MH CET 3-year LLB Final Merit List 2026 (LIVE): Download PDF, Cut-Offs, and CAP Round Details The State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, has of

MH CET 3-year LLB Final Merit List 2026 (LIVE): Download PDF, Cut-Offs, and CAP Round Details

The State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, has officially published the highly anticipated MH CET 3-year LLB Final Merit List 2026 today, July 24, 2026. Candidates who appeared for the MH CET Law entrance examination and registered for the Centralised Admission Process (CAP) can now access their final merit status on the official counselling portal at llb3cap26.mahacet.org. This merit list is the definitive document that determines a candidate's eligibility and ranking for seat allocation in over 145 participating law colleges across Maharashtra.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover every detail you need to know about the MH CET 3-year LLB CAP Round 2026, including direct links to download the final merit list PDFs, a detailed step-by-step guide to checking your rank, category-wise expected cut-offs for top colleges like Government Law College (GLC) Mumbai and Indian Law Society (ILS) Pune, the intricate tie-breaking rules, and the complete counselling schedule. Whether you are a Maharashtra State (MS) candidate or an Outside Maharashtra State (OMS) candidate, this article provides a complete roadmap to navigating your law school admissions successfully.

Latest Update (July 24, 2026): The Final Merit List for Round 1 has been released separately for MS, OMS, NRI, and Ex-Servicemen categories. Grievance resolution is complete. Only candidates whose names appear in this final list will be eligible for choice filling and Round 1 seat allotment.

1. Overview of MH CET 3-Year LLB Counselling 2026

The MH CET Law 2026 examination for the 3-year LLB programme was successfully conducted on April 1 and 2, 2026. Following the declaration of results on May 27, 2026, the State CET Cell initiated the CAP registration on June 11, 2026. The Centralised Admission Process is a rigorous, multi-stage mechanism designed to ensure fair and transparent allocation of seats based on merit, category, and candidate preferences.

This year, the competition is particularly intense, with a staggering 53,932 candidates registering for the counselling rounds. The counselling process involves online registration, uploading of original documents, e-scrutiny by an expert verification team, publication of an alphabetical (provisional) merit list, a grievance redressal window, and finally, the publication of the final merit list. Once the final merit list is out, candidates proceed to the choice-filling round, where they prioritize their preferred law colleges.

2. MH CET 3-Year LLB CAP Round 1 Important Dates & Schedule

Keeping track of the counselling schedule is critical to ensuring you do not miss any deadlines. A single missed step, such as failing to verify documents or not submitting choices within the stipulated window, can disqualify a candidate from the current admission round. Below is the detailed chronological schedule for the MH CET 3-Year LLB CAP Round 1 for the 2026 academic year.

Counselling Event	Official Date (2026)	Status
Declaration of MH CET Law Result	May 27, 2026	Completed
CAP Registration Window Opens	June 11, 2026	Completed
Last Date for CAP Registration & Document Upload	July 13, 2026	Closed
E-Scrutiny of Uploaded Documents	Up to July 16, 2026	Completed
Display of Alphabetical Merit List (Round 1)	July 17, 2026	Completed
Grievance Submission Window	July 17 to July 19, 2026	Completed
Release of Final Merit List (Round 1)	July 24, 2026	Live Now
College Choice/Option Form Filling for Round 1 & 2	To be announced	Upcoming
Round 1 Seat Allotment Result	To be announced	Upcoming
Reporting to Allotted College for Document Verification	To be announced	Upcoming

3. Direct Links to Download MH CET 3-Year LLB Final Merit List 2026 PDF

To facilitate a smooth process, the State CET Cell releases the final merit list in separate PDF files categorised by the candidature type. This ensures that the massive volume of data is easy to navigate and helps candidates accurately gauge their standing within their specific applicant pool.

Candidates can use the direct links on the official portal to download the respective PDFs. The categories include Maharashtra State (MS), Outside Maharashtra State (OMS), Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Migrants, Wards of Ex-Servicemen, and Non-Resident Indians (NRI). Additionally, a "Not Considered" list is published for candidates whose applications were rejected due to severe discrepancies.

