MHT-CET 2027: both attempts now after Class 12 boards, no December exam
In short
- Both attempts of the MHT-CET for Engineering and Pharmacy courses will now be conducted after the Class 12 board examination for the 2027 cycle.
- The original plan to hold the first attempt in December 2026 has been revised following concerns from parents and counsellors.
- The CET Cell is expected to release the final schedule, with both attempts likely to occur between March and May 2027, at least four weeks apart.
- A candidate's best score from the two attempts will be considered for admission to undergraduate professional programmes.
- The MHT CET 2027 notification and application form are expected to be released in October 2026 on cetcell.mahacet.org.
The Maharashtra Health and Technical Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET) Cell, under the higher and technical education department, announced on October 9, 2026, that both attempts of the MHT-CET for admission to Engineering and Pharmacy courses will now be held after the Class 12 board examination, commencing with the 2027 cycle. This decision reverses the original plan which scheduled the first attempt for December 2026.
The change affects all candidates aspiring for undergraduate professional programmes such as Engineering and Technology, Pharmacy, Planning, and Agriculture-related courses in Maharashtra. The move comes after consultations with various stakeholders, including parents and admission counsellors, who raised concerns about the proximity of the December attempt to the Class 12 board exams and practical assessments.
Reasons for the Schedule Change
The higher and technical education department and the CET Cell received multiple representations highlighting that the timing of the first attempt in December 2026 was too close to the Class 12 examination. This was perceived as potentially causing difficulties for candidates in managing their preparation for both exams simultaneously. Practical assessments for Class 12 board exams typically begin in January, further complicating the schedule.
An official from the CET Cell stated, “However, before finalisation of the schedule, the higher and technical education department of the state as well as the CET Cell received several representations stating that the timing of the first attempt of the CET is very close to the Class12 examination, which is likely to cause difficulties for candidates to manage studying for both exams.” Another official added, “Preparing and appearing for MHT-CET’s first attempt, just before the practical assessments, according to many, was unfair for students. And they preferred that both attempts be held after the Class 12 exam.”
New MHT-CET 2027 Schedule and Exam Details
While a final schedule is yet to be declared by the CET Cell, both attempts for MHT-CET 2027 are likely to be conducted between March and May, with at least four weeks separating them. The Maharashtra State Board’s Class 12 exams are scheduled for February 2027. The two-attempt system, introduced in November last year, aims to align MHT-CET with national entrance examinations such as the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).
For the 2025-26 academic year, both attempts were held in April and May due to the late decision to roll out the two-attempt system. The MHT-CET exam will be conducted separately for the PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) and PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) groups in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. The syllabus remains consistent with 2026, comprising 20% Class 11 topics and 80% Class 12 topics, with approximately 80-85% of questions directly based on Maharashtra State HSC Board textbooks. There is no negative marking in the exam, which is offered in English and Marathi mediums.
| Feature | PCM | PCB |
|---|---|---|
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Mode | Computer-Based Test | Computer-Based Test |
| Question type | MCQs | MCQs |
| Total marks | 200 | 200 |
| Medium | English, Marathi, Urdu | English, Marathi, Urdu |
| Negative marking | No | No |
Timeline Comparison and Next Steps for Aspirants
The shift in the MHT-CET 2027 schedule marks a significant change compared to the proposed 2027 timeline and the actual 2026 cycle. The original proposal for 2027 included a December 2026 first attempt and an April 2027 second attempt, with results in February and May 2027 respectively. With the new decision, both attempts will now occur after the Class 12 board exams, aligning with the 2026 cycle where both attempts were held in April and May.
| Milestone | MHT CET 2026 | MHT CET 2027 (Proposed) |
|---|---|---|
| Attempt 1 | April 2026 | December 2026 (Revised: Post Class 12 boards) |
| Attempt 2 | May 2026 | April 2027 (Revised: Post Class 12 boards) |
| Result 1 | June 2026 | February 2027 (Revised: Later) |
| Result 2 | July 2026 | May 2027 (Revised: Later) |
| CAP Round 1 | July-August 2026 | June-July 2027 (Revised: Later) |
The MHT CET 2027 notification and application form are expected to be released in October 2026 on the official MAH CET Cell website, cetcell.mahacet.org. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official portal for the formal notification with exact dates. It is recommended that candidates revise the Class 11 and 12 Maharashtra State Board syllabus thoroughly and practice CBT-format mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. In addition, candidates should preserve necessary documents such as mark sheets, category certificates, photographs, and signatures ready, and generate their APAAR ID if they do not already have one.
Further reading
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