Maharashtra Government Plans Two CET Attempts for Professional Courses in 2026

Maharashtra Government plans to introduce two attempts for Common Entrance Tests (CETs) across professional courses in 2026, giving students another opportunity to improve their entrance exam scores. Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil shared the update at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere, during a training workshop organised under the Maharashtra Quantum Technology Mission.

The proposed expansion of the two-attempt system is expected to cover nearly 20 entrance examinations conducted by the Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell. Candidates should wait for the official notification for confirmation of the revised examination schedule and implementation details.

Maharashtra CET 2026: Key Highlights

The proposed change is intended to extend the two-attempt format beyond the courses covered under the earlier arrangement. Candidates seeking admission to professional programmes should track official announcements for course-specific examination details.

Maharashtra Government Plans Two CET Attempts Across Professional Courses

The Maharashtra Government plans to extend the two-attempt system to nearly 20 entrance examinations conducted by the State CET Cell. Previously, the arrangement was implemented for Engineering and MBA/MMS entrance examinations, with attempts held in April and May.

According to the reported update, participation in the second attempt was higher among engineering candidates, while MBA/MMS and PCB-related examinations recorded comparatively lower participation.

The proposed expansion could provide students seeking admission to different professional programmes with an additional opportunity to improve their performance. However, the examination dates, applicable courses and rules for considering scores will need to be confirmed through the official notification.

Maharashtra CET 2026: Courses Expected to Be Covered

The proposed two-attempt system is expected to cover entrance examinations for multiple professional courses, including:

• Engineering

• MBA/MMS

• Three-year LLB

• Five-year LLB

• BMS/BBA

• Nursing

• Bachelor of Education (B.Ed)

The final list of examinations covered under the revised system will be subject to the State CET Cell's official announcement.

Students planning to appear for engineering entrance examinations can also check the latest updates on the MHT CET 2027 Exam Date to follow the available examination schedule and notifications.

Maharashtra CET Engineering Eligibility Criteria Under Review

Alongside the proposed expansion of CET attempts, the State CET Cell is reviewing the minimum Class 12 aggregate marks required for engineering admissions.

Currently, candidates belonging to the general category require at least 45% aggregate marks in Class 12, subject to the applicable admission rules. A dedicated committee is examining the existing eligibility benchmark and considering whether any changes are required.

The committee's final report is awaited, and a formal announcement is expected by January, according to the reported update. If approved, the revised eligibility criteria are expected to take effect from the 2028–29 academic year.

Until an official notification is issued, candidates should continue to follow the existing eligibility requirements applicable to their course and admission category.

Students preparing for their board examinations can refer to the Maharashtra HSC Syllabus 2026–27 for subject-wise topics and the Maharashtra HSC Exam Date 2027 page for the latest Class 12 examination updates.

Maharashtra CET Cell Plans New Examination Manual

The Maharashtra State CET Cell is preparing a comprehensive examination manual to standardise examination-related procedures. The manual is expected to outline Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for key stages, including question bank preparation, test administration and evaluation.

The state is also considering shifting examination centres to government-run colleges instead of private venues. The proposed change is aimed at improving transparency and ensuring greater consistency in examination management.

Further details regarding the implementation of these measures will depend on the official guidelines issued by the competent authority.

Maharashtra CET 2026: What Should Candidates Do Next?

Candidates planning to appear for Maharashtra CET examinations should:

• Monitor the official State CET Cell website for notifications about the two-attempt system.

• Check the examination schedule and eligibility conditions for their selected course.

• Continue studying according to the prescribed syllabus until any revised rules are officially announced.

• Follow updates regarding application dates, admit cards, examination centres and results.

• Avoid relying on unverified social media posts for examination dates or eligibility changes.

For students appearing for medical entrance examinations, the Maharashtra NEET UG CAP Round 3 Registration page provides relevant state counselling updates. Candidates should distinguish NEET UG counselling schedules from CET examination notifications, as they relate to different stages of the admission process.