Merit List Category	Official Portal Link
Maharashtra State (MS) Candidates Final Merit List	Available on llb3cap26.mahacet.org
Outside Maharashtra State (OMS) Final Merit List	Available on llb3cap26.mahacet.org
Ex-Servicemen Final Merit List	Available on llb3cap26.mahacet.org
Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Final Merit List	Available on llb3cap26.mahacet.org
List of Not Considered Candidates	Available on llb3cap26.mahacet.org

Note: Candidates do not need to log in to download the overarching PDF lists, but to view your personal detailed status, logging in with your CAP Application Number and Password is recommended.

4. How to Check and Download the Final Merit List 2026?

Navigating the CET Cell portal can sometimes be daunting during peak traffic hours. Follow these exact steps to successfully view and download your MH CET 3-year LLB final merit list:

1. Visit the Official Portal: Open your web browser and go to the dedicated CAP portal for the 3-year law programme: llb3cap26.mahacet.org.
2. Locate the Merit List Notification: On the homepage, look for the "Notifications" or "Downloads" section on the left-hand navigation bar, or click directly on the "Merit List" tab located on the primary navigation menu bar.
3. Select Your Category: Click on the specific link that corresponds to your candidature type (e.g., Round 1 Final Merit List - MS Candidates).
4. Open the PDF Document: The merit list will open in a new tab as a PDF document. Depending on the category, this document can be several hundred pages long.
5. Search for Your Details: Use the "Ctrl + F" (Windows) or "Command + F" (Mac) shortcut on your keyboard to open the search bar. Type in your name or your CAP Application Number.
6. Verify Your Information: Once you locate your row, meticulously cross-check all the details provided, including your CET score, category, and merit ranks.
7. Save and Print: Download the PDF to your local device and keep a printed copy of the page containing your name for future reference during the physical reporting stage at the college.

5. Alphabetical Merit List vs. Final Merit List: What is the Difference?

Many candidates confuse the Alphabetical Merit List with the Final Merit List. It is crucial to understand the distinction to avoid panic during the counselling process.

The Alphabetical Merit List, released earlier on July 17, 2026, is purely a provisional document. It lists all the candidates who successfully registered for the CAP round, arranged in alphabetical order rather than by rank. Its primary purpose is to inform candidates of the status of their document verification. If a candidate's documents were incomplete, their status in this list would show a "Discrepancy". Candidates are then given a grievance window to re-upload documents and fix errors.

The Final Merit List, released on July 24, 2026, is the ultimate ranking document. It is published only after all grievances have been addressed and resolved by the e-scrutiny team. In this list, candidates are arranged strictly according to their state merit rank, which is calculated based on their CET scores and tie-breaking criteria. Only the candidates who secure a spot on the Final Merit List are eligible to proceed to the choice-filling stage and CAP Round 1 allotment.

6. Details Mentioned on the MH CET LLB Final Merit List

The final merit list is a highly detailed document. When you check your name, you must ensure that every single piece of information accurately reflects your academic profile and submitted documents. The following details are prominently displayed:

• State General Merit Number: Your overall rank among all eligible candidates in Maharashtra.
• Category Merit Number: Your rank within your specific reserved category (e.g., SC, ST, OBC, EWS), if applicable.
• CAP Form Number: Your unique application identifier.
• Candidate's Full Name: Spelled exactly as it appears on your qualifying degree certificates.
• Gender & Date of Birth: Used for tie-breaking and demographic purposes.
• Candidature Type: Whether you are MS Type A, B, C, D, E, or OMS.
• Category and Previous Category: Reflects any changes made during the grievance window.
• CET Marks: Your raw score out of 150 in the MH CET Law exam.
• Qualifying Exam Percentages: Marks obtained in Graduation, Post-Graduation (if any), HSC (Class 12), and SSC (Class 10).
• Special Quota Status: Information regarding Persons with Disabilities (PwD), Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Orphan, or Defence/Ex-Servicemen quotas.
• Document Verification Status: Confirms that your e-scrutiny is successfully cleared.

7. E-Scrutiny and Document Verification Status

The State CET Cell employs an entirely online document verification process known as e-scrutiny. During the registration phase, candidates were required to upload high-resolution scanned copies of their original documents, including degree mark sheets, caste certificates, caste validity certificates, non-creamy layer (NCL) certificates, and domicile proofs.

