Record 12 Lakh Students To Appear For Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET) This Year

Pune: In a significant surge, a record-breaking 12 lakh students across the state are set to appear for the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET) this year. The MHT-CET is conducted for admission to 20 professional courses, including engineering, pharmacy, law, and hotel management, among others. This marks an increase of 1.5 lakh registrations compared to last year, with the entrance exam scheduled to take place in May.

Mahendra Warbhuvan, commissioner of the state CET Cell, noted the growing demand for engineering seats over the past three years. He attributed this trend to the expanding opportunities in higher education, particularly in fields related to artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science. Registration for engineering courses has surpassed 7.25 lakh for the first time, up from 6.39 lakh last year.

Warbhuvan emphasized the increasing awareness among students and parents about various available courses and their potential for securing employment. He highlighted the assurance that certain courses offer in terms of job prospects, as well as the flexibility to pursue post-graduation after obtaining professional degrees.

Furthermore, the introduction of new courses by the All-India Council of Technical Education, such as AI, machine learning, data sciences, and data analytics, has contributed to the rise in the number of aspirants in recent years.

A former principal of an engineering college, acknowledged the high registration numbers but pointed out that students often prioritize seats in popular colleges. He noted that colleges at the tier-II or tier-III level may struggle to attract students in certain streams. Additionally, many students view MHT-CET as a backup option to the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

One such student, who has registered for the pharmacy CET, expressed optimism about the scope in the pharmacy field. She stated her intention to pursue higher education in this field, targeting admission to top colleges in Pune.