No, international students are exempted from MHT-CET 2026. Section 4(4) of the official MHT-CET 2026 Information Brochure issued by the State CET Cell, Government of Maharashtra, explicitly states: "Children of NRI / OCI / PIO, Children of Indian workers in the Gulf countries, Foreign National — These types of Candidature Candidates are exempted from appearing for MHT-CET 2026." Admission to BE/B.Tech, Pharmacy, Pharm.D, B.Planning, M.Planning, and integrated Master of Engineering programmes is granted to these categories under the 15% supernumerary quota on 12th-grade merit. NEET-UG is still required for medical and dental seats (governed by the National Medical Commission), and NATA is still required for architecture (governed by the Council of Architecture).
Quick Facts
| MHT-CET 2026 required for international students? | No — exempted per Section 4(4) of the brochure |
|---|---|
| Who is exempted? | FN, NRI, OCI, PIO, CIWGC, Merchant Navy candidates |
| Admission basis | 12th-grade merit under 15% supernumerary quota |
| Covered courses | BE/B.Tech, Pharmacy, Pharm.D, B.Planning, M.Planning, integrated M.E. |
| NEET-UG still required for | MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS (national NMC rule) |
| NATA still required for | B.Arch, M.Arch (national Council of Architecture rule) |
| Apply via | fn.mahacet.org single-window portal |
| Authority | State CET Cell, Government of Maharashtra |
Where does the exemption come from?
The exemption is published in the official MHT-CET 2026 Information Brochure released by the State CET Cell, Government of Maharashtra. Section 4 of the brochure defines candidature types. Sub-section 4(4) states: "Children of NRI / OCI / PIO, Children of Indian workers in the Gulf countries, Foreign National — These types of Candidature Candidates are exempted from appearing for MHT-CET 2026." The exemption applies to all professional undergraduate technical courses covered by MHT-CET — Engineering, Technology, Pharmacy, Pharm.D, B.Planning, and integrated Master of Engineering and M.Planning.
Which courses does the exemption cover?
The MHT-CET examination is conducted by the State CET Cell for admission to (a) BE/B.Tech (4-year), (b) integrated Master of Engineering and Technology (5-year), (c) B.Pharm (4-year), (d) Pharm.D (6-year), (e) B.Planning (4-year), and (f) integrated M.Planning (5-year). All six course families are covered by the international-category exemption. MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH programmes are not covered by MHT-CET in the first place — those admissions are governed by NEET-UG under the National Medical Commission, which has its own rules for foreign nationals.
How does admission work without MHT-CET?
The State CET Cell maintains a separate 15% supernumerary merit list for international candidates, independent of the domestic Maharashtra State, Minority, and All India Candidature lists. Each applicant's 12th-grade percentage — or its equivalent under AIU mapping, for A-Levels, IB Diploma, WASSCE, GCE, and other foreign boards — is the merit basis. Candidates register and pay the FN Portal application fee (USD 50 eligibility + USD 1,150 processing) on fn.mahacet.org, upload documents, and submit college/branch preferences. The State CET Cell allots seats by descending merit rank.
Do international students need JEE Main or NEET?
For engineering, pharmacy, planning, and integrated technical courses: no entrance test is required; the 15% supernumerary quota uses 12th-grade merit. However: (a) NEET-UG remains mandatory for MBBS, BDS, BAMS, and BHMS for all candidates — including foreign nationals — because it is a National Medical Commission requirement, not a Maharashtra CET Cell requirement. (b) NATA remains mandatory for B.Arch and M.Arch for all candidates because it is a Council of Architecture requirement.
What if I already have a valid JEE Main or MHT-CET score?
Candidates who already hold a valid JEE Main 2026 or MHT-CET 2026 score — for example, applicants resident in India who appeared for the exam — may optionally apply through the All India Candidature route instead of the 15% supernumerary quota. The brochure notes that under All India Candidature, the State CET Cell gives preference to JEE Main scorers over MHT-CET scorers for BE/B.Tech, and to NEET scorers over MHT-CET scorers for B.Pharm/Pharm.D. For the standard international route, the exam-free supernumerary path is simpler and faster.
How International Students Apply Without MHT-CET
- Confirm exemption applies: Confirm your candidature type (FN, NRI, OCI, PIO, CIWGC, or Merchant Navy) using the Student Category Check tool. All six are exempted from MHT-CET 2026 per Section 4(4) of the brochure.
- Choose your course: Verify the course you want — BE/B.Tech, Pharmacy, Pharm.D, B.Planning, or M.Planning — is covered by the exemption. For MBBS/BDS, plan separately for NEET-UG. For B.Arch, plan for NATA.
- Check academic eligibility: Confirm you have passed 10+2 with the subject combination and minimum percentage required for your chosen course (typically 45% in the qualifying subjects for international candidates).
- Register on FN Portal: Create your candidate account on fn.mahacet.org and select your course and category.
- Upload documents: Upload passport, 12th marksheet, AIU equivalence certificate (if needed), category proof, photograph, and signature. No MHT-CET scorecard is required.
- Pay FN Portal fees: Pay USD 50 eligibility + USD 1,150 processing fee via CCAvenue. (The MHT-CET examination fee of Rs 1,300/1,000 does not apply.)
- Submit preferences and receive allotment: Submit college and branch preferences. The State CET Cell allocates seats by 12th-grade merit under the 15% supernumerary quota and issues the official admission letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MHT-CET 2026 mandatory for international students?
No. Section 4(4) of the MHT-CET 2026 Information Brochure exempts Foreign National, NRI, OCI, PIO, CIWGC (Children of Indian Workers in the Gulf countries), and Merchant Navy candidates from appearing for MHT-CET 2026. Admission is granted on 12th-grade merit under the 15% supernumerary quota processed through fn.mahacet.org.
Which courses are covered by the international exemption?
All six course families covered by MHT-CET: BE/B.Tech (4 years), integrated Master of Engineering and Technology (5 years), B.Pharm (4 years), Pharm.D (6 years), B.Planning (4 years), and integrated M.Planning (5 years). MBBS/BDS/AYUSH are governed separately by NEET-UG under the National Medical Commission.
Do I still need NEET-UG or NATA?
Yes for the courses they govern. NEET-UG is mandatory for MBBS, BDS, BAMS, and BHMS for all candidates including foreign nationals, because it is a National Medical Commission requirement. NATA is mandatory for B.Arch and M.Arch because it is a Council of Architecture requirement. Both override the State CET Cell's 15% quota.
Do I have to pay the MHT-CET 2026 examination fee?
No. The MHT-CET 2026 examination fee of Rs 1,300 (general) or Rs 1,000 (reserved Maharashtra categories) applies only to candidates who appear for MHT-CET. International candidates who use the 15% supernumerary quota do not appear for the exam and therefore do not pay this fee. The fn.mahacet.org application fee (USD 50 + USD 1,150) is separate.
Can I still take MHT-CET as an international candidate if I want to?
The brochure exempts you from MHT-CET; it does not bar you from taking it. Candidates living in India under an Indian passport who satisfy the All India Candidature criteria may appear, but the 15% supernumerary quota is the standard route for FN/NRI/OCI/PIO/CIWGC and does not use an MHT-CET score.
How is the merit list for international candidates calculated?
The State CET Cell calculates each international applicant's percentage in the 12th-grade qualifying examination — typically the Best of Five subjects — and ranks all international applicants on a single merit list, separate from the domestic Maharashtra State list. Foreign-board qualifications (A-Levels, IB Diploma, WASSCE, GCE, etc.) are mapped onto an Indian percentage scale before ranking.
Where can I read the official exemption clause?
The exemption is published in Section 4(4) of the MHT-CET 2026 Information Brochure (Technical Education Courses), available on the official State CET Cell website www.mahacet.org. The same clause is reaffirmed in Appendix 5 Section (3) of the brochure, which spells out the academic eligibility criteria for Non Resident Indian, Overseas Citizen of India, Person of Indian Origin, Children of Indian workers in the Gulf countries, and Foreign National Candidature candidates.