SC category students appearing in HPCET 2026 need to score a minimum of 120 marks out of 600 (20%) to qualify for counselling, with branch-wise closing marks expected to be higher in popular streams like Computer Science and Information Technology.
HPCET (Himachal Pradesh Common Entrance Test) is conducted by Himachal Pradesh Technical University (HIMTU) for admission to B.Tech and B.Pharmacy programmes in government and private institutes across Himachal Pradesh. The exam is held in offline mode and carries a total of 600 marks across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (200 marks each). For SC category students, a 15% reservation applies to the state quota seats, and the qualifying threshold is set lower than the General category to ensure wider access. Based on 2023–2025 counselling trends, this article presents the expected HPCET 2026 SC category cutoffs, branch-wise closing marks, and estimated seat availability.
- HPCET 2026 total marks: 600 (Physics 200 + Chemistry 200 + Mathematics 200)
- SC category minimum qualifying marks: 120 out of 600 (20%)
- SC category students benefit from a 15% reservation in HP state quota seats
- Expected SC closing marks range from 120 to 200 out of 600 depending on branch and institute
- 14 institutes participate in HPCET counselling (4 government + 10 private)
- HPCET 2026 counselling and cutoff release is expected in June–July 2026
| Direct Link: HPCET 2026 Official Admissions Portal — himtu.ac.in/en/admissions/hpcet |
HPCET 2026 SC Category Qualifying Marks Out of 600
HPCET 2026 is a 600-mark exam with equal distribution across three subjects. For SC category students, the minimum qualifying marks in the HPCET exam is 120 out of 600 (20%), compared to a higher threshold for General category applicants. This qualifying mark is the entry point for counselling eligibility — it does not guarantee a seat in a specific branch or institute.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks (out of 600) | Qualifying Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| General | 270 | 45% |
| OBC | 252 | 42% |
| SC | 120 | 20% |
| ST | 120 | 20% |
Meeting the qualifying marks makes you eligible for HPCET counselling. However, the actual branch and institute you secure depends on your rank in the SC category merit list and the choices you fill during counselling rounds.
HPCET Previous Year SC Category Cutoff Trends (2023–2025)
HIMTU does not pre-announce HPCET cutoffs. The closing marks for each category, branch, and institute are released round by round during counselling. Based on observed counselling data from 2023 to 2025, the overall SC category closing marks have shown a gradual upward trend, driven by an increase in applicants and greater preference for technical education in HP.
| Year | Overall SC Closing Marks (Min) | Overall SC Closing Marks (Max) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 75 | ~180 | Stable |
| 2024 | 78 | ~190 | Slightly rising |
| 2025 | 80 | ~200 | Rising |
All figures above are based on observed trends from previous counselling rounds and are indicative only. The maximum closing mark reflects demand in the most competitive branches at government institutes.
HPCET 2026 Branch-wise Expected Cutoff for SC Category
The expected HPCET 2026 SC category closing marks by branch are projected below, based on 2023–2025 demand trends. Computer Science and Engineering consistently attracts the most SC applications, pushing its closing marks significantly above the qualifying threshold, while branches like Civil and Mechanical Engineering typically close near the qualifying minimum.
| Branch | Expected SC Closing Marks (out of 600) | Demand Level |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) | 175–200 | Very High |
| Information Technology (IT) | 155–178 | High |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) | 140–165 | Moderate to High |
| Electrical Engineering (EE) | 130–150 | Moderate |
| Mechanical Engineering | 120–140 | Low to Moderate |
| Civil Engineering | 120–135 | Low |
If your HPCET score falls between 175 and 200, you have strong prospects for a CSE or IT seat under the SC quota in government institutes. Scores between 130 and 175 are likely to fetch ECE or Electrical Engineering seats. Scores at or just above 120 may secure a seat in Civil or Mechanical Engineering in private participating institutes.
