The State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell, Government of Maharashtra, has opened the online application window for the Centralised Admission Process (CAP) 2026, covering B.E./B.Tech and MBA/MMS admissions for the 2026-27 academic year. Registration went live on the official portal, cetcell.mahacet.org, on July 2, and candidates who have qualified MHT CET, JEE Main, or are applying on the basis of their Class 12 marks can now begin filling out their counselling forms.
If you’re planning to apply for an engineering seat in Maharashtra this year, here’s a plain-English walkthrough of what’s happening right now, how the process works, what it will cost you, and what you need to keep ready before you sit down to register.
What’s Happening With MHT CET Counselling Right Now
CAP registration for the 2026-27 batch has officially begun. This is the first formal step in a process that will eventually decide which engineering college and branch a candidate gets. Along with registration, the CET Cell has also opened a separate window for foreign/NRI candidates applying under their own quota.
Quick fact: There is no separate application fee just to register on the CAP portal for candidates who qualified through MHT CET. Fees come in later, at the choice-locking and seat-acceptance stages.
How the CAP Counselling Process Works
MHT CET admissions don’t happen in a single step. The CET Cell runs the entire exercise online, in stages, and every candidate has to clear each stage before moving to the next one. Broadly, the journey looks like this:
- Registration – creating your login on the CAP portal and entering your basic, academic and exam details
- Document upload and verification – submitting scanned documents for either online (e-scrutiny) or in-person checking at a facilitation centre
- Provisional and final merit list – the CET Cell publishes your rank based on your percentile, category, and any objections you raise
- Choice filling and locking – listing colleges and branches in your order of preference
- Seat allotment – the system matches your rank and choices against available seats
- Seat acceptance and reporting – paying the acceptance fee, choosing freeze/float/slide, and reporting to your allotted institute
This entire cycle typically repeats across three to four CAP rounds, followed by an institute-level round if seats are still lying vacant afterward.
Tentative MHT CET CAP Round Schedule 2026
The CET Cell hasn’t released a fully detailed round-wise calendar yet, but based on how the process has unfolded so far and past years’ timelines, here’s a working schedule candidates can use to plan ahead. Exact dates will be updated on the official portal as each round opens.
| Stage | Tentative Window |
|---|---|
| CAP registration & login creation | Started July 2, 2026 |
| Document upload / e-scrutiny | Ongoing after registration |
| Provisional merit list | To be announced |
| Grievance window for merit list | To be announced |
| CAP Round 1 – choice filling & allotment | Expected mid-to-late July 2026 |
| CAP Round 2 | Expected early August 2026 |
| CAP Round 3 | Expected mid-August 2026 |
| CAP Round 4 / Institute-level round (if seats vacant) | Expected late August 2026 |
Note: These dates are indicative and based on the general pattern of previous counselling cycles. Always cross-check the live schedule on cetcell.mahacet.org before an important deadline.
Step-by-Step: How to Register for MHT CET CAP 2026
Step 1 – Create Your Login
Head to cetcell.mahacet.org and open the admission portal for the 2026-27 cycle. New candidates need to register with their basic contact and personal details before a password is generated for future logins.
Step 2 – Fill In Academic and Exam Details
Enter your Class 10 and Class 12 marks (subject-wise and overall), board details, and your MHT CET or JEE Main application number and score, depending on which exam you’re using to apply.
Step 3 – Choose Your Candidature Type
Select the category that applies to you: Maharashtra State Candidature (Type A/B/C/D/E), All-India candidature, or the J&K migrant/defence/minority categories, whichever fits your background.
Step 4 – Upload Scanned Documents
Upload a passport-size photograph and signature, generally between 4KB and 100KB in size, along with the other required certificates listed below.
Step 5 – Submit and Choose Verification Mode
Pick either e-scrutiny (fully online document check) or physical scrutiny at a designated facilitation centre, then submit the form to receive your acknowledgement slip.
Documents You’ll Need
Keep scanned and physical copies of the following ready well before registration deadlines approach, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute:
- Printout of the CAP registration form
- MHT CET 2026 scorecard / result printout
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and passing certificates
- JEE Main scorecard (if applying through JEE Main)
- Domicile certificate (for Maharashtra state candidature)
- Caste certificate and validity certificate (for reserved category candidates)
- Nationality certificate / birth certificate
- Gap certificate, if applicable
- Passport-size photograph and signature in the specified format
MHT CET Counselling Fees 2026
Registering on the CAP portal itself is free for candidates who qualified through MHT CET. Charges apply at later stages — for document scrutiny, and again when you accept an allotted seat. Based on last year’s fee structure, here’s what to expect:
| Category | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|
| Open/General category candidates | ₹800 |
| Reserved category (Maharashtra state) | ₹600 |
| Seat acceptance fee | ₹2,000 (revised from ₹1,000) |
Candidates applying purely through JEE Main for the All-India quota pay a separate fee slab as notified in the official CAP brochure, so it’s worth checking the fee circular once it’s published for this cycle.
Who Can Apply for MHT CET CAP 2026
Broadly, three groups of candidates are eligible to take part in this counselling round:
- Candidates who appeared for and qualified MHT CET 2026 (PCM or PCB group)
- Candidates applying on the strength of their JEE Main 2026 score, even if they didn’t sit for MHT CET
- Candidates without either exam score, who can still register based on their Class 12 marks, subject to institute-level eligibility norms
For the state quota, Maharashtra-domicile candidates must have cleared their HSC (or equivalent) with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, scoring at least 45% overall (40% for EWS, SC, and ST candidates).
MHT CET 2026 CAP Registration Begins: Dates, Fees & Steps
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to register on the CAP portal?
No. Registration itself is free for candidates who qualified via MHT CET. You’ll only pay at the document scrutiny and seat acceptance stages.
Can I apply for counselling using only my JEE Main score?
Yes. Candidates who did not appear for MHT CET, or who want to use their JEE Main percentile instead, can register for CAP using their JEE Main application details.
How many CAP rounds will be held this year?
Based on recent years, expect three main CAP rounds, followed by a fourth or an institute-level round if seats remain unfilled after Round 3.
What if I don’t have an MHT CET or JEE Main score at all?
You can still register for counselling using your Class 12 marks, though your options may be more limited and subject to specific institute rules.
Where do I check the official schedule and updates?
All official announcements, brochures, and round-wise dates are published only on cetcell.mahacet.org. Treat that as the single source of truth over any third-party update, including this one.
Compiled from publicly available information on the official CET Cell portal (cetcell.mahacet.org) and other verified admission resources, current as of July 2, 2026. Counselling dates are subject to change — always confirm live updates on the official website.
