State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra
The MAH MCA CET 2026 registration window closed on 10 February 2026. The exam was held on 30 March 2026. More than 100 government, aided, and private MCA institutes in Maharashtra will admit students based on the scores from this single computer-based test. If you are reading this in June 2026, the current cycle’s exam is over and CAP counselling is underway. But if you are planning for the 2027 cycle, or want to understand exactly what the 2026 process demanded - this step-by-step guide is drawn directly from the official information brochure released by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra.
Everything here - fees, photo dimensions, section weights, correction window dates, eligibility fine print - is taken verbatim from the authoritative sources. Bookmark this. When the 2027 notification arrives, the core structure will almost certainly repeat. The official website remains cetcell.mahacet.org.
The schedule below is as it actually happened in 2026. For 2027, expect a similar window starting in January, with the exam likely in March or April. Always confirm dates on cetcell.mahacet.org the moment the notification is published.
| Activity | 2026 Dates |
|---|---|
| Online registration and application form | 7 January - 10 February 2026 |
| Fee payment (online only) | Up to 11 February 2026 |
| Application correction window | 26 - 28 February 2026 |
| Admit card download | From 17 March 2026 |
| MAH MCA CET exam date | 30 March 2026 |
| Answer key release (provisional) | First week of April 2026 |
| Result declaration | First week of April 2026 |
| CAP counselling registration | Late May - June 2026 |
The exam was conducted in a single shift as a computer-based test, entirely in English. Admit cards were available only through candidate login, and the State CET Cell explicitly warned that no candidate would be permitted to enter the test centre without a printed hall ticket and a valid original photo ID bearing the same name.
The eligibility conditions for MAH MCA CET 2026 are unlikely to change dramatically. Here is what the official brochure mandated:
Outside Maharashtra State (OMS) candidates could apply, but reservation benefits apply only to Maharashtra domicile holders. The official brochure and CAP rules define several candidature types (Type A, B, C, D, E) based on domicile, birth, or parent’s employment - critical during counselling but not during the CET application itself.
The application processing fee was non-refundable and payable only online - Internet banking, debit/credit cards (RuPay/Visa/Mastercard/Maestro), IMPS, UPI, cash cards, and mobile wallets were accepted. The 2026 fee structure, as published in the brochure:
| Category | Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| Open category (Maharashtra State, OMS, J&K migrant candidates) | 1,500 |
| Maharashtra State reserved categories (SC, ST, VJ/DT-NT(A), NT(B), NT(C), NT(D), OBC, SBC, SEBC, EWS), PWD, orphan, and transgender candidates | 1,300 |
Service charges, if any, were additional. Once paid, the fee could not be transferred or refunded under any circumstance.
The application was entirely online. No offline forms were accepted. Based on the official brochure and the registration portal’s requirements, here is the checklist you must prepare - whether for 2026 revision or for your 2027 preparation:
The 2026 application portal used Aadhaar-based authentication and required candidate login creation. The exact interface may change, but the logic remains every year.
Go to cetcell.mahacet.org. Click on the CET examination portal link for 2026-27, then select “M.C.A./M.HMCT CET” and hit “New Registration.”
Enter your name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID. You will receive separate OTPs on both. Verify them to generate a registration number and password. Save both immediately - screenshot or write them down. The mobile number and email are locked for all future correspondence.
Login with your credentials. The application form is divided into tabs. Fill sequentially:
This is the step where most rejections happen. Follow the official specifications exactly:
Photograph specifications (as per the 2026 brochure):
Signature specifications:
Live photograph capture: Some CET portals also require a real-time photograph via webcam or mobile QR code. Follow the on-screen prompt.
After uploading, the portal shows a preview. Read every field. Check spelling, photo ID number, category, and test city. Once satisfied, proceed to the payment gateway. Pay the applicable fee using one of the online modes. If payment fails but your bank account is debited, wait a few hours. If the status still shows “Unpaid” after 24 hours, contact the CET Cell help desk at the toll-free number: 18002090191 or helpline numbers 07969134401 / 07969134402, available from 10.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m. You can also email [email protected].
After successful payment, a confirmation page with your application number and details is generated. Download it and print at least two copies. This page is your proof that the application is complete.
The State CET Cell opened a very brief online edit window for MCA CET 2026 from 26 February 2026 to 28 February 2026. This came after many candidates had made errors during registration - and the Cell issued an official notice allowing corrections. The fields that were editable were:
During this period, candidates had to log in to their accounts, make the necessary changes, and submit the form again. No other fields (mobile number, email ID, category, exam city) were open for editing. If you missed this window, no further manual corrections were entertained. This is a pattern you should expect for 2027 as well - a 2 to 3 day window immediately after the registration deadline.
The MAH MCA CET 2026 was a 90-minute online test with 100 compulsory multiple-choice questions. There was no negative marking. Each question carried 2 marks, making the total maximum score 200. The question paper was in English only.
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks per Question | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics & Statistics | 30 | 2 | 60 |
| Logical / Abstract Reasoning | 30 | 2 | 60 |
| English Comprehension & Verbal Ability | 20 | 2 | 40 |
| Computer Concepts | 20 | 2 | 40 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
You can navigate freely between sections. The test system allowed you to mark questions for review. Since there is no negative marking, you should attempt every question. Use the last 5 minutes to fill any unattempted ones with reasonable guesses.
