If you’re a trained nurse aiming for a Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing (DPN) or Public Health Nursing (PHN), the MH DPN PHN CET 2026 is the single exam you should plan around. The test is scheduled for 05 May 2026, and a small, steady effort now will put you well ahead of most applicants.
This post gives the facts you actually need — clear dates, the expected MH DPN PHN CET exam pattern, a usable MH DPN PHN CET syllabus 2026, practical prep advice, and simple mistakes to avoid. No fluff — just what helps nurses get a seat and start a focused study rhythm.
Quick facts — MH DPN PHN CET exam date 2026 & format
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam | MH DPN PHN CET 2026 |
| Exam date (official window) | 05 May 2026 (Tentative — check CET Cell notifications/official brochure for final confirmation) |
| Mode | Computer-based test (CBT) |
| Target candidates | GNM / B.Sc. Nursing holders |
| Purpose | Entry to DPN (psychiatric nursing diploma entrance) & PHN |
(Check the official CET Cell notice for application windows and admit-card dates.)
What is the MH DPN PHN CET 2026?
The MH DPN PHN CET is the nursing CET Maharashtra exam for admission into short diploma courses that upgrade your clinical skills and open community or mental-health roles. Think of it as a qualification-focused test: the selectors look for nursing readiness and applied knowledge, not academic trivia.
If you already work in nursing, this exam is a practical step to specialize — DPN steers you to psychiatric units and mental-health services, while PHN prepares you for community health, maternal-child care and public programs.
MH DPN PHN CET exam pattern (expected)
Below is a compact view of the MH DPN PHN CET exam pattern you should prepare for. This is the typical structure used in recent years; confirm the brochure when it’s released.
| Feature | Expected detail |
|---|---|
| Question type | Multiple choice questions (MCQs) |
| Total duration | ~90–120 minutes (indicative — final duration will be in the brochure) |
| Marking | Usually 1 mark per question |
| Negative marking | Generally not applied (confirm in brochure) |
| Language | English (verify if Marathi option is available) |
*(Check the official CET Cell notice for application windows and admit-card dates.)
The paper tests clinical foundations, psychiatric and community nursing specifics, plus some health-program awareness.
MH DPN PHN CET syllabus 2026 — what to study (practical list)
You don’t need exam-only tricks. Study the nursing topics you already know, sharpen application, and practise MCQs.
Core areas (both courses):
- Nursing foundations: patient care, infection control, ethics
- Medical-surgical basics: common conditions, emergency care, basic pharmacology
- Health programs: national public-health initiatives, immunization, maternal-child health
DPN-specific (psychiatric nursing diploma entrance):
- Mental health concepts and common psychiatric disorders
- Therapeutic communication and counselling basics
- Psychiatric nursing interventions and rehabilitation principles
PHN-specific:
- Community health assessment, family health approach
- Epidemiology basics, preventive measures, school and maternal programs
- Role of PHN in primary health centres and outreach
How examiners evaluate (short & useful)
Examiners reward clarity and correct application. For example:
- Correct clinical action beats memorized definitions
- Practical, concise answers beat long, vague ones
- Awareness of public-health programs shows applied knowledge
Treat this as a professional exam — answers should show you can act as a nurse, not recite textbooks.
Smart, realistic preparation plan (6 weeks)
This is a simple plan you can follow while working.
Weeks 1–2 — Foundation
- Revise nursing foundations, medical-surgical basics and essential pharmacology (1–2 hours/day)
- Make quick notes (one page per topic)
Weeks 3–4 — Course focus
- DPN candidates: devote 60% time to psychiatric nursing topics
- PHN candidates: focus on community health and national programs
- Start daily 30–40 MCQs per day (topic-wise)
Weeks 5–6 — Mocks & polish
- Take 2–3 full-length mock tests per week
- Review errors immediately — fix misconception, not only answers
- Last 48 hours: light revision, rest, pack documents
Daily routine if pressed for time: 30–45 minutes MCQs + 30 minutes focused revision.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Underestimating scope: This is not an “easy” formality; revise core nursing areas.
- Memorizing without application: Practice scenario MCQs. Ask: What would I do at the bedside?
- Skipping program awareness: PHN questions often reference national schemes; a short list helps.
- Ignoring eligibility rules: Make sure your GNM/B.Sc. credentials and council registration are valid.
Counselling & what comes after
After results, the CET Cell publishes a merit list. Counselling (CAP) follows — you’ll choose course & college preferences, and seats are allotted based on rank, eligibility and category. Keep original documents ready: qualification certificates, council registration, domicile proof, ID, and passport photos.
Final word — be clinical, not frantic
The MH DPN PHN CET 2026 rewards steady, practical preparation. Focus on what nurses do — safe patient care, mental-health basics, and community programs — and practise MCQs that test application. Follow the six-week rhythm above, take purposeful mocks, and don’t cram at the last minute.
If you want, I can turn this into a printable one-page checklist or a day-by-day 30-day revision calendar for DPN or PHN specifically. Which would help you more — the DPN checklist or the PHN checklist?
Important: The exam date shown above is tentative (per CET Cell’s published tentative schedule). Always check the official CET Cell website and the final information brochure / admit card for confirmation before making any travel, leave or exam-centre arrangements.
FAQ
Yes. MH DPN PHN CET is mandatory for admission to Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing (DPN) and Public Health Nursing (PHN) courses in Maharashtra. Colleges do not offer direct admission without a valid CET rank issued by the State CET Cell.
Candidates must have completed GNM or B.Sc Nursing from a recognized institute and must be registered with the State Nursing Council. Eligibility details such as minimum experience (if applicable) and category-wise requirements are published in the official CET Cell information brochure.
In previous years, negative marking was not applied in MH DPN PHN CET. However, candidates should always confirm this detail in the official 2026 CET information brochure, as rules may change.
Yes. Most candidates prepare while working. A focused 4–6 week study plan, combined with daily MCQ practice and revision of core nursing topics, is sufficient for most working nurses if followed consistently.
After results, the CET Cell releases a merit list, followed by centralized counselling (CAP). Candidates must select course and college preferences, attend document verification, and complete admission based on rank, eligibility, and seat availability.