The MAH MBA CET Cut-Off 2026 will determine admission to top MBA colleges in Maharashtra including JBIMS, SIMSREE, PUMBA, K J Somaiya, and Welingkar. The cut-off trends for 2026 are expected to remain competitive as over 1.35 lakh candidates appeared for the 2025 exam, a 9% increase from the previous year.
Based on last year’s result data released by the State CET Cell in May 2025, top institutes closed admissions above the 99.90 percentile mark.
- The cut-off depends on factors like difficulty level, number of candidates, and seat availability.
- For 2026, experts predict the JBIMS Mumbai cut-off will stay around 99.97th percentile.
- While SIMSREE and PUMBA are likely to close near 99.90 and 99.80 percentiles, respectively.
The MAH MBA CET 2026 exam is expected to be held in March 2026, and the CAP round cut-offs will be announced in July 2026 through the official portal mba2026.mahacet.org.
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Key Summary
In this article, you will read about:
- JBIMS Mumbai requires 99.97+ percentile (140–145 marks) for 2026 admission, remaining the toughest MBA entry via MAH CET.
- SIMSREE and PUMBA are expected to close at 99.90 and 99.80 percentile respectively, with 135–140 and 132–138 marks needed.
- Reserved categories get 6–10 percentile relaxation; SC/ST cut-offs drop significantly (e.g., JBIMS SC: ~97.50).
- OMS candidates face 0.05–0.1 higher cut-offs than Maharashtra domicile, competing for only 15% seats.
- To hit 99+ percentile, target 140+ / 200 with strong Logical Reasoning (65–70) and Quant (40–45); aim 5–10 marks above for Round 1 safety.
- What is MAH MBA CET 2026 Cut-Off?
- Factors Affecting MAH MBA CET Cut-Off 2026
- Category-Wise MAH MBA CET Cut-Off 2026 (Expected)
- MAH MBA CET 2026 Cut-Off for Non-Maharashtra Candidates (OMS Category)
- Round-Wise Cut-Off Trends for MAH MBA CET
- Previous Year MAH MBA CET Cut-Off Trends
- Top Colleges Accepting MAH MBA CET Scores (with Cut-Off Range)
- How to Achieve the MAH MBA CET 2026 Cut-Off?
- FAQs
What is MAH MBA CET 2026 Cut-Off?
The MAH MBA CET 2026 Cut-Off refers to the minimum percentile required by candidates to secure admission into top management institutes in Maharashtra through the Centralized Admission Process (CAP).
Each year, over 1.35 lakh candidates compete for nearly 40,000 MBA/MMS seats across government, university, and private colleges. Institutes like JBIMS, SIMSREE, and PUMBA usually close admissions above the 99.80 percentile, while reputed private colleges such as K J Somaiya and Welingkar admit students around 99.50–99.70 percentile.
| College Name | Expected Cut-Off (2026) | Previous Year Cut-Off (2025) | Seat Intake | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JBIMS Mumbai | 99.97 | 99.98 | 120 | Government Aided |
| SIMSREE Mumbai | 99.90 | 99.91 | 180 | Government |
| PUMBA Pune | 99.80 | 99.82 | 180 | University Department |
| K J Somaiya Mumbai | 99.70 | 99.75 | 600 | Private Autonomous |
| Welingkar Mumbai | 99.50 | 99.55 | 600 | Private |
| SIES College of Management Studies | 99.20 | 99.25 | 150 | Private |
| NL Dalmia Mumbai | 99.10 | 99.12 | 120 | Private |
| MET Mumbai | 98.80 | 98.85 | 180 | Private |
| Chetana’s Institute of Management | 98.60 | 98.70 | 180 | Private |
| Xavier Institute of Management (XIMR) | 98.40 | 98.50 | 120 | Private |
Factors Affecting MAH MBA CET Cut-Off 2026
The MAH MBA CET 2026 cut-off will depend on several dynamic factors such as exam difficulty, number of applicants, and seat availability across participating institutes. A rise in registrations, normalization in scoring, and slight changes in CAP seat distribution are expected to influence percentile variations. Additionally, institute reputation and placement performance often cause fluctuations of 0.05–0.10 percentile among top colleges each year.
What affects MAH MBA CET Cut-off?
- Difficulty level of MAH MBA CET 2026 paper.
- Total number of applicants (expected ~1.40 lakh).
- Overall seat matrix and institute-level quotas.
- Previous year’s admission trends and vacant seats.
- Reservation and minority seat distribution.
Ques. Does the difficulty level of the MAH MBA CET paper affect the cut-off?