The official syllabus, published in the information brochure and expanded by the CET Cell, covers the following:
Topics: Algebra (fundamental operations, quadratic equations, indices, logarithms, progressions, binomial theorem, permutations & combinations), coordinate geometry (lines, circles, distance formula, conic sections, transformations), differential equations (first-order, linear with constant coefficients), trigonometry (identities, triangle properties, heights & distances), probability & statistics (measures of central tendency, dispersion, distributions, correlation, regression), arithmetic (ratios, percentages, time-work, speed-distance), set theory & functions, mensuration (areas, volumes of solids).
This section tests speed and logical thinking. Expect questions on: series completion, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, visual reasoning (figure series, mirror images, pattern completion), puzzles (seating arrangements, scheduling), data sufficiency, syllogisms, analogies. There are also passage-based logical situations that require drawing inferences.
Topics: reading comprehension, basic English grammar (error spotting, sentence correction, tenses, parts of speech), vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution), jumbled paragraphs, sentence ordering, and fill in the blanks. The passages are generally short and drawn from everyday social or technology-related themes.
Covers: computer basics (CPU, memory, I/O devices, organisation), data representation (binary/hexadecimal, binary arithmetic, floating point, Boolean algebra, truth tables, Venn diagrams), computer architecture (block structure, interrupts, communication with I/O), computer languages (assembly vs high-level, C programming fundamentals), and operating system basics.
Admit cards for 2026 were downloadable from 17 March 2026 via candidate login using registration number/roll number and password/date of birth. Candidates were required to affix a recent passport-size photograph (preferably the same as uploaded) on the printed hall ticket.
On exam day, you had to carry:
The name on the hall ticket and the ID must match exactly. Female candidates with a changed surname post-marriage were advised to carry an original marriage certificate or gazette notification if there was a mismatch. Reporting time was ahead of the test start, with about 140 minutes of total venue time including formalities. Latecomers were not admitted.
In 2026, the provisional answer key was released in the first week of April. Candidates could raise objections for a fee. The final answer key then led to result declaration - also in the first week of April. Scorecards were downloadable from the candidate portal and contained raw scores, percentile, and state rank.
Qualified candidates had to register separately for CAP counselling, expected to begin in late May 2026. The process involved:
For CAP, you must keep ready: CET scorecard, admit card, Class 10 & 12 mark sheets, graduation certificates, domicile certificate (if claiming Maharashtra state quota), caste certificate, caste validity certificate, non-creamy layer certificate (valid till 31/03/2027 for OBC/SEBC), EWS certificate, PWD certificate, transfer/migration certificate, and photo ID. Incomplete documentation can cost you a seat even with a high score.
Year after year, the same errors trip up candidates. Here are the ones to watch:
When will MAH MCA CET 2027 registration start? The State CET Cell typically releases the notification in December or early January, with registration opening the same day. Check cetcell.mahacet.org from December 2026 onwards. The 2026 window ran from 7 January to 10 February 2026; expect a similar timeline.
What is the application fee? For the 2026 cycle, it was ₹1,500 for open category (Maharashtra State, OMS, J&K migrants) and ₹1,300 for Maharashtra State reserved category, PWD, orphan, and transgender candidates. The fee is non-refundable and payable online only.
What are the photograph specifications? As per the official 2026 brochure: 2 inch × 2 inch (50 mm × 50 mm), colour, plain light-coloured/white background, face covering 80% of the frame, JPEG format, file size 100 KB to 5 MB. The photograph must be recent, with full face, front view, eyes open, and without sunglasses or caps.
Can I edit my application after submission? In 2026, a correction window was open from 26-28 February. Only five fields were editable: candidate name, date of birth, photograph, signature, and gender. No other changes were allowed. For 2027, expect a similarly short window immediately after the registration deadline.
Is there negative marking in the exam? No. Every correct answer fetches 2 marks; incorrect or unattempted questions carry zero. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so you should attempt all 100 questions.
Is Aadhaar mandatory? Yes, the CET Cell used Aadhaar authentication during registration in 2026. APAAR ID was also verified. Ensure your Aadhaar details are current and accurate before applying.
Can outside Maharashtra candidates apply? Yes. OMS candidates can take the test and participate in CAP under the all-India quota. However, reservation benefits and lower fee caps apply only to Maharashtra domicile holders.
How is the merit list prepared? Based on the CET percentile score and normalisation (if multiple sessions are held). The result includes a state rank, which determines your position in CAP counselling.
What is the syllabus for computer concepts? Fundamentals of computers, data representation (binary/hex arithmetic, Boolean algebra), computer architecture, basics of C programming, and operating system concepts. The official brochure lists the topics in detail.
How long is the score valid? The score is valid only for admission in the 2026-27 academic year. You must reappear for the subsequent year’s CET.
What if I forget my registration number or password? Use the “Forgot Password” or “Forgot Application Number” link on the portal. You will need your registered mobile number or email ID to recover credentials. If those are inaccessible, contact the CET Cell help desk immediately.
What happens if I miss the CAP registration? You lose your chance for admission that year. CAP registration is separate from the CET application. There is no automatic enrolment; you must proactively register and fill choices within the announced window.
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