MH SET 2026: Notification, Postponed Exam Date, Eligibility, Syllabus and Cut Off
MH SET 2026, the 41st Maharashtra State Eligibility Test, has been postponed. Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) moved the exam from 26 July 2026 to 6 September 2026, and the application window has since been extended more than once. MH SET 2026 selection process involves a written examination with two papers, and candidates who qualify will become eligible to apply for Assistant Professor positions in recognised higher education institutions within the state.
What is MH SET 2026?
Maharashtra State Eligibility Test MH SET 2026 is a state level eligibility exam conducted by Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) on behalf of the Maharashtra government. It decides eligibility for Assistant Professor posts in universities and colleges across Maharashtra and Goa. The exam is held offline in pen-and-paper mode and consists of two papers, a general teaching and research aptitude paper and a subject-specific paper, conducted together in a single sitting.
MH SET 2026 Exam Details
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | Maharashtra State Eligibility Test (MH SET) |
| Conducting body | Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), State Agency |
| Exam level | State (Maharashtra and Goa) |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Mode of application | Online |
| Exam mode | Offline, pen and paper |
| Exam duration | 3 hours (Paper 1 and Paper 2 together, single sitting) |
| Official website | setexam.unipune.ac.in |
MH SET 2026 Exam Date: Postponed to 6 September
MH SET 2026 was originally scheduled for 26 July 2026. SPPU postponed it to avoid a clash with multiple MPSC recruitment exams and travel disruption from the Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage. The confirmed new date, shown on SPPU's official site, is 6 September 2026.
- The revised date now overlaps with CTET, and several candidates have publicly asked SPPU to consider a further change. No second revision has been confirmed as of this writing.
- The application window was extended more than once alongside the postponement. Check the dates table below for the current, confirmed schedule.
- Keep checking the official website for any further update, since an exam this close to another major test can still move again.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification release | 28 May to 2 June 2026 |
| Application without late fee | 2 June to 3 July 2026 |
| Application with late fee | 13 July to 23 July 2026 |
| Correction window | 24 July to 26 July 2026 |
| Exam date (original) | 26 July 2026 (postponed) |
| Exam date (revised) | 6 September 2026 |
| Admit card release | Not yet announced |
| Result release | Not yet announced |
MH SET Exam Date
| MH SET Exam Events | MH SET Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| MH SET 2026 Exam Date | Sep 6, 2026 |
MH SET Eligibility Criteria 2026
MH SET 2026 eligibility criteria are defined based on the candidate's educational qualifications, nationality and age. Candidates must fulfil all three conditions to apply for MH SET 2026.
MH SET Educational Qualification 2026
| Category | Minimum Qualification Required |
|---|---|
| Unreserved | Master's degree or equivalent from a UGC-recognised university with at least 55% marks |
| SC / ST / OBC / PwD | Master's degree or equivalent from a UGC-recognised university with at least 50% marks |
| Final-year postgraduate students | Eligible to apply, subject to completing their Master's within the assigned deadline |
MH SET Nationality Criteria 2026
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Must be an Indian National |
| Eligibility basis | Indian citizens who meet the educational qualification can appear for MH SET 2026 |
MH SET Age Limit 2026
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Upper age limit | None |
| Who can apply | Candidates of any age who meet the required educational qualification |
MH SET Application Form 2026: How to Apply Online
MH SET 2026 application process runs entirely online through SPPU's official portal, and a late fee window is open at the time of writing.
- Register on the official website with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in personal details, subject choice, exam centre preference and educational information.
- Upload your photograph and signature in the specified size and format.
- Pay the application fee online through debit card, credit card or net banking.
- Review every field and submit, then save or print the confirmation page.
MH SET 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General | Rs 800 |
| SC / ST / PwD / VH / Transgender / OBC / DT | Rs 650 |
MH SET Admit Card 2026: Download Steps
MH SET 2026 admit card has not been released yet, since it will follow the revised 6 September exam date, but the download process stays the same every cycle.
- Visit the official website once the admit card link goes live.
- Log in using your registration number and password.
- Download the admit card and take a printed copy to the exam centre.
- Carry a valid photo ID along with the printed admit card on exam day.
