MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Option Form: Step-by-Step Filling Guide

MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Option Form filling begins on July 22, 2026 at cetcell.mahacet.org — log in with your MHT CET application number, select your institute-course combinations, and save them in order of genuine preference.

The Option Form (also called Choice Filling) is the most important step in the MHT CET 2026 Centralised Admission Process. CET Cell Maharashtra uses your saved preference list, your merit rank, and your category to allot you a seat in Round 1. The order in which you list your choices directly determines the college you are allotted — so filling this form carefully matters as much as your MHT CET 2026 score.

• Option Form start date: July 22, 2026 as per the official CET Cell Maharashtra schedule.
• You can add up to 300 institute-course combinations as preferences — fill as many as you are eligible for.
• You can edit and reorder preferences as many times as needed until the window closes; only the last saved list is used for allotment.
• Students who do not fill the Option Form before the deadline will not be considered for CAP Round 1 seat allotment.
• Keep your MHT CET 2026 scorecard, category certificate, and previous-year closing ranks ready before you start.

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What is MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Option Form?

The Option Form is an online preference form on the CET Cell Maharashtra CAP portal. You use it to select and rank every engineering institute-course combination you want to be considered for. The CAP allotment engine then matches your MHT CET 2026 merit rank and category against available seats in your listed preferences and assigns you the highest preference where you qualify.

• You select preferences from the official list of CAP-approved institutes and courses in Maharashtra.
• The algorithm allots you to your highest-ranked preference where a seat is available for your rank and category.
• After Round 1 allotment, you choose to Accept and Freeze (confirm the seat and exit further rounds), Float (retain the Round 1 seat but participate in Round 2 for a higher preference), or Slide (try for a better branch within the same institute).
• If you receive an allotment and choose to accept it, you must report for document verification at the allotted institute within the prescribed window.

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Important Dates for MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Option Form

All dates are as per the CET Cell Maharashtra official schedule. Visit cetcell.mahacet.org to track the latest updates for each activity.

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Documents and Details Required to Fill the Option Form

Gather the following before you open the CAP portal so your session is not interrupted:

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How to Fill MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Option Form: Step-by-Step

Follow these steps to fill, reorder, and submit your Option Form before the CAP Round 1 deadline:

1. Open the official portal — go to cetcell.mahacet.org in your browser on a desktop or laptop for the best experience.
2. Click on the CAP 2026-27 section — find and click the "CAP Round 1 Option Form" link on the page.
3. Log in with your credentials — enter your MHT CET 2026 application number and registered password.
4. Verify your profile details — check your name, category, stream, and rank displayed on the dashboard. If any detail is incorrect, contact the CET Cell Help Centre immediately before proceeding.
5. Browse the institute-course list — use the search filters such as district, institute type (Government, Aided, Unaided), and branch name to find options relevant to you.
6. Add preferences — click "Add to Preference List" for each institute-course you wish to include. Each entry is numbered in the order you add it.
7. Reorder your preferences — use the drag-and-drop tool or the up/down arrow buttons to arrange your list so that your most desired institute-course is at Preference 1 and your safest option is near the bottom.
8. Review your complete list carefully — scroll through every preference and confirm the branch name, institute name, and category type are correct before saving.
9. Click Save Preferences — confirm your submission on the next screen. A confirmation message will appear.
10. Download or note the acknowledgement — save the confirmation page as proof of submission. You can log in again and edit the list before the deadline; only the last saved version counts.

Important: the last saved version of your Option Form is the one used for CAP Round 1 allotment. You may edit your list as many times as you need before the closing date and time.

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Tips for Filling MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Option Form

• Add as many preferences as you can — up to 300. More choices means a higher chance of receiving an allotment. Do not leave the form with only 5 or 10 entries.
• Include at least 10 safe preferences. Add institutes where your MHT CET 2026 rank falls comfortably within the 2024 or 2025 closing rank. This acts as your guarantee of an allotment.
• Study previous-year closing ranks. Compare your rank with 2024 and 2025 data to classify each preference as reach, match, or safe. Base your expected preferences on trends, not assumptions.
• Order by genuine preference, not safety alone. If you actually want College A over College B, list College A higher — even if College A is more competitive. The algorithm gives you the highest preference where you qualify. Listing a safer college above a better one you qualify for means you may miss the better option.
• Check category-wise seats before adding a preference. Confirm that your chosen branch has seats available under your category (OBC, SC, ST, EWS, TFWS, or Open) to avoid selecting options where you cannot qualify.
• Use the district or city filter. If location matters to you, filter by district first to find all eligible options in your preferred area before widening your search.
• Submit at least 2 days before the deadline. Portal traffic spikes in the final hours. Submit early and log in again to make any last changes.