MHT-CET 2025 has drawn criticism after the State Common Entrance Test Cell (CET Cell) announced a re-test for candidates who had taken the Sunday morning session of the test. This was ordered after 21 major mistakes were found in the English medium paper of the mathematics section. The said paper was attempted by 24,744 candidates and was one among the 16 various sessions organized for the MHT-CET 2025 entrance exam.
The concern is especially dire since MHT-CET 2025 is the main entry-point for admission into engineering, pharmacy, and agri courses offered by Maharashtra universities. The exam is a high-stakes exam with lakhs of candidates pinning their hopes on it to gain entry to elite state-managed and private technical colleges. Official statistics reflect that close to 7.64 lakh students enrolled for this year’s test.
The 21 mistakes were limited to the Physics-Chemistry-Mathematics (PCM) category and did not touch the Biology category. Further, the errors were found only in the mathematics portion of the English-medium question paper. Since questions on mathematics are given a weightage of 2 marks each—twice the weightage given to questions on physics and chemistry—the impact on candidates affected by it can be considerable and long-lasting.
In a formal release, the MHT-CET 2025 Cell accepted the mistakes and ensured the students that steps would be taken to restore fairness and integrity in the evaluation process. “We regret the inconvenience caused to the candidates who appeared for the flawed paper. The CET Cell ensures transparency in and absence of errors from the examinations,” the release stated.
To rectify the situation, a re-test will be conducted for the impacted candidates, but dates have not been announced as yet. The CET Cell has mentioned that it is in the process of discussing with concerned stakeholders such as examination centres and invigilators to complete the arrangements for the re-test. Updates on the new schedule will be uploaded on the official MHT-CET 2025 website.
MHT-CET 2025: What is the re-exam announcement a reflection on the credibility of Maharashtra’s most important entrance test?
The furore creates serious doubts regarding the examination preparation process and the quality control mechanisms that exist. Education experts and student bodies have accused the CET Cell of failing in quality control and of not even detecting the obvious errors before conducting the examination. Certain ones have called for a thorough scrutiny of the vetting procedure of question paper designing, particularly for competitive examinations like MHT-CET 2025, where even the slightest irregularity can result in disproportionately huge outcomes for students.
Disciplinary action against the academic staff who prepared the defective question paper has already begun, CET Cell sources said. These teachers formed part of question-setting and moderation panels and have been placed in the dock before an internal committee of inquiry. “Accountability is being ensured. Appropriate punitive action will be taken against those found lacking in performing their duties,” informed a senior officer in the CET Cell.
The MHT-CET 2025 scandal is not the first example of logistical failings in high-stakes public exams in India. Yet the extent and detail of the mistakes in a key section such as mathematics, which can radically shift ranking and merit lists, has raised public and academic alarm. Experts have noted that, because MHT-CET 2025 employs percentile-based scoring and normalisation between sessions, any variations in levels of difficulty or mistakes will skew merit rankings and affect seat allocation.
In order to regain public confidence, the CET Cell is also exploring the modification of its paper-setting and screening processes. Suggestions on the table are the deployment of AI-based verification tools, extra moderation panels, and pre-exam sample testing of question papers. Officials said that the ultimate aim is to make sure that MHT-CET 2025 remains a reliable and just assessment for college admissions in Maharashtra.
Student response to the news of a re-test has been varied. While most welcomed the decision as a corrective action, a section of students and parents complained about the delay it would bring in the admission process. “We appreciate the reasoning behind a re-test, but we hope the new dates are announced early.”. Any postponement may impact our counselling plans and college choices,” stated one candidate from Pune who appeared for the defective mathematics paper.
The MHT-CET 2025 Cell has attempted to pacify candidates by assuring them that the re-examination will not affect the overall admission timetable. Officials affirmed that students availing the re-test would be treated on par with others, and all scores would be aligned for the common merit list. Other steps, like offering travel reimbursement or the flexibility of choosing test centres for re-examinees, are also being considered.
Following such advancements, the education experts advocated that there be a wider discourse about how Indian public examination systems are being controlled. They state that structural improvements need to happen and insist on error-free tests as a minimum right of every examinee going in for the exams like MHT-CET 2025.
The State CET Cell has assured that full transparency will be observed in all subsequent actions in respect of the re-exam. A helpdesk dedicated to dealing with queries related to the problem has been launched, and official announcements will keep appearing on the MHT-CET 2025 website and through authenticated communication mediums.
As students, teachers, and school administrators wait to hear the news of the rescheduled new date of the exam, the MHT-CET 2025 row is an urgent reminder of the value of accuracy, accountability, and integrity in public entry tests.
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