Maharashtra Agriculture PhD CET Recruitment 2026 – New Date
Maharashtra Agriculture PhD CET Recruitment 2026 application window has been officially extended by the Maharashtra Agricultural Universities Examination Board (MAUEB), Pune. The Ph.D.-CET-2026 is the Common Entrance Test for admission to Doctoral Degree Programmes across all four State Agricultural Universities of Maharashtra for Academic Year 2026-27. The revised last date to submit the online application is 10th August 2026. This is an important update for agriculture postgraduates aiming for a research career — read on for complete eligibility, exam fee, and how to apply at agrijob.in.
As per official Notification-2 (No. MAUEB/Ph.D.-CET-26/Notification-2/209/26) dated 30th July 2026, the online application period originally scheduled from 16.07.2026 to 30.07.2026 has been extended along with the entire subsequent timeline. Aspirants who missed the earlier deadline now get a fresh window to complete their Ph.D.-CET-2026 registration and fee payment.
The Ph.D.-CET-2026 covers 40 subject streams across Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Fisheries Science, Food Technology, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Agricultural Engineering, and Post Harvest Management faculties. The test is conducted for admission to doctoral programmes at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (Rahuri), Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (Akola), Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (Parbhani), and Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth (Dapoli).
This latest update on the Ph.D.-CET-2026 revised schedule is crucial for candidates to track closely, since MAUEB has clearly stated that no further correction requests will be entertained after submission except in cases of genuine grievances during the designated grievance period. Read on for the complete revised timeline, eligibility, and step-by-step application process.

Table of Contents
📋 Table of Contents
- Maharashtra Agriculture PhD CET Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview
- Who Should Apply?
- Exam Fee & Financial Details
- Application Fee
- Eligibility Cut-off & CGPA Requirement
- Subject-wise Stream Details
- Eligibility / Qualification
- Selection Process
- How to Apply Online
- Important Dates (Revised)
- Important Links
- Frequently Asked Questions
Maharashtra Agriculture PhD CET Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview
Before diving into the details, candidates should review this quick snapshot of the Ph.D.-CET-2026 revised notification. It covers all the essential information about this doctoral admission entrance test at a glance.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Maharashtra Agricultural Universities Examination Board (MAUEB), Pune |
| Exam Name | Ph.D.-CET-2026 (Common Entrance Test for Doctoral Admission) |
| Academic Year | 2026-27 |
| Total Subject Streams | 40 Streams across 8 Faculties |
| Participating Universities | 4 Maharashtra State Agricultural Universities (MH-SAUs) |
| Exam Fee (Open/Other State) | Rs. 1,500 |
| Exam Fee (Reserved Category) | Rs. 750 |
| Minimum CGPA Required | 6.5 in qualifying PG degree |
| Revised Last Date to Apply | 10 August 2026 (11:59 p.m.) |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Official Website | www.mcaer.org |
Who Should Apply for Maharashtra Agriculture PhD CET Recruitment 2026?
This doctoral entrance test is ideal for candidates who match the following profile. Check if you qualify before applying online:
- Candidates holding a Master’s degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Fisheries Science, or allied disciplines from a recognised Agricultural University
- Final-year Master’s degree candidates appearing/appeared during academic year 2025-26
- Candidates with a minimum CGPA of 6.5 in their qualifying PG degree
- Aspirants seeking admission to Doctoral Degree Programmes in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Food Technology, or Biotechnology streams
- In-service candidates seeking Ph.D. admission (must meet the same merit criteria)
- Candidates from Open, Reserved, and Other State categories across Maharashtra
- Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) requiring scribe/compensatory time facility
This govt entrance exam is a great opportunity for agriculture graduates aiming to pursue serious research careers, as admission is strictly merit-based, combining CET marks and PG CGPA in a 70:30 ratio. Candidates already working in the field who wish to pursue a doctoral degree alongside their profession are also eligible under the same criteria.
Exam Fee & Financial Details for PhD-CET 2026

Since this is an admission entrance test rather than a recruitment, there is no salary involved at the application stage. However, candidates should be aware of the following financial details related to the exam and future doctoral admission:
- Exam Fee (Open/Other State): Rs. 1,500 per CET-subject
- Exam Fee (Reserved Category): Rs. 750 per CET-subject (SC/ST/VJ(a)/NT(b)/NT(c)/NT(d)/OBC/SBC/EWS/SEBC/PwD/Orphan of Maharashtra)
- Verification/Re-evaluation Fee: Rs. 1,000 per CET-subject, if requested within 3 days of result declaration
- Refund Policy: Examination fee is strictly non-refundable under any circumstances
- Payment Mode: Net-banking, UPI, Debit Card, or Credit Card via the Integrated e-Payment Gateway (IPG)
Candidates should note that reserved category applicants must mention their valid category to claim the fee concession; in the absence of category credentials, they will be treated as Open category and charged the full Rs. 1,500 fee. Doctoral candidates admitted through this CET may also become eligible for research fellowships and stipends as per their respective university and department norms once admitted.
