The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has announced the start of the MHT CET CAP 2026 registration process for Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) courses, beginning July 31. For the first time, students who completed their Class 12 education through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) in science streams—Physics, Chemistry, Maths (PCM) or Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB)—are eligible to apply for admission through this counselling process.
Expanding Eligibility: NIOS Students Now Included
Previously, students who completed their higher secondary education via NIOS were not permitted to seek admission in BPharm programs through the Maharashtra CET counselling. This change comes after the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) approved the inclusion of NIOS students who have appeared for the MHT CET 2026 exam. This move opens doors for a broader group of candidates to pursue pharmacy education in Maharashtra, reflecting a more inclusive approach to admissions.
Important Dates and Application Process for MHT CET CAP 2026
Students interested in enrolling for the academic year 2026-27 in BPharm or PharmD courses must complete their online registration and upload all required documents between July 31 and August 10. The CET Cell has introduced a new document verification system where applicants must choose between 'E-Scrutiny' (online verification) or 'Physical Scrutiny' (in-person verification) during application submission.
- Online registration and document upload: July 31 to August 10
- Document verification and application confirmation: August 1 to August 11
- Provisional merit list publication: August 13
- Grievance submission period: August 14 to August 17
- Final merit list release: August 19
The registration fee is Rs 1,300 for general category students from Maharashtra or other states, while reserved category candidates pay Rs 1,000. The CET Cell encourages all students who appeared for MHT CET or NEET 2026 to register for the Centralized Admission Process (CAP).
Context and Impact of These Changes
The MHT CET CAP is a centralized counselling system conducted by the Maharashtra CET Cell to allocate seats in professional courses across the state. For pharmacy courses, this includes the four-year BPharm degree and the six-year PharmD degree. In the previous academic year, over 55,000 students registered for BPharm admissions, highlighting the popularity and demand for pharmacy education in Maharashtra.
The inclusion of NIOS students marks a significant policy shift, potentially increasing the applicant pool and providing more opportunities for students who pursued alternative education pathways. Additionally, the introduction of the 'E-Scrutiny' document verification method aims to streamline the admission process, making it more accessible and efficient.
These developments come amid broader changes in pharmacy education, including syllabus updates by the Pharmacy Council of India that incorporate artificial intelligence and enhanced hospital training, set to roll out from the 2026-27 academic session. This modernization reflects the evolving demands of the pharmaceutical sector and aims to better prepare graduates for future challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can apply for MHT CET CAP 2026 BPharm admissions?
A: Students who have passed Class 12 in science streams (PCM or PCB), including those from the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), and have appeared for the MHT CET 2026 exam are eligible to apply.
Q: What are the key dates for the MHT CET CAP 2026 registration and counselling?
A: Online registration and document upload are from July 31 to August 10, with document verification until August 11. Provisional merit lists will be published on August 13, grievance submissions are from August 14 to 17, and the final merit list will be released on August 19.
Q: What is the new document verification process introduced this year?
A: Applicants must choose between 'E-Scrutiny' (online verification) or 'Physical Scrutiny' (in-person verification) when submitting their applications, providing flexibility in how documents are verified.
