Maharashtra Goa SET Exam 2026: Over 92,500 Candidates Appear Across 294 Centres

Pune, 25th October 2026: The State Eligibility Test (SET), conducted for candidates aspiring to become assistant professors in Maharashtra and Goa, concluded peacefully and without any reported untoward incidents, according to the examination authorities.

The examination was held across 18 cities, including 17 in Maharashtra and one in Goa. A total of 294 examination centres were designated for the test, which covered 32 subjects.

Of the 1,17,768 candidates who registered for the examination, 92,525 appeared, recording an attendance of approximately 78.56%. The remaining 25,243 candidates were absent, taking the absenteeism rate to 21.44%.

Candidate registrations increase from last year

The number of registrations increased compared with the previous SET examination held in June 2025.

Last year, 1,10,412 candidates registered for the examination, of whom 90,046 appeared. The attendance rate was 81.92%.

This year, registrations increased by 7,356, while the number of candidates who appeared rose by 2,479. However, the absenteeism rate increased by approximately 3.52 percentage points compared with last year’s figure of 18.08%.

37 special city observers appointed for the first time

To ensure transparency and smooth conduct of the examination, the SET headquarters appointed 294 observers. Supervisors were deployed according to a system in which each examination block accommodated 24 candidates.

For the first time, 37 special city observers were also appointed. Their responsibility was to conduct surprise visits to examination centres and review the arrangements and examination procedures.

The examination authorities reported that no untoward incidents occurred during the test and that the examination was conducted peacefully across all centres.

SET authorities thank participating institutions and staff

The SET examination department expressed its gratitude to the participating colleges, examination coordinators, observers, special supervisors, teaching and non-teaching staff, college principals, vice-chancellors, university statutory bodies, candidates and their parents for their cooperation.

The SET Examination Steering Committee also congratulated all those involved in organising the examination successfully.