SC and ST students in TANCET 2026 counselling benefit from 16% seat reservation (15% SC + 1% ST) and a relaxed minimum qualifying degree score of 45%, compared to 50% for general category students.
Anna University conducts TANCET counselling for ME, MTech, MArch, and MPlan admissions, while the Directorate of Technical Education (DoTE) oversees MBA and MCA counselling. For the 2026 cycle, eligible SC and ST students must register online at the official portal, complete document verification, and participate in the seat allotment process. The reserved seat structure is designed to increase representation of scheduled communities across Tamil Nadu’s postgraduate technical and management programs.
- SC students are entitled to 15% reservation and ST students to 1% reservation in all government and government-aided institutions.
- The minimum qualifying degree percentage for SC/ST students is 45%, against 50% required for other categories.
- TANCET 2026 counselling registration is conducted online at tancet.annauniv.edu.
- SC/ST students are eligible for a reduced counselling registration fee as per Tamil Nadu government norms.
- A valid caste certificate issued by a Tamil Nadu competent authority is mandatory for reserved category seat allotment.
| Direct Link to TANCET 2026 Official Portal (ACTIVE) |
Reserved Seats for SC and ST in TANCET 2026
Tamil Nadu government policy mandates a combined 16% reservation for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students across all government and government-aided technical institutions. This applies to every postgraduate program filled through TANCET 2026 counselling — ME, MTech, MArch, MPlan, MBA, and MCA.
| Category | Reservation Percentage | Applicable Institutions |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% | Government and government-aided colleges |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 1% | Government and government-aided colleges |
| SC + ST Combined | 16% | Total reserved pool per institution |
If ST reserved seats go unfilled after multiple allotment rounds, they may be redistributed to SC students as per Tamil Nadu government guidelines. Private unaided institutions operate under different norms and are not bound by this reservation matrix.
Minimum Qualifying Score for SC and ST in TANCET 2026
SC and ST students must meet two eligibility thresholds to participate in TANCET 2026 counselling — one in the TANCET entrance exam and one in their qualifying degree examination.
| Eligibility Criterion | General / OBC | SC / ST |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum marks in qualifying degree | 50% | 45% |
| TANCET score requirement (ME / MTech) | As per general cut-off | Relaxed reserved category cut-off |
| TANCET score requirement (MBA) | As per general cut-off | Relaxed reserved category cut-off |
| TANCET score requirement (MCA) | As per general cut-off | Relaxed reserved category cut-off |
SC and ST students who appear and score above zero in TANCET 2026 are generally eligible for the reserved category counselling pool. Students who meet the 45% degree criterion but score below the general cut-off may still secure a seat in the reserved quota if slots remain after higher scorers have exercised their choices. The exact TANCET cut-off for reserved seats in 2026 will be determined based on the number of eligible applicants and available reserved seats.
TANCET 2026 Counselling Schedule
The dates below are expected based on 2025 trends. Anna University releases the official counselling schedule after TANCET results are declared.
| Counselling Event | Expected Timeline (2026) |
|---|---|
| TANCET 2026 Result Declaration | March – April 2026 (expected) |
| Counselling Registration Opens | June 2026 (expected) |
| Certificate Verification | June – July 2026 (expected) |
| Option Entry / Choice Filling | July 2026 (expected) |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment | July – August 2026 (expected) |
| Reporting to Allotted College | August 2026 (expected) |
SC and ST students should monitor tancet.annauniv.edu regularly for official date notifications as timelines may shift based on exam and result schedules.
How to Register for TANCET 2026 Counselling as an SC or ST Student
The TANCET 2026 counselling registration is fully online. Follow these steps carefully:
- Visit the official portal at tancet.annauniv.edu and click on the relevant counselling registration link (ME/MTech, MBA, or MCA).
- Log in using your TANCET 2026 application number and date of birth.
- Fill in personal, academic, and category details — select SC or ST as your reservation category.
- Upload scanned copies of required documents including your caste certificate and degree marksheet.
