If you're a student in Maharashtra aiming to begin your undergraduate or postgraduate journey in the academic year 2025–26, this one is a must read for you.
The State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell, Maharashtra has officially kick-started the Centralised Admission Process (CAP) for a wide range of technical courses. This process applies to around 300 courses ranging from Engineering and Pharmacy to Law, Management, and many more.
While college options and seat allotment are always on your mind, what more you need to know about is, Seat Freezing.
Let’s breakdown the process in the easiest possible way.
What is the CET CAP Admission Process 2025?
The Maharashtra CET Cell conducts the CAP Process every year to allot seats to eligible candidates in various government, aided, and unaided institutions across Maharashtra.
Process and Eligibility for CET CAP Admission Process 2025
You are eligible for the CAP Admission Process only if you have appeared for the relevant entrance exams like MHT CET, MAH MBA CET, and other.
After having successfully cleared the exam you have to fill out an Option Form where you list your preferred colleges and courses, ranking them form highest to lowest preferred. Based on your rank and preference, you are allotted a seat in the CAP round.
Here’s where it gets crucial– the seat freezing rules.
What is Seat Freezing and Why is it Important?
Seat freezing refers to the automatic locking of the seat allotted to you in a particular CAP round—based on your preference number. Once a seat is frozen, you can’t change it or participate further in any of the CAP rounds.
This policy is designed to make the admission process more efficient and reduce back-and-forth seat switching.
Let’s now look into how this seat freezing works. Here’s a round wise breakdown.
CAP Round 1
If you are allotted a seat that matches your first preference, the system will automatically freeze it. This means that the seat on your first preference will be locked.
You will have to accept this seat within the given time frame. Once you accept the seat you will not be eligible for any further CAP rounds.
Make sure your top preferences are the ones you really want.
CAP Round 2
If a seat is allotted as per any of the top 3 preferences, it will again be auto-freezed.
You must confirm admission within the stipulated time and once confirmed, you will be excluded from future rounds.
CAP Round 3
If the allotment is done based on any of the top 6 preferences, the seat will be auto-freezed.
You must take admission and won’t be eligible for future rounds.
CAP Round 4
This is the final round. Whichever seat is allotted here is final and will not be subject to any change.
No further preferences, corrections, or rounds will be available.
Now let’s dig into the ‘why’ of this Seat Freezing Rule.
Why Has the CET Cell Introduced This?
- To avoid unnecessary reshuffling and seat vacancies.
- To ensure faster admissions and less uncertainty for students.
- To help institutions and students plan better, especially for hostel admissions, travel, and documentation.
Important Things To Remember
- Research thoroughly about colleges and courses.
- Rank your preferences wisely.
- Stay updated on deadlines and allotment dates.
- Keep visiting the official website.
Source
Official Notice by CET Cell, 6 August, 2025: click here to read.
Kindly note that any and all information is subject to change as per the CET Cell, Ministry of Education, and Government of India.
