MHT CET 2027: Maharashtra may shift both attempts to after Class 12 board exams, decision pending

Maharashtra’s higher and technical education department is considering rescheduling both attempts of the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET) for engineering and pharmacy courses. If everything goes as planned and the idea is approved, both attempts will take place after the Class 12 board examinations.

The two attempts for the current academic year are currently planned for December 2026 and April 2027. However, following feedback from parents, counsellors and educationists, both examinations may be conducted between March and May. Several media organisations including HT, claim that the department has already decided to shift both attempts; however, a CET cell source told Careers360 that it is under consideration and is not final yet.

MHT CET registration, exam timings

The department has not announced the registration dates yet. Following past trends, registration is expected to commence in the last week of October.

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MHT CET two-attempt format

The state government announced the two-attempt format in November 2025 to align the CET with national-level entrance examinations such as the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). The idea behind it was to reduce academic stress by giving students a second opportunity to improve their scores.

Both attempts for MHT-CET 2025-26 were conducted in April and May because the decision to introduce the format came late last year.

A senior official from the higher and technical education department told HT that some parents and counsellors from Dharashiv, Nandurbar and Chandrapur had requested that both CET attempts be held after the Class 12 examinations. The official added that a gap of four weeks would be maintained between the two CET attempts. As in the current year, the higher score obtained by a candidate across the two attempts will be considered.

Following consultations with educationists, the department is now reconsidering conducting the first attempt in December. The provisional schedule for all CETs for the current academic year is expected to be announced next week.