- Pay the reduced counselling registration fee applicable for SC/ST students online.
- Submit the application and save the counselling registration confirmation slip.
- Attend certificate verification on the notified date with originals and photocopies of all documents.
- Log in during the option entry window and enter your college and course preferences in order of priority.
- Check the seat allotment result and report to the allotted college within the stipulated deadline with all original documents.
Documents Required for SC and ST Students in TANCET 2026 Counselling
Bring both originals and self-attested photocopies of all documents to the certificate verification centre. Incomplete documentation can result in disqualification from the counselling process.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| TANCET 2026 Admit Card | Exam identity verification |
| TANCET 2026 Score Card / Rank Card | Score and rank proof |
| SC or ST Caste Certificate (from competent authority) | Reserved category eligibility |
| Qualifying Degree Marksheet and Provisional Certificate | Academic eligibility (minimum 45%) |
| 10th Standard Marksheet | Basic academic record |
| 12th Standard Marksheet | Basic academic record |
| Transfer Certificate (TC) | Previous institution transfer proof |
| Nativity or Residence Certificate | Tamil Nadu domicile proof |
| Income Certificate (if applicable) | For fee concession or scholarship |
| Counselling Registration Confirmation Slip | Proof of successful online registration |
| Recent Passport-size Photographs (6 copies) | Identification at all stages |
The caste certificate must be issued by a Revenue Divisional Officer or equivalent competent authority in Tamil Nadu. Certificates from other states are generally not accepted for Tamil Nadu state quota reserved seats.
Counselling Fee for SC and ST Students in TANCET 2026
Tamil Nadu government norms provide a fee concession to SC and ST students at the counselling registration stage. The exact fee is notified on the official portal when registration opens.
| Category | Counselling Registration Fee (Expected) |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | Rs 500 (based on 2025 trends) |
| SC / ST | Rs 250 (based on 2025 trends) |
Fee amounts above are expected based on 2025 trends. Confirm the exact fee on the official TANCET counselling portal before making a payment. Fees paid are generally non-refundable once registration is submitted.
TANCET 2026 SC and ST Counselling FAQs
Ques. What is the minimum TANCET 2026 score required for SC and ST students to be eligible for counselling?
Ans. SC and ST students generally need to score above zero in TANCET 2026 to qualify for the reserved category counselling pool. The cut-off for reserved seats is relaxed compared to the general category, and the final threshold is determined after result declaration based on applicant numbers and available seats.
Ques. How many seats are reserved for SC and ST students in TANCET 2026 counselling?
Ans. SC students receive 15% reservation and ST students receive 1% reservation, totalling 16% of seats across government and government-aided institutions. The exact seat count varies by college and program based on total intake.
Ques. What is the minimum qualifying degree percentage for SC and ST students in TANCET 2026?
Ans. SC and ST students must have scored at least 45% marks in their qualifying degree examination to be eligible for TANCET 2026 counselling. General and OBC category students require a minimum of 50% in the qualifying degree.
Ques. Can unfilled ST seats be given to SC students during TANCET 2026 counselling?
Ans. Yes. If ST reserved seats remain unfilled after all allotment rounds, they may be redistributed to SC students as per Tamil Nadu government guidelines. Similarly, unfilled SC seats may eventually be offered to other eligible categories after reserved rounds are exhausted.
Ques. Is the caste certificate issued by another state valid for TANCET 2026 SC/ST reservation?
Ans. No. For Tamil Nadu state quota reserved seats through TANCET 2026 counselling, the SC or ST caste certificate must be issued by a competent authority in Tamil Nadu, such as a Revenue Divisional Officer. Certificates from other states are generally not accepted for state quota reservation.
Ques. Do SC and ST students pay a lower counselling fee for TANCET 2026?
Ans. Yes. SC and ST students are eligible for a reduced counselling registration fee as per Tamil Nadu government norms. Based on 2025 trends, the fee is approximately Rs 250 for SC/ST students against Rs 500 for general category students. The exact fee will be confirmed on the official portal when counselling registration opens.
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