The MHT CET 2026 CAP seat matrix for engineering admissions is expected to be released around July 15, 2026, listing over 1.25 lakh B.Tech seats across 372+ participating institutes in Maharashtra.
The seat matrix is released by the State Common Entrance Test Cell (CET Cell), Maharashtra before each CAP round begins. It provides a college-wise and branch-wise count of seats available under every reservation category — OPEN, OBC, SC, ST, VJNT, SBC, and EWS. For the 2026-27 cycle, students should monitor the official portal at cetcell.mahacet.org or fe2026.mahacet.org for the download link once the seat matrix goes live.
- Over 372 engineering institutes participate in MHT CET 2026 CAP, offering approximately 1.25 lakh B.Tech seats.
- Seats are divided into 30% Home University (HU) quota and 70% State Level (SL) quota.
- Category reservation: OPEN 50.5%, OBC 19%, SC 13%, ST 7.5%, plus VJNT sub-quotas and EWS.
- AI/ML and Data Science branches saw a 15-20% surge in seats for the 2026-27 cycle compared to 2025-26.
- The seat matrix is released separately before each CAP round and updated after every round.
| Direct Link — MHT CET 2026 CAP Seat Matrix (OUT) | cetcell.mahacet.org/cap-2026-27 |
What is the MHT CET 2026 CAP Seat Matrix?
The MHT CET 2026 CAP seat matrix is an official document published by CET Cell Maharashtra before the choice filling window opens for each CAP (Centralized Admission Process) round. It lists every participating engineering college, every branch, and the exact number of seats available under each reservation category for that round. The seat matrix helps students decide which college-branch combinations to add to their preference list during the choice filling stage of MHT CET 2026 counselling.
For the 2026-27 academic year, the seat matrix is expected to be available on the official portal before CAP Round 1 commences. An updated seat matrix is released after each subsequent CAP round, reflecting vacancies created by cancellations or upgrades from earlier rounds.
MHT CET 2026 CAP Seat Matrix: Key Highlights
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Participating Institutes | 372+ engineering colleges |
| Total B.Tech Seats (Based on 2025-26 Data) | Approximately 1.25 lakh seats |
| Institute Types | Government, Government-Aided, Unaided Private, Autonomous |
| Seat Matrix Expected Release | July 15, 2026 (before CAP Round 1 choice filling) |
| Home University (HU) Quota | 30% of total seats in every institute |
| State Level (SL) Quota | 70% of total seats open to all Maharashtra students |
| Official Portal | cetcell.mahacet.org | fe2026.mahacet.org |
| Emerging Branch Seat Growth (2026-27) | 15-20% increase in AI/ML, Data Science, Cyber Security seats |
Category-Wise Seat Distribution in MHT CET 2026 CAP
Maharashtra’s engineering admissions follow a detailed reservation structure applicable across all participating institutes. Every seat in the MHT CET 2026 CAP seat matrix is allocated under one of the following reservation categories:
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|
| OPEN (General) | 50.5% |
| OBC (Other Backward Class) | 19% |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 13% |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 7.5% |
| VJNT-A (Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes) | 3% |
| VJNT-B | 2.5% |
| VJNT-C | 3.5% |
| VJNT-D | 2% |
| SBC (Special Backward Class) | 2% |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 10% within OPEN category seats |
Within each category, seats are further sub-divided into General (G) and Ladies (L) sub-quotas to ensure a minimum percentage of seats for female students. OBC reservation applies only to students with a valid Maharashtra OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) certificate. Additionally, 30% of all seats in each institute fall under the Home University (HU) quota, reserved for students who completed Class 12 within the same university jurisdiction. The remaining 70% are State Level seats available to all eligible Maharashtra students.
MHT CET 2026 CAP Seat Matrix: Top Engineering Colleges Institute-Wise
The table below shows the approximate total intake for top engineering colleges expected to participate in MHT CET 2026 CAP. These figures are based on 2025-26 approved intake and are expected to remain similar for 2026-27. The official seat matrix with exact branch-wise and category-wise counts will be published on cetcell.mahacet.org before CAP Round 1:
| Institute Name | Location | Approx. Total CAP Intake | Key Branches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) | Mumbai | ~390 | CS, IT, Electronics, Mechanical, Civil, Production, Textile |
| College of Engineering Pune (COEP) | Pune | ~660 | CS, IT, Mechanical, Civil, Electronics, Metallurgy, Instrumentation |
| Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) | Mumbai | ~450 | Chemical, Dyestuff, Polymer, Food Technology, Pharmaceutical |
| Pune Institute of Computer Technology (PICT) | Pune | ~480 | CS, IT, Electronics, AI and ML |
| Sardar Patel Institute of Technology (SPIT) | Mumbai | ~360 | CS, IT, Electronics, Mechanical |
| Walchand College of Engineering | Sangli | ~600 | CS, Mechanical, Civil, Electronics, Production |
| Government College of Engineering (GCE) | Nagpur | ~540 | CS, IT, Civil, Mechanical, Electronics |
| DJ Sanghvi College of Engineering | Mumbai | ~480 | CS, IT, Mechanical, Electronics |
Government and government-aided institutes like VJTI and COEP are the most competitive, with closing percentiles typically above 99 in CSE. Private unaided institutes have higher seat availability but different tuition fee structures. The official seat matrix will include all government, aided, and unaided private colleges for each CAP round.
