Hello MHT-CET 2026 aspirants!
I am sure you know that this year MHT-CET is being held twice, and you are all set to conquer it. But have you taken out your time to know about the MHT-CET eligibility criteria?
If not, here’s the simplified version of it straight from the official MHT-CET 2026 Information Brochure.
The eligibility criteria is one of the first things you should tick off in your ‘MHT-CET exam 2026’ checklist.
Overview of the MHT-CET Examination
The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET) is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell (CET Cell) every year. This exam allows you to take admission into the following undergraduate courses in Maharashtra:
- Engineering and Technology
- Pharmacy
- Pharm.D
- B.Planning
MHT-CET Eligibility Criteria 2026
To appear for MHT-CET 2026, you must fulfill the following conditions:
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MHT-CET Qualification:
- You should have passed HSC (Std. 12) from a recognised or equivalent institution.
- If you are appearing for Std. 12 exams in 2026 then you are still eligible.
-
MHT-CET Nationality Criteria:
- You must be of Indian Nationality to appear for this exam.
MHT-CET Age Limit:
- There is no age limit for appearing and admission.
That was easy, right? If you meet the above conditions, you are already halfway there.
MHT-CET Eligibility Criteria for Maharashtra State Candidature A to E 2026
One important aspect of MHT-CET eligibility for B.Tech, B.Pharm, and Pharmacy is State Candidature. You can claim only one type of Maharashtra State candidature, from Type A to Type E.
Want to understand which type you fall into? Here’s a simplified explanation:
Type A Maharashtra State Candidature
You are eligible under Type A Candidature if:
- You have passed SSC and HSC (10+2) or a Diploma in Engineering/Technology or Pharmacy from a recognised institution.
- You are domiciled in Maharashtra or born in Maharashtra.
Type B Maharashtra State Candidature
You are eligible under Type B Candidature if:
- You do not fit in Type A.
- Your father or mother is domiciled in Maharashtra and holds a valid domicile certificate.
Type C Maharashtra State Candidature
You are eligible under Type C Candidature if:
- You do not fit in Type A or Type B.
- Your father or mother is an employee of the Government of India or Government of India Undertaking.
- Any of your parent has been posted and reported to duty in the Maharashtra State before the last date of submitting the Application Form.
Type D Maharashtra State Candidature
You are eligible under Type D Candidature if:
- You do not fit in any of the above mentioned Types.
- Your father or mother is an employee or retired employee of the Government of Maharashtra or Government of Maharashtra Undertaking.
Type E Maharashtra State Candidature
You are eligible under Type E Candidature which is the last type, if:
- You have passed SSC and HSC or 10+2 Examination or Diploma in Engineering or D. Voc Examination from a recognised institution located in the Maharashtra Karnataka Border.
- You have passed SSC and HSC or 10+2 Examination or Diploma in Engineering or D. Voc Examination from a recognised institution located in the Maharashtra, residing in Maharashtra Karnataka Border area.
- To fulfill any of the above two conditions, your mother tongue must be Marathi.
Other Important Candidate Categories that are Eligible for MHT-CET 2026
Apart from all the above mentioned categories, the following categories are also included in the MHT-CET eligibility criteria 2026:
- All India Candidature: If you are an Indian national, you are eligible to appear the examination through this candidature.
- Minority Candidates: If you belong to a particular Linguistic or Religious Minority Community in Maharashtra you are eligible to appear in the examination as notified by the Government.
- Children of NRI / OCI / PIO and of Indian Workers in the Gulf Countries: You are exempted from the examination if you belong to either of these categories.
Important Guidelines Related to MHT-CET 2026
For different types of candidatures that are appearing for various courses, there are certain rules which you can find below:
For B.E./B.Tech admissions
- Maharashtra State and Minority candidates must appear for MHT-CET 2026.
- All India Candidates can choose whether to appear for MHT-CET 2026 or not.
- For All India Candidates, JEE (Main) 2026 score is preferred over MHT-CET.
For B.Pharm / Pharm.D admissions
- Maharashtra State and Minority candidates must appear for MHT-CET 2026.
- All India Candidates can choose whether to appear for MHT-CET 2026.
- For All India Candidates, NEET 2026 score is preferred over MHT-CET.
Note: You are advised to check the official website and refer to the Information Brochure for latest update.
Final Word
Understanding the MHT-CET 2026 eligibility criteria is the first real step in your exam journey. Once that’s clear, you can focus fully on your preparation. Starting early always gives you an edge because marks don’t come by chance, they come from smart and consistent preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Aadhaar card mandatory for MHT CET 2026 eligibility?
Ans: Eligibility criteria for MHT CET only serves as a reference to check if you qualify to appear for this exam. You only require your Aadhaar card while filling your MHT CET 2026 application form.
2. Can gap-year students apply for MHT CET 2026?
Ans: There is no age limitation for appearing to MHT-CET 2026 examination. Hence, a gap year student can apply for the examination.
3. Are OCI/PIO candidates eligible for MHT CET 2026?
Ans: No, OCI, PIO, NRIs, and children of workers from the Gulf countries are exempted from MHT-CET 2026 examination.
