Biotechnology

Based on what you've shared:

MHT CET PCB: 89.5 percentile 

MHT CET PCM: 61 percentile 

You are interested in both Biotechnology/Bioinformatics and CSE/IT/AI-ML.

My recommendation

I would suggest you choose B.Tech Biotechnology or Bioinformatics rather than taking CSE/IT/AI-ML in a low-tier college.

Here's why:

With 61 percentile in PCM, getting a good CSE/IT/AI-ML seat through MHT CET is difficult. You may have to settle for a lower-ranked college, where placements are often limited. Top engineering colleges generally require much higher percentiles for CSE-related branches. 

With 89.5 percentile in PCB, you have a much better chance of getting into a good Biotechnology or Bioinformatics program. 

Career opportunities

If you choose Biotechnology/Bioinformatics:

Bioinformatics Scientist

Genomics Analyst

Clinical Data Analyst

Pharmaceutical Research

Drug Discovery

AI in Healthcare

Higher studies (M.Tech/MS/PhD) in India or abroad

If you choose CSE:

Choose it only if you are getting it in a reputed college. A strong college and learning environment matter a lot in software careers.

If you are equally interested in both

Bioinformatics is a great middle ground because it combines:

Biology

Programming

Artificial Intelligence

Data Science

If you enjoy both biology and coding, Bioinformatics can give you opportunities in healthcare technology, genomics, and AI-driven medical research.

Good colleges you can consider

With your PCB percentile, you should explore:

SASTRA University (Bioinformatics)

MIT World Peace University (Biotechnology)

DY Patil University (Biotechnology)

Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences

Other Maharashtra colleges offering Biotechnology/Bioinformatics through MHT CET or institute-level admissions.

Final advice

Since your PCM percentile (61) is much lower than your PCB percentile (89.5), I would not recommend joining a low-tier CSE college just for the branch name. A good Biotechnology/Bioinformatics programme from a better institution is likely to provide stronger long-term opportunities, especially if you're open to higher studies or interdisciplinary careers.

Yes, you may be eligible for B.Tech Biotechnology, but it depends on the admission policy of the university.

Here's how your profile looks:

Biology through NIOS: ✅ Accepted by many universities, provided they recognize NIOS and allow Biology as the qualifying subject. 

Class 12 marks: 72% ✅ Meets the eligibility criteria of many colleges.

JEE Main: 48 percentile ⚠️ This is unlikely to be sufficient for admission to top government colleges, but many private universities admit students based on Class 12 marks, their own entrance test, or lower JEE scores.

For B.Tech Biotechnology, many universities accept candidates with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) instead of Mathematics. Examples include institutions such as KIIT, where PCM or PCB is accepted for Biotechnology. 

So, with 72% in Class 12 and Biology (including if completed through NIOS), you are eligible for B.Tech Biotechnology at many private universities, provided they accept NIOS and PCB candidates.