The race for a seat inside one of India’s oldest engineering institutions gets sharper every year. For the 2026–27 academic session, COEP Technological University (formerly College of Engineering, Pune) will fill its B.Tech seats almost entirely through MHT CET scores – 80% under the Maharashtra state quota and 20% through JEE Main for All India candidates. And the first PCM group exam is scheduled for April 11, 2026.
Official brochures released by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, confirm that the MHT CET 2026 registration window ran from 10 January to 12 February 2026, with a late fee window closing on 24 February 2026 [s:1][s:3]. The PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) group exam will be held from April 11 to April 20, 2026, while PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) candidates will test from April 21 to April 26, 2026 [s:8]. This year, the cell introduced a two‑attempt system for the first time; candidates who sit both attempts will have their best total percentile considered for the final merit list [s:1].
For COEP aspirants, the numbers are stark. Historical cutoffs show that the Computer Engineering branch closed at an MHT CET percentile of 99.9 for the general open state (GOpenS) category in 2025, and at a JEE Main rank of 9867 [s:9][s:15]. With competition expected to intensify, experts project that securing a seat in Computer Science or AI & ML at COEP will likely require a GOpenS percentile of at least 99.90 – 99.95, or a JEE Main all‑India rank under 500 [s:14][s:9]. The table below offers expected closing cutoffs for the top branches, compiled from multiple 2025 and 2024 data points.
| B.Tech Branch | Expected MHT CET GOpenS Percentile (2026) | Expected JEE Main AI Closing Rank (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | 99.90 – 99.95+ | Under 500 |
| Robotics & AI | 99.85 – 99.90 | 600 – 900 |
| Electronics & Telecommunication | 99.75 – 99.85 | 1000 – 1300 |
| Electrical Engineering | 99.55 – 99.65 | 1800 – 2200 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 99.45 – 99.55 | 2400 – 2800 |
| Civil Engineering | 98.50 – 99.00 | 3200 – 3800 |
| Metallurgical Engineering | 97.50 – 98.50 | 4200 – 4800 |
These are not hard thresholds; they reflect the competitive intensity of the past two years, and actual cutoffs will depend on the number of test‑takers and seat availability. Still, they give a clear signal: a score of 160+ out of 200 in MHT CET is the target territory for any computing branch at COEP [s:11].
Admission Process and CAP Counselling Timeline
For Maharashtra domicile candidates, admission is entirely through the Centralised Admission Process (CAP) run by the CET Cell. The expected schedule, drawn from the 2025–26 cycle and early 2026 updates, looks like this:
- MHT CET 2026 result: Tentatively June 2026 [s:8].
- Online CAP registration & document upload: Likely late June to mid‑July 2026 [s:12].
- Provisional merit list display: Early July 2026.
- Choice filling for Round I: Late July 2026.
- First round seat allotment: End of July 2026.
- Academic session begins: August / September 2026.
Non‑Maharashtra candidates must register separately through the All India quota using their JEE Main scores, and their admission will be handled via the same CAP portal [s:1][s:12]. For those who secure a seat, the mandatory documents include MHT CET scorecard, class 10 and 12 mark sheets, domicile certificate, and caste validity certificates where applicable [s:12].
COEP, now a unitary public university of the Government of Maharashtra, admitted its first batch under the new technological university status in 2024. The institute still offers B.Tech in 10 disciplines, M.Tech in 25 specialisations, an MBA, and a B.Plan programme [s:16]. The annual tuition fee for B.Tech ranges from ₹1,35,000 to ₹1,63,240, with total four‑year fees around ₹5.9 lakh – an ROI that many private colleges cannot match [s:16].
Placement Strength and Why the Cutoffs Stay High
Placement data from 2025 shows an average package of ₹12 LPA and a highest package of ₹52.57 LPA [s:8][s:16]. Over 560 offers were made by recruiters like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Texas Instruments, and Tata Motors [s:16]. The placement rate for CSE touched 91.82%, while core branches like Mechanical and Electrical maintained 75‑85% placement rates [s:8]. Such figures explain why a seat in any COEP programme is fiercely contested.
The university also runs a direct second year (D.S.Y.) B.Tech entry through spot rounds for vacant seats after CAP IV. The 2025 DSY spot round notification, released on 5 September 2025, revealed that additional rounds were conducted in mid‑September for candidates with valid merit numbers. A similar process is expected in 2026, so candidates who narrowly miss a seat in the regular rounds should keep an eye on the COEP website after the CAP cycle ends [s:4].
Final Checklist for Aspirants
- Appear for both MHT CET attempts – the best of two percentiles is considered. Even a marginal improvement can lift your state rank dramatically.
- Target 160+ marks for a realistic shot at COEP’s top branches. Below 150, focus on core branches or other government colleges.
- Keep your documents ready now – caste validity, non‑creamy layer (if OBC/SEBC), and income certificates must be valid for FY 2026‑27.
- Watch the official CAP portal at cetcell.mahacet.org. No third‑party site can guarantee a seat.
COEP Technological University has not changed its merit‑only admission policy. There is no management quota, no donations, and no direct admission without MHT CET or JEE Main scores. The best preparation is raw percentile, followed by a meticulously ordered choice list during CAP counselling.