If the final merit list still indicates a discrepancy next to your name, it means the verification team rejected the documents provided during the grievance period. Candidates facing this issue must immediately contact the CET Cell helpdesk for further guidance. Usually, if a caste certificate or validity is missing, the candidate's category is automatically converted to the "Open" category for the seat allotment process, provided they meet the Open category criteria.

8. MH CET 3-Year LLB Expected Cut-offs for Top Colleges (2026)

Securing admission to premier institutions requires high percentile scores. The cut-off percentiles are determined by the difficulty level of the exam, the total number of applicants, the availability of seats, and the reservation policy. Based on the trends and the current year's data, we have compiled the expected cut-off percentiles for the most sought-after law colleges in Maharashtra for Round 1.

Note for OMS Candidates: Outside Maharashtra State (OMS) candidates are treated as Open Category candidates irrespective of their actual category in their home state. To secure a seat in top colleges like GLC Mumbai or ILS Pune, OMS candidates generally require a percentile between 99.00 and 99.98.

Expected Cut-off Percentiles for Top Law Colleges (MS Candidates)

College Name	OPEN Percentile	SC Percentile	ST Percentile	OBC Percentile
Government Law College (GLC), Mumbai	99.66+	97.41+	76.25+	96.79+
Indian Law Society (ILS) Law College, Pune	99.07+	96.92+	81.05+	96.40+
KC Law College, Mumbai	98.52+	-	-	-
DES Shri Navalmal Firodia Law College, Pune	97.85+	94.75+	61.67+	94.46+
Yashwantrao Chavan Law College, Pune	97.41+	89.60+	70.85+	93.63+
Modern Education Society's New Law College, Mumbai	96.46+	89.60+	15.83+	82.90+
Dr. Ambedkar College of Law, Mumbai	95.96+	90.05+	34.94+	76.25+
Siddharth College of Law, Mumbai	95.27+	89.69+	11.90+	78.02+
Adv Balasaheb Apte College of Law, Mumbai	95.12+	85.67+	20.36+	74.39+
Rizvi Law College, Mumbai	93.63+	-	-	-

9. The Tie-Breaking Methodology

With nearly 54,000 candidates vying for limited seats, ties in the CET scores are incredibly common. The CET Cell employs a strict, multi-tiered tie-breaking policy to assign distinct merit ranks to candidates possessing identical MH CET Law scores. If two or more candidates have the same score, the ranking is decided in the following order of preference:

1. Higher Percentage in Qualifying Exam (Graduation): The candidate with a higher aggregate percentage in their undergraduate degree is ranked higher.
2. Higher Percentage in Post-Graduation: If the tie persists, the percentage of marks obtained in a Post-Graduate degree (if the candidate has submitted PG details) is considered.
3. Higher Percentage in HSC (Class 12): If a tie still remains, the candidate with higher marks in their 12th standard board exams gets the preference.
4. Higher Percentage in SSC (Class 10): Next, the marks in the 10th standard exams are evaluated.
5. Older Candidate: If all academic scores match identically, the older candidate is placed higher in the merit list based on their date of birth.

10. Understanding the Reservation Policy

The seat allocation in MH CET Law is heavily governed by the reservation policies laid out by the Government of Maharashtra. These reservations are applicable exclusively to candidates possessing a Maharashtra domicile (MS candidates). Candidates from other states (OMS) are placed in the Open (General) category.

The broad distribution of reserved seats in government and government-aided law colleges is as follows:

Category	Reservation Percentage (%)
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Caste Converts to Buddhism (SC)	13.0%
Scheduled Tribes (ST)	7.0%
Vimukta Jati (VJ) / De Notified Tribes (DT) (NT-A)	3.0%
Nomadic Tribes 1 (NT-B)	2.5%
Nomadic Tribes 2 (NT-C)	3.5%
Nomadic Tribes 3 (NT-D)	2.0%
Other Backward Classes (OBC)	19.0%
Total Reservation for Backward Classes	50.0%

In addition to the above vertical reservations, there are horizontal reservations overlapping these categories. For example, a specific percentage of seats are reserved for Female candidates (typically 30%), Persons with Disabilities (PwD - 5%), and wards of Defence Personnel / Ex-Servicemen (5%). There is also a 10% separate quota for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) over and above the regular intake capacity in certain institutions.

11. What is the Next Step? Choice Filling and Option Forms

Finding your name on the final merit list is just the beginning of the CAP Round. The subsequent steps require strategic planning.

