The MHT-CET CAP (Centralised Admission Process) admits B.Arch candidates to Maharashtra colleges through two parallel merit lists: one based on NATA, the other on JEE Main Paper 2. Eligibility uses Maharashtra's Type A to E candidate categorisation by domicile. Sir JJ College of Architecture, BKPS Pune, BNCA Pune, and KRVIA Mumbai are among the most sought-after institutes.
Important dates
- Upcoming: NATA 2026 Phase 2Expected dateMay to July 2026
- Upcoming: JEE Main 2026 Session 2 resultExpected dateApril 2026
- Upcoming: CAP B.Arch registration opensJune 2026 (TBD)
- Upcoming: Provisional merit listJuly 2026 (TBD)
- Upcoming: CAP Round 1 allotmentJuly 2026 (TBD)
- Upcoming: CAP Round 2 allotmentAugust 2026 (TBD)
- Upcoming: CAP Round 3 / Institute levelAugust 2026 (TBD)
At a glance
- State quota
- 85% Type A to E
- All India quota
- 15%
- Merit lists
- Separate for NATA and JEE P2
- Application fee
- ₹800 Open / ₹600 reserved
- NRI/OCI/PIO/FN fee
- ₹5,000
- SEBC (Maratha)
- Subject to court ruling
Eligibility
- Academic qualification10+2 with Physics and Mathematics compulsory plus one of Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, IP, Engineering Graphics, or Vocational. 50% PCM aggregate (45% for reserved categories from Maharashtra). Single board issuance.
- Entrance acceptedNATA score (current cycle or one previous) OR JEE Main Paper 2A score. Both can be submitted, the better score is used in the appropriate merit list. Maharashtra runs separate inter-se merit lists, NATA and JEE P2 candidates do not compete against each other directly.
- Type A candidateMaharashtra-domiciled candidate who completed both SSC (Class 10) and HSC (Class 12) from a Maharashtra board institution.
- Type B candidateCandidate whose parent has Maharashtra domicile, even if the candidate studied outside Maharashtra.
- Type C candidateCandidate whose parent is a Government of India employee posted in Maharashtra at the time of qualifying examination.
- Type D candidateCandidate whose parent is a Maharashtra State Government employee.
- Type E candidateCandidate from the Maharashtra-Karnataka border area as defined in the GR. Eligible for Maharashtra state quota seats.
Reservation matrix
| Category | Quota | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SC | 13% | Maharashtra-domiciled |
| ST | 7% | |
| VJ-A (Vimukta Jati) | 3% | |
| NT-B | 2.5% | |
| NT-C | 3.5% | |
| NT-D | 2% | |
| OBC | 19% | Excludes Creamy Layer |
| SBC | 2% | |
| EWS | 10% | Maharashtra-domiciled General candidates only |
| SEBC (Maratha) | TBD | Subject to ongoing Supreme Court litigation |
| PwD (horizontal) | 5% | Across all categories |
| Female (horizontal) | 30% | Across all categories |
| Defence (horizontal) | 5% | |
| Linguistic minority (Type A) | Up to 51% | In specific minority colleges (Pillai for Malayali, Rizvi/Allana for Muslim) |
Fee structure
- Application fee, Open category
- ₹800
- Application fee, reserved category
- ₹600
- Application fee, NRI/OCI/PIO/FN
- ₹5,000
- CAP processing fee at instituteGovernment college tuition is significantly subsidised, private autonomous colleges charge full fees
- Varies
Top participating colleges
- Sir JJ College of ArchitectureMumbai · 60 seatsRound 1 OPEN closing approx: NATA 138-145 (Type A), 150+ (OMS), JEE P2 percentile 94-96
- BKPS College of ArchitecturePune · 80 seats
- Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Architecture (BNCA)Pune · 80 seats
- Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute (KRVIA)Mumbai · 80 seats
- Rachana Sansad Academy of ArchitectureMumbai · 80 seats
- Pillai College of ArchitectureNew PanvelLinguistic minority (Malayali) college with up to 51% community quota
- Rizvi College of ArchitectureMumbaiLinguistic minority (Muslim) college
- Anjuman-I-Islam Kalsekar Technical Campus, School of ArchitecturePanvel
Common mistakes to avoid
NATA and JEE P2 candidates compete in separate lists
Maharashtra is unique: a NATA-only candidate is never compared against a JEE P2 candidate for the same seat. Each merit list has its own seat share. Choose the entrance route that gives you the better relative rank, not just the higher absolute score.
Type A is the strongest claim
Type A candidates (SSC + HSC from Maharashtra) have first claim on state quota seats. Type B to E candidates compete only after Type A seats are exhausted. If you have any Maharashtra connection, verify which Type you qualify for and gather the right proof documents early.
SEBC (Maratha) reservation is in legal flux
The Maratha quota framework has been challenged repeatedly in the Supreme Court. Current eligibility may change before 2026 admissions. Watch the official brochure for the operative quota.
Linguistic minority quota requires community certificate
Pillai (Malayali), Rizvi and Allana (Muslim) carry up to 51% linguistic-minority quota. The community certificate must be issued by a competent authority before CAP registration. Without it, you compete only for the open share.
NRI/OCI/PIO/FN application fee is much higher
The ₹5,000 fee is only for NRI/OCI/PIO/Foreign National applicants. Indian candidates studying abroad but with Indian nationality use the regular Open or reserved fee.
Frequently asked questions
Information curated from official sources. Always verify against cetcell.mahacet.org before applying.