Maharashtra MBA CET Eligibility Criteria 2026

MAH CET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The State Common Entrance Test Cell (Maharashtra) sets the MAH CET eligibility criteria for 2026. Factors such as age, domicile, and academic qualifications decide whether a candidate can apply for the MAH MBA CET exam.

Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements can fill out the application form.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

• A candidate must hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a UGC or AIU (Association of Indian Universities) recognized university.
• The candidate must have secured at least 50% aggregate marks in the bachelor's degree.
• Candidates from reserved categories belonging to Maharashtra need a minimum of 45% aggregate marks.
• The candidate must be an Indian National.
• The minimum age to apply for MAH CET MBA is 21 years.

Final Year and Other Candidates

Students in their final year of graduation can apply for the MAH CET exam provisionally. Candidates applying as NRI, Foreign National, Foreign Student, PIO, or Children of Indian workers in the Gulf countries must meet the basic educational qualification.

Candidates who have appeared for CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, or GMAT are also eligible to apply for All India seats. The Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) conducts the counselling process using the CAP method.

MAH CET 2026 Exam Dates

MAH CET 2026 is expected to be conducted from March 17 to 19, 2026. The CET cell will announce the actual exam dates on its official website.

MAH CET 2026 Eligibility for Maharashtra and All India Candidates

Candidates from Maharashtra and All India must meet their respective terms of eligibility as mentioned below.

Type of Eligibility for Maharashtra State (MS) Candidates

Maharashtra State candidates are classified into different types based on their domicile and educational qualifications.

MS Candidate: Type A

• The candidate must have passed the qualifying examination from a college located in Maharashtra.
• The candidate must have completed their schooling in Maharashtra.

MS Candidate: Type B

• The candidate must have passed the qualifying examination from a college located in Maharashtra.
• The candidate's parents must be domiciled in Maharashtra.

MS Candidate: Type C

• The candidate must have passed the qualifying examination from a college located in Maharashtra.
• The candidate must be a domicile of Maharashtra.

MS Candidate: Type D

• The candidate must have passed the qualifying examination from a college located in Maharashtra.
• The candidate's father or mother must be an employee of the Government of India or the Government of Maharashtra.

MAH CET 2026 Eligibility for Outside State Candidates

Candidates from outside Maharashtra can apply for the 15% All India Seats. These candidates must have a bachelor's degree with the required aggregate marks.

Jammu and Kashmir migrants are also eligible to apply for the All India Seats through CAP.

MAH CET 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Counselling

DTE, Maharashtra will conduct several rounds of MAH CET Counselling or CAP (Centralized Admission Process). Candidates who have appeared for exams other than MAH CET MBA need to register as a new user for CAP.

Candidates must provide original documents during the document verification rounds.

• Only MAH CET exam scores from the year 2026 will be accepted for admission to MBA/MMS courses at Institute Level Seats.
• NRI candidates found eligible can apply for admission against Institute Level Seats in Un-aided Institutes.
• All minority category candidates must fulfill the eligibility for MAH CET 2026 to claim seats reserved for them.
• For 15% All India Seats through CAP, all Maharashtra, Outside Maharashtra, and J&K migrant candidates must register online for CAP.
• Candidates who have appeared for different MBA entrance exams can also apply for CAP under 15% All India Seats.

CAP for Home University Students

Students from the home university have specific provisions under the CAP process. The details of these provisions are specified by the DTE.

MAH CET 2026 Special Reservations

Reserved category candidates seeking relaxation in graduation marks must provide a Caste Validity Certificate. This certificate is issued by the Scrutiny Committee of Social Welfare Development.

MAH CET 2026 Eligibility for Persons with Disability

Candidates with disabilities must meet the basic eligibility criteria as specified by the CET cell. They must also provide the required disability certificate during document verification.

MAH CET Eligibility FAQs

Common questions about MAH CET eligibility are answered below.

Can final year students apply for MAH CET?

Yes, final year candidates can appear for the MAH CET exam 2026.

