Top Tier Engineering Colleges in Maharashtra Placement and Cutoff 2026: Expected Cutoffs & Admission Guide
- Dec 16, 2025
- 6 min read
Preparing for engineering admissions in Maharashtra for the 2026 academic year requires a blend of high-level entrance preparation and strategic college selection. With the increasing demand for specialized branches like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), cutoffs are reaching record highs.
This blog provides a comprehensive analysis of top-tier colleges, expected 2026 cutoffs, and placement trends to help you plan your journey.

Top Tier Colleges & Expected 2026 Cutoffs
For 2026, the MHT-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) remains the primary gateway. Based on longitudinal trends from 2024 and 2025, the competition for Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and IT at top-tier autonomous institutes is projected to stay above the 99.5 percentile.
VJTI (VEERMATA JIJABAI TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE)
COEP (COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING PUNE)
SPIT (SARDAR PATEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY)
PICT ( PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY)
WCE (Walchand College of Engineering , Sangli)
Top Tier Engineering Colleges in Maharashtra Placement and Cutoff 2026
Expected VJTI 2026 Cutoffs (Branch-Wise).
For 2026, VJTI Mumbai (Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute) is expected to maintain its reputation as the most competitive institute in Maharashtra after IIT Bombay.
Branch Name | Expected 2026 Percentile | Expected State Merit Rank |
Computer Engineering | 99.95 - 99.98+ | 1 - 150 |
Information Technology | 99.90 - 99.94 | 151 - 250 |
Electronics & Telecom (ENTC) | 99.70 - 99.75 | 600 - 800 |
Electronics Engineering | 99.55 - 99.65 | 1000 - 1250 |
Electrical Engineering | 99.30 - 99.45 | 1800 - 2200 |
Mechanical Engineering | 99.10 - 99.25 | 2200 - 2600 |
Civil Engineering | 98.40 - 98.60 | 4500 - 5500 |
If you are targeting the most sought-after Computer Engineering branch, here are the estimated "Safe Percentiles" for different categories:
OBC: 99.85+
EWS: 99.90+
SC: 98.60+
ST: 96.50+
TFWS: 99.96+ (Extremely competitive)
Expected COEP 2026 Cutoffs (Branch-Wise).
COEP Tech is an emotion for engineering aspirants in Pune. Located at the confluence of the Mula and Mutha rivers, its heritage architecture houses one of the most vibrant student communities in India. Unlike VJTI’s corporate focus, COEP is famous for its student autonomy, technical clubs (like the Satellite team), and the legendary Regatta (Boat Club festival). It recently gained University status, allowing for rapid curriculum updates.
Branch Name | Expected 2026 Percentile | Expected State Merit Rank |
Computer Engineering | 99.85 - 99.96 | 1 - 300 |
Robotics & Artificial Intelligence | 99.62 - 99.75 | 300 - 900 |
Electronics & Telecom (ENTC) | 99.70 - 99.80 | 400 - 650 |
Electrical Engineering | 99.40 - 99.50 | 1200 - 1500 |
Instrumentation & Control | 99.20 - 99.30 | 1600 - 1900 |
Mechanical Engineering | 99.15 - 99.25 | 1800 - 2100 |
Civil Engineering | 98.10 - 98.30 | 4500 - 5000 |
Admission Process 2026 Roadmap:
Entrance: Appear for MHT-CET (PCM) in April 2026.
CAP Registration: Register on the Mahacet.org portal in June 2026.
Choice Filling: Put COEP (Code: 6006) as your top priority.
Spot Rounds: COEP is famous for its "Institutional Spot Rounds" in August/September 2026, where remaining seats are filled based on merit. This is often the best chance to get a core branch even with a slightly lower rank.
Expected SPIT 2026 Cutoffs (Branch-Wise).
Located in Andheri, SPIT shares its 47-acre campus with Bhavan’s College. It has rapidly distinguished itself from its parent body (SPCE) to become a powerhouse for Computer Science and Electronics. SPIT is known for being agile and modern; it lacks the "old government college" vibe and instead feels like a high-intensity coding boot camp. The college focuses heavily on internships and has excellent ties with the nearby IT parks in Mumbai.
SPIT has reduced its branch count to focus heavily on Computer-related fields. This specialization makes its cutoffs extremely high.
Branch Name | Expected Percentile | Expected State Merit Rank |
Computer Engineering | 99.78 - 99.85+ | 150 - 450 |
Computer Science & Eng (CSE) | 99.65 - 99.75 | 450 - 700 |
CSE (AI & ML) | 99.55 - 99.68 | 700 - 950 |
CSE (Data Science) | 99.50 - 99.62 | 900 - 1100 |
Electronics & Telecom (ENTC) | 99.15 - 99.30 | 1800 - 2500 |
Location: Located in Andheri (West), it is in the heart of Mumbai’s corporate and media hub, giving students an edge for off-campus networking.
Expected PICT 2026 Cutoffs (Branch-Wise).
PICT is often jokingly called the "Mini-IIT" or "Coding Factory" of Pune. It is a single-minded campus: small in size, strict in discipline, and absolutely obsessed with coding. The college operates almost 24/7, with students famously spending nights in labs working on projects. It doesn't offer Civil or Mechanical engineering—it focuses entirely on creating software engineers who are industry-ready from Day 1.