Application Fee
The examination fee structure for Ph.D.-CET-2026 is category-based, as detailed in the table below:
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Open (Unreserved) | Rs. 1,500 |
| Other State (OS) Candidates | Rs. 1,500 |
| SC / ST / OBC / VJ(a) / NT(b)/(c)/(d) / SBC / EWS / SEBC / PwD / Orphan (Maharashtra) | Rs. 750 |
Eligibility Cut-off & CGPA Requirement
Unlike typical government recruitment, this entrance test does not specify an age limit. Instead, admission eligibility is governed by academic performance and merit as follows:
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum CGPA in Qualifying PG Degree | 6.5 |
| Merit Weightage – CET Marks | 70% |
| Merit Weightage – PG CGPA | 30% |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks/Cut-off | As announced in Ph.D. Admission Prospectus 2026-27 |
Subject-wise Stream Details for PhD-CET 2026
The Ph.D.-CET-2026 covers 40 subject streams across 8 major faculties. Here is a summary of the faculty-wise stream distribution:
| Faculty | No. of Streams | Sample Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | 15 | Agronomy, Soil Science, Genetics & Plant Breeding, Entomology, Plant Pathology |
| Horticulture | 4 | Fruit Science, Vegetable Science, Floriculture, Plantation Crops |
| Forestry | 2 | Silviculture & Agroforestry, Forest Resource Management |
| Fisheries Science | 6 | Aquaculture, Fish Processing Technology, Fisheries Extension |
| Food Technology | 1 | Food Processing Technology |
| Molecular Biology & Biotechnology | 1 | Molecular Biology and Biotechnology |
| Agricultural Engineering | 6 | Irrigation Engineering, Farm Machinery, Renewable Energy Engineering |
| Post Harvest Management | 5 | Post Harvest Engineering, Food Grains and Seeds Processing |
| Total | 40 |
Candidates can apply for only one Ph.D. subject/discipline in this CET. Note that the Ph.D. programme in Food and Nutrition at VNMKV Parbhani and the Ph.D. programme in Food Technology at MPKV Rahuri remain suspended as per official university orders.
Eligibility / Qualification
Before applying for Maharashtra Agriculture PhD CET Recruitment 2026, candidates must fulfil the following eligibility criteria as per the official Information Bulletin:
- Essential Qualification: Relevant Master’s degree (M.Sc./M.Tech./M.F.Sc.) obtained exclusively from an Agricultural University, matching the chosen CET subject/stream
- Minimum CGPA: 6.5 in the qualifying PG degree
- Final-Year Candidates: Students appearing/appeared for final year Master’s examination during 2025-26 are also eligible
- One Subject Rule: Candidates can apply for only one Ph.D.-CET subject/discipline
- Document Verification: No certificates are required at the application stage; eligibility is verified only at counselling/admission time
Candidates should note that mere submission of the online application or appearing for the CET examination does not confirm eligibility — verification happens only at the counselling/admission stage, and applications found ineligible at any point will be summarily rejected.
Selection Process for Maharashtra Agriculture PhD CET Recruitment 2026
The updated selection process for Ph.D.-CET-2026 consists of the following stages:
- Online Registration and Application Form Submission
- Online Payment of Examination Fee
- Display of Provisional List of Eligible/Non-eligible Candidates
- Grievance Submission Period (if application found non-eligible)
- Display of Final List of Eligible Candidates
- Online Issuance of Admit Card
- Common Entrance Test – 120 MCQs, 90 minutes, no negative marking
- Publishing of Answer Keys and Declaration of Result
- Final Merit List (70% CET marks + 30% PG CGPA) and Counselling/Admission
The CET question paper comprises 80 MCQs on Core Subject Knowledge, 20 MCQs on Relevant Supporting Subjects, and 20 MCQs on General Awareness/Current Affairs relevant to the discipline. There is no negative marking, and answers must be marked on an OMR sheet with a black ink ballpoint pen only — changing an answer once marked is not allowed.