What is the minimum age to apply for MAH CET?

The minimum age required to apply for MAH CET MBA is 21 years.

What is the minimum marks required in graduation?

Candidates need a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in their bachelor's degree. Reserved category candidates from Maharashtra need 45%.

Are CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, and GMAT candidates eligible?

Yes, candidates who have appeared for these exams are eligible to apply for All India seats.

MAH CET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

MAH CET 2026 eligibility depends on the candidate's category. The categories are Maharashtra State (MS) candidates and Outside Maharashtra State (OMS) candidates.

Eligibility for Maharashtra Candidates

MAH CET 2026 Type of Eligibility for Maharashtra State (MS) Candidate

Qualifying under any of the 4 types can place your candidature as the Maharashtra State (MS) candidate. Registering and applying for MAH CET 2026 as an MS candidate will open more opportunities and more admission options in MBA 2026-25 in top MBA colleges in Maharashtra.

MS Candidate: Type A

An aspirant who has passed HSC and qualifying examination from Maharashtra state is a Maharashtra Candidate. If the applicant didn't pass HSC but passed Diploma in Engineering / Technology / Pharmacy and any other qualifying examination from Maharashtra State, they will be termed as Maharashtra State Candidate.

In addition to this fact, if the candidate is Domiciled or Born in the State of Maharashtra, they will be the Maharashtra State Candidate and should mention it while registering and applying for MAH CET 2026 online.

MS Candidate: Type B

You could be a Maharashtra State (MS) Candidate if you or your Father or Mother is domiciled in the State of Maharashtra. It is not necessary that you were born or studied in the State of Maharashtra.

In case it is the place of domicile of any 3 of you as shared above, you could reap the benefits of being an MS candidate.

MS Candidate: Type C

If either of your parents i.e. Father or Mother, is an employee of the Government of India or Government of India Undertaking who is posted and reported to duty in Maharashtra State before the last date for submitting the application for admission, you are a Maharashtra State candidate.

If you wish to appear in MAH CET 2026 as a Maharashtra State candidate and your parents are supposed to report for duty in Maharashtra state but are delaying it, if they report for the duty you can apply for MAH CET as an MS candidate to gain all the benefits of Maharashtra State candidature.

MS Candidate: Type D

An applicant will be considered as Maharashtra State Candidate if their Father or Mother is an employee of the Government of Maharashtra/Government of Maharashtra Undertaking. Although such employees are usually not posted out of the state, in case they are posted in some other states or are on deputation to some other departments, the candidate would still be considered as a Maharashtra state candidate.

MAH CET 2026 Eligibility for Outside State Candidates

All Indian National candidates who don't fall under any of the types reserved for Maharashtra state candidature will fall under this category. In case a candidate claiming the Candidature as Maharashtra Type A/B/C/D fails to submit the required documents mentioned above, then such candidates will be automatically converted to All India Candidates and these candidates will be given the benefit of All India Seats only.

Candidate must fulfill any one of the below mentioned academic qualifications to claim seats under Outside Maharashtra State candidates:

• Passing HSC examination and/ or the qualifying examination (Bachelor's Degree) from a college located outside Maharashtra state affiliated to any University which is not in Maharashtra State and not satisfying any of the conditions stated in Type B, C, D of MS candidature above as regards to parent's status.

OR

• Passing HSC examination from a school in Maharashtra and the qualifying examination (Bachelor's Degree) from a college located outside Maharashtra state affiliated to S.N.D.T. Women's University and not satisfying any of the conditions stated in i.e. Type B, C, D of MS above as regards to parent's status.

CAP for Home University Students

Candidature Type and the Home University candidates are of immense significance during CAP (Centralized Allotment Process). To be eligible as a "Maharashtra State" candidate, the candidate must fulfill the eligibility criterion specified for candidature as Type A or B or C or D status.

Type of candidature also decides their status at Home University. Candidates can ascertain the Candidature Type and Home University with the help of the guidelines mentioned below.