Branch Name | Expected Percentile | Marks Range (Out of 200) |
Computer Engineering | 99.50 – 99.65 | 152 – 156 |
Information Technology | 99.40 – 99.55 | 148 – 152 |
Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Data Science | 99.30 – 99.45 | 145 – 148 |
Electronics & Computer Engineering | 99.10 – 99.25 | 138 – 142 |
Electronics & Telecom (ENTC) | 98.90 – 99.15 | 135 – 140 |
JEE Main Expected 2026 Cutoff (All India Seats)
PICT is highly sought after by students across India.
Computer Engineering: Target Rank under 11,500.
IT / AI & Data Science: Target Rank under 13,500.
Expected WCE 2026 Cutoffs (Branch-Wise).
Walchand Sangli proves that excellence isn't limited to metro cities. With a sprawling 90-acre campus, it offers a serene academic environment far from the distractions of Pune or Mumbai. It is an autonomous institute with a massive legacy, particularly in Civil and Mechanical engineering. However, its CSE and IT departments have seen an explosion in placements recently due to the lower cost of living and high salary offers.
Branch Name | Expected 2026 Percentile | Expected State Merit Rank |
Computer Science & Eng (CSE) | 99.45 – 99.55 | 600 – 900 |
Information Technology (IT) | 99.35 – 99.45 | 950 – 1300 |
Electronics Engineering | 98.80 – 99.10 | 2500 – 3500 |
Electrical Engineering | 98.10 – 98.35 | 5000 – 6500 |
Mechanical Engineering | 97.20 – 97.60 | 8500 – 10000 |
Civil Engineering | 96.50 – 96.85 | 11000 – 13000 |
JEE Main Expected 2026 Cutoff (All India Seats)
CSE / IT: Under 18,000 Rank
Electronics: Under 22,000 Rank
Coding Culture: It has a very strong "Club Culture" (ACS, WLUG). The Walchand Linux Users' Group (WLUG) is one of the most famous student-run tech communities in India. Top Tier Engineering Colleges in Maharashtra Placement and Cutoff 2026
FAQ?
Q1: What is the biggest change in the MHT-CET 2026 exam?
Ans: For the first time, the MHT-CET will be held twice a year (Session 1 in April and Session 2 in May). This gives students two attempts to improve their scores, similar to the JEE Main format. The best score of the two sessions will be considered for the Centralized Admission Process (CAP).'
Q2: What is a "Safe Score" to get into COEP or VJTI for CS/IT?
Ans: Historically, a score of 160+ marks (out of 200) or a percentile above 99.9 is typically required for Computer Engineering at these top institutions. For IT, a percentile of 99.7+ is generally the safe zone.
Q3: How much do cutoffs vary between categories like OBC, SC, and ST?
Ans: There is a significant difference. For example, at VJTI, while the General cutoff for Computer Engineering is ~99.97, it can drop to ~98.6 for SC and ~96.3 for ST. EWS and OBC cutoffs usually stay closer to the General category, often within a 0.2–0.5 percentile range.
Q4: Which engineering branch has the best placements in Maharashtra?
Ans: Computer Engineering and IT lead with average packages between ₹12 LPA and ₹18 LPA at top colleges. However, Electronics & Telecommunication (ENTC) is seeing a massive surge due to the semiconductor boom, and Chemical Engineering at ICT Mumbai remains world-class with unique global opportunities.
Q5: Can a student from outside Maharashtra (OMS) get into COEP or VJTI?
Ans: Yes, but they fall under the All-India Quota (AIQ). Admissions for these seats are primarily based on JEE Main scores rather than MHT-CET. These seats are highly limited (usually 15%) and require a very high JEE Main percentile (often 98+).
Q6: What is the "Normalization Process" in MHT-CET?
Ans: Since the exam is held in multiple shifts, the difficulty levels may vary. Normalization uses a percentile-based formula to ensure that no student is at a disadvantage due to a harder paper. Your percentile represents the percentage of students who scored less than or equal to you in that specific shift.
CTP :
The 2026 admission landscape is shifting, and staying informed is your biggest competitive advantage. Don't let your hard work go to waste—use these resources to lock in your seat at Maharashtra’s elite institutions.
1. Strategize Your Preparation
With the new two-session MHT-CET 2026 pattern, you have two chances to hit that 99+ percentile. Start today:
Download the 2026 MHT-CET Syllabus & Weightage Guide – Master the 80% Class 12 focus area.
Access 2026 Mock Test Series – Practice with the new sectional time-locking system used in the actual exam.
2. Plan Your College Preferences
Know where you stand before the CAP rounds begin. Use data-backed tools to compare the "Big Three" (COEP, VJTI, SPIT).
MHT-CET 2026 College Predictor – Input your target scores to see your probability of admission for CS, IT, and AI/ML branches.
Official 2025 Cutoff PDF Archive – Analyze the final closing ranks to build a realistic and safe "Preference List."
3. Join the Community
Don't navigate the 2026 admission maze alone. Get real-time alerts on registration dates and placement trends.
Subscribe to our 2026 Admission Newsletter – Get weekly deep dives into branch-wise ROI and campus placement reports.
Join the MHT-CET Aspirants Telegram Group – Connect with peers and seniors from VJTI and COEP.



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