Step 1: Release of the Seat Matrix: Shortly after the final merit list is published, the CET Cell will release the official college-wise seat matrix. This document breaks down the total number of available seats across all categories for every participating college. Candidates must analyse this matrix to understand where they have a realistic chance of admission based on their merit rank.

Step 2: Filling the College Option Form: Candidates will be required to log into their CAP portal and submit their college preferences. You can select a minimum of 1 and a maximum of up to 145 colleges (or however many are participating).

Expert Tip on Choice Filling: Always arrange your options strictly in your order of preference, starting with your dream colleges at the top, followed by realistic options, and finally, safe backup colleges. Do not place a college you do not wish to attend at the number 1 position. If you are allotted your first preference, it becomes "Auto-Freezed," meaning you must accept it and cannot participate in subsequent rounds for betterment.

12. CAP Round Allotment and Post-Allotment Actions (Freeze vs. Float)

Once the option form window closes, the CET Cell will run its algorithm and publish the Round 1 Seat Allotment Result. If you are allotted a seat, you must log in and select one of the following options:

• Freeze (Acceptance): If you are completely satisfied with the allotted college, you will choose the "Freeze" option. You must then pay the seat acceptance fee online (usually Rs. 1000) to freeze the seat. After this, you are required to physically report to the allotted college within the specified dates with all original documents to complete the admission formalities and pay the college fees.
• Float (Betterment): If you have been allotted a college but wish to try for a higher preference college in Round 2, you must select "Float" (also known as Betterment). You still need to pay the seat acceptance fee to secure your current seat. In Round 2, if you are allotted a better preference, your Round 1 seat is automatically cancelled. If no new seat is allotted in Round 2, your Round 1 seat remains intact.

If you fail to report to the college after freezing, or fail to pay the seat acceptance fee, your allotment will be cancelled, and you may be disqualified from the normal CAP rounds.

13. Physical Reporting and Verification for PwD Candidates

For candidates applying under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) quota, there is an additional layer of verification. While general documents are verified online during the e-scrutiny phase, PwD candidates must keep all original disability certificates, medical board proofs, and mark sheets ready. Once a college is allotted, these candidates will be instructed to physically report to the institution, where a specialized committee will verify the authenticity and extent of the disability before finalizing the admission.

14. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is the MH CET 3-year LLB Final Merit List 2026 released?

Yes, the State CET Cell of Maharashtra has released the final merit list for Round 1 of the 3-year LLB programme on July 24, 2026. Candidates can download it from llb3cap26.mahacet.org.

Q2. My name was in the alphabetical list but is missing from the final merit list. What happened?

If your name is missing, it implies that the discrepancies found in your application or uploaded documents were not satisfactorily resolved during the grievance window, leading to the rejection of your form for Round 1. You will need to check the "Not Considered" list for the exact reason.

Q3. Can OMS candidates get admission to GLC Mumbai?

Yes, Outside Maharashtra State (OMS) candidates can get admission to GLC Mumbai, but they compete in the Open category. The expected cut-off for OMS candidates at GLC Mumbai is extremely high, generally above the 99.39 percentile mark.

Q4. What is the difference between MS and OMS candidates?

MS (Maharashtra State) candidates hold a domicile certificate of Maharashtra or have passed their qualifying exams from the state, making them eligible for caste and quota reservations. OMS (Outside Maharashtra State) candidates do not hold Maharashtra domicile and are treated as General/Open category candidates regardless of their caste in their home state.

Q5. Do I have to pay any fee to download the final merit list?

No, the merit list PDF is available completely free of charge on the official CET Cell portal. Anyone can download it without paying any fee.

15. Conclusion

The release of the MH CET 3-year LLB Final Merit List 2026 marks a decisive moment in the admission cycle. It transitions candidates from the waiting phase to the actionable choice-filling phase. By carefully analyzing your state general merit rank and category rank against the historical cut-offs provided in this article, you can make informed, strategic decisions while filling out your college preference forms.

Ensure that you frequently check the official portal, llb3cap26.mahacet.org, for updates regarding the seat matrix and the exact dates for option form filling. Prepare your original documents in physical folders, as the reporting dates are expected to be announced shortly. We wish all the law aspirants the very best of luck in securing a seat in their desired institutions!