TANCET 2026 cutoff for MBC category is expected to range between 30 and 45 marks, and for SC category between 20 and 35 marks, based on 2023–2025 trends for ME, MBA, and MCA programs.

Anna University releases TANCET cutoff marks after declaring results and publishing category-wise merit lists. The cutoff for MBC (Most Backward Class) and SC (Scheduled Caste) students is lower than OC and BC categories, reflecting Tamil Nadu’s reservation policy. TANCET 2026 cutoff will be finalised during counselling, and students can use previous year data to estimate their admission chances at government and aided colleges across Tamil Nadu.

  • TANCET is conducted by Anna University, Chennai for ME, M.Tech, MBA, and MCA admissions across Tamil Nadu.
  • MBC/DNC students receive 20% reservation in government and aided colleges; SC students receive 15% reservation.
  • The cutoff is program-specific and college-specific — top colleges have higher cutoffs even for reserved categories.
  • SC category cutoff is typically 8–12 marks lower than MBC cutoff for the same college and program.
  • All cutoff figures below are expected values based on 2024 and 2025 trends; final cutoffs are released after counselling.

TANCET 2026 Expected Cutoff for MBC and SC Category

Based on 2024 and 2025 trends, the expected TANCET 2026 cutoff for MBC category is 30–45 marks and for SC category is 20–35 marks out of 100. These figures vary by program — ME/M.Tech students face more competition in core branches such as Computer Science and Electronics, while MBA and MCA cutoffs depend on the total applicant pool each year.

MBC students who score 40 marks or above have a strong chance of securing admission to government engineering colleges offering ME and M.Tech programs. SC students who score 28 marks or above are well-positioned for most aided college programs based on recent trends.

Program MBC Expected Cutoff 2026 SC Expected Cutoff 2026
ME / M.Tech 32–42 marks 22–32 marks
MBA 35–45 marks 25–35 marks
MCA 30–40 marks 20–30 marks

These are expected values based on previous year trends. Anna University will release official TANCET 2026 cutoffs after counselling is completed.


Reviewing TANCET cutoff data from 2023 to 2025 shows a consistent upward trend. The overall cutoff has risen by 2–4 marks each year as competition increases and more students appear for the exam. SC cutoff has remained 8–12 marks below MBC cutoff across all programs and years.

Year Category ME/M.Tech Cutoff MBA Cutoff MCA Cutoff
2025 MBC 36–40 marks 38–44 marks 32–38 marks
2025 SC 25–30 marks 27–33 marks 22–27 marks
2024 MBC 33–38 marks 35–42 marks 29–35 marks
2024 SC 22–28 marks 24–30 marks 19–25 marks
2023 MBC 30–35 marks 32–38 marks 26–32 marks
2023 SC 20–25 marks 22–28 marks 17–22 marks

The steady rise in cutoff marks reflects a growing number of applicants competing for reserved seats. MBC students scoring 40 or more marks and SC students scoring 30 or more marks have had strong admission prospects at reputed government colleges in recent years, based on available trends.


TANCET 2026 Program-wise Cutoff Analysis for MBC and SC

Each program has a different competitive landscape. ME and M.Tech programs in high-demand branches like Computer Science, Electronics, and Information Technology tend to have higher cutoffs, even for MBC and SC categories. MBA and MCA programs typically attract a broader applicant pool, resulting in moderately elevated cutoffs at top institutions.

Branch / Specialisation Program MBC Expected Cutoff SC Expected Cutoff
Computer Science and Engineering ME/M.Tech 38–45 marks 28–35 marks
Electronics and Communication ME/M.Tech 35–42 marks 25–32 marks
Structural Engineering ME/M.Tech 30–38 marks 21–29 marks
Power Systems Engineering ME/M.Tech 28–36 marks 20–27 marks
General MBA MBA 36–45 marks 26–35 marks
MCA General MCA 30–40 marks 20–30 marks

Students from MBC and SC categories should note that branch-wise cutoffs above are expected values based on 2025 trends. Actual 2026 cutoffs may vary based on exam difficulty and the number of applicants per category at each college.


Factors Affecting TANCET 2026 Cutoff for MBC and SC

Understanding what drives cutoff changes helps students make informed choices during TANCET 2026 counselling. The following factors directly influence category-wise cutoffs each year.

  • Number of applicants in each category: A higher number of MBC or SC students competing for the same seats raises the cutoff within that category’s merit list.
  • Exam difficulty level: A tougher paper generally brings cutoffs down across all categories; an easier paper raises them.
  • Seat intake at colleges: Colleges with more reserved seats have relatively lower cutoffs; institutions with limited intake see higher competition.
  • Program popularity: High-demand programs like CSE and IT consistently show higher cutoffs than niche or less competitive branches.
  • Counselling round and seat availability: Vacant seats from earlier rounds are reallocated in subsequent rounds, sometimes lowering the effective cutoff in later allotments.
  • Academic record tiebreaker: When two students score the same marks, UG percentage is used to determine rank, which can shift the cutoff at the margin.

TANCET 2026 MBC and SC Category Cutoff FAQs

Ques. What is the expected TANCET 2026 cutoff for MBC category in ME/M.Tech?

Ans. Based on 2025 trends, the expected TANCET 2026 cutoff for MBC category in ME/M.Tech programs is 32–42 marks out of 100. High-demand branches like Computer Science may have cutoffs closer to 45 marks for MBC students.

Ques. What is the TANCET minimum marks required for SC category students?

Ans. SC category students can expect a minimum cutoff of around 20–22 marks for less competitive ME/M.Tech branches and 25–35 marks for MBA programs, based on previous year trends. The exact cutoff depends on the program and specific college.

Ques. Is the TANCET cutoff for MBC lower than BC category?

Ans. Yes. MBC cutoff is typically 4–8 marks lower than BC category cutoff for the same program and college. This reflects the additional reservation benefits available to MBC/DNC students under Tamil Nadu’s reservation policy.

Ques. Where can I check the official TANCET 2026 category-wise cutoff?

Ans. The official TANCET cutoff is published on the Anna University TANCET portal at tancet.annauniv.edu after results are declared and counselling is completed. Category-wise merit lists for MBC and SC are available for download from the same portal.

Ques. How is the TANCET rank calculated separately for MBC and SC students?

Ans. TANCET rank is calculated separately for each category based on marks scored in the exam. MBC and SC students are ranked within their respective category merit lists. In case of a tie, UG academic percentage is used as a tiebreaker by Anna University.

Ques. Does TANCET 2026 publish separate rank lists for MBC and SC students?

Ans. Yes. Anna University publishes separate category-wise rank lists for MBC, SC, BC, and OC students. Students are considered for admission from their respective merit lists during TANCET 2026 counselling, based on college preferences and seat availability in reserved categories.