The expected SET 2026 closing score for the BA Media and Communication programme at SIMC Pune is 54–58 out of 60 marks for the general category, based on 2025 admission trends.
Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) is the gateway to the BA (Mass Communication) Honours programme at Symbiosis Centre for Media and Communication (SCMC), Pune — the undergraduate media school under Symbiosis International University (SIU) commonly referred to as SIMC Pune. With SET 2026 concluded on May 2 and May 10, 2026, students are now checking their scores against expected cutoffs. Admission follows two stages: SET score-based shortlisting and a Personal Interaction (PI) round, with the first merit list due on June 18, 2026.
- SET 2026 total marks: 60 across four sections with no negative marking.
- Expected closing score for the general category: 54–58 out of 60, based on previous year trends.
- SCMC Pune BA Mass Communication has 120 seats for the 2026–27 batch.
- PI round for BA Mass Communication: June 3–6, 2026.
- First merit list expected on June 18, 2026; fee payment deadline is July 3, 2026.
SET 2026 Expected Cutoff for SIMC Pune BA Media and Communication
SET 2026 carries a total of 60 marks with no negative marking. The expected closing SET score for the general category for the BA Mass Communication programme at SIMC Pune is 54–58 out of 60, based on 2025 and 2024 trend data. Students scoring below 48 (general category) are unlikely to receive a PI shortlisting call. The table below shows expected opening and closing SET scores for 2026 by programme.
| Programme | Total Marks (SET) | Expected Opening Score 2026 | Expected Closing Score 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA (Mass Communication) — General | 60 | 48 | 54–58 |
| BA (Mass Communication) — OBC-NCL | 60 | 42 | 48–52 |
| BA (Mass Communication) — EWS | 60 | 44 | 50–54 |
| BA (Mass Communication) — SC | 60 | 28 | 34–40 |
| BA (Mass Communication) — ST | 60 | 24 | 30–36 |
All scores above are expected figures based on previous year trends. Actual cutoffs depend on SET 2026 results and final applicant pool.
Category-wise Expected SET 2026 Cutoff for SIMC Pune BA Media and Communication
SIU follows the Government of India’s reservation policy for seat allocation at SCMC Pune. General category students need a SET score of 54 or above out of 60 to be shortlisted for PI, while OBC-NCL students are expected to need 48–52 and SC/ST students 30–40 marks for the 2026 round.
| Category | Expected Shortlisting Score (out of 60) | Expected Closing Score (out of 60) |
|---|---|---|
| General / Open | 48+ | 54–58 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 42+ | 48–52 |
| EWS | 44+ | 50–54 |
| SC | 28+ | 34–40 |
| ST | 24+ | 30–36 |
All figures are expected and based on previous year trends. Actual scores may vary based on paper difficulty and number of applicants.
SET 2026 Exam Pattern for SIMC Pune BA Media and Communication Admissions
Understanding the SET exam structure helps you target the right sections for maximum marks. SET 2026 is a 60-minute computer-based test with 60 questions worth 1 mark each and no negative marking. Every section is mandatory.
| Section | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General English | 16 | 16 |
| Quantitative | 16 | 16 |
| General Awareness | 16 | 16 |
| Analytical and Logical Reasoning | 12 | 12 |
| Total | 60 | 60 |
Students who appeared on both SET 2026 dates (May 2 and May 10, 2026) are evaluated on their higher score. Scoring 55 or above in this test gives you a strong chance of clearing the SIMC Pune shortlisting threshold for the general category.
How SIMC Pune Builds the Final Merit List for BA Media and Communication
Admission to SIMC Pune’s BA Media and Communication programme is a two-stage process: the SET score determines PI shortlisting, and PI performance determines the final merit rank. Here is the complete step-by-step process for the 2026 batch.
- Appear for SET 2026 (May 2 or May 10, 2026) — the higher of two scores is considered.
- Apply to SCMC Pune separately through the official portal by May 18, 2026.
- Receive shortlisting call based on SET score meeting the minimum cutoff threshold.
- Attend Personal Interaction (PI) — June 3–6, 2026 for BA Mass Communication.
- First merit list release — June 18, 2026, based on combined SET and PI scores.
- Fee payment and seat confirmation — deadline July 3, 2026.
- Programme commences — July 16, 2026.
A SET score of 55 or above (general category) combined with a confident PI performance gives you the best chance of making the first merit list at SIMC Pune for the 2026 batch.
Factors Affecting SET 2026 Cutoff for SIMC Pune BA Media and Communication
The closing SET score at SIMC Pune can shift each year. Keeping these factors in mind helps you set a realistic target before your results arrive.
- Total applicant count: A higher number of students sitting for SET raises competition and pushes the closing score upward.
- Paper difficulty: An easier SET paper lifts average scores across all test-takers, raising the effective shortlisting cutoff.
- Available seats: With 120 seats in the BA Mass Communication programme at SCMC Pune, limited intake keeps the closing score competitive each cycle.
- PI round performance: The final merit rank depends on both SET score and PI. A borderline SET score can still convert if you perform well at the PI stage.
- Category-wise seat distribution: Reserved category students compete within their own pool, which keeps category-specific closing scores lower than the general bracket.
- Dual-attempt scoring: Because SET 2026 allowed two attempts, a larger share of high scorers in the applicant pool can nudge the closing score upward compared to single-attempt years.
SET 2026 SIMC Pune BA Media and Communication FAQs
Ques. What is the expected SET 2026 cutoff for SIMC Pune BA Media and Communication?
Ans. The expected closing SET score for general category students is 54–58 out of 60 for the BA Mass Communication programme at SIMC Pune, based on previous year trends. For OBC-NCL students the expected range is 48–52 and for SC/ST students it is 30–40. These are estimates and actual cutoffs may vary.
Ques. What is the total marks for SET 2026?
Ans. SET 2026 carries a total of 60 marks across four sections: General English (16 marks), Quantitative (16 marks), General Awareness (16 marks) and Analytical and Logical Reasoning (12 marks). There is no negative marking.
Ques. Is the SET score alone enough for admission to SIMC Pune BA Media and Communication?
Ans. No. The SET score is used for shortlisting students for the Personal Interaction (PI) round. The final merit rank is based on combined SET and PI performance. Students must clear both stages to secure admission.
Ques. When will the SIMC Pune BA Media 2026 merit list be released?
Ans. The first merit list for the BA Mass Communication programme at SIMC/SCMC Pune is expected on June 18, 2026. Fee payment to confirm a seat in the first round closes on July 3, 2026 and the programme begins on July 16, 2026.
Ques. What is a safe SET 2026 score to target for SIMC Pune BA Media?
Ans. A SET score of 55 or above out of 60 is a safe target for general category students to secure a PI shortlisting call at SIMC Pune. For OBC-NCL students 48+ is considered competitive and for SC/ST students 34+ is generally within the expected shortlisting range based on previous year trends.
Ques. How many seats are available in the BA Media and Communication programme at SIMC Pune?
Ans. The BA (Mass Communication) Honours programme at SCMC Pune has a total intake of 120 seats per academic year. Limited seats combined with a large applicant pool keep the closing SET score competitive every cycle.








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