Branch-Wise Seat Distribution in MHT CET 2026 CAP
Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and Information Technology (IT) have the highest seat count across Maharashtra engineering institutes participating in MHT CET 2026 CAP. Emerging technology branches are seeing a notable rise in intake for the 2026-27 cycle:
| Branch | Seat Availability | 2026-27 Trend vs 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) | Very High | Stable |
| Information Technology (IT) | High | Stable |
| AI and ML / Data Science | High and Growing | 15-20% increase |
| Cyber Security | Moderate and Growing | 15-20% increase |
| Electronics and Telecommunication | Moderate | Stable |
| Electrical Engineering | Moderate | Stable |
| Mechanical Engineering | Moderate | Slight consolidation |
| Civil Engineering | Moderate | Slight consolidation |
| Chemical Engineering | Low to Moderate | Stable |
| Production / Manufacturing | Low | Declining |
At top institutes, CSE seats are extremely limited. VJTI Mumbai offers only 60 seats in Computer Engineering and 60 seats in IT, making competition intense with thousands of students targeting these branches. At larger private colleges, CSE intake may go up to 120-180 seats per division. Students should check the official seat matrix for branch-wise counts at every specific institute.
How to Check MHT CET 2026 CAP Seat Matrix Online
The MHT CET 2026 CAP seat matrix will be available for download on the official portal cetcell.mahacet.org once released before CAP Round 1. Follow these steps to access it:
- Visit the official CET Cell portal at cetcell.mahacet.org.
- Click the CAP 2026-27 section or the link for First Year Engineering (FE) admissions.
- Look for the Seat Matrix / College Preference List link displayed under CAP Round 1 documents.
- The seat matrix opens as a downloadable PDF. Search for your preferred college code or institute name.
- Note the number of seats available in your chosen branch and category before filling in choices.
- Alternatively, log in to fe2026.mahacet.org using your MHT CET 2026 application number and date of birth to access personalized seat matrix data.
No login is required to download the general seat matrix PDF — it is publicly available on the official website. Students can also access individual college-wise seat matrix PDFs through direct links published on the CAP portal.
MHT CET 2026 CAP Seat Matrix FAQs
Ques. How many total seats are available in MHT CET 2026 CAP for engineering?
Ans. Based on 2025-26 data, approximately 1.25 lakh B.Tech seats are available across 372+ engineering institutes in Maharashtra under MHT CET CAP. The exact 2026-27 figure will be confirmed once CET Cell Maharashtra publishes the official seat matrix on cetcell.mahacet.org.
Ques. When will the MHT CET 2026 CAP seat matrix be released?
Ans. The MHT CET 2026 CAP seat matrix is expected to be released around July 15, 2026 before the CAP Round 1 choice filling window opens. Students should monitor cetcell.mahacet.org for the official release date and download link.
Ques. What is the Home University quota in MHT CET 2026 CAP?
Ans. 30% of total seats in every participating engineering college are reserved as the Home University (HU) quota. These seats are available only to students who completed Class 12 within the same university jurisdiction as the college. The remaining 70% are State Level (SL) seats open to all eligible Maharashtra students.
Ques. Which category gets the most seats in MHT CET 2026 CAP?
Ans. The OPEN category has the highest seat allocation at 50.5% of total seats in each institute. OBC is next at 19%, followed by SC at 13% and ST at 7.5%. VJNT sub-categories and SBC together account for the remaining percentage of seats. EWS gets an additional 10% carved from within the OPEN category.
Ques. Is a separate seat matrix released for each CAP round?
Ans. Yes. CET Cell Maharashtra releases an updated seat matrix before each CAP round. The seat count changes between rounds as seats are filled, cancelled, or transferred. Students must refer to the specific round’s seat matrix before filling in choices for that round.
Ques. Which engineering branches have seen the biggest seat increase in MHT CET 2026 CAP?
Ans. AI and ML, Data Science, and Cyber Security branches have seen a 15-20% increase in total seat intake for the 2026-27 cycle compared to 2025-26. Traditional branches like Mechanical, Civil, and Production have seen slight consolidation. CSE and IT seats have remained stable at most institutes.
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