MHT CET 2026 registration highest ever at 12.5 lakh; 36% rise in one year

According to the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell’s statistics, more than 12.5 lakh students have registered for MHT CET 2026 engineering, pharmacy and management entrance exams this year till now, the highest in four years and possibly the highest number ever. Maha CET Cell data shows that the MHT CET 2026 registration count has grown 36% in just one year, taking the MHT CET 2026 PCB, PCM, MBA and MMS entrance exams together.

State Cell has extended the registration deadline for MHT CET 2026 PCM and PCB exam till February 24 without late fee. The last date for MHT CET MBA and MMS exams 2026 has also been extended to February 25.

Application for MHT CET 2026 is online, through the official website, cetcell.mahacet.org.

MHT CET 2026 first session for engineering and pharmacy will take place from April 11 to 26, while the second session is set for May 10 to 17. Meanwhile, the MBA and MMS exams will be conducted by the CET Cell from April 6 to 8, with the second session scheduled for May 9.

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MHT CET 2026 PCM Group sees sharpest rise

Just for MHT CET 2026 PCM, there are 7.32 lakh candidates. Just last year, this figure was under five lakh. This group has seen the sharpest increase in counts. The table below shows the total number of candidates registered so far for the MHT CET 2026 PCB, PCM and management exams.

MHT CET 2026 PCM, PCB, MBA/MMS registration across attempts

The MHT CET PCM 2026 exam is mainly for admission to engineering programmes in state-run and private institutions. The PCB is for agriculture and other programmes.

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MHT CET Registration 2026 over the years

The Maharashtra CET Cell’s data shows a sharp increase in registrations in every group, except the management one. However, the application is still open.

MHT CET 2026: Maha CET Cell’s registration counts over the years

MHT CET 2026: Register without Aadhaar, APAAR IDs

Recently, the State Cell has clarified that students can apply for MHT CET 2026 without Aadhaar and APAAR authentication . Students were facing technical issues while registering for MHT CET exams; therefore, the State Cell has allowed them to register without Aadhaar and APAAR authentication.

Earlier, the State Cell commissioner addressed the problems faced by students while applying for the MHT CET 2026, and assured that no student will be “barred” from the exam, even if there’s a mismatch of details. Additionally, the CET Cell has also provided a user manual available on the official website to create an APAAR ID and get their Aadhaar verified.