Ans. Yes. When the paper is tougher like in MAH MBA CET 2024 where Quantitative Aptitude had high difficulty, the cut-offs drop by 3–5 marks across all top colleges. Normalization balances this, but paper difficulty remains a major factor in percentile shifts.
Ques. How does the number of test-takers influence the CET 2026 cut-off?
Ans. In 2025, over 1.36 lakh students appeared for the exam, a 7% rise from 2024. A higher number of candidates pushes competition upward, which in turn raises the percentile threshold for JBIMS, SIMSREE, and PUMBA.
Ques. Do normalization and multiple shifts affect the MAH MBA CET percentile?
Ans. Yes, MAH CET is conducted across multiple sessions, and the normalization process ensures fairness. However, slight variations in session difficulty can cause 0.5–1 percentile fluctuation, especially near the 99.8+ bracket.
Category-Wise MAH MBA CET Cut-Off 2026 (Expected)
The category-wise MAH MBA CET 2026 cut-offs are projected based on data from the previous CAP rounds, where the percentile gap between Open and Reserved categories averaged 6–10 points.
For instance, JBIMS closed at 99.98 percentile for Open and 97.50 for SC candidates in 2025. Similar trends are expected in 2026, with minor adjustments due to higher competition and revised EWS quotas introduced by several institutes.
| Category | JBIMS | SIMSREE | PUMBA | K J Somaiya |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 99.97 | 99.90 | 99.80 | 99.70 |
| OBC | 99.60 | 99.40 | 99.20 | 98.90 |
| SC | 97.50 | 96.80 | 96.00 | 95.50 |
| ST | 90.00 | 88.00 | 85.50 | 83.50 |
| EWS | 99.50 | 99.30 | 99.00 | 98.60 |
MAH MBA CET 2026 Cut-Off for Non-Maharashtra Candidates (OMS Category)
OMS (Outside Maharashtra State) candidates generally face higher percentile closures since they compete for only 15% of total CAP seats.
In 2025, top colleges like JBIMS and SIMSREE recorded cut-offs above the 99.90 percentile, while other reputed institutes such as K J Somaiya and Welingkar Mumbai remained around 99.60–99.75 percentile. Based on the 2024–2025 admission data, OMS aspirants should aim for 135–140+ marks to secure a top-tier institute in 2026.
| College Name | 2024 Cut-Off (Percentile) | 2025 Cut-Off (Percentile) | Expected 2026 Cut-Off (Percentile) | Expected Score Range (Marks/200) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JBIMS, Mumbai | 99.97 | 99.98 | 99.98+ | 140–145 |
| SIMSREE, Mumbai | 99.90 | 99.91 | 99.92+ | 135–140 |
| PUMBA, Pune | 99.85 | 99.87 | 99.88+ | 132–138 |
| K J Somaiya, Mumbai | 99.65 | 99.70 | 99.75 | 130–135 |
| Welingkar, Mumbai | 99.50 | 99.60 | 99.65 | 125–130 |
| MET, Mumbai | 98.80 | 98.95 | 99.00 | 118–122 |
| SIES, Navi Mumbai | 98.60 | 98.75 | 98.90 | 115–120 |
| Chetana’s, Mumbai | 98.40 | 98.50 | 98.70 | 112–118 |
Ques. How much lower are the MAH MBA CET cut-offs for reserved categories?
Ans. Reserved category cut-offs are generally 6–10 percentile points lower than the open category. For example, in 2025, PUMBA’s open cut-off was 99.87, while OBC and SC categories closed around 93–95 percentile, depending on the round.
Ques. Are OMS (Outside Maharashtra) candidates eligible for category-based reservation?
Ans. No. OMS candidates are considered under the General category only and are not eligible for any reservation benefits in CAP rounds, as per the DTE Maharashtra policy.
Ques. Can EWS and PwD candidates expect relaxation in MAH MBA CET 2026 cut-offs?
Ans. Yes. Based on 2025 CAP data, EWS candidates saw a 2–3 percentile relaxation, while PwD candidates received up to 5 percentile relaxation, depending on institute-specific availability and seat quota utilization.
Round-Wise Cut-Off Trends for MAH MBA CET
The round-wise MAH MBA CET cut-off trends show how seat allotments shift across CAP Rounds 1, 2, and 3.
