Why are Maharashtra students demanding a re-test of the top 150 MH CET rankers?

The credibility of the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MH CET) has come under scrutiny after students and educators flagged unusual differences between Class 12 board examination marks and MH CET 2025-26 scores. The debate has intensified into a demand for the re-examination of the top 150 MH CET rankers under supervised conditions to verify the authenticity of the results.

The issue has gained widespread attention amid growing concerns over the integrity of competitive examinations, particularly after recent national controversies surrounding entrance tests.

What triggered the demand for a re-test?

The call for a re-test was initiated by Advay Joshi, a former student of the College of Engineering Pune (COEP) and founder of Swayam Physics. After analysing MH CET results over the past several years, Joshi claimed there has been a significant shift in the relationship between Class 12 Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) scores and MH CET performance since 2022.

According to his analysis, students who traditionally secured more than 90 per cent in PCM subjects also ranked among the top performers in MH CET. However, recent results, he argues, show a different pattern.

Why are students questioning the results?

The controversy stems from instances where students with comparatively low Class 12 PCM marks reportedly secured exceptionally high MH CET percentiles, while several board examination toppers received much lower rankings.

According to the data cited by Joshi:

• Some students with 45–60 per cent marks in Class 12 PCM reportedly scored 95–100 percentile in MH CET.
• The MH CET 2025-26 topper is reported to have scored 51.67 per cent in Class 12 PCM and 50 per cent in Class 10.
• The second-ranked candidate reportedly obtained around 51 per cent in Class 12 and 44 per cent in Class 10.
• Data released by the CET Cell reportedly shows that nearly 200 candidates scoring 98–100 percentile had 40–50 per cent in Class 12 PCM.
• At the same time, around 50 students with over 90 per cent PCM marks reportedly scored only around the 30th percentile in the entrance examination.

These figures have prompted students, parents and coaching institutes to seek greater transparency in the evaluation process.

Demand for independent verification

Those raising concerns are not seeking cancellation of the examination but are calling for the top 150 rank holders to undergo a supervised re-test to determine whether the published rankings accurately reflect students' abilities.

Supporters of the proposal argue that such a verification exercise would help restore public confidence in the examination process if the results are found to be genuine.

CET Cell rejects allegations

The State Common Entrance Test Cell has dismissed suggestions of irregularities.

CET Commissioner Dilip Sardesai stated that Class 12 board examinations and MH CET assess different competencies, making direct comparisons between board marks and entrance test percentiles inappropriate.

According to the CET Cell, its internal analysis shows an overall positive correlation between board examination performance and MH CET scores, even though individual exceptions may exist.

Political leaders seek transparency

The issue has also drawn political attention, with leaders including Rohit Pawar of the NCP, Aaditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Congress demanding greater transparency in the examination process.

While authorities have not announced any decision on conducting a re-test, calls for an independent review of the top 150 MH CET rankers continue to gain momentum, keeping the debate over examination transparency and fairness in focus.