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The Maharashtra Centralised Admission Process (MAH CAP) 2026 is the unified online counselling conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell for admissions to professional courses including Engineering (B.E./B.Tech), Pharmacy (B.Pharm/Pharm.D), MBA/MMS, MCA, B.Planning, and others in Maharashtra institutes. MAH CAP ensures transparent merit-based seat allocation based on entrance exam scores like MHT CET, MAH MBA CET, or national tests.
For 2026, CAP portals for various courses are active on cetcell.mahacet.org with tentative schedules released on November 21, 2025. Engineering and Pharmacy CAP follows MHT CET 2026 results, while MBA/MMS uses MAH MBA CET scores. Over 1 lakh seats across government and private colleges allocate through multiple rounds.
85% seats reserve for Maharashtra candidates, 15% for All India quota in engineering/pharmacy. Reservations apply for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD as per state norms.
Table of Contents
MAH CAP 2026 Important Dates and Schedule
The State CET Cell released tentative CET schedules on November 21, 2025. MHT CET 2026 registration starts December 30, 2025. CAP dates announce post-results, typically June-August 2026 for most courses.
- MHT CET 2026 Registration: December 30, 2025 to February 2026
- MHT CET Exam: April-May 2026
- Engineering/Pharmacy CAP Registration: Expected June-July 2026
- MBA/MMS CAP: Expected June-August 2026
- Seat Allotment Rounds: Multiple rounds with spot/institute level if vacancies
- Latest Notification: Tentative CET Schedule 2026 available on cetcell.mahacet.org
Monitor official website for exact CAP timelines per course.
MAH CAP Participating Courses and Portals 2026
MAH CAP covers undergraduate and postgraduate professional courses:
- B.E./B.Tech (PCM group)
- B.Pharm/Pharm.D (PCB group)
- MBA/MMS
- MCA
- M.E./M.Tech
- B.Planning
- Other courses like HMCT, Fine Arts
Separate portals for each; e.g., fe2026.mahacet.org for engineering expected.
MAH CAP Eligibility Criteria 2026
Eligibility varies by course but common requirements include:
- Indian nationality
- Passed 10+2 or graduation with minimum marks (50% general, relaxations for reserved)
- Valid score in relevant CET or national exam
- Maharashtra domicile for state quota
- Specific subjects like PCM for engineering
All India candidates eligible for open seats via JEE Main (engineering) or national scores.
MAH CAP Counselling Process 2026
MAH CAP conducts fully online with e-scrutiny for documents:
- Online registration and fee payment
- Document upload and verification
- Merit list release
- Choice filling and locking
- Seat allotment (multiple rounds)
- Seat acceptance fee payment
- Options: Freeze, Float, or Betterment
- Reporting to allotted institute
- Spot rounds for vacancies
Typically 3-4 CAP rounds plus institute level.
MAH CAP Seat Matrix 2026
Seat matrix releases before CAP Round 1, showing institute-wise, branch-wise, category-wise seats.
Approximate seats (based on previous years):
- Engineering: Over 1.3 lakh
- Pharmacy: Around 30,000
- MBA/MMS: Over 40,000
Exact matrix on official portal post-notification.
MAH CAP Cutoff Trends and Previous Year Ranks
MAH CAP cutoff trends for engineering show high competition for branches like CSE/IT in top colleges like COEP, VJTI. Closing ranks tighten yearly due to more applicants and better scores. Pharmacy cutoffs also competitive for top institutes.
Previous years indicate CSE in COEP closing around 99.9 percentile or low ranks. Trends show slight increase in required percentiles for popular branches.
| Year | Course/Branch | Institute Example | Approximate Closing Percentile (General) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | B.Tech CSE | COEP Pune | 99.8+ |
| 2025 | B.Pharm | Top Govt College | 99+ |
| 2024 | B.Tech CSE | VJTI Mumbai | 99.7+ |
| 2024 | MBA | JBIMS | 99.99 |
MAH CAP cutoff trends over recent years reflect rising competition, with top branches requiring near-perfect scores. Closing ranks drop minimally in later rounds for core branches. All India quota often higher ranks than state.
Official previous year cutoffs available in CAP archives on cetcell.mahacet.org.
MAH CAP 2026 Preparation and Strategy Tips
Secure better allotment with these tips:
- Score high in entrance exam for better merit rank
- Research previous cutoffs for realistic choice filling
- Prioritize branch over institute if aiming top fields like CSE
- Fill maximum choices to improve options
- Opt float/betterment in early rounds for upgrades
- Prepare documents early for smooth verification
- Monitor merit lists and vacancies
- Use predictors based on past data
- Consider location, placements, fees
- Apply early in registration window
Top institutes like COEP, VJTI, JBIMS offer excellent ROI and placements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- cetcell.mahacet.org for notifications; course-specific portals like fe.mahacet.org for engineering.
- Expected June-July 2026 for engineering/pharmacy post MHT CET results.
- Typically 3-4 CAP rounds plus institute/spot rounds.
- Yes for 85% state quota; All India quota open without domicile.
- Varies by course/category; around Rs. 800-1200 generally.
- Yes for engineering All India seats; MHT CET preferred for state quota.
- Login to candidate portal on respective CAP site.
- Seat cancels; may lose further rounds eligibility.
- Limited in some institutes; separate process.
- Freeze if satisfied; Float for upgrade chances.
- After regular CAP rounds for vacant seats.
- Based on entrance score, normalized if needed, with tie-breakers.
