MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Option Form: How to Login and Fill Choices on mahacet.org

MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Option Form is scheduled to open on July 22, 2026, on the official CET Cell Maharashtra portal at cetcell.mahacet.org, allowing eligible students to login and submit their college and course preferences for engineering and pharmacy admissions across Maharashtra.

The Option Form — also called Choice Filling — is the stage in MHT CET 2026 counselling where registered and document-verified students rank their preferred institute-course combinations. CET Cell then runs an allotment algorithm that assigns seats based on your MHT CET merit rank and the order of choices you have listed. CAP Round 1 is the most competitive round, and filling your choices correctly here gives you the best shot at your preferred college.

• Option Form Opens: July 22, 2026 on cetcell.mahacet.org
• You can add up to 300 college-course preferences in a single option form
• Choices must be locked before the deadline — saved but unlocked choices are not considered for allotment
• Once locked, choices cannot be edited — review the full list carefully before you lock
• Students not allotted a seat in Round 1 are automatically considered for CAP Round 2

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What is MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Option Form?

The CAP Round 1 Option Form is the choice-filling stage of the MHT CET 2026 Centralized Admission Process. After completing document verification and provisional merit list publication, eligible students must login to the official portal and create an ordered list of the institute-course combinations they wish to be considered for.

CET Cell Maharashtra uses a computerised allotment algorithm. For each student, the system works down their preference list and assigns the highest-ranked choice for which the student’s merit rank qualifies. This means you should always put your most desired college-course combination at the top — the algorithm will never skip a better choice to give you a lower one.

Students who receive an allotment in Round 1 may accept the seat, cancel and re-enter CAP Round 2, or upgrade to a better option if one becomes available in later rounds. Students who receive no allotment in Round 1 are automatically eligible for CAP Round 2 without any additional action.

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How to Login to mahacet.org for MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Option Form

Follow the steps below to access the option form on the official CET Cell portal:

1. Open your browser and visit cetcell.mahacet.org/cap-_2026-27/
2. On the homepage, locate the link labelled "CAP Round 1 — Option Form / Choice Filling" for your course category (Engineering / Pharmacy / others)
3. Click the link — a login page will open
4. Enter your MHT CET 2026 Application Number in the login ID field
5. Enter your Password and Date of Birth as prompted
6. Type the captcha shown on screen and click Login
7. Your student dashboard opens — click Option Form or Fill Choices to begin

Forgot your password? Use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page and reset it via your registered mobile number or email ID. If your login credentials are not working, contact the CET Cell helpline — do not create a duplicate registration.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Fill MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Choices

Once logged in, use these steps to complete and lock your option form:

1. Select Institute Type: Choose from Government, Government Aided, or Unaided institutes based on your eligibility and preference
2. Apply Search Filters: Use filters — district, institute name, course, and seat category — to find the specific college-course combinations you want
3. Add Choices to Your List: Click "Add" next to each combination. You can add up to 300 choices
4. Arrange in Order of Preference: Drag and reorder the choices so your most preferred combination is at the top. The algorithm processes your list from top to bottom
5. Save Frequently: Click the Save button after every set of additions or reordering. Session timeouts can cause unsaved changes to be lost
6. Preview the Complete List: Review all choices — verify college names, course codes, and seat categories (Home University / Other than Home University, category quota)
7. Lock Your Choices: Click Lock and Confirm. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number — enter it to complete locking
8. Download the Receipt: Save and print the locked option form receipt as confirmation of your submission

Choices that are saved but not locked will not be processed for allotment. The lock step is mandatory — never skip it.

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MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Important Dates

Key dates for MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 are listed below. Check cetcell.mahacet.org regularly for any revisions to the official schedule.

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Documents to Keep Ready During MHT CET 2026 Option Form Filling

You do not need to upload documents during the option form filling stage, but keep the following documents at hand to refer to correct details and for submission at the allotted institute after Round 1 result:

• MHT CET 2026 Score Card and Hall Ticket
• Class 10 and Class 12 Mark Sheets and Passing Certificates
• Category / Caste Certificate (OBC / SC / ST / NT / VJ / EWS, if applicable)
• Domicile Certificate (Maharashtra domicile for Home University or State Level quota)
• Nationality / Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card or Passport)
• Minority Certificate (if claiming minority quota)
• PH Certificate (for students with disability, if applicable)
• Gap Certificate (if applicable — required if there was a gap year after Class 12)

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Tips to Fill MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 1 Choices Wisely

The sequence in which you arrange your choices directly determines your allotment outcome. Use the strategies below to get the best result from Round 1:

• Put your dream college first, always: The algorithm tries to match you to the highest choice where your rank qualifies. Do not strategically lower your top pick — it can only help, never hurt you.
• Fill all 300 choices if possible: Every blank slot is a lost opportunity. Adding more options below your safe choices costs nothing and increases your chance of an allotment in Round 1.
• Mix aspirational and safe choices across your list: Place ambitious colleges higher and reliable backups lower, but do not cluster all safe choices at the very bottom — spread them through the list.
• Study 2025 closing ranks before you list: Based on 2025 CAP counselling trends, compare your MHT CET 2026 rank against the closing ranks of each institute-course you want to add. Add courses where your rank falls within or slightly above the 2025 closing rank.
• Lock well before the deadline: Portal traffic surges near closing time and sessions can time out. Lock your choices at least 12 to 24 hours before the last date to avoid technical issues.
• Save after every 5 to 10 additions: Session timeouts can erase unsaved progress. Hit Save regularly throughout the process, not just at the end.