Maharashtra’s flagship entrance exam for professional courses — the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET) — will now be conducted twice a year starting from the 2026–27 academic session, bringing it on par with the national Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) model.

The announcement was made by Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday following a review meeting with the State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell.

“Just like JEE, which offers two attempts annually, Maharashtra students will now get two opportunities through MHT-CET,” Patil said, describing the move as a major step toward making the exam system more student-friendly and inclusive.

Under the new format, the first session will be held in April 2026 and the second in May 2026. Appearing for at least one session will be mandatory for admission, while the second attempt will remain optional.

For those taking both exams, the better of the two scores will be considered for admission — a model identical to the JEE Main system.

The MHT-CET serves as the key eligibility test for students aspiring to enter engineering, pharmacy, agriculture, architecture, and other professional streams. Currently, it is held once a year, typically in April, with separate sessions for Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (PCM) and Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB) groups.

Under the new system, each group will have two opportunities within the same academic year.

An official from the Higher Education Department said the dual-exam format would reduce pressure on students and offer greater flexibility. “Earlier, missing the single annual exam meant losing an entire year. Now, students can improve their score or recover from unforeseen circumstances,” the official explained.

The two-attempt structure will also extend to the MBA/MMS CET — the entrance test for postgraduate management courses — starting from the same academic cycle. Traditionally conducted in April, it too will be offered in April and May, with the best score used for admissions.

Officials believe the reform will not only ease exam stress but also align Maharashtra’s admission process with national standards, enhancing fairness and accessibility for lakhs of aspirants.