MAH MBA CAP 2026: Maharashtra CET Cell Removes Women’s Quota, Issues Revised Seat Matrix

MUMBAI: In a major last-minute update to the Maharashtra MBA Centralized Admission Process (CAP) 2026, the State Common Entrance Test Cell (State CET Cell), Maharashtra, has officially released a revised seat matrix on its official portal, mba2026.mahacet.org.in. In a significant policy reversal, the CET Cell has completely removed the 30 per cent horizontal reservation for women candidates across all management institutes in the state.

The revised seat matrix applies to over 300 AICTE-approved business schools and universities offering Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Management Studies (MMS) programmes across Maharashtra for the academic year 2026–27. The decision comes right ahead of the option filling stage for CAP Round 1 seat allotment.

Why Was the Women’s Quota Removed?

Earlier this week, on July 27, the exam conducting body had published an initial seat matrix that featured a 30 per cent horizontal quota dedicated to female applicants across open and reserved categories (including SC, ST, OBC, and EWS). This unannounced inclusion sparked widespread debate, confusion, and anxiety among MBA CET aspirants, particularly male candidates who faced significantly reduced open-category seat allocations.

Following representation from students and education experts, the CET Cell rolled back the horizontal women’s reservation on July 29, 2026. The updated seat distribution restores the framework to match previous years’ trends and expectations.

Speaking on the revision, education experts noted that while women’s reservation is standard in several state courses, implementing it without prior notification in the middle of MBA counselling altered cutoff calculations overnight. The current rollback brings clarity back to merit-based allocations.

MAH MBA CAP 2026: Revised Seat Distribution Framework

Under the updated seat matrix, seat allocations return to standard vertical category reservations and open merit lists. Female candidates will now compete directly within their respective overall categories—such as General/Open, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Section (EWS)—without a separate 30 per cent horizontal slice.

Key Highlights of the Updated MAH MBA Seat Matrix

Impact on Candidates and Cut-Off Expectations

The removal of the women’s quota has immediate structural implications for both male and female candidates planning their option forms:

• For Male Applicants: The rollback provides a level playing field in General, OBC, SC, and ST categories. Male candidates who previously saw reduced open seats at premier B-schools like Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) and Sydenham Institute of Management Studies (SIMSREE) will now have access to the full pool of non-reserved merit seats.

• For Female Applicants: Women candidates will no longer have dedicated seat protection within individual categories. However, high-scoring female candidates remain fully eligible for general merit ranks. Cutoffs for women candidates in top-tier colleges may shift slightly upward compared to the provisional matrix released earlier.

How to Check Updated Seat Matrix on CET Portal

Candidates participating in MAH MBA CAP 2026 counselling are strongly advised to download and re-examine the updated seat matrix before finalizing their college preference list:

1. Visit the official admissions website: mba2026.mahacet.org.in.

2. Click on the “Revised Seat Matrix for CAP Round 1 (AY 2026–27)” link under the Notifications tab.

3. Open or download the PDF document detailing institute-wise and category-wise seat distribution.

4. Compare seat availability across Home University (HU), Other Than Home University (OHU), and All India (AI) seats.

5. Update your choice filling preferences accordingly prior to the lock-in deadline.

With CAP Round 1 allotments set to be announced in August 2026, aspirants must ensure their option forms align with these newly published figures to maximize their chances of securing a top management seat.

Written by Simran

Simran is currently working as a Senior Content Writer at Findmycollege , where she creates engaging and research-driven learning resources for students. She has completed her Graduation in Journalism from Delhi University. With 4 years of experience in the EdTech industry, she has previously contributed to leading platforms like Leverage Edu and Aakash. Her expertise lies in simplifying Engineering and Medical entrance exam content to guide aspirants in their preparation journey. Beyond writing, Simran enjoys sketching, watching movies, and finding creative inspiration in everyday life.

View all posts →