Anita Rai
Breaking Update: MAHE has officially launched the MET 2026 Phase 1 slot booking at 11:00 AM today, March 31, 2026. The booking window closes on April 2, 2026 at 11 PM. Visit manipal.edu to book your slot now.
If you have registered for the Manipal Entrance Test (MET) 2026, today is one of the most important days on your calendar. The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) has officially opened the MET 2026 Phase 1 slot booking through the Online Test Booking System (OTBS) — and if you are aiming for a seat at top Manipal institutes like MIT Manipal or MIT Bengaluru, you cannot afford to wait.
In this guide, you will find everything you need: the exact slot booking dates, a step-by-step walkthrough of the OTBS process, important deadlines, common mistakes to avoid, and answers to the most searched questions about MET 2026 slot booking. Let’s get you prepared.
Table of Contents
- What Is MET 2026 and Why Does Slot Booking Matter?
- Quick Facts at a Glance
- Important Dates — MET 2026 Complete Schedule
- Step-by-Step: How to Book Your Slot via OTBS
- OTBS Login Credentials & Password Guide
- Pro Tips for Getting Your Preferred Slot
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- What Happens After You Book Your Slot?
- MET 2026 Phase 2 — A Quick Look
- Key Takeaways
- FAQs
What Is MET 2026 and Why Does Slot Booking Matter?
The Manipal Entrance Test (MET) is the gateway examination conducted by Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) for admission into its prestigious B.Tech programs. MAHE campuses — Manipal, Bengaluru, Jaipur, Dubai, and others — are among the most sought-after engineering destinations in India, and the MET score is your ticket in.
Unlike many national-level exams where you are assigned a centre automatically, MET gives you the power to choose your preferred exam city, date, and time slot. That is exactly what the slot booking process — done through the OTBS (Online Test Booking System) — allows you to do.
The catch? Slot booking operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Popular cities fill up fast. If you delay, you may end up in a city or time slot that is not convenient for you — or worse, get auto-assigned without any choice at all.
Quick Facts at a Glance
Important Dates — MET 2026 Complete Schedule
Here is the complete timeline you need to keep in mind for MET 2026:
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 Slot Booking Opens | March 31, 2026 (11 AM) | 🟢 LIVE NOW |
| Phase 1 Slot Booking Closes | April 2, 2026 (11 PM) | Upcoming |
| Phase 1 Admit Card / Hall Ticket | April 10, 2026 | Upcoming |
| MET 2026 Phase 1 Exam | April 13 & 14, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Phase 2 Registration Last Date | April 26, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Phase 2 Admit Card | May 20, 2026 | Upcoming |
| MET 2026 Phase 2 Exam | May 23 & 24, 2026 | Upcoming |
Step-by-Step: How to Book Your Slot via OTBS
Here is a clear, detailed walkthrough of the MET 2026 slot booking process through the OTBS portal. Follow each step carefully — once you confirm your slot, it cannot be changed under any circumstances.
Visit the Official OTBS Portal
Go to manipal.edu and click on the slot booking link. You can also directly access the OTBS portal link provided on the official website.
Log In With Your Credentials
Enter your MET 2026 Application Number and your OTBS Password (your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format). Enter the security code displayed.
Change Your Password (First Login)
On your first login, you will be prompted to set a new password. Create one that meets the official MAHE password criteria and note it down safely.
Verify Your Profile Details
Check all the information shown on the left side of your screen — name, application number, gender, and other personal details. Ensure everything is accurate.
Click “Book a Seat”
Select the “Book a Seat” tab to proceed to the exam slot selection page.
Choose Your Preferred Test City
From the “City” dropdown, select the city you had mentioned during registration. Available slots for that city will appear.
Select Date, Time Slot & Test Centre
Choose your preferred exam date (April 13 or 14), then select your time preference (Slot 1: 9:00 AM or Slot 2: 12:30 PM). If multiple centres exist in your city, they will all be displayed.
Check Seats Available & Click “Book”
Verify the available seats for each slot and click “Book”. A dialogue box will show you the centre, date, and slot details for confirmation.
Confirm Your Booking
Review everything one final time, then click “Confirm”. If you spot an error, click “Cancel” to go back. Once confirmed, the booking cannot be changed.
OTBS Login Credentials & Password Guide
What is Your OTBS Password?
