MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 cutoff for ST category is expected to range between 20 and 83 percentile depending on the college and branch, based on 2024–2025 CAP Round 1 trends.
CET Cell Maharashtra is expected to release the MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 seat allotment on or around June 22, 2026. For Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, the closing percentile in Round 1 is notably lower than the open category, owing to the 7% reservation in government and government-aided engineering colleges. Knowing the expected cutoff range and the seat matrix for ST students helps you plan your option entry strategically and shortlist realistic college choices before the window opens.
- CAP Round 1 allotment is expected on June 22, 2026 at cetcell.mahacet.org.
- ST students in Maharashtra receive 7% reservation in government and government-aided engineering colleges under CAP.
- In 2025, top colleges like VJTI Mumbai (Computer Engineering) closed at approximately 78.50 percentile for ST category in CAP Round 1.
- Government colleges in Vidarbha and Marathwada are expected to close between 20 and 55 percentile for ST category in 2026.
- All 2026 cutoff figures in this article are expected values based on 2024–2025 CAP Round 1 trends — official figures will be published after allotment.
| Direct Link to MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Seat Allotment (Active on Result Date) |
| cetcell.mahacet.org — Official MHT CET CAP Portal |
ST Category Reservation in MHT CET CAP 2026
Under Maharashtra’s reservation policy, 7% of total seats in each branch of government and government-aided engineering colleges are reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. CET Cell Maharashtra applies this quota across all participating institutes during the CAP process for both the PCM (engineering) and PCB (pharmacy and agriculture) groups.
To claim the ST category benefit, students must submit a valid caste certificate issued by the competent authority of Maharashtra. ST category seats that remain vacant after all CAP rounds are typically converted to the open category as per state admission rules, so students with lower percentiles should still participate in option entry to maximise their chances of a seat.
MHT CET 2025 CAP Round 1 ST Category Cutoff Trends
The closing percentile data from CAP Round 1 2025 is the primary reference for estimating 2026 expected cutoffs. The table below covers select government colleges and high-demand branches for ST category students.
| College | Branch | ST Closing Percentile (CAP Round 1 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| VJTI Mumbai | Computer Engineering | 78.50 |
| COEP Pune | Computer Engineering | 76.20 |
| ICT Mumbai | Chemical Engineering | 65.40 |
| Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli | Computer Science and Engineering | 62.10 |
| Govt. College of Engineering, Nagpur | Computer Science and Engineering | 58.75 |
| Govt. College of Engineering, Aurangabad | Computer Science and Engineering | 55.60 |
| Govt. College of Engineering, Amravati | Computer Science and Engineering | 52.30 |
| Govt. College of Engineering, Karad | Mechanical Engineering | 38.50 |
| Govt. College of Engineering, Chandrapur | Civil Engineering | 22.40 |
Based on 2025 CAP Round 1 ST category closing percentile trends. Official 2026 data will be available at cetcell.mahacet.org after seat allotment.
Expected MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Cutoff for ST Category
The expected MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 closing percentile for ST category at VJTI Mumbai (Computer Engineering) is 79–83, and at COEP Pune (Computer Engineering) it is 77–81, based on 2024–2025 trends. Colleges in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions are projected to close at substantially lower percentiles for ST students, making them accessible options for students in the 20–55 percentile range.
| College | Branch | Expected ST Closing Percentile (CAP Round 1 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| VJTI Mumbai | Computer Engineering | 79–83 |
| COEP Pune | Computer Engineering | 77–81 |
| ICT Mumbai | Chemical Engineering | 64–68 |
| Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli | Computer Science and Engineering | 61–66 |
| Govt. College of Engineering, Nagpur | Computer Science and Engineering | 57–63 |
| Govt. College of Engineering, Aurangabad | Computer Science and Engineering | 53–59 |
| Govt. College of Engineering, Amravati | Computer Science and Engineering | 50–56 |
| Govt. College of Engineering, Karad | Mechanical Engineering | 35–42 |
| Govt. College of Engineering, Chandrapur | Civil Engineering | 20–28 |
All figures above are expected values based on 2024–2025 CAP Round 1 trends. Actual 2026 cutoffs will be published on cetcell.mahacet.org after the Round 1 allotment list is released.
