MHT CET 2026 Second Attempt, Exam Dates, Eligibility Criteria

MHT CET 2026 Second Attempt Exam Dates

The State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell, Maharashtra, has officially announced the MHT CET 2026 Second Attempt exam dates. This is also referred to as Session 2 or Phase 2 of the exam. For the first time ever, the CET Cell is offering a second attempt to MHT CET 2026 candidates, giving students a valuable opportunity to improve their scores for Engineering, Pharmacy, and Agriculture admissions across Maharashtra.

If you appeared for Session 1 and want to boost your percentile, or if you missed the first attempt, here is everything you need to know about the MHT CET 2026 second attempt, including exam dates, eligibility, how to apply, admit card, and exam pattern.

MHT CET 2026 Second Attempt Exam Dates

The CET Cell has released the final schedule for MHT CET 2026 Session 2. The exam dates are different for the PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) and PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) groups.

• PCB Group (Session 2): May 10 and May 11, 2026
• PCM Group (Session 2): May 12 to May 21, 2026 (excluding May 16 and 17, which are Saturday and Sunday)

The exam will be conducted in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format, just like Session 1. Two shifts are scheduled on each exam day: the morning shift runs from 9 AM to 12 PM, and the afternoon shift runs from 2 PM to 5 PM.

Note: The PCM exam dates for Session 2 were revised by the CET Cell. The dates were initially announced as May 12 to 16, and were later extended to May 12 to 21, 2026 (excluding weekends). Always check the official website cetcell.mahacet.org for the latest updates.

MHT CET 2026 Important Dates & Schedule

Here is a quick overview of the key MHT CET 2026 important dates for both sessions:

• Session 1 PCM Exam: April 11 to 20, 2026 (excluding April 12)
• Session 1 PCB Exam: April 21 to 26, 2026
• Session 2 Registration Start: April 15, 2026
• Session 2 Registration Close: April 17, 2026
• Special One-Day Registration Window: April 23, 2026 (with a late fee of Rs. 500)
• Session 2 PCB Exam: May 10 to 11, 2026
• Session 2 PCM Exam: May 12 to 21, 2026 (excluding May 16-17)
• MHT CET 2026 Answer Key: Expected in May 2026
• MHT CET 2026 Result: Expected in May to June 2026 (tentative)
• CAP Counselling: Expected in June 2026 (tentative)

Candidates who registered for both attempts at the time of initial registration, or those who registered during the special window, are eligible to appear for Session 2.

MHT CET 2026 Second Attempt Eligibility

The general eligibility criteria for MHT CET 2026 apply to both Session 1 and Session 2. Here are the key conditions candidates must meet:

• Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen.
• Qualifying Exam: Must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (HSC) or an equivalent examination in 2026.
• Subjects Required: For PCM group, candidates must have Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects along with Chemistry, Biotechnology, or Biology. For PCB group, Physics and Chemistry are compulsory along with Biology.
• Minimum Marks: At least 45% marks in relevant subjects combined (40% for SC/ST, EWS, and PwD candidates from Maharashtra).
• Age Limit: There is no age limit to appear for MHT CET 2026.
• APAAR ID & Aadhaar: Candidates must have a valid Aadhaar ID and APAAR ID (accessible via DigiLocker) for registration.

It is important to note that OCI, PIO, and NRI candidates are generally exempted from appearing for MHT CET 2026. Such candidates may apply for admission through separate counselling processes.

For All India category candidates applying for BE/BTech, JEE Main 2026 scores are preferred over MHT CET scores. For BPharm/PharmD, NEET scores are preferred for All India candidates.

How to Apply for MHT CET 2026 Second Attempt

The registration process for MHT CET 2026 Session 2 was conducted online through the official CET Cell portal. While the main registration window has closed, here is the step-by-step process that was followed, which will also be relevant for future reference:

• Visit the official website at cetcell.mahacet.org
• Register and create your login credentials using your name, mobile number, and email ID.
• Log in and provide DigiLocker access to link your Aadhaar and APAAR ID.
• Fill in the MHT CET 2026 application form with all required personal and academic details.
• Select your preferred exam city from the available options within Maharashtra.
• Upload necessary documents including your photograph, signature, and relevant certificates.
• Pay the registration fee online and submit the application form.

The registration fee for a single attempt is Rs. 1,300 for General category candidates and Rs. 1,000 for Reserved category candidates. Candidates who registered during the special late window on April 23, 2026 were required to pay an additional late fee of Rs. 500. Candidates who registered for both sessions during initial registration paid the fee for two attempts at once.

It is important to keep a copy of your MHT CET 2026 application number, login ID, and password for future use, including downloading the admit card and checking the result.

MHT CET 2026 Admit Card & Exam Pattern

The MHT CET 2026 admit card for Session 2 is expected to be released approximately 3 to 10 days before the exam date. Candidates can expect the admit card for the PCB group (exam starting May 10) to be available around early May 2026. The admit card will be available for download on the official website using your login credentials (application number, date of birth, and password).

On the day of the exam, it is mandatory to carry the printed admit card along with a valid photo ID proof in original. Electronic gadgets, calculators, smartwatches, and any electronic devices are strictly prohibited inside the exam hall.

Here is a quick overview of the MHT CET 2026 exam pattern:

• Exam Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
• Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with four options and one correct answer
• Total Duration: 180 minutes (3 hours) comprising two papers of 90 minutes each
• Total Questions: 150 questions for PCM group; 200 questions for PCB group
• Marking Scheme: 1 mark per correct answer for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology; 2 marks per correct answer for Mathematics
• Negative Marking: None. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers
• Language: English, Marathi, or Urdu for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Mathematics paper is in English only
• Syllabus: Based on Maharashtra State Board curriculum with 20% weightage from Class 11 and 80% from Class 12

Since there is no negative marking, candidates are encouraged to attempt all questions. For students appearing in both Session 1 and Session 2, the higher percentile score among the two attempts will be considered for the merit list and CAP (Centralized Admission Process) counselling for admissions to colleges across Maharashtra.
The result will be declared in percentile format. Percentile scores are calculated after normalization across multiple shifts to ensure fairness. Candidates can expect results for Session 2 to be announced in June 2026, tentatively, ahead of the CAP counselling rounds.
For the latest updates on MHT CET 2026 second attempt exam dates, admit card release, answer key, and result declaration, always refer to the official CET Cell website at cetcell.mahacet.org. Good luck to all appearing candidates!

Conclusion

MHT CET 2026 Second Attempt Exam Dates provide a great opportunity for students who want to improve their scores or missed the first attempt. With Session 2 introduced for the first time, candidates can now get another chance for Engineering, Pharmacy, and Agriculture admissions across Maharashtra.

Students should carefully track the MHT CET 2026 second attempt schedule, admit card release, and result dates to avoid missing any important updates. Preparing well and using this extra attempt wisely can significantly improve admission chances in top colleges through CAP counselling.