HPCET 2026 SC Category Seat Availability by Branch
Himachal Pradesh reserves 15% of total state quota seats for SC category students across all HPCET-participating institutes. A total of 14 institutes participate in HPCET counselling, comprising 4 government and 10 private engineering colleges. The branch-wise SC seat count below is an estimate based on previous year seat matrices; the confirmed seat matrix will be published by HIMTU during the 2026 counselling notification.
| Branch | Approx. Total Seats (All Institutes) | Estimated SC Seats (15%) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and Engineering | ~300 | ~45 |
| Information Technology | ~180 | ~27 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | ~240 | ~36 |
| Electrical Engineering | ~180 | ~27 |
| Mechanical Engineering | ~240 | ~36 |
| Civil Engineering | ~180 | ~27 |
These seat counts are approximate. Unfilled SC seats from earlier counselling rounds are offered to other eligible categories in subsequent rounds as per HIMTU norms. You can track the official seat matrix on the HIMTU admissions page once the counselling schedule is live.
Factors Affecting HPCET 2026 SC Category Cutoff
Several factors determine where the HPCET 2026 SC category closing marks settle for each branch and institute. Understanding these helps you set realistic expectations before counselling begins.
- Number of SC applicants: A rise in registered SC category students increases competition and pushes closing marks upward, especially in CSE and IT.
- HPCET 2026 exam difficulty: A harder paper reduces overall scores across all categories, which typically lowers closing marks compared to an easier paper year.
- Available SC quota seats: Any changes to total sanctioned intake or the 15% SC reservation percentage directly shift the closing marks.
- College-specific preferences: Government institutes — such as Jawaharlal Nehru Government Engineering College, Sundernagar — attract higher demand and therefore have higher SC closing marks than private participating institutes.
- Counselling round dynamics: Cutoffs typically drop in later rounds as seats remain unfilled; students who did not participate in Round 1 may find seats available in subsequent rounds at lower closing marks.
How to Check the Official HPCET 2026 Cutoff
HIMTU releases the HPCET cutoff as a PDF or merit list on its official portal after each counselling round. Follow these steps to access it:
- Visit the official HIMTU admissions portal at himtu.ac.in/en/admissions/hpcet.
- Navigate to the HPCET 2026 Counselling section on the homepage.
- Look for the Cutoff / Closing Marks or Round-wise Allotment link.
- Filter by category (SC) and by branch to view the specific closing marks.
- Download the official PDF for your records before filling college-branch preferences in the next counselling round.
HPCET 2026 SC Category Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the minimum qualifying marks for HPCET 2026 SC category out of 600?
Ans. The minimum qualifying marks for SC category students in HPCET 2026 is 120 out of 600 (20%). Scoring at or above this threshold makes you eligible to participate in HPCET counselling.
Ques. How much SC reservation is there in HPCET 2026?
Ans. 15% of state quota seats are reserved for SC category students across all HPCET-participating institutes in Himachal Pradesh.
Ques. Which branch has the highest expected SC category cutoff in HPCET 2026?
Ans. Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) is expected to have the highest SC category closing marks in HPCET 2026, projected at 175–200 out of 600, based on 2023–2025 demand trends.
Ques. Can SC students with a score near 120 out of 600 get admission through HPCET 2026?
Ans. Yes, it is possible. Branches such as Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering are expected to have SC closing marks near the qualifying threshold (120–135 out of 600) in some private institutes. Exact admission depends on your rank in the SC merit list and the counselling round.
Ques. When will the HPCET 2026 cutoff be released?
Ans. HIMTU does not pre-announce the cutoff. The HPCET 2026 cutoff will be released round by round during the official counselling process, expected to begin in June–July 2026. You can access it at himtu.ac.in.
Ques. Do SC category cutoffs differ between government and private institutes in HPCET?
Ans. Yes. Government engineering colleges participating in HPCET counselling — such as JNGEC Sundernagar — have higher SC category closing marks due to greater student preference. Private participating institutes typically have lower SC closing marks, especially in later counselling rounds.
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