MHT CET 2026 Seat Matrix for ST Category
ST students are allotted 7% of the total approved intake in each branch, which equals approximately 4 seats in branches with a standard intake of 60. The indicative seat matrix below is based on 2025 approved intake data and covers select colleges in the PCM (engineering) group.
| College | Branch | Total Intake (2025) | Approx. ST Seats (7%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| VJTI Mumbai | Computer Engineering | 60 | 4 |
| COEP Pune | Computer Engineering | 60 | 4 |
| ICT Mumbai | Chemical Engineering | 60 | 4 |
| Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli | Computer Science and Engineering | 60 | 4 |
| Govt. College of Engineering, Nagpur | Computer Science and Engineering | 60 | 4 |
| Govt. College of Engineering, Aurangabad | Computer Science and Engineering | 60 | 4 |
| Govt. College of Engineering, Amravati | Computer Science and Engineering | 60 | 4 |
| Govt. College of Engineering, Karad | Mechanical Engineering | 60 | 4 |
The official 2026 seat matrix for all participating colleges will be published by CET Cell Maharashtra at cetcell.mahacet.org before the option entry window opens for CAP Round 1.
Factors Affecting MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 ST Category Cutoff
Several variables determine where the ST category closing percentile falls in CAP Round 1 2026:
- Number of ST applicants: A larger pool of ST students taking MHT CET 2026 increases competition and can push the cutoff up across all colleges.
- Exam difficulty level: A tougher paper lowers overall percentile scores, which may pull the ST cutoff down slightly compared to the previous year.
- Seat intake revisions: Any increase or reduction in approved intake directly changes the number of ST seats available in a branch.
- Branch demand: Computer Science and Engineering consistently closes at higher percentiles even within the ST reservation pool due to strong student preference.
- Option entry pattern: The way students rank their college and branch preferences during the option entry window determines which ST seats fill first in Round 1.
- Round 1 vs Round 2 dynamics: Students who freeze their Round 1 allotment finalise their seat; those who upgrade free a seat for the next round, which can shift apparent Round 1 fill patterns.
MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 ST Category Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected closing percentile for ST category in MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1?
Ans. Based on 2025 trends, the expected ST category closing percentile for MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 ranges from approximately 79–83 at VJTI Mumbai (Computer Engineering) to 20–28 at Govt. College of Engineering Chandrapur (Civil Engineering). Most government colleges are expected to close between 50 and 66 percentile for popular branches in ST category.
Ques. How many seats are reserved for ST students in MHT CET CAP 2026?
Ans. ST students receive 7% of the total approved intake in each branch under MHT CET CAP 2026. For a standard intake of 60 seats per branch, this means approximately 4 ST-category seats. The confirmed 2026 seat matrix will be published on cetcell.mahacet.org before option entry begins.
Ques. When will MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 allotment be released?
Ans. MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 seat allotment is expected to be released on or around June 22, 2026. Students can check their allotment status by logging in at cetcell.mahacet.org with their application number and date of birth.
Ques. Is the ST category closing percentile in CAP Round 1 lower than the open category?
Ans. Yes. ST category seats are filled from a dedicated reservation pool, so closing percentiles are significantly lower than the open category. In 2025, the open category closed at 95–98 percentile at top colleges like VJTI and COEP where the ST category closed at around 76–78 percentile for the same branches.
Ques. What documents do ST students need for MHT CET 2026 document verification?
Ans. ST students need a valid caste certificate issued by the competent authority of Maharashtra, Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate where applicable, MHT CET 2026 scorecard, Class 10 and 12 mark sheets and passing certificates, domicile certificate, Aadhaar card, and recent passport-size photographs for document verification during the CAP process.
Ques. What happens if ST category seats go unfilled after all CAP rounds in 2026?
Ans. If ST category seats remain vacant after all CAP rounds, CET Cell Maharashtra converts them to the open category as per state admission rules. This conversion follows Maharashtra’s seat reallocation policy for reserved category unfilled seats and is implemented after the final AQ (Against Quota) round.
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