About Maharashtra Applied Arts and Crafts Common Entrance Test (MAH AAC CET) 2027-28
The Maharashtra Applied Arts and Crafts Common Entrance Test (MAH AAC CET), also styled MAH-AAC-CET or MAH AAC (Fine Art) CET, is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, for admission to first-year Visual Art (Bachelor of Fine Art) programmes, including Fine Art and Applied Art, through the applicable admission process. The latest brochure located is for academic year 2026–27. As checked on 11 October 2026, the CET Cell had not published a 2027–28 MAH AAC CET schedule. Treat the dates and fee details below as historical 2026–27 information, not as confirmed terms for the next cycle.
| Exam detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Maharashtra Applied Arts and Crafts Common Entrance Test |
| Short name | MAH AAC CET / MAH-AAC-CET / MAH AAC (Fine Art) CET |
| Conducting body | State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra; the 2026–27 brochure names the Commissioner of State CET Cell as Competent Authority and the Director, Directorate of Art, Maharashtra State, as Nodal Officer. |
| Admission use | First-year, full-time undergraduate Visual Art / Bachelor of Fine Art (B.F.A.) courses, including Fine Art and Applied Art, subject to the current admission rules. |
| Official portal | cetcell.mahacet.org |
| 2027–28 dates | Not announced as of 11 October 2026; check the CET Cell portal and the next information brochure. |
| Latest brochure found | MAH AAC CET 2026 Information Brochure (A.Y. 2026–27) |
| Latest published examination format | Four papers: General Knowledge, Design Practical, Memory Drawing Practical and Object Drawing Practical; 190 marks total, as specified in the 2026–27 brochure. |
Eligibility for B.F.A. admission
The 2026–27 brochure states that a candidate seeking first-year Visual Art / B.F.A. admission must be an Indian national and pass HSC (Standard XII) or an equivalent examination, in any stream, with English as one of the subjects. The minimum aggregate is 45%; the brochure specifies 40% for Backward Class categories, EWS and PwD candidates belonging to Maharashtra State. A non-zero CET score is also required for the relevant candidature categories. Candidates appearing for the qualifying examination may appear for the CET, but must meet admission eligibility when seeking a seat. The brochure states there is no age limit for appearing or admission. Check the next-cycle brochure for changes and detailed Maharashtra State, All India and category-specific candidature rules.
The 2026–27 brochure states that NRI, OCI/PIO, foreign-national and certain other international candidature routes are exempt from the CET and follow a separate registration/admission process. Their eligibility and route are defined in the brochure and must be reconfirmed for the applicable admission year.
Application fees
| Candidate group (2026–27 brochure) | Application fee |
|---|---|
| Backward Class categories, EWS, SEBC and PwD candidates belonging to Maharashtra State; Orphan and Transgender (Other) candidates as grouped in the brochure | ₹1,700 |
| General category candidates from Maharashtra State | ₹2,200 |
| All India Candidature candidates | ₹2,200 |
The 2026–27 brochure specifies online-gateway payment only and describes the application fee as non-refundable and non-transferable. The fee for 2027–28 has not been announced. Always use the fee and payment terms shown in the current official brochure and application form.
Exam pattern and marking
The 2026–27 brochure describes three one-question practical papers worth 50 marks each and one 40-question objective General Knowledge paper worth 40 marks: 190 marks in total. Each practical paper has one compulsory question. The General Knowledge paper consists of four-option MCQs, is in English, lasts 60 minutes, awards one mark per question and has no negative marking. The listed papers and marks below are paraphrased from the brochure; candidates must sit all papers required for B.F.A. admission. The brochure’s schedule and scheme sections present inconsistent paper numbering/order, so use the paper names and current examination instructions rather than assuming a paper number from an older summary.
| Paper | Assessment | Marks | Duration in 2026 brochure |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 40 English-language MCQs; four options each; no negative marking | 40 | 1 hour |
| Design Practical | One compulsory practical question | 50 | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Memory Drawing Practical | One compulsory practical question | 50 | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Object Drawing Practical | One compulsory practical question | 50 | 1 hour |
| Total | Three practical papers and one theory paper | 190 | Scheduled across the day, with a lunch break |
Latest official cycle and dates
The 2026–27 official brochure initially showed registration from 29 January to 3 March 2026 and an examination date of 10 April 2026 as tentative. The CET Cell later published a final-date notice on 16 March 2026 and subsequent official notices for grievances/objections and result/scorecard in June 2026. Historical IndCareer pages report that the examination took place on 12 April 2026. Check the linked CET Cell notices and the current-cycle portal before relying on cycle-specific details. The next 2027–28 schedule remains awaited.
Historical IndCareer pages were found in both WordPress and unified content for the exam overview, syllabus, question papers, application form, admit card, answer key and result. The older syllabus page gives preparation themes such as visual perception, colour, design elements, composition, drawing and sketching; these are retained as broad historical preparation context, not represented as a replacement for the official syllabus. Legacy exam and section paths redirect to the corresponding pages in this exam module.
Sources: State CET Cell official portal, 2026–27 information brochure, final-date notice (16 March 2026), grievances/objections notice (8 June 2026) and result and scorecard notice (8 June 2026).