Maharashtra CET 2026 records highest-ever turnout with 16.29 lakh aspirants

The State Common Entrance Test Cell (CET Cell), Maharashtra, has released the statistics for the Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) conducted between March 24 and May 20, 2026. This year, a total of 18,12,565 candidates registered for the examinations for the academic year 2026-27. Of them, 16,29,484 students appeared for the exams, while 1,83,081 candidates remained absent. The overall attendance percentage stood at 89.89 per cent.

The number of candidates who appeared this year marks the highest-ever participation, compared to 12.46 lakh candidates last year. The examinations were held in computer-based mode across 340 centres spread over all 36 districts of Maharashtra in a total of 77 sessions.

The CET examinations were conducted for admission to various professional programmes across streams such as technical education, higher education, agriculture, fine arts, medical education and AYUSH. Altogether, 20 entrance tests were organised by the CET Cell over a span of nearly three months.

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Two attempts introduced for major CET exams

For the first time, the CET Cell introduced two examination attempts for MHT CET PCM, MHT CET PCB and MBA-MMS CET examinations. The decision was taken following directions from Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil to provide students with opportunities similar to JEE Main at the national level.

Candidates were required to appear for at least one examination, while the second attempt remained optional. The CET Cell clarified that students who appeared in both attempts would have their better percentile score considered during admissions.

According to the data, PCM CET recorded 8,01,249 registrations across both attempts, with 7,39,117 students appearing. PCB CET saw 4,00,603 registrations and 3,59,840 appearances, while MBA-MMS CET registered 1,86,769 candidates, of whom 1,57,637 appeared.

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Maharashtra CET Exam: Previous years’ statistics

The number of candidates appearing for Maharashtra CET examinations has steadily increased over the past three academic years. In 2026-27, a total of 18,12,565 students registered, out of which 16,29,484 appeared for the tests. In 2025-26, 14,06,436 candidates registered and 12,46,192 students appeared. Similarly, during the 2024-25 academic session, 13,02,701 students registered for 23 entrance examinations, of whom 11,80,781 appeared for the exams.