GCET 2026 counselling for SC and ST students requires a valid caste certificate issued by a Goa competent authority, along with academic marksheets, a domicile certificate, and other key documents for reserved category seat allotment.
The Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Goa manages GCET 2026 counselling for admission to engineering and pharmacy programmes across government and private institutions in the state. SC and ST students must submit specific documents during verification to claim their reserved seats. The counselling process is expected to begin around June 26, 2026, and having all documents ready in advance is essential to avoid disqualification from the reserved category.
- GCET 2026 counselling is conducted by DTE Goa through the official portal dtegoa.gov.in.
- SC students are entitled to approximately 2% reservation and ST students to approximately 12% reservation in Goa engineering and pharmacy seats, based on state government norms.
- A valid caste certificate issued by the competent authority in Goa is mandatory — certificates from outside Goa are generally not accepted.
- Document verification is conducted before seat allotment; missing or invalid documents may result in cancellation of your reserved seat.
GCET 2026 SC and ST Reservation Details
The Government of Goa reserves seats for SC and ST students in all government-aided engineering and pharmacy colleges participating in GCET 2026 counselling. These reservations apply only to domicile students of Goa and are governed by the state reservation policy. The table below outlines approximate reservation percentages for all categories based on Goa state norms — students should confirm the exact figures from the official DTE Goa 2026 notification.
| Category | Approximate Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 2% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 12% |
| Other Backward Class (OBC) | 27% |
| General / Open Merit | 59% |
SC and ST students who qualify GCET 2026 can apply for seats in both reserved and open merit categories during counselling. Only students holding a valid caste certificate from the competent authority in Goa are eligible for SC/ST reservation benefits in GCET 2026. If you hold a higher All-India rank, you may also secure a seat under the open merit category independently of your reserved category quota.
Documents Required for GCET 2026 SC/ST Counselling
You must carry all original documents along with self-attested photocopies at the time of document verification. The caste certificate is the most critical document for SC and ST students — its absence or incorrect format will disqualify you from reserved category benefits. Below is the complete document checklist for GCET 2026 SC/ST counselling.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| GCET 2026 Admit Card | Identity verification during counselling |
| GCET 2026 Score Card / Rank Card | Proof of rank and eligibility for counselling |
| Class 10 Marksheet and Passing Certificate | Date of birth verification and academic record |
| Class 12 Marksheet and Passing Certificate | Eligibility in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology |
| SC/ST Caste Certificate (from Goa competent authority) | Proof of reserved category — must be in prescribed format from Sub-Divisional Officer in Goa |
| Goa Domicile / Residence Certificate | Proof of Goa domicile to avail state quota reservation |
| Income Certificate (if applicable) | Required for fee waiver or government scholarship benefits |
| Transfer Certificate (TC) from previous institution | Required at the time of final college admission |
| Migration Certificate (if applicable) | For students from boards other than the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education |
| Recent Passport-size Photographs (colour) | For application forms and college records |
| Photo Identity Proof (Aadhaar / Passport / Voter ID) | Identity verification at the counselling centre |
| Gap Certificate (if applicable) | Required if there is a gap year between Class 12 and GCET 2026 |
Key note: The SC/ST caste certificate must be in the format prescribed by DTE Goa and issued by the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) or the designated competent authority within Goa. Certificates issued by authorities outside Goa are generally not accepted for state reservation benefits. Carry at least three sets of self-attested photocopies of all documents — one each for the counselling centre, the verification authority, and the allotted college.
GCET 2026 Counselling Steps for SC and ST Students
The GCET 2026 counselling process for SC and ST students follows the same overall flow as the general category but includes an additional check of the caste certificate at the document verification stage. Follow the steps below to complete your counselling and secure admission to your preferred institution.
- Register Online: Visit dtegoa.gov.in and complete counselling registration using your GCET 2026 rank card number and date of birth.
- Select Reserved Category: During registration, choose SC or ST as your category and upload your caste certificate in the prescribed format.
- Fill College and Branch Choices: Enter your preferred colleges and branches in order of priority. You may fill choices under both reserved and open merit categories.
- Attend Document Verification: Report to the designated verification centre on your allotted date with all original documents. Your SC/ST caste certificate and Goa domicile certificate will be checked at this stage.
- Check Provisional Seat Allotment: After verification, log in to the portal to view your allotted college and branch. Review the allotment carefully before accepting.
- Pay Seat Acceptance Fee: Pay the required fee online through the official portal within the specified deadline to lock in your allotment.
- Report to Allotted College: Report to your institution with all original documents and the fee payment receipt to complete the admission formalities.
Important Dates for GCET 2026 SC/ST Counselling
The expected dates below are based on previous-year trends and are tentative. DTE Goa will publish confirmed dates on dtegoa.gov.in. SC and ST students should bookmark the official portal and check regularly for updates.
| Event | Expected Date (Tentative, based on previous-year trends) |
|---|---|
| GCET 2026 Result Declaration | June 2026 |
| Counselling Registration Start | June 26, 2026 (expected) |
| Document Verification | To be notified by DTE Goa |
| Seat Allotment — Round 1 | To be notified by DTE Goa |
| Seat Acceptance and Fee Payment | To be notified by DTE Goa |
| Reporting to Allotted College | To be notified by DTE Goa |
GCET 2026 SC ST Counselling FAQs
Ques. What is the reservation percentage for SC and ST students in GCET 2026?
Ans. Based on Goa state government norms, SC students are entitled to approximately 2% reservation and ST students to approximately 12% reservation in GCET 2026 engineering and pharmacy seats. Students should confirm exact percentages from the official DTE Goa GCET 2026 notification at dtegoa.gov.in.
Ques. Which is the most important document for SC/ST students at GCET 2026 document verification?
Ans. The SC/ST caste certificate is the most critical document. It must be issued by the competent authority — such as the Sub-Divisional Officer — in Goa and in the prescribed format. Without a valid certificate, you cannot claim reserved category benefits and will be treated as a general merit student during seat allotment.
Ques. Can SC/ST students from outside Goa claim reservation in GCET 2026?
Ans. No. Reservation benefits for SC and ST categories in GCET 2026 are available only to domicile students of Goa. You must possess a valid Goa domicile certificate and a caste certificate issued by an authority within Goa. Students from other states must compete under the open merit category.
Ques. How many photocopies of documents should SC/ST students carry for GCET 2026 counselling?
Ans. Carry all original documents along with at least three sets of self-attested photocopies. This ensures you have enough sets for the counselling centre, the document verification authority, and the allotted college at the time of admission.
Ques. What happens if my SC/ST caste certificate format is rejected at GCET 2026 verification?
Ans. If your caste certificate is not in the prescribed Goa format or is issued by an authority outside Goa, DTE Goa may reject your reservation claim. You would then be considered under the general/open merit category for seat allotment. Obtain the correct certificate from your SDO or the designated competent authority in Goa well before counselling begins.
Ques. Where are GCET 2026 counselling updates and dates published?
Ans. All official dates, notifications, and updates for GCET 2026 counselling — including the SC/ST document verification schedule — are published exclusively on the DTE Goa official portal at dtegoa.gov.in. Check this portal regularly for confirmed dates and notifications.
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