Can Final Year Students Apply for MHT CET Law 2026?
Final-year graduation and 12th-grade students can apply for MHT CET Law 2026 for both 3-year and 5-year LLB without waiting for final results.
Yes, final-year students can apply for MHT CET Law 2026 . This means that anyone currently pursuing their final year of graduation (for 3-year LLB) or the final year of 12th standard (for 5-year LLB) will be eligible to apply for the exam. One does not need to wait for the final results to apply for the exam. This is good news for students who would like to plan their law career early and not waste a year waiting for results.
Eligibility Criteria for MHT CET Law 2026
The MHT CET law eligibility is based on the program in which you wish to enroll. From a single examination, two different law programs are offered, but each has its own criteria. Let's see the conditions you have to fulfill to qualify for each program:
Program | Minimum Qualification | Final Year Students | Minimum Marks Required | Age Limit |
3-Year LLB | Bachelor's degree in any discipline | Can apply | 45% for Open category, 40% for Reserved categories | No upper age limit |
5-Year Integrated LLB | 12th standard (10+2) from any stream | Can apply | 45% for Open category, 40% for Reserved categories | No upper age limit |
Additional Eligibility Requirements
- Nationality: An Indian citizen shall apply for the MHT CET Law 2026. This examination is specially conducted for the benefit of Indian nationals intending to pursue law education in the state of Maharashtra.
- Domicile: While there is no strict domicile requirement to appear for the exam, seats are divided into different categories. Maharashtra domicile students get more seat reservations compared to all-India candidates. You can still apply if you're from another state, but seat availability will be limited.
- Educational Board: For the 5-year LLB, the candidate should have passed the 12th standard under a recognized board like CBSE, ICSE, Maharashtra State Board, or any other equivalent board recognized by the government. For the 3-year LLB, the bachelor's degree must be done from a university recognized by UGC.
- Reserved Categories: Students belonging to SC, ST, VJ/DT-NT, NT-B, NT-C, NT-D, OBC, SBC, and EWS categories get a relaxation of 5% in the minimum marks requirement. This means that they need only 40% marks instead of 45% in their qualifying examination.
- Specially-abled Candidates: Candidates with disabilities are also eligible to apply. A valid disability certificate has to be issued by a competent authority to avail of the benefits. They may also get relaxation in minimum marks as per government rules.
What Happens After You Apply?
- Once you submit your application as a final-year student, it becomes feasible to appear for the MHT CET Law exam. This exam examines your knowledge of general awareness, aptitude for law, logical reasoning, and proficiency in the English language. The counseling rounds begin with the announcement of the exam results.
- During counseling, this is when you must submit your final year mark sheet. Should you not be able to acquire your results before the first counseling round, there may be a chance of selection in later rounds, but it is significant to complete one's degree and obtain a mark sheet as soon as possible. Otherwise, your admission cannot be confirmed even if you pass the entrance exam.
- The process includes document verification, filling choices for colleges, and allotment of seats. You should therefore ensure that your final marks meet the stipulated minimum percentage requirement. Your application may be canceled if the marks obtained do not meet the stipulated percentages for the final year.
One advantage of applying while you are still in the final year is the fact that you do not waste time. The moment you finish your graduation or 12th standard, you can start your law course. It also allows you to study for the exam while the rest of your learning activity is happening to make it easier to understand new topics. In addition, it gives you the assurance of admission status even before your final results come out.