all students aiming for higher education in engineering and management fields within Maharashtra. It provides more flexibility and opportunities for them to achieve their academic goals.
Quick Facts: MHT CET 2026
| Exam Name | Maharashtra Health and Technical Common Entrance Test (MHT CET) |
| Conducting Body | Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell |
| Purpose | Admission to Engineering and Management programs |
| New Exam Frequency | Twice a year (from 2026) |
| Expected First Session | April 2026 |
| Expected Second Session | May 2026 |
| Score Rule | Highest score from two attempts is considered |
| Announcement By | Dr. Chandrakant Patil, Education Minister |
