Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) has published official shift timings for the MET 2026 entrance examination, giving candidates a clear schedule to plan around ahead of the April 13 and 14 Phase 1 dates. The computer-based test will run in two daily shifts, with slot selection having already taken place through the official booking window at manipal.edu. Exam slots, once allotted, are fixed and cannot be altered.
Two Shifts, Fixed Windows, No Flexibility After Allotment
MAHE has structured MET 2026 Phase 1 around two shifts each day. The morning shift runs from 9 AM to 11 AM, while the afternoon shift covers 2 PM to 4 PM. Each session is exactly two hours in duration. Candidates who selected their preferred slot during the booking period will find their allotted shift confirmed on their admit card, which will be released online through the official portal. No physical copy will be dispatched by mail or post.
The admit card also functions as the primary identification document at the exam centre and must be presented alongside one valid government-issued photo ID. Without both documents, entry will not be permitted.
Reporting Times and Entry Deadlines
MAHE has issued precise reporting requirements for both shifts. Arriving at the allotted time is not optional — it is operationally necessary, given the volume of candidates across centres and the security procedures each must complete before entering the examination hall.
- Morning Shift: Reporting by 8:00 AM; last entry at 8:45 AM; exam starts 9:00 AM; ends 11:00 AM
- Afternoon Shift: Reporting by 1:00 PM; last entry at 1:45 PM; exam starts 2:00 PM; ends 4:00 PM
Candidates who arrive after the last entry cutoff will not be admitted, regardless of circumstances. MAHE has stated that exam timings will be followed strictly and that no additional time will be granted once the session has concluded.
Exam Day Rules Every Candidate Must Follow
Electronic devices of any kind are prohibited inside examination centres. This includes mobile phones, smartwatches, and any other communication or storage-enabled equipment. Security frisking will be conducted at the gate, and the process is designed to be completed well within the window between reporting time and the last permitted entry — provided candidates arrive punctually.
The MET is MAHE's primary undergraduate entrance pathway, used for admissions to engineering, pharmacy, and allied health science programmes at Manipal and its affiliated campuses. Phase 2 of MET 2026 is scheduled for May 23 and 24, offering a second opportunity for candidates who could not appear in April or wish to improve their result. Preparation advice from MAHE's own guidance materials suggests candidates focus on consolidating previously studied material rather than introducing new concepts in the final days before the exam — a widely accepted principle in high-stakes testing contexts, where cognitive overload in the revision period can undermine familiarity with core content.
Candidates are advised to verify all shift and centre details directly on their admit card once it is released, treating that document as the authoritative source over any third-party information.
