MHT CET Reservation Criteria: Category-Wise Reservation, How to Apply

MHT CET Reservation Criteria will be published by the State Government of Maharashtra, along with the official brochure of MHT CET 2026. The reservation criteria for MHT CET is set to ensure a fair chance to the underprivileged students during the admission process. It is important to mention the category of the candidate during the MHT CET application process to claim any reservation benefits during the counselling process.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the MHT CET 2026 reservation criteria, what percentages apply to each category, who is eligible, what documents you’ll need, and important points to keep in mind.

What is MHT CET Reservation Criteria 2026?

The reservation criteria for MHT CET 2026 offer reservation benefits to students belonging to different categories, including SC, ST, Nomadic Tribes during the MHT CET counselling 2026 and admission process,

Those looking to apply for reservation benefits in the 2026 MHT CET need to be aware of certain information that is crucial in claiming the reservation benefits of MHT CET, including the following:

• The reservations will only apply to students belonging to the state of Maharashtra. 
• The reservation policies will abide by the policies of the Government of Maharashtra and India. 
• Candidates must go through and qualify for the MHT CET eligibility requirements. 
• The reserved seats are held for the backwards caste and other reserved classes of the state. 
• The reservation category must be chosen when filling out the MHT CET application form.

Category-Wise MHT CET Reservation Criteria 2026

The MHT CET reservation criteria given below is applicable to the Centralised Admission Process (CAP) for MHT CET. 

Who is Eligible for MHT CET Reservation 2026?

To avail the reservation benefit under MHT CET 2026, you must meet both category-specific requirements and the state-domicile criteria. Given below are the eligibility requirements to claim the MHT CET reservation benefits:

• You must be a domicile of the Maharashtra state which means you must have completed your 10+2 in any of the board recognised by the state
• The category certificate issued must be valid and the exact details must be entered while filling the application form
• For SC/ST: Must belong to the castes recognised by the Maharashtra Government.
• For VJ/NT/DT categories: Must hold the relevant caste certificate and non-creamy layer certificate (if applicable).
• For OBC: Must belong to the OBC Non-Creamy Layer list as per state rules.
• For EWS: Candidate must have family income below the specified threshold ( ₹8 Lakh). 
• For PwD: Must have proof of minimum disability which is 40 % or more through competent authority.

Documents Required to Claim MHT CET 2026 Reservation

When applying for MHT CET & during counselling (CAP), you’ll need to submit authentic documents to claim a reservation. Make sure you keep both original and a set of photocopies. 

Failing to submit valid certificates or having incorrect category can lead to loss of reservation benefit or cancellation of admission. Given below are the list of documents required to claim MHT CET reservation benefits:

• Caste certificate (for SC/ST/VJ/NT/OBC)
• Non-creamy layer certificate (for OBC if applicable)
• Income & asset certificate (for EWS)
• Disability certificate (for PwD)
• Domicile certificate 
• Orphan certificate (if claiming orphan category)
• Any other category-specific certificate (e.g., children of defence personnel)

How to Apply for MHT CET 2026 Reservation?

To claim the MHT CET reservation benefits, you must apply for the reservation during application process by following the correct procedure. The steps to follow while applying for a reservation are given below:

• You must correctly fill out the application form for MHT CET 2026.
• The caste, disability and other valid certificates and testimonials must be submitted along with the Preference form.
• Submitting the 2026 MHT CET reservation form is mandatory, without which candidates will not be granted reservation seats. 

What is MHT CET 2026 Reservation Preference Form?

The MHT CET reservation preference form 2026 must be filled and submitted along with the required documents after the announcement of the MHT CET merit list 2026 to claim reservations. 

The process involved in submitting the preference form is listed here:

• After the MHT CET 2026 merit list is declared, you will be invited to fill out the preference form. 
• The preference forms must be filled and submitted at the Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Aurangabad centres. 
• You must meet the required eligibility criteria and provide the necessary documents. 
• These documents to be submitted include Photo ID Proof, Domicile Certificate, Nationality Certificate, HSC Mark Sheet, Constitutional Reservation Claim, Specified Reservation Claim, Medical Fitness Certificate, Additional Weightage Claim and SSC Mark Sheet, School Leaving Certificate and Birth Certificate.

Conclusion

If you’re preparing for MHT CET 2026, make sure to cross-check the latest brochure from the State CET Cell, confirm your domicile and category certificate status early, and incorporate your reservation status into your application and choice-filling strategy

For non-Maharashtra domicile students, reservation benefits may not apply, you may be considered under “All India” or open category depending on the college.