MH SET Syllabus 2026: Paper 1 and Paper 2 Topics
MH SET 2026 syllabus splits into a common Paper 1 and a subject specific Paper 2 chosen from 32 subjects.
| Paper 1 Topics (Teaching and Research Aptitude) | |
|---|---|
| Teaching Aptitude | |
| Research Aptitude | |
| Comprehension | |
| Communication | |
| Reasoning, including Mathematical Reasoning | |
| Logical and Analytical Ability | |
| Data Interpretation | |
| Information and Communication Technology (ICT) | |
| People, Development and Environment | |
| Higher Education System in India | |
| Faculty Group | Paper 2 Subjects |
| Languages | Marathi, Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Urdu |
| Humanities and Social Sciences | History, Economics, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Defence and Strategic Studies, Public Administration, Geography |
| Science | Mathematical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Physical Science, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Earth Atmospheric Ocean and Planetary Science, Computer Science and Application, Electronics Science, Forensic Science |
| Commerce and Law | Commerce, Management, Law |
| Professional and Applied | Home Science, Library and Information Science, Journalism and Mass Communication, Social Work, Education, Physical Education |
MH SET Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme and Paper Structure
MH SET 2026's written test has two papers, conducted together in one sitting, both fully objective.
| Paper | Duration | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 1 hour | 50 | 100 |
| Paper 2 | 2 hours | 100 | 200 |
| Total | 3 hours | 150 | 300 |
- Both papers are objective type, with 2 marks per correct answer.
- There is no negative marking. Incorrect answers are not penalised, so unattempted and wrong answers score the same.
- The question paper is set in English and Marathi, except for language specific subjects, which appear only in that language.
- If the English and Marathi versions of a question conflict, the English version is treated as final.
MH SET Answer Key 2026: Download and Score Calculation
MH SET 2026 answer key is released on the official website after the exam, and scoring your own attempt against it is simple since there is no negative marking.
- Visit the official website and open the 'Answer Key' link once it is live.
- Enter your application number and date of birth to view the correct answer set for your paper code.
- Add 2 marks for every answer that matches the key. Skip or wrong answers add nothing, but do not subtract anything either.
- Candidates who disagree with a specific answer can raise an objection within the window SPPU announces, usually with a supporting fee per objection.
MH SET Result 2026: Steps to Check
MH SET 2026 result is declared on the official website a few weeks after the answer key, once SPPU finalises all objections.
- Visit the official website and click the 'Result' link.
- Enter your application number and date of birth to log in.
- Download the result PDF to see your marks and qualifying status.
MH SET Cut Off 2026: Minimum Qualifying Marks
MH SET 2026 cut off is a fixed percentage of the combined 300 marks, not a merit list based on limited seats, so every candidate above the qualifying percentage clears the exam.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks (Aggregate) |
|---|---|
| General | 40% |
| Reserved (SC / ST / OBC / PwD / Transgender) | 35% |
This percentage based qualifying bar has stayed the same across recent MH SET cycles, so treat it as a stable target rather than a figure that shifts with how many candidates appear.
MH SET Salary 2026: Assistant Professor Pay Scale
MH SET 2026 qualifiers become eligible for Assistant Professor posts, and the pay scale follows the 7th Pay Commission's UGC pay matrix, not the older grade pay structure still listed on many exam pages.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic pay (entry level, Academic Level 10) | Rs 57,700 per month |
| Gross salary with DA, HRA and other allowances | Roughly Rs 90,000 to Rs 1.1 lakh per month, depending on city and institution |
| Annual increment | 3% under the UGC pay matrix |
| Career progression | Career Advancement Scheme moves qualified faculty to higher academic levels over time |
Qualifying MH SET alone makes you eligible to apply. Actual appointment and pay still depend on the specific university or college's own selection process.
MH SET 2026 biggest change this cycle is the date, not the format. Paper 1, Paper 2, the syllabus and the qualifying percentages have stayed the same as previous years, so most of your preparation plan does not need to change because of the postponement. Keep checking SPPU's official site for the admit card and for any further date update, since the exam is now sitting close to at least one other national exam's schedule.
MH SET 2026 FAQs
Ques: Is the MH SET certificate valid outside Maharashtra and Goa?
Ans: No, MH SET's eligibility certificate only holds for Assistant Professor posts within Maharashtra and Goa, unlike UGC NET, which is valid across India.
Ques: Does the MH SET certificate expire after a few years?
Ans: No, MH SET's certificate carries lifetime validity for Assistant Professor eligibility, so candidates don't need to reappear or renew it later.
Ques: Can a candidate with an M.Sc. by research apply for MH SET 2026?
Ans: No, candidates whose Master's degree came through the Research route or a PPPR-converted diploma are not eligible for MH SET.
Ques: Can candidates living outside Maharashtra and Goa apply for MH SET 2026?
Ans: Yes, but they're considered under the General category regardless of their reservation status in their home state.
Ques: Do candidates with a foreign university degree need anything extra to apply?
Ans: Yes, an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) is required before applying.
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