The default OTBS password for first-time login is your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format. For example, if you were born on July 15, 2005, your password would be 15072005.
Upon first login, MAHE requires you to update this password. Your new password must meet the official security criteria set by the university. Make sure you save your new password somewhere secure — you will need it to download your admit card as well.
Pro Tips for Getting Your Preferred Slot
With thousands of candidates competing for slots in popular cities, speed and preparation are your biggest assets. Here are some practical strategies:
- Log in immediately on March 31: The portal opened at 11 AM. If you haven’t booked yet, do it right now — every hour counts.
- Have your credentials ready beforehand: Keep your application number, DOB, and any necessary details noted before you open the portal.
- Use a stable internet connection: A weak connection mid-booking can cause the session to time out, losing your spot in the queue.
- Have a backup city in mind: If your preferred city shows no availability, know your second choice in advance so you don’t waste time deciding.
- Check seat availability before confirming: The number of available seats is displayed in real-time. Act quickly when you see availability.
- Avoid conflicts with other exams: Cross-check MET dates with JEE Advanced, BITSAT, or other exams you may be appearing for.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During MET Slot Booking
Many students face problems during slot booking simply because of avoidable errors. Here are the most common ones:
- Forgetting to book before the deadline: If you miss April 2, your slot will be auto-assigned — you lose all preference. Set reminders right now.
- Not reading the seat availability carefully: Selecting a centre and clicking confirm without checking available seats can result in errors or disappointment.
- Confirming too hastily: Once you click “Confirm,” your booking is final. There is absolutely no mechanism to change it. Double-check everything before confirming.
- Mistyping the OTBS password: Multiple failed login attempts can lock your account. Type carefully and use copy-paste if needed.
- Using unofficial links: Always access the OTBS through the official manipal.edu website only. Never trust third-party links.
- Not saving the booking confirmation: Take a screenshot or note down the confirmed booking details immediately after booking.
What Happens After You Book Your Slot?
Admit Card / Hall Ticket Download
Once your slot is successfully booked, MAHE will release your MET 2026 Phase 1 Admit Card on April 10, 2026. You can download it by logging into the OTBS portal using your application number and OTBS password.
The admit card contains crucial information: your allotted exam date, centre address, reporting time, and examination guidelines. You are required to bring it — along with a valid government-issued photo ID — to the examination centre.
Exam Pattern — Know What You’re Preparing For
MET 2026 is a computer-based test (CBT) of 120 minutes consisting of 60 questions carrying a total of 240 marks. The subjects covered are:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- English
Questions include both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. There is no negative marking for NAT questions, but you should verify the latest pattern on the official website.
MET 2026 Phase 2 — A Quick Look
If you want to improve your score, MET 2026 also offers a Phase 2 exam on May 23–24, 2026. You can register for Phase 2 by April 26, 2026. Candidates who appeared in Phase 1 and wish to attempt Phase 2 can do so by paying an additional fee of ₹1,400 through the OTBS portal — no need to reapply entirely.
Importantly, if you appear in both phases, only your better score will be considered for the final merit list and counselling. The test city for Phase 2 will remain the same as Phase 1.
Key Takeaways
- MET 2026 Phase 1 slot booking is LIVE from March 31 and closes April 2, 2026 at 11 PM.
- Log in to the OTBS portal at manipal.edu using your application number and DOB (DDMMYYYY) as the default password.
- Slot booking is strictly first-come, first-served — act immediately to secure your preferred city and time slot.
- Once confirmed, exam slots cannot be changed under any circumstances — always double-check before confirming.
- MET 2026 Phase 1 Admit Card will be released on April 10; exam is on April 13 and 14.
- Phase 2 registration is open until April 26; exam is on May 23–24 with the better score used for admission.
- For support, email admission@manipal.edu — no other email address will receive a response.
Conclusion
The MET 2026 Phase 1 slot booking window is open right now, and it closes in just two days. For any candidate who has completed their MET 2026 registration, this is a critical task that deserves your immediate attention. Securing your preferred exam centre, city, and time slot can make a meaningful difference to your comfort and performance on exam day.
Head to manipal.edu, log into the OTBS portal, follow the steps outlined in this guide, and lock in your slot today. Once your booking is confirmed, shift your full focus to preparation — and make those April exam days count.
Best of luck for MET 2026