MHT CET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Qualification, Subject, Marks, & Age Limit

MHT CET Latest Updates

24 Sep, 2026

MHT CET 2027 Registration is expected to begin in January 2027.

Before you apply for MHT CET 2026, you should first make sure that you meet all the eligibility conditions set for the exam. These rules decide whether you can appear for the entrance test and take admission into first year Engineering, Technology, Pharmacy, Pharm.D., and Planning courses in Maharashtra colleges.

You can apply if you are an Indian national and have passed or are appearing for your Class 12 (HSC) or an equivalent examination from a recognized board. There is no age limit, so you can sit for the MHT CET exam at any age. However, you must have the required subjects and minimum qualifying marks according to your chosen course.

Your eligibility also depends on your domicile and study background. If you completed your schooling in Maharashtra or hold Maharashtra domicile, you will apply under the Maharashtra State category. Some students become eligible based on their parent's domicile or government service in Maharashtra, while students from other states can apply under the All India category. Minority students from Maharashtra have a separate category as well. Most state and minority candidates must appear for MHT CET, whereas some All India candidates may use national-level scores like JEE Main or NEET for admission.

Since these conditions directly affect your exam application, counselling, and seat allotment, you should carefully check every rule released by the State Common Entrance Cell, Maharashtra before filling out the form.

What Are the Key Highlights of the MHT CET 2026 Eligibility Criteria?

Check the important eligibility requirements below before filling out the MHT CET 2026 application form.

Particulars	Details
Exam Name	MHT CET 2026
Conducting Authority	State Common Entrance Cell, Maharashtra
Courses Covered	B.E./B.Tech, B.Pharm, Pharm.D., B.Planning
Nationality	Indian Nationals eligible
Qualifying Exam	Passed/Appearing Class 12 (HSC) or equivalent
Required Subjects	PCM for Engineering/Planning, PCB for Pharmacy
Minimum Marks	As per course-wise qualifying criteria (category relaxation applicable)
Age Limit	No age limit
Candidature Types	Maharashtra State, All India, Minority, NRI/OCI/PIO/Foreign
Entrance Exam Requirement	State & Minority candidates - MHT CET mandatory; Some All India candidates - JEE Main/NEET scores accepted
Seat Admission Process	Through Centralised Admission Process (CAP)

What Are the Candidature Types for MHT CET 2026?

Your candidature depends mainly on where you studied, your domicile status, and in some cases, your parents' residence or government service in Maharashtra. Use the table below to quickly find which category fits you.

Type / Category	Eligibility Criterion
Type A - Maharashtra State	Passed SSC and HSC/10+2 or Diploma/D.Voc from a recognised institution in Maharashtra State and/or domiciled in or born in Maharashtra
Type B - Maharashtra State	Not covered under Type A, but you or either of your parents is domiciled in Maharashtra and holds a domicile certificate
Type C - Maharashtra State	Not in Type A or B, but your parent is an employee of the Government of India or its undertaking and is posted and reported for duty in Maharashtra before the CAP application deadline
Type D - Maharashtra State	Not in Type A, B or C, but your parent is an employee or retired employee of the Government of Maharashtra or its undertaking
Type E - Maharashtra-Karnataka Border	Passed SSC and HSC/10+2 or Diploma/D.Voc from an institute located in the Maharashtra-Karnataka border area, residing in that area, with Marathi as mother tongue

Other Candidature Categories

Category	Eligibility Criterion
All India Candidature	All Indian nationals from any state are eligible
Minority Candidature	Candidates belonging to a notified linguistic or religious minority community of Maharashtra
NRI / OCI / PIO / Foreign National / Children of Indian workers in Gulf countries	Eligible under separate admission provisions and exempted from appearing for MHT CET

What Are the Direct Admission and Exam Requirements for MHT CET 2026?

Here you can clearly see whether you need to appear for MHT CET 2026 or can get admission without the exam.

Who does NOT need to appear for MHT CET

NRI / OCI / PIO candidates
Children of Indian workers in Gulf countries
Foreign Nationals
These candidates can apply under special or institutional quota without appearing for MHT CET

For B.E. / B.Tech admission

Maharashtra State candidature - MHT CET is compulsory
Minority candidature - MHT CET is compulsory
All India candidature - you may appear for MHT CET, but JEE Main score is generally preferred

For B.Pharm / Pharm.D admission

Maharashtra State candidature - MHT CET is compulsory
Minority candidature - MHT CET is compulsory
All India candidature - MHT CET is compulsory

Important

You must meet all eligibility conditions before admission
If any document or information is found incorrect during counselling, your candidature may be cancelled

Scribe Facility (for candidates with disability)

Candidates with 40% or more disability can use a scribe
Available for blind, low vision, cerebral palsy, or candidates who cannot write
You must arrange your own scribe
Select the scribe option while filling the application form
Submit the declaration form with photographs and signatures at the exam centre
Carry the original disability certificate on exam day
You will get 20 minutes of extra time

Enjoy Extra Benefits with SR

Counselling

Processing fees on loan

Discounted Applications

GD PI preparation

Frequently Asked Questions

Ans: Yes, you can apply. As per the MHT CET 2026 eligibility criteria, students who are appearing for their HSC/12th or equivalent exam in the same year are allowed to sit for the MHT CET 2026 exam. However, you must pass the qualifying exam and meet the required marks at the time of admission.

Ans: Choosing the wrong category can create issues during MHT CET 2026 admission and counselling. If your documents do not match the selected candidature type, your seat may be cancelled. So you should carefully select the correct category while filling out the MHT CET 2026 form.

Ans: To satisfy the MHT CET 2026 eligibility criteria under Maharashtra State candidature, you may need documents like a domicile certificate, birth certificate, school leaving certificate, or your parents’ service certificate, depending on your claimed type.

Ans: No. Simply qualifying the MHT CET 2026 exam does not guarantee admission. During counselling, the authority verifies all eligibility documents. If you fail to prove your eligibility, your MHT CET 2026 admission can be cancelled even after getting a good score.

Ans: Yes, it is safer to appear for both. For some courses, national-level scores may be preferred, but having an MHT CET 2026 score gives you an extra opportunity during the MHT CET 2026 admission process and improves your seat allotment chances.

Ans: No. According to the MHT CET 2026 eligibility criteria, you can claim only one candidature type. You must choose the category that matches your domicile, place of study, or your parents’ service status.

Ans: If you need writing assistance, you must select the scribe option while filling out the MHT CET 2026 application form. You also need to submit the required declaration and disability certificate in advance. Without completing these steps, the scribe facility may not be allowed during the MHT CET 2026 exam.

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