Maharashtra's Higher and Technical Education Department is considering a major reform: conducting the Common Entrance Test (CET) twice a year for admission to 19 professional courses, including engineering, pharmacy, agriculture, and medicine. The suggestion comes after CBSE scheduled biennial Class 10 board exams beginning in 2026, and it hopes to lessen dependency on a single exam attempt.
Over 7 lakh students currently take the MHT-CET over a 15-day period using rented facilities, primarily coaching and training institutions, which frequently results in logistical and technical issues. To address these challenges, the department is planning to establish its own dedicated exam centers within aided colleges and government premises, discontinuing the use of out-of-state venues.
A senior CET cell official said the department is still in the discussion phase, actively reviewing issues like infrastructure, scheduling conflicts, resource constraints, and staffing before finalizing the policy. A technical committee is being set up to address glitches, following a re-exam triggered by question paper errors earlier this year.
An early step includes assessing district-level demand to determine where new centers are required and how many are needed. In line with this plan, 26 new centers are already functional under phase one, with 31 more in development, bringing the total to 57 new government-controlled CET centers across Maharashtra.
To exchange best practices, especially in light of this proposed biennial timetable, a one-day national-level seminar is also being organized with the National Testing Agency and examination authorities from other states.
Why the Change?
The state hopes that by providing two CET sessions annually, students will experience less stress and be less likely to miss an academic year because of illness or technical difficulties. It also supports the goal of improved accessibility and fairness, aligning with the CBSE’s move toward multiple exam windows.
