This flexibility makes them highly attractive to engineering aspirants, as it results in stronger placement performance (around 85–95%) and faster academic progression compared to non-autonomous colleges.

MHT CET Scores: The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET) has firmly established itself as a crucial gateway for admissions not only to government colleges but also to a large number of private, deemed, and autonomous universities in 2026. While premier institutions such as COEP Pune and VJTI Mumbai continue to dominate student preferences, more than 340 private engineering colleges along with several pharmacy and management institutes now rely on MHT CET scores for admissions.

Leading private institutions including MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), Pune; Sardar Patel Institute of Technology (SPIT), Mumbai; and Vishwakarma Institute of Technology (VIT), Pune remain top choices for B.E./B.Tech programs. These colleges usually accept both JEE Main and MHT CET scores through a dual-admission mechanism.

That said, nearly 85% of seats are typically reserved for Maharashtra State (MS) candidates through the MHT CET merit list. The remaining 15% fall under the All India (AI) quota, which is open to non-domicile students applying through state-level or national-level entrance scores.

The significance of MHT CET also extends to professional streams such as management (MBA/MMS) and pharmacy (B.Pharm). The Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai—a highly reputed deemed university—continues to be a leading choice for chemical and pharmaceutical technology programs. Similarly, renowned private management institutions like SIES College of Management and Prin. L.N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool) give considerable importance to MHT CET, particularly MAH-MBA-CET, for admissions into their flagship MBA programs.

By participating in the Centralized Admission Process (CAP), these institutions offer aspirants a transparent, merit-driven admission pathway that balances regulated fee structures with modern infrastructure and academic facilities.

List Of Universities Accept MHT CET Scores Apart from State Colleges

Apart from prestigious government-run colleges such as COEP Pune and VJTI Mumbai, a wide array of private, deemed, and autonomous universities across Maharashtra accept MHT CET scores for professional courses.

In 2026, these universities are especially popular due to their focus on emerging and specialized disciplines like artificial intelligence, data science, and robotics—areas that are updated more frequently than the conventional state syllabus. While many of these institutions also consider JEE Main scores, MHT CET candidates generally receive preference for a large proportion of seats, sometimes up to 85% for Maharashtra domicile students.

Important Admission Criteria for 2026

CAP Participation: Most of these institutions—especially autonomous colleges such as SPIT and PICT—participate in the State CET Cell’s Centralized Admission Process (CAP). Candidates must complete registration on the official portal to be considered for the merit list.

Quota Distribution:
Maharashtra State (MS) Seats: A substantial share of seats (approximately 65%–85%) is allotted to domicile candidates based on MHT CET merit.
All India (AI) Seats: Around 15% of seats are available to candidates from across India, typically filled using JEE Main scores, though some private institutions may also consider MHT CET ranks.

Autonomous Status:Autonomous colleges like VIT Pune and D.J. Sanghvi College of Engineering enjoy greater academic flexibility. By designing their own curricula and assessment systems, they can respond faster to evolving industry needs compared to non-autonomous institutions.