In 2025, Round 1 recorded the highest closures, with JBIMS ending at 99.98 percentile, while later rounds saw a marginal dip of 0.03–0.05 percentile as candidates upgraded or withdrew seats. This pattern is expected to continue in 2026, reflecting steady competition and minimal variation among top colleges.
| College | Round 1 Cut-Off | Round 2 Cut-Off | Round 3 Cut-Off |
|---|---|---|---|
| JBIMS Mumbai | 99.98 | 99.97 | 99.95 |
| SIMSREE Mumbai | 99.91 | 99.88 | 99.84 |
| PUMBA Pune | 99.82 | 99.78 | 99.72 |
| K J Somaiya | 99.75 | 99.70 | 99.65 |
| Welingkar | 99.55 | 99.48 | 99.40 |
Previous Year MAH MBA CET Cut-Off Trends
The MAH MBA CET cut-off trends from previous years show a steady upward trajectory among leading management institutes in Maharashtra. The increase reflects growing competition, consistent applicant growth, and limited seat availability.
Data shows that JBIMS and SIMSREE maintained near-perfect closures, while private colleges such as K J Somaiya and Welingkar recorded gradual percentile hikes. The overall average increase across top 10 colleges stands at 0.05–0.10 percentile over the last three admission cycles.
| Institute | 2022 Cut-Off (Percentile) | 2023 Cut-Off (Percentile) | 2024 Cut-Off (Percentile) | 2025 Cut-Off (Percentile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JBIMS Mumbai | 99.97 | 99.98 | 99.98 | 99.98 |
| SIMSREE Mumbai | 99.85 | 99.88 | 99.89 | 99.91 |
| PUMBA Pune | 99.70 | 99.74 | 99.78 | 99.82 |
| K J Somaiya Mumbai | 99.60 | 99.65 | 99.70 | 99.75 |
| Welingkar Mumbai | 99.45 | 99.48 | 99.52 | 99.55 |
| SIES Mumbai | 99.05 | 99.10 | 99.18 | 99.25 |
| NL Dalmia Mumbai | 98.80 | 98.90 | 99.00 | 99.12 |
| MET Mumbai | 98.60 | 98.70 | 98.80 | 98.85 |
| Chetana’s Institute | 98.40 | 98.50 | 98.60 | 98.70 |
| Xavier Institute (XIMR) | 98.20 | 98.30 | 98.40 | 98.50 |
Over the last four years, the cut-off percentile difference between the top three and next-tier colleges has narrowed from 0.30 in 2022 to just 0.18 in 2025, showing increased competition even among private institutes.
Ques. What was the highest MAH MBA CET cut-off in the last three years?
Ans. JBIMS, Mumbai, consistently had the highest cut-off from 2022 to 2025, closing at 99.98 percentile in 2025, 99.99 percentile in 2024, and 99.98 percentile in 2023. This makes it the toughest institute to enter through MAH CET CAP rounds.
Ques. Have MAH MBA CET cut-offs increased or decreased in recent years?
Ans. The cut-offs have shown a slight upward trend between 2023 and 2025. As competition and applicant volume rose by nearly 8% year-on-year, top institutes like SIMSREE and PUMBA recorded 0.3–0.5 percentile higher closures compared to the previous cycle.
Ques. Why do some institutes show big cut-off drops in later CAP rounds?
Ans. Later rounds (Round 2 and Round 3) often show 1–2 percentile drops due to upgradation, withdrawals, and seat reallocation. For instance, SIMSREE dropped from 99.91 (Round 1) to 99.70 (Round 3) in 2025 as candidates moved to JBIMS and other top options.
Top Colleges Accepting MAH MBA CET Scores (with Cut-Off Range)
More than 330+ institutes across Maharashtra accept MAH MBA CET scores for admission to MBA and MMS programs, with over 40,000 seats available through the CAP rounds.
Among them, Tier-1 institutes like JBIMS, SIMSREE, and PUMBA have maintained cut-offs above the 99.80 percentile, while reputed private colleges such as K J Somaiya and Welingkar admit candidates in the 99.40–99.75 percentile range.
| College | Cut-Off Range (Percentile) | Average Package (LPA) |
|---|---|---|
| JBIMS Mumbai | 99.95–99.98 | ₹28.02 LPA |
| SIMSREE Mumbai | 99.85–99.91 | ₹14.2 LPA |
| PUMBA Pune | 99.70–99.82 | ₹8.5 LPA |
| K J Somaiya | 99.60–99.75 | ₹12.8 LPA |
| Welingkar Mumbai | 99.40–99.55 | ₹11.3 LPA |
| NL Dalmia Mumbai | 98.90–99.12 | ₹9.4 LPA |
| SIES Mumbai | 98.80–99.20 | ₹8.9 LPA |
| Chetana’s Institute | 98.60–98.80 | ₹7.8 LPA |
Also check:
How to Achieve the MAH MBA CET 2026 Cut-Off?
