First round of MHT-CET PCM from today, dual-attempt system kicks in Maharashtra will see a record number of students taking the state-level engineering entrance examination, with over 4.79 lakh candidates registered for the first phase of the MHT-CET (PCM group) starting April 11. This marks the introduction of a dual-attempt system, designed to align the state’s exam structure with national-level testing patterns. The computer-based examination will be held across 198 centers in all 36 districts between April 11 and April 20, excluding April 12 and 14, with two daily sessions. For the first time, candidates will have two opportunities to take the test. The initial phase runs from April 11 to April 20, while the second attempt is scheduled between May 14 and May 16. Authorities clarified that if a student appears for both attempts, the higher percentile will be used for admission, though participating in at least one attempt is mandatory. This change follows directives from higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil, aiming to bring the state’s exam format closer to national exams like the Joint Entrance Examination (Main), which also allow multiple attempts. The MHT-CET is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell for admissions to engineering, pharmacy, and agriculture courses for the 2026-27 academic year. The exam’s structure now reflects a shift toward flexibility, addressing concerns about the pressure of a single attempt. The dual-attempt system is expected to reduce stress on students while ensuring a more equitable evaluation process. The decision to implement the dual-attempt system underscores Maharashtra’s efforts to modernize its educational framework.#maharashtra #chandrakant_patil #state_common_entrance_test_cell #mht_cet_pcm #joint_entrance_examination_main
MHT CET 2026 City Intimation Slip Live Updates: Exam City Allotment and Admit Card Details The State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell, Maharashtra, is set to release the MHT CET 2026 city intimation slip, a provisional document that will provide candidates with information about their assigned exam city, date, and shift. This slip will be made available through the official website, cetcell.mahacet.org, and will serve as a precursor to the final admit card, which is expected to be issued 3-4 days before the exam. Candidates can access the city intimation slip by logging in with their email ID and date of birth. Once released, the direct download link will be updated on the official portal. The slip will include details such as the application number, allotted exam city, and the date and shift timings for the test. It will also mention the date for downloading the final admit card, which will contain the complete exam center address. The MHT CET 2026 exam will be conducted in two sessions: one in April and another in May. The decision to split the exam into two sessions was announced by Maharashtra’s Higher and Technical Education Minister, Chandrakant Patil. The authorities will issue separate hall tickets for each session, with the final admit cards for both attempts becoming available 3-4 days prior to the respective exam dates. For the PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) group, the exam dates are scheduled for April 11 to 120, 2026, and May 12 to 16, 2026. The PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) group will have exams from April 21 to 26, 2026, and May 10 to 11, 2026. The city intimation slip for the PCM group is expected to be released first, followed by the PCB group’s details.#maharashtra #chandrakant_patil #mht_cet_2026 #state_common_entrance_test_cell #scert_maharashtra
Ashok Kharat Scandal Exposes Maharashtra’s Godman–Power Nexus The arrest of Ashok Kharat, a self-styled Godman from Nashik, on charges of rape, molestation, and cheating has sparked a political crisis in Maharashtra. His alleged network, which connected him to politicians across multiple parties, bureaucrats, and senior police officers, has triggered resignations, accusations, and factional maneuvering within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that eight cases had been registered against Kharat, with three women agreeing to file formal complaints. Police seized two laptops, a revolver, and 21 live cartridges during searches at his properties. Kharat, whose real name is Ashokkumar Eknath Kharat, hailed from Kahandalwadi village in Nashik district. He worked as a merchant navy officer before adopting the title “Captain” as part of his public persona. Local sources and a senior revenue officer in Nashik revealed that his formal education ended at Class 8. After returning to Nashik in 1992, he transitioned through various occupations before establishing himself as an astrologer and numerologist in 2002. The officer claimed Kharat sold cheap ornaments bought in Mumbai as “God-gifted jewellery,” often inflating their prices by hundreds of times. In 2003, he allegedly cheated a police officer and two women close to him, with a local politician intervening to protect him at the time. Over the next two decades, Kharat built a following across North Maharashtra, attracting politicians, bureaucrats, police officers, builders, and industrialists. He constructed the Ishaneshwar temple in Mirgaon village and established the Shivanika charitable trust, with Chakankar listed as a trustee.#devendra_fadnavis #chandrakant_patil #harshwardhan_sapkal #ashok_kharat #jaykumar_rawal
Gondwana University Has Applied for Engineering Programme Approval in Gadchiroli: Govt to Council Nagpur: Five technical education institutions are already operational in Gadchiroli district, and Gondwana University has applied to the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for approval to start an engineering degree programme from the 2026-27 academic year, the Maharashtra Legislative Council was informed on Tuesday. MLCs Amol Mitkari and others raised concerns about the lack of technical institutions in Gadchiroli, an aspirational district, questioning whether this absence forces students to travel elsewhere and hinders their access to government schemes. Higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil refuted the claim. The five institutions currently functioning in the district include one government diploma in engineering college, two unaided pharmacy diploma institutes, and one unaided MBA institute. Gondwana University’s application for a full engineering degree course at its University Institute of Technology is under review by AICTE. However, no specific timeline for the regulator’s decision was disclosed. The discussion highlighted the need for improved technical education infrastructure in Gadchiroli, which has been identified as a priority area for development. Critics argue that the absence of higher education facilities in the region limits opportunities for local students, compelling them to seek education in distant cities. The minister emphasized that the existing institutions are sufficient to meet current demands, though the pending approval for a new engineering programme could address future needs.#chandrakant_patil #gadchiroli #gondwana_university #all_india_council_for_technical_education #mlc_amol_mitkari
Over 1.42 lakh scholarship applications stuck for 5 years Nagpur: Over 1.42 lakh scholarship applications for higher education students under various state government schemes have remained pending verification for up to five years, according to a written reply provided to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil confirmed the backlog came to the government's attention through newspaper reports in December 2025. Of the 9,76,252 applications received over the past five years, 7,80,501 students were awarded scholarships totaling Rs708.41 crore. As of March 9, 2026, 38,628 applications were still pending at the institutional level, while 14,166 remained unresolved at the departmental level. The current academic year, 2025-26, saw the sharpest accumulation of pending applications. Out of 2,07,327 submissions during this period, only 54,836 students had received their scholarships by March 9, 2026. This left 30,332 applications pending at the institutional level and 13,395 unresolved at the departmental level. Patil explained that the higher education directorate issued six circulars between July 2025 and February 2026, directing institutions to clear backlogged applications. Online review meetings were also conducted to address the issue. MLAs questioned the minister about whether colleges and officials responsible for delays should face penalties. Patil stated that no institutional misconduct was found, and the primary cause of the backlog was attributed to students failing to attach required documents, not submitting hard copies to institutions, or providing inaccurate paperwork. A fixed verification deadline could not be established due to the continuous nature of the process.#nagpur #maharashtra_legislative_assembly #chandrakant_patil #rajashri_chhatrapati_shahu_maharaj_scholarship #dr_punjabrao_deshmukh_hostel_allowance_schemes
