.png&w=1920&q=75)
Maharashtra Bachelor of Hotel Management and Catering Technology Common Entrance Test (MAH BHMCT CET) 2026, conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell (CET Cell), Maharashtra, serves as the gateway for admission to the four-year BHMCT program in government-aided and unaided institutes across Maharashtra. Starting 2026, a significant change introduces a unified common CET titled MAH-B.HMCT/BCA/BBA/BMS/BBM-CET 2026 for admissions to BHMCT along with management and computer application courses. This exam tests candidates on English language proficiency, reasoning abilities, general knowledge, and aptitude relevant to hospitality and management. Qualifying candidates proceed to the Centralized Admission Process (CAP) for seat allotment based on merit, preferences, and reservation policies. Over 20 institutes participate, offering around 2,000-3,000 seats in hotel management programs.
Table of Contents
MAH BHMCT CET 2026 Important Dates
The State CET Cell released the tentative schedule for CETs 2026 on November 21, 2025. Candidates monitor cetcell.mahacet.org for the detailed notification and application link. Key tentative dates include:
- Notification and Syllabus Release: November 2025 (already out)
- Application Form Start: January-February 2026
- Last Date for Application: March 2026
- Admit Card Release: April 2026
- Exam Date: April 28-30, 2026 (Computer-based test)
- Answer Key Release: May 2026
- Result Declaration: May-June 2026
- Counselling Registration and CAP Rounds: July-August 2026
- Seat Allotment Rounds: Multiple rounds including institute-level
Exact dates confirm on the official CET Cell website.
MAH BHMCT CET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates meet these requirements for the unified MAH-B.HMCT/BCA/BBA/BMS/BBM-CET 2026:
- Nationality: Indian citizen.
- Educational Qualification: Passed HSC (10+2) or equivalent with English as a subject from a recognized board.
- Minimum Marks: Generally 45% aggregate (40% for reserved categories from Maharashtra); specific for BHMCT may align with previous norms.
- Age Limit: No upper age restriction.
- Domicile: Maharashtra candidates eligible for state quota; All India candidates for open seats.
- Appearing Candidates: Final year HSC students apply provisionally.
Refer to the 2026 information brochure for course-specific eligibility under the unified CET.
MAH BHMCT CET 2026 Application Form and Fees
Registration conducts fully online at cetcell.mahacet.org. Steps include:
- One-time registration with mobile and email verification.
- Filling personal, academic, category, and domicile details.
- Uploading scanned photograph, signature, and documents (HSC marksheet, caste certificate if applicable).
- Paying fee online via net banking, card, or UPI.
Application Fee (Expected based on trends):
- General/All India/OMS: Rs. 800-1000
- Reserved Category (Maharashtra): Rs. 600-800
Correction window available for a limited period.
MAH BHMCT CET 2026 Exam Pattern
Due to the unified CET, the pattern aligns with management entrance formats. The exam conducts online as a computer-based test.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online CBT |
| Duration | 90-120 minutes (expected) |
| Total Questions | 100 MCQs |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Sections | English Language, Reasoning (Verbal & Arithmetic), General Knowledge & Current Affairs |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct, no negative marking |
| Medium | English |
Questions at moderate difficulty, focusing on aptitude for hospitality and management.
MAH BHMCT CET 2026 Syllabus
The syllabus for the unified CET covers Class 12 level topics with emphasis on aptitude.
- English Language: Comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, synonyms/antonyms, idioms, sentence correction.
- Reasoning (Verbal & Arithmetic): Logical reasoning, puzzles, series, analogies, blood relations, arithmetic problems, data interpretation.
- General Knowledge & Current Affairs: History, geography, science, current events, hospitality industry basics, tourism, business awareness.
Detailed syllabus PDF available on cetcell.mahacet.org under technical education syllabi for 2026-27.
MAH BHMCT CET 2026 Preparation Tips
Focus on building strong fundamentals in English and reasoning through daily reading and practice. Stay updated with current affairs via newspapers and apps. Solve mock tests to improve speed and accuracy, as there is no negative marking—attempt all questions. Prioritize high-weightage areas like comprehension in English and logical puzzles in reasoning. Use standard books like RS Aggarwal for reasoning, Wren & Martin for English, and Lucent GK. Practice previous management CET papers for similar patterns.
MAH BHMCT CET 2026 Admit Card and Exam Centres
Admit card downloads from the portal using login credentials. Carry printed copy with valid photo ID. Centres located in major cities across Maharashtra including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad, and others.
MAH BHMCT CET 2026 Result and Merit List
Results declare online as scorecards and merit lists (state, category, All India). Merit based on CET scores. Tie-breakers include higher HSC marks, then age.
MAH BHMCT Previous Year Cutoff Trends
Cutoffs vary by institute, category, and seats. Top government institutes like Maharashtra State Institute of Hotel Management, Pune require higher scores. In recent years, general category closing scores ranged from 70-90 marks in premier colleges.
Understanding previous trends aids in setting targets. Cutoffs release round-wise during CAP. Government and aided colleges have competitive closing ranks due to limited seats. Reserved categories benefit from relaxed cutoffs.
Approximate score trends from recent years (General Category):
| College | 2023 Closing Score (Approx) | 2024 Closing Score (Approx) | 2025 Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra State Institute of HMCT, Pune | 85-95 | 80-90 | 80-92 |
| AISSMS College of HMCT, Pune | 70-85 | 65-80 | 65-85 |
| Dr. DY Patil Institute of HMCT, Pune | 60-75 | 55-70 | 55-75 |
| Sinhgad Institute of Hotel Management | 50-65 | 45-60 | 45-65 |
| Rizvi College of Hotel Management, Mumbai | 65-80 | 60-75 | 60-80 |
Check official CAP round PDFs on cetcell.mahacet.org for exact previous data.
MAH BHMCT Previous Year Question Papers
Practicing previous papers helps understand question types and difficulty. Official question papers and keys release post-exam on cetcell.mahacet.org. Download from reliable sources like collegedunia.com or careers360.com for 2020-2025 papers. Focus on recurring topics in English, reasoning, and GK.
MAH BHMCT CET 2026 Counselling and Seat Allotment
Counselling conducts online via CAP with multiple rounds. Register, verify documents (online/e-scrutiny), pay fees, fill choices. Allotment based on merit and preferences. Report to allotted institute for confirmation. Total seats approximately 2,500-3,000. 2025 trends: High demand for Pune and Mumbai colleges; most seats filled in first two rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
- A unified common CET with BBA/BMS/BBM/BCA courses replaces the separate BHMCT exam.
- Required for state quota seats in government/aided colleges; All India candidates eligible for open seats.
- Passed HSC with English; minimum 45% marks (40% for reserved).
- No, 1 mark for correct answer, no deduction for wrong.
- Maharashtra State Institute of HMCT Pune, AISSMS Pune, DY Patil Pune, Rizvi Mumbai, Sinhgad institutes.
- Around 2,500-3,000 across participating institutes.
- RS Aggarwal for reasoning, Norman Lewis for vocabulary, Manorama Yearbook for GK.
- Online computer-based test.
- Through online window with fee post provisional key release.
- Limited management quota seats in private institutes.
- Online CAP with registration, option filling, allotment rounds.
- Expected January 2026 on cetcell.mahacet.org.
