Engineering seats in Maharashtra 2026–27: which branches grew
Maharashtra’s first-year engineering seats for 2026–27 compared with 2025–26, branch by branch — including how many seats AI and data-science branches now hold — computed live from the State CET Cell seat matrices.
On this page
The State CET Cell’s CAP Round I seat matrix for first-year engineering in 2026–27 lists 1,92,030 seats across 380 institutes — 15,515 more than the 1,76,515 in 2025–26. The matrix covers Maharashtra State, All India, minority and institute-level seats. Here is where the growth went, branch by branch.
- 1,92,030
- seats in the CAP Round I matrix, 2026–27
- 15,515
- change from 2025–26
- 380
- institutes
The biggest branches, then and now
Computer Engineering remains the largest branch with 28,680 seats. The biggest single increase was in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (+1,920 seats), followed by Mechanical Engineering (+1,623).
- Computer Engineering+75327,927 → 28,680
- Mechanical Engineering+1,62320,873 → 22,496
- Electronics and Telecommunication Engg+1,26318,816 → 20,079
- Computer Science and Engineering+1,44017,430 → 18,870
- Civil Engineering+86615,211 → 16,077
- Information Technology+20015,106 → 15,306
- Electrical Engineering+1,35011,939 → 13,289
- Artificial Intelligence and Data Science+1,9208,610 → 10,530
- Computer Science and Engineering(Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning)+1,4105,130 → 6,540
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning+1,1703,945 → 5,115
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science+8703,330 → 4,200
- Electronics and Computer Engineering+4203,120 → 3,540
Branch names are as printed by the State CET Cell, so near-identical names (for example “Artificial Intelligence and Data Science” and “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science”) are counted separately. Last year’s figures come from the 2025–26 CAP Round I seat matrix.
AI, data science and other new-age branches
Branches built around artificial intelligence, data science, machine learning, cyber security and IoT now hold 36,645 seats — 19.1% of the matrix, up from 30,165 (17.1%) a year earlier. Core branches like Mechanical, Civil and Electrical still account for a large share, so the choice isn’t all-or-nothing.
What it means for your option form
- More seats can ease cut-offs in fast-growing branches — but only if applicant interest doesn’t grow faster.
- Read the branch name carefully. Similar-sounding branches are separate choices on the CAP option form.
- Check the institute too. A new branch at a new institute is a different proposition from an established one.
Next: explore the engineering seat matrix, check CAP cut-offs, or browse all branches.
Explore the data behind this story
More stories
All storiesMHT CET 2026 CAP Round I cut-offs: which engineering branches closed highest
Engineering branches ranked by median closing MHT CET percentile in CAP Round I 2026 (State Level, OPEN – General), plus the top institutes for Computer Engineering — computed live from State CET Cell data.
MBBS seats in India 2026–27: a state-by-state look at the NMC seat matrix
How many MBBS seats India has in 2026–27, which states hold them, the government–private split and how the number changed during the year — computed live from the NMC seat matrix.
NEET UG 2026: how far MBBS closing ranks went in each MCC round
Round-by-round MBBS closing ranks in the 15% All India Quota and for AIIMS/JIPMER, the ten toughest colleges, and how to read closing ranks — computed live from MCC’s official allotment results.
Expert guidance · Free
Make your choices with a counsellor beside you
Talk through colleges, cutoffs, fees and counselling rounds with an M B Patil Education counsellor — before you lock your choices.
- Shortlist colleges that fit your rank and budget
- Understand quotas, rounds and documents
- Never miss a registration or choice-filling deadline