For the first time, the CET cell of the Maharashtra Common Entrance Examination has launched a series of outreach programs to create awareness about various CET exams and the higher education options available after them, particularly in districts that consistently record low enrollment numbers.
The initiative aims to reach out to students from districts like Dhule Nandurbar and Nanded, among others, where low participation in CETs has pointed out gaps in awareness about vocational education pathways.
Every year, more than 10 lakh candidates register for various CETs conducted by the state-run CET Cell for admission to professional courses in colleges like engineering, pharmacy, agriculture and fine arts. Despite the large numbers, the CET Cell has observed a significant lack of awareness about the range of CET and post-exam admission options among eligible students, especially in underdeveloped districts and rural areas.
The outreach program will be carried out in phases leading up to the CETs for the 2026-27 academic year and is designed to address this gap through direct participation.
Unlike previous years where guidance was largely limited to online information, CET Cell is now focused on in-person interactions. Expert CET Cell officers across multiple domains will interact with students and parents to explain the entrance exams, CET registration process, admission system and centralized admission process.
The first phase of the outreach program began on Sunday with the first session held in Dhule. The remaining districts to be covered in this phase are Akola Nanded and Wardha with sessions scheduled between January 18 and 25.
Explaining the structure of the programme, Maharashtra CET Cell Commissioner Dilip Sardesai said, “These are in-person sessions where students and parents can interact with different expert teachers of CET Cell. They will not only educate students about the process of CET followed by Common Admission Process (CAP) but also provide extensive information about the future prospects of courses available to students. The idea is to boost representation of students from underdeveloped districts of “Maharashtra in the professional field courses.”
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Sardesai said Dhule’s session was live-streamed on CET Cell’s social media platforms to ensure wider access. “Other students may have similar concerns to those raised by those who attended the sessions. With this in mind, recordings of these sessions will be available for students to view at any time,” he said.