Scoring above the MAH MBA CET 2026 cut-off requires a focused preparation plan aligned with the exam’s adaptive difficulty level. Since the top institutes like JBIMS and SIMSREE close above the 99.90 percentile, candidates must aim for a score of 140+ out of 200, based on the 2025 normalization data. A structured study routine, mock tests, and data-driven time management are essential to stay competitive.
| Section | Ideal Score Range for 99+ Percentile | No. of Questions | Recommended Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning | 65–70 | 75 | 90%+ |
| Abstract Reasoning | 22–25 | 25 | 85%+ |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40–45 | 50 | 85%+ |
| Verbal & Reading Comprehension | 35–40 | 50 | 80%+ |
Read:
Expert Insights on MAH MBA CET 2026 Cut-Off
Analysts from IMS and Career Launcher predict that the 2026 cut-offs will remain steady for Tier-1 colleges due to normalization patterns. The quantitative section in 2025 had a moderate difficulty level, and similar paper difficulty is expected in 2026.
Institutes like JBIMS, SIMSREE, and K J Somaiya may not see a significant change, though private colleges could marginally lower cut-offs by 0.05–0.10 percentiles to fill management quota seats.
FAQs
Ques. What MAH MBA CET percentile do I need for JBIMS (Mumbai) in 2026?
Ans. JBIMS typically requires a near-perfect MAH MBA CET percentile. Expect 99.95–99.99 percentile for Round-1 closure; later rounds can dip slightly but staying above 99.8 gives a realistic shot in 2026. Aim for 135–145+ marks (out of 200) to be competitive.
Ques. How does Marks to Percentile mapping work for MAH MBA CET?
Ans. Use past score maps as a reference: in 2025 a score of ~159+ equalled ~99.99 percentile, 142–158 mapped to ~99.8–99.95, and ~130–140 was in the 99.5–99.8 window. These conversions change with paper difficulty and normalization, so treat them as guideposts.
Ques. Is there a big difference between Maharashtra-domicile and OMS (Outside Maharashtra) cut-offs?
Ans. Yes. OMS candidates compete for fewer seats and often face slightly higher cut-offs at top colleges. For JBIMS/SIMSREE the OMS closure has been at the 99.90+ band historically; domicile candidates may see marginally lower thresholds in some institutes and rounds. Adjust choice filling accordingly.
Ques. What is the best CAP round strategy to convert a borderline MAH MBA CET percentile?
Ans.
- Fill broad preferences (300+ options) prioritizing realistic safety, target, and dream lists.
- If percentile is borderline, accept & freeze a safe seat in early rounds to avoid being left out.
- Track real-time withdrawal/upgradation trends between rounds. Many aspirants move, causing later round opportunities. Advice based on CAP behaviour seen on PaGaLGuY forums.
Ques. Will a 99.5 percentile guarantee top-tier admission?
Ans. Not guaranteed. A 99.5 percentile is strong and opens Tier-1/Tier-2 options, but final admission depends on institute cut-offs that year, category, OMS/MS status and CAP preferences. Use historical cut-offs and round behaviour to place informed choices.
Ques. How much do reserved categories lower MAH CET cut-offs?
Ans. Across 2024–2025 data, reserved categories (OBC-NCL/SC/ST) showed a typical percentile gap of ~6–10 points from General for the same institute and round. Specific reductions vary by college and year, so check the CAP category-wise PDFs for exact numbers.
Ques.. If I score 120–130 marks, which colleges can I expect in MAH CET 2026?
Ans. A 120–130 score typically maps to ~98–99+ percentile (depending on normalization). That range places candidates in many reputable Pune and Mumbai private colleges (good mid-tier institutes), but likely below JBIMS/SIMSREE cut-offs. Consider colleges with consistent 98–99 percentile closures.
Ques.. Does sectional performance matter for MAH MBA CET cut-offs?
Ans. There are no official sectional cut-offs and overall percentile is primary. However, strong sectional balance improves overall marks and reduces risk from session normalization. Top scorers report focusing on Quant and Logical Reasoning for maximum percentile gains. Forum consensus supports section-wise practice and mock analytics.
Ques. Should I retake MAH CET if I miss my target percentile by a few points?
Ans. Many aspirants retake to improve rank; forum anecdotes show repeated attempts can succeed if preparation improves measurably. Before retaking, evaluate: marginal score gaps, ability to improve by 3–8 marks, opportunity cost, and alternate admission paths (private colleges, management quota). Use mock score analysis to decide.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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