Short answer
Any Indian national who has passed, or is appearing for, Class 12 (HSC) or an equivalent exam can take MHT-CET, and there is no age limit. For first-year B.E./B.Tech. through the Centralized Admission Process (CAP), a Maharashtra State candidate also needs Physics and Mathematics in Class 12 with one more listed subject, at least forty-five per cent in those subjects together (forty per cent for reserved category, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Persons with Disability candidates from Maharashtra), and a non-zero score in the PCM group of MHT-CET after appearing in all its subjects.
Based on the MHT-CET 2026 Information Brochure and the State CET Cell's Information Brochure for 2026–27 admissions (dated 02.07.2026). The 2027–28 brochures haven't been published yet — rules can change, so check them when they are.
Who this applies to
Students seeking first-year B.E./B.Tech. admission in Maharashtra through the State CET Cell's CAP
The rule, explained
MHT-CET itself: the brochure says all candidates who have passed or are appearing for Class 12 (HSC) or its equivalent and have Indian nationality can appear. There is no age limit for appearing or for admission.
Who must take MHT-CET: it is compulsory for Maharashtra State candidature and Minority candidature candidates seeking B.E./B.Tech. All India candidature candidates may or may not take it, because their JEE (Main) score is preferred over MHT-CET.
Subjects and marks for Maharashtra State candidates (PCM route): Physics and Mathematics are compulsory, along with one of Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, a Technical Vocational subject, Computer Science, Information Technology, Informatics Practices, Agriculture, Engineering Graphics, Business Studies, Electronics or Entrepreneurship. You need at least forty-five per cent in these subjects taken together (forty per cent for reserved category, EWS and Persons with Disability candidates belonging to Maharashtra) and a non-zero PCM MHT-CET score. These candidates can apply for all 29 major disciplines declared by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
Other routes: a student with Physics and Chemistry and a non-zero PCB (Biology group) MHT-CET score is eligible only for nine branches: Agriculture Engineering, Biotechnology, Food Engineering, Leather Technology, Packaging Technology, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Printing Engineering, Fashion Technology and Textile Chemistry. A three-year Diploma in Engineering and Technology (with the same marks rule) or a three-year Diploma of Vocation (D.Voc.) in the same or allied sector is also accepted.
How your percentage is counted: it is rounded to the nearest whole number, so 44.50% to 44.99% counts as 45%, while 44.01% to 44.49% counts as 44%.
What the official document says
All the candidates passed/ appearing at the qualifying examination i.e. HSC/12th Standard examination or its equivalent examination and having Indian Nationality are eligible for appearing for MHT-CET 2026. There is no age limit for admission and appearing to MHT-CET 2026.
State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra · Information Brochure MHT-CET 2026 (updated on 10.02.2026), PDF page 6 (opens the official site)
It is mandatory to appear for MHT-CET 2026 for candidates belonging to Maharashtra State Candidature, Minority Candidature seeking admission to B.E./B.Tech. However All India Candidature candidates may or may not appear for MHT-CET 2026 as Score of JEE (Main) 2026 shall be preferred over MHT- CET 2026 for admission to B.E./B.Tech.
State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra · Information Brochure MHT-CET 2026 (updated on 10.02.2026), PDF page 7 (opens the official site)
should have Passed 10+2 examination or its equivalent examination with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects along with Chemistry or Biotechnology or Biology or Technical Vocational subject or Computer Science or Information Technology or Informatics Practices or Agriculture or Engineering Graphics or Business Studies or Electronics or Entrepreneurship and obtained at least forty five per cent marks (at least forty per cent marks, in case of Reserved categories, Economically Weaker Section and Persons with Disability candidates belonging to the Maharashtra State only) in the above subjects taken together and The Candidate should have appeared in all the subjects in PCM MHT-CET 2026 and obtained non zero score in PCM MHT-CET 2026 conducted by the Competent Authority; (There candidates are eligible to apply for all 29 major disciplines declared by AICTE)
State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra · Information Brochure, Academic Year 2026–27, for admissions to Full Time Professional UG and PG Technical Courses (B.E./B.Tech., MBA/MMS and others) dated 02.07.2026, PDF page 21 (opens the official site)
The percentage of marks shall be calculated by rounding off to nearest integer. i.e. if the percentage of marks comes out to be 44.50% to 44.99% then it shall be rounded to 45% and if the percentage of marks comes out to be 44.01% to 44.49% shall be rounded to 44% for deciding the eligibility.
State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra · Information Brochure, Academic Year 2026–27, for admissions to Full Time Professional UG and PG Technical Courses (B.E./B.Tech., MBA/MMS and others) dated 02.07.2026, PDF page 66 (opens the official site)