How to Apply Online for Maharashtra Agriculture PhD CET Recruitment 2026
Follow these simple steps to complete your online application before the revised last date of 10th August 2026:
- Visit the official website: MCAER Official Site and go to MAUEB (Examination Board)
- Click on “Ph.D.-CET-2026 Online Application Form” and complete Registration with valid email ID and mobile number (OTP verification required)
- Create and confirm a secure password, then click Register
- Log in using your Application Number, Mobile Number, or Email ID with your password
- Fill in Personal Details: full name (as per SSC/HSC certificate), date of birth, gender, nationality, and category
- Enter Address for Communication and Contact Information (mobile number, alternate number, email ID)
- Fill Educational Details: PG university, institute name, Master’s degree, and select your Ph.D.-CET subject from the drop-down list
- Choose your preferred Examination Centre from the available options
- Upload photograph (max 35 KB, 300×200 pixels, .jpg/.jpeg/.png) and signature (max 30 KB, 150×200 pixels)
- Read and confirm the Declaration, then click “Submit for Online Payment”
- Complete the online payment of exam fee (Rs. 750 or Rs. 1,500) via the IPG link by 11th August 2026
- Download, save, and print the Application Acknowledgment from your Candidate’s Login
Candidates should note that the application is considered “Successfully Submitted” only after both registration and successful online fee payment are complete. No hardcopy of the application or documents should be sent to the MAUEB office — the entire process is conducted online only.
Important Dates (Revised)
As per official Notification-2 dated 30th July 2026, the following timeline has been revised for Ph.D.-CET-2026:
| Event | Revised Date |
|---|---|
| Last Date of Submission of Online Application | 10.08.2026 (11:59 p.m.) |
| Last Date for Online Payment of Fees | 11.08.2026 (11:59 p.m.) |
| Display of Provisional List of Eligible/Non-eligible Candidates | 14.08.2026 |
| Period for Grievance Submission (by e-mail) | 14.08.2026 to 18.08.2026 |
| Display of Final List of Eligible Candidates | 20.08.2026 |
| Online Issuance of Admit Card | Will be displayed on www.mcaer.org |
| Final CET Examination Schedule | Will be displayed on website (Tentatively October 2026) |
| Publishing of Answer Keys | Will be displayed on website |
| Declaration of Examination Result | Will be displayed on website |
Candidates should note that these dates are subject to change under unavoidable circumstances, and all updates will be notified on the official MCAER website. It is strongly advised to keep checking the portal regularly closer to the exam date.
Important Links
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| Official Notification (Download) | Download Notification PDF |
| Apply Online / Registration | MCAER Official Portal |
| Official Website | MAUEB Official Site |
| ICAR Authority Portal | icar.org.in |
| More Agriculture Jobs | Latest Agriculture Jobs |
| Latest Govt Jobs 2026 | Govt Jobs 2026 |
| Join Telegram for Job Alerts | Join @agrijob_in |
Frequently Asked Questions about Maharashtra Agriculture PhD CET Recruitment 2026
What is Maharashtra Agriculture PhD CET Recruitment 2026?
Maharashtra Agriculture PhD CET Recruitment 2026 refers to the Ph.D.-CET-2026, the Common Entrance Test conducted by the Maharashtra Agricultural Universities Examination Board (MAUEB), Pune, for admission to Doctoral Degree Programmes across four State Agricultural Universities of Maharashtra during academic year 2026-27.
What is the exam fee for Ph.D.-CET 2026?
The exam fee for Ph.D.-CET-2026 is Rs. 1,500 for candidates in the Open category and Other State candidates, and Rs. 750 for candidates in the Reserved category of Maharashtra (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD and similar categories).
What is the eligibility for Maharashtra Agriculture PhD CET Recruitment 2026?
Candidates must hold a relevant Master’s degree from an Agricultural University with a minimum CGPA of 6.5. Final-year Master’s students appearing/appeared during 2025-26 are also eligible. The applicable subject/stream must match the candidate’s PG qualification as per the official eligibility table.
What is the last date to apply for Ph.D.-CET-2026 after the extension?
The revised last date to submit the online application for Ph.D.-CET-2026 is 10th August 2026 (11:59 p.m.), and the last date for online fee payment is 11th August 2026 (11:59 p.m.), as per official Notification-2.
How many subject streams are covered in Ph.D.-CET-2026?
Ph.D.-CET-2026 covers a total of 40 subject streams across 8 faculties, including Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Fisheries Science, Food Technology, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Agricultural Engineering, and Post Harvest Management.
Is there negative marking in Ph.D.-CET-2026?
No, there is no negative marking for wrong or unanswered questions in Ph.D.-CET-2026. The exam consists of 120 MCQs to be attempted within 90 minutes, with one mark awarded for each correct answer.
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