The type of Candidature can be broadly classified into two categories:

• Type of Candidature for Maharashtra State candidates
• Type of Candidature for Outside Maharashtra State candidates

Candidates eligible for both Maharashtra State Seats and J & K Migrant Seats can claim either Maharashtra State seats or J & K Migrant seats as per their choice at the time of submission of the "Application form for Admission".

MAH CET 2026 Special Reservations

Special reservation is available only for backward class candidates who belong to the state of Maharashtra. These candidates must submit a "Caste Certificate" issued by the Executive Magistrate/Metropolitan Magistrate in Maharashtra State.

The list of backward classes from Maharashtra is given below:

• Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Castes Converts to Buddhism (SC)
• Scheduled Tribes including those living outside specified areas (ST)
• Vimukta Jati & Denotified Tribes (VJ/DT) i.e. NT(A)
• Nomadic Tribes – 1 (NT-B)
• Nomadic Tribes – 2 (NT-C)
• Nomadic Tribes – 3 (NT-D)
• Other Backward Classes (OBC)
• Special Backward Class (SBC)

Candidates applying under SC, VJ/DT (NT(A)), NT(B), NT(C), NT(D), OBC, and SBC categories must submit a "Caste Validity Certificate". This certificate is issued by the Scrutiny Committee of Social Welfare Department.

Candidates applying under the ST category must submit a "Tribe Validity Certificate". This certificate is issued by the Scrutiny Committee of Tribal Department at the time of admission.

Candidates applying under VJ/DT (NT(A)), NT(B), NT(C), NT(D), OBC, and SBC categories must get a "Non-Creamy layer Certificate". This certificate is issued by the Sub Divisional Officer / Deputy Collector of the district alongside their caste certificate. It should be valid up to March 31, 2023.

Backward class candidates are eligible only if they belong to the state of Maharashtra. Candidates must ensure that their relevant category documents are issued by appropriate authorities only.

MAH CET 2026 Eligibility for Persons with Disability

There is a special reservation for PwD candidates. The minimum percentage for disability is 40%, and the nature of the disability should be permanent.

PwD candidates will be accepted from the state of Maharashtra only. They should fall under Type A or B of Candidature for Maharashtra State candidates.

There are three main categories for PwD candidates:

• PH-1: Visually impaired (blind) candidates (P1)
• PH-2: Speech & hearing impaired (dumb and deaf) candidates (P2)
• PH-3: Candidates with orthopedic disorders and learning disabilities, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Spastic (P3)

Candidates applying under the PwD category must submit a certificate in the prescribed Proforma - F. This certificate is issued by the Director, All India Institute of Physically Handicapped, Mumbai.

Dean/Civil Surgeon of the Government/Civil Hospitals at District Headquarters can also issue this certificate.

MAH CET Eligibility 2026 FAQs

Ques. What are the age criteria to apply for MAH CET?

Ans. There is no age limit specified to appear for MAH CET. Candidates need a minimum three-year duration bachelor's degree from a UGC recognized university to be eligible.

Ques. I have got a backlog in my qualifying degree. Can I still apply for MAH CET?

Ans. Yes, candidates with a backlog in the qualifying degree can apply for MAH CET. Such candidates will have to furnish a passing certificate and necessary documents before the beginning of the counselling process.

Ques. When will the application process begin for MAH CET 2026?

Ans. MAH CET 2026 application process is expected to start in January 2026.

Ques. Can I take MAH CET exam after class 12th?

Ans. No, candidates cannot take MAH CET exam after class 12th. The minimum eligibility criteria is graduation in any discipline with minimum marks of 50%.

Only candidates who have a minimum 3-year duration bachelor's degree can apply for the test. Candidates who are in their third year of graduation can also fill the MAH CET application form.

Ques. I am in my final year of graduation. Can I apply for MAH CET 2026?

Can Final Year Students Apply for MAH CET 2026?

Yes, candidates in their final year of graduation can apply for the MAH CET 2026 exam.