A postgraduate architecture degree in Maharashtra hinges on one entrance exam - MAH-M-Arch-CET. As of 14 June 2026, the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra has not yet issued the official notification for the 2026-27 academic cycle. This is not unusual. The CET Cell has typically opened M-Arch CET registration between late June and mid-July, with the exam landing in August. But the gap between notification and exam is consistently tight - often just 30 to 40 days. If you wait for the notification to start preparing, you have already given away nearly all your runway.

This page lays out everything the verified sources and official brochures tell us about the exam structure, syllabus, eligibility, fees, application process, and counselling - so that the moment the portal opens, you can act.

What Is MAH-M-Arch-CET?

MAH-M-Arch-CET is a state‑level entrance test conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra. It is the sole gateway for admission to first‑year M.Arch (Master of Architecture) programmes in government, aided, and unaided architecture colleges across the state.

The exam covers M.Arch specialisations offered by institutions affiliated with Savitribai Phule Pune University, University of Mumbai, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Shivaji University, and other state universities.

All candidates seeking a state‑quota M.Arch seat through the Centralised Admission Process (CAP) must qualify in this test. GATE Architecture (AR) scores may be accepted for certain seats or quotas, but the state‑quota seats under CAP require MAH-M-Arch-CET.

MAH-M-Arch-CET 2026: Current Status (14 June 2026)

The official notification and information brochure have not yet been published on cetcell.mahacet.org. The CET Cell released a tentative schedule of CETs 2026 on 21 November 2025, but that document did not include the M.Arch CET. The Cell sequences smaller postgraduate exams after the high‑volume MHT‑CET and MBA/MMS CET cycles. With MHT‑CET PCP group exams running from April to May 2026 and MBA CET sessions completed in April‑May 2026, the M.Arch CET typically follows in the June‑August window.

What you should do now: Bookmark the official portal. Do not rely on social media posts or WhatsApp forwards for date confirmations. The Cell’s help‑desk numbers - 07969134401, 07969134402, and toll‑free 18002090191 - are operational from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

MAH-M-Arch-CET Exam Pattern 2026

The exam pattern has been stable across recent cycles. The following details are drawn from the official syllabus and information brochure documents published by the State CET Cell for M‑Arch CET:

Section‑wise Distribution

The question paper is divided into five sections. Every question carries 2 marks, and there is no penalty for wrong answers.

MAH-M-Arch-CET Syllabus

The syllabus is prescribed by the State CET Cell and covers the foundational knowledge expected of a B.Arch graduate. Download the official syllabus PDF from cetcell.mahacet.org for the authoritative list.

Building Technology

• Building systems, building science and services
• Concept of green building
• Construction materials

Environment

• Concept and ecology and landscape design
• Environmental law and regulation
• Environmental design strategies with respect to site

Architecture History and Humanities

• Awareness of art, culture and architectural theory
• Major architectural movements in the world and in India

Settlement, Design and Planning

• Urbanism and urbanization
• Rural and urban system
• Infrastructure planning - theory and history

Current Architecture Practice

• Awareness of the National Building Code
• Town planning law and development control regulations
• Knowledge of professional and regulatory bodies of architecture

Eligibility Criteria

To appear for MAH-M-Arch-CET 2026, you must satisfy the following conditions as per previous information brochures:

• Nationality: Indian national.
• Educational qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (B.Arch) from an AICTE‑approved institution or equivalent, recognised by the Council of Architecture.
• Minimum marks:
• General category: 50% aggregate in B.Arch.
• Backward class categories (SC, ST, VJ/DT, NT-A, NT-B, NT-C, NT-D, OBC, SBC) and Persons with Disability belonging to Maharashtra State: 45% aggregate.
• Final‑year students: Candidates appearing for the final year of B.Arch may also apply, provided they complete the degree before the cut‑off date of CAP admissions.

Application Process & Fee Structure

The application is submitted entirely online through the CET Cell portal, cetcell.mahacet.org.

Step‑by‑Step Process

1. Registration: Create an account using a valid mobile number and email ID.
2. Fill application form: Provide personal, contact, academic, and domicile details.
3. Upload documents: Scanned photograph, signature, and supporting certificates as per the format given in the brochure. The CET Cell requires a 2‑inch x 2‑inch colour photograph (100 KB-5 MB) and a signature meeting the specifications.
4. Pay the fee: Online payment through debit/credit card, net banking, UPI, or mobile wallets.
5. Submit and print: Download and save the completed application form and fee receipt.

Application Fee (as per previous cycle)

A late‑fee window is typically available for 5‑7 days after the regular deadline with additional charges. Always aim to submit well before the last date - portal congestion and technical glitches peak on deadline days.

Aadhaar & APAAR ID Authentication

The CET Cell has mandated Aadhaar authentication via DigiLocker for all CET registrations from the 2026‑27 cycle. Candidates must also create an APAAR ID (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) and link it during registration. Ensure your Aadhaar details are updated and your APAAR ID is active before you begin.

Admit Card / Hall Ticket

The admit card is released only through the candidate login portal on cetcell.mahacet.org, typically 7‑10 days before the exam date. No physical copy is mailed.

What to carry on exam day:

• Printed admit card (colour or black‑and‑white)
• Original photo ID (same as used during registration - Aadhaar, passport, driving licence, voter ID, or PAN card)
• One additional passport‑size photograph

Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, and electronic devices are strictly prohibited. The CET Cell conducts biometric verification and frisking at the centre; plan to reach at least 60 minutes before the reporting time printed on your admit card.

Answer Key, Objections & Result

The State CET Cell releases a provisional answer key within 2‑4 days of the examination. You can download your recorded response sheet and the provisional key to estimate your score.

Objection Process

• Log in to your candidate dashboard on cetcell.mahacet.org.
• Select the question(s) you wish to challenge.
• Upload supporting proof (textbook references, standard academic sources) as a single PDF.
• Pay the objection fee per question - typically ₹200‑₹500 (confirm from the official notice).
• Submit before the window closes (usually 1‑2 days).

Subject experts review all challenges. Valid objections lead to a revised final answer key, which is used to compute results. Individual candidates are not informed about acceptance or rejection of their challenges.

Result Declaration

The result will be published on the CET Cell website. The scorecard will display your raw marks, percentile (if used), and qualifying status. This scorecard is mandatory for CAP counselling.

CAP Counselling Process (Centralised Admission Process)

Candidates who qualify in MAH-M-Arch-CET must register separately for the CAP counselling conducted by the CET Cell. The entire process is online, with multiple rounds.

Step‑by‑Step Overview

1. CAP Registration & Document Upload: Register on the CAP portal, upload scanned original documents, and pay the counselling registration fee.
2. Document Verification: E‑Scrutiny (online) or physical verification at facilitation centres. Candidates receive an SMS after successful verification.
3. Provisional Merit List: Published on the portal. Check your name, category, university area, and marks. Raise grievances if any discrepancy exists.
4. Final Merit List: Published after grievance resolution.
5. Option Form (Choice Filling): You can enter a minimum of 1 and up to 300 choices in order of preference.
6. Seat Allotment: Conducted in CAP Round‑I, Round‑II, and subsequent rounds. Allotment is based on merit rank, category, and choices filled.
7. Seat Acceptance: Accept the allotted seat by paying the seat acceptance fee. Candidates can choose to freeze (finalise) or float (hold the seat while seeking a better option in the next round).
8. Reporting to Institute: Report to the allotted college with original documents and the allotment letter.

CAP Counselling Fees (as per previous brochure)

Counselling typically runs through August and September, concluding before the academic session begins in September 2026. Track the official portal for the live schedule.

Participating Institutes & Seat Distribution

M‑Arch seats are distributed across affiliate colleges of the following universities. The seat totals below are indicative and based on the latest publicly available data:

Major colleges offering M‑Arch include Rizvi College of Architecture (Mumbai), Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Architecture (Pune), PIADS Nagpur, and SMMCA Nagpur, among others. The exact college‑wise intake and availability of specialisations are published in the CAP seat matrix.

How to Prepare for MAH-M-Arch-CET

Preparation cannot be crammed into the short notification‑to‑exam window. Build your study plan now.

• Download the official syllabus from cetcell.mahacet.org and cross‑reference it with your B.Arch notes.
• Practice with previous years’ question papers - several years’ papers are available through coaching sources and the CET Cell portal.
• Focus on architectural awareness: Read about major contemporary projects in India (recent national competitions, Smart City projects, heritage conservation debates) because the “Current Architecture Practice” section often draws from real‑world developments.
• Brush up on building services, green ratings (GRIHA, LEED), NBC standards, and DCR concepts - these are frequently tested in the Building Technology and Current Practice sections.
• Answer every question - there is no negative marking, so an educated guess is always better than leaving a question blank.