Short answer
CAP seats are allotted centrally by the State CET Cell through the Centralized Admission Process (CAP). Institute-level seats — the Institution Quota and seats still vacant after CAP — are filled by the institute itself, strictly on merit, after the CAP rounds. For both, you must first register with the CET Cell and get your documents verified.
Based on the State CET Cell's Information Brochure for 2026–27 admissions (dated 02.07.2026) and MBA/MMS Admission Notice No. 1 for 2026–27. The 2027–28 documents haven't been published yet — rules can change, so check them when they are.
Who this applies to
Candidates seeking first-year MBA/MMS admission in Maharashtra, especially in unaided private institutes
The rule, explained
In unaided private management institutes (other than minority institutes), 20% of the sanctioned intake is Institution Quota, which includes a 5% quota for Non Resident Indian (NRI) candidates where applicable. The rest are CAP seats: 65% for Maharashtra State candidates (split into 45.5% Home University and 19.5% Other than Home University seats in non-autonomous institutes) and 15% All India seats.
Institute-level admissions are made after the CAP rounds, in a transparent manner, strictly in order of the inter-se merit of candidates who applied to the State CET Cell for document verification and then to the institute. The institute must publish its admission rules and invite applications on its website until the allotment of the final CAP round.
If you cannot apply directly to an institute, you can apply through the State CET Cell website until the final CAP round allotment. These applications are forwarded to institutes after CAP Round IV.
If a CAP seat is still vacant after the CAP rounds, the institute fills it first from the same category it was earmarked for, and then on merit. Maharashtra State candidates get preference over All India candidates.
The MBA/MMS admission notice says that registration, document verification and confirmation of your application by a Scrutiny Centre or E-Scrutiny are mandatory for Institutional Quota seats and seats vacant after CAP too.
What the official document says
Autonomous - 65% (State Level) Non- Autonomous – 45.5% for HU, 19.5% for OHU 15% Nil 20%
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 106 (opens the official site)
Admissions shall be made in a transparent manner after the CAP Rounds and strictly as per the Inter-Se-Merit of the candidates who have applied to the Competent Authority for verification of documents and then to the Institution.
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 93 (opens the official site)
While filling these seats, the preference shall be given to the Maharashtra State Candidature Candidate over All India Candidature Candidate on the basis of Inter-Se-Merit.
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 94 (opens the official site)
The candidates aspiring for admission for Institutional Quota, seats remaining vacant after CAP, it is Mandatory to get registered, documents verified and confirmation of application by the Scrutiny Center/E-Scrutiny.
State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra · Admission Notice for MBA/MMS for Academic Year 2026–27 (Notice No. 1, 02.07.2026), PDF page 4 (opens the official site)