AP ECET 2026 ST category qualifying marks are 0% — ST students who appear for the exam are eligible for counselling without any minimum score requirement.
The Andhra Pradesh Engineering Common Entrance Test (AP ECET) 2026, conducted by APSCHE, provides lateral entry into B.Tech and B.Pharmacy programmes for diploma holders and B.Sc. graduates. For ST (Scheduled Tribe) students, closing ranks during counselling depend on the number of reserved seats, total ST applicants, and branch and college preferences. Expected AP ECET 2026 ST category closing ranks below are based on 2025 trends and will be confirmed once APSCHE publishes official counselling data around July 2026.
- AP ECET 2026 qualifying marks for ST: 0% — no minimum score is needed to be eligible for counselling.
- ST students receive a 6% reservation in government and aided engineering colleges under AP ECET norms.
- AP ECET 2026 results are expected around June 28, 2026; counselling is expected in July 2026.
- Based on 2025 data, ST category closing ranks ranged from approximately 250 to 2,500 depending on college and branch.
- CSE and ECE branches at top government colleges show the most competitive ST cutoffs, while Civil and Mechanical remain more accessible.
| Direct Link – AP ECET 2026 Official Portal: cets.apsche.ap.gov.in/ECET |
AP ECET 2026 ST Category Qualifying Marks
AP ECET 2026 requires a minimum of 25% marks (37 out of 150) for OC and BC category students. For ST (Scheduled Tribe) students, no minimum qualifying marks apply. ST students who appear for the exam and satisfy the lateral-entry eligibility criteria — a diploma or B.Sc. degree — can participate in counselling regardless of their score. The AP ECET paper carries a total of 150 marks, split across Mathematics (50), Physics and Chemistry (50), and the core engineering or pharmacy subject (50).
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks (out of 150) | Qualifying Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| OC (General) | 37 | 25% |
| BC (Backward Classes) | 37 | 25% |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | No minimum | 0% |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | No minimum | 0% |
| PH (Persons