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Alike JEE Main, MHT-CET to be Also Held Twice a Year From 2026

With the New System Coming into Effect in 2026, Students will have more Flexibility and the Opportunity to Perform Better

The Maharashtra government has announced a major reform in the state’s higher education sector, announcing that the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET) will now be held twice a year.

This new system will be implemented from the 2026-27 academic session. This change aims to provide students with greater flexibility, reduce exam stress, and provide additional opportunities to improve their performance.

What is MHT-CET and its importance?

The MHT-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) is a key entrance exam conducted for admission to engineering, pharmacy, agriculture, architecture, and other professional courses in the state of Maharashtra. Over 700,000 students appear for this exam every year. It is a state-level unified examination system through which students can apply for admission to various colleges in the state.

Until now, this exam was held only once a year, usually in April. The exam is divided into two major groups—

PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)
PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

Based on these groups, students are admitted according to their chosen subjects.

MHT-CET will now be conducted twice a year

As per the new system, from 2026, the MHT-CET exam will be conducted in two phases. The exams will be held in April and May. Students can choose to appear for only one exam or take both exams to earn better marks.

If a student appears for both exams, the best score from the two will be considered for final admission. This system is similar to the JEE Main exam system, where students are given two chances and only the best performance is considered in the admission process.

Tentative Schedule After 2026

This dual exam system will be implemented for the first time in the 2026 admission cycle. Both exams will be held that year between March and May 2026.

Following this, from the 2027-28 academic session, it is expected that the first exam will be held in January and the second in April, similar to the JEE Main.

Students will get more flexibility and equitable opportunities

Officials from the state’s CET cell say this decision has been taken in the best interest of students. Conducting the exam twice will provide several benefits to students.

Additional opportunity: Previously, students only had one chance when the exam was held once. Now, if a student does not perform as well as expected the first time, they can prepare and improve and achieve better marks the second time.
Reduced stress: The pressure to succeed in a single attempt will now be reduced. This will give students more mental stability and confidence.
Relief from unexpected circumstances: Sometimes, students may not perform well due to reasons such as illness, travel, technical issues, or problems at the exam center. They will now have a second chance, preventing a wasted year.
Balance in Competition: Two opportunities will ensure fairer results and provide talented students with a realistic opportunity for evaluation.

What changes will be made to the exam format?

While the exam syllabus and pattern are expected to remain the same, some technical improvements will be made to the timetable and the way the exam is conducted.

The exam will now be conducted in computer-based (CBT mode), ensuring transparency and fairness.
Results for both attempts will be released online.
Students will be required to participate in the state’s centralized admission process (CAP Round) based on their scorecards.

Benefits of a System Similar to JEE Main

By bringing the MHT-CET to a format similar to JEE Main, students in Maharashtra will experience national-level preparation and competition. This will make the state’s examination system more modern and student-centric.

The state government believes that this move will benefit students with more opportunities, better planning, and less mental stress. Additionally, this reform will align Maharashtra’s higher education system with national standards.

Expert Opinion

Education experts say this decision is in line with the demands of the times. Conducting the exam twice will provide students with a better opportunity for self-assessment. Teachers will also be able to identify and help students improve their weaknesses.

Some experts also believe that the state needs to strengthen the technical infrastructure of the exam to maintain fairness and transparency in both sessions.

The decision to conduct the MHT-CET twice a year from 2026 is a positive change for millions of students in Maharashtra. This system will provide students with greater opportunities, flexibility, and confidence. It will also usher the state’s education system into a new, modern, and competitive era.

Students will now have two opportunities to decide their career path, and this reform will not only simplify the examination process but also make the results more equitable and transparent.

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Aabshar Hassan Quazi

Aabshar H. Quazi is a seasoned education writer associated with ALLEN Career Institute, where he crafts insightful blogs on competitive exam trends, student journeys, and academic guidance. With a background in journalism, Aabshar has worked as Principal Correspondent for Hindustan Times, honing his skills in storytelling, analysis, and impactful reporting. His writing blends credibility with clarity, making complex topics accessible for students and parents alike.