Summary: For the CET form, have an updated Aadhaar, an APAAR ID, a working mobile number and email, and a photo that meets the specification. For CAP, every student needs Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, the CET scorecard, and proof of Maharashtra candidature. Reserved category students also need a caste certificate, caste validity certificate and, for most categories, a non-creamy layer certificate valid for the year. Start the slow ones in Class 12.There are two separate applications, and they ask for different things. The MHT‑CET application, usually filled between January and February of Class 12, registers you for the exam. The CAP application, filled after the result, is where you prove your eligibility, category and candidature with documents. Everything below is from the MHT‑CET 2026 information brochures and the 2026‑27 CAP brochure. Formats and validity dates change every year, so use this as a checklist and confirm the details in your year's brochure.
Part 1: the MHT‑CET application
Before you open the form
- Aadhaar with correct details. The 2026 brochures say the CET Cell uses Aadhaar authentication at registration, and ask candidates to make sure the photograph, name, date of birth, gender and address on Aadhaar are correct and updated. If anything needs correction, do it through UIDAI well before registration opens.
- APAAR ID. The 2026 brochures describe APAAR ID verification during CET registration through DigiLocker, and the agriculture brochure states it is mandatory. Students who do not have one should create it through DigiLocker.
- Mobile number and email that will stay active until the end of CAP. All communication goes to them.
- Photograph: colour, 2 inch by 2 inch (50 mm by 50 mm), face covering about 80% of the frame, plain light background, eyes open, neutral expression, file size between 100 KB and 5 MB, as per the 2026 specification.
- UDID card for candidates with disability, valid and updated. Candidates who need a scribe submit details of two scribes during registration.
Decisions to make in the form
- Group: PCM, PCB or both. Fixed once submitted.
- Attempt: in 2026, one attempt or both attempts could be chosen.
- Medium for Physics, Chemistry and Biology: English, Marathi or Urdu. Irrevocable.
- Exam city preferences.
- Category claimed.
The brochure says the fee is not refunded for a form filled with mistakes, and that such a candidate would have to fill a new form with a different mobile number and email. Read every field before paying.
Part 2: the CAP application
For CAP, you upload scanned originals of the documents supporting every claim you make, and bring the originals for verification. The 2026‑27 brochure asks for .jpg or .gif files, at least 150 dpi, up to 1 MB each.
Every candidate
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| SSC (Class 10) mark sheet | |
| HSC (Class 12) mark sheet | Or Diploma mark sheet for diploma holders |
| MHT‑CET scorecard | Or JEE / NEET scorecard where applicable |
| School leaving certificate | If needed to support a claim, such as place of birth |
| Certificate of Indian nationality | Listed for all candidates in the 2026‑27 brochure |
Proof of Maharashtra candidature
| Type | Who it covers | Document |
|---|---|---|
| Type A | SSC and HSC from Maharashtra, domiciled in or born in Maharashtra | Domicile, birth or leaving certificate showing place of birth in Maharashtra |
| Type B | Not Type A, but candidate or a parent is domiciled in Maharashtra | Domicile certificate of candidate, father or mother |
| Type C | Parent is a central government or central PSU employee posted in Maharashtra | Employer certificate in the prescribed proforma |
| Type D | Parent is a serving or retired Maharashtra government or state PSU employee | Employer certificate in the prescribed proforma, or undertaking with evidence for retired employees |
| Type E | Maharashtra-Karnataka border area, Marathi mother tongue | Border area and mother tongue certificates in the prescribed proformas |
Reserved categories
- SC and ST: caste or tribe certificate, and caste or tribe validity certificate.
- VJ/DT-NT(A), NT(B), NT(C), NT(D), OBC, SBC and SEBC: caste certificate, caste validity certificate, and a non-creamy layer certificate. For 2026‑27 the brochure required the non-creamy layer certificate to be valid up to 31 March 2027.
- EWS: the EWS eligibility certificate in the state government format, valid for the admission year.
These benefits are for candidates belonging to Maharashtra State. The 2026 CET brochure notes that caste, caste validity, non-creamy layer and EWS certificates in the state format are needed at the time of the CAP application to be considered in the category.
If you cannot produce the documents for a claimed reserved category, the rules allow the category to be changed to general at verification, but never from general to reserved. A late validity certificate can therefore mean competing in the open category.
Other claims
- Tuition Fee Waiver Scheme (TFWS): income certificate showing parents' annual income below the limit (Rs. 8 lakh in 2026‑27) from all sources, from the competent authority in Maharashtra.
- Persons with disability: disability certificate in the prescribed format showing at least 40% permanent disability, and domicile certificate.
- Defence: the prescribed defence service proforma and parent's domicile certificate, plus transfer order and joining report for serving personnel not domiciled in Maharashtra.
- Orphan: orphan certificate in the prescribed proforma.
- Minority: declaration or leaving certificate showing religion or mother tongue, and domicile or Type A documents.
Which documents take the longest
Mark sheets and scorecards arrive on their own. The certificates below depend on government offices and should be started early:
| Document | When to start |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar corrections | Before the CET registration window, ideally in Class 11 or early Class 12 |
| APAAR ID | Before CET registration |
| Domicile certificate | Class 12, first term |
| Caste certificate | As early as possible if not already available |
| Caste validity certificate | Apply in Class 12 once the caste certificate is available; it goes through a scrutiny committee |
| Non-creamy layer certificate | Class 12, making sure its validity covers the admission year stated in the brochure |
| EWS and income certificates | Class 12, for the correct financial year |
Keep a folder, physical and digital, with originals, two sets of photocopies, and the scanned files named clearly. It saves time at every stage.
For the full admission process after documents, see engineering admission through CAP. For pharmacy, see pharmacy admission through MHT‑CET.
Common questions
Is APAAR ID required for MHT‑CET?
The 2026 brochures describe APAAR ID verification during registration, and the agriculture brochure states it is mandatory. Create it through DigiLocker before the registration window opens.
Until when should the non-creamy layer certificate be valid?
For 2026‑27 admissions, the CAP brochure required validity up to 31 March 2027. The date changes each year, so check your year's brochure.
What if my caste validity certificate is not ready?
Without the required documents, you may be considered in the general category at verification. Apply early in Class 12 to avoid this.
Do I need a domicile certificate for CAP?
It depends on your candidature type. Type A candidates can use a domicile, birth or leaving certificate showing birth in Maharashtra. Type B candidates need a domicile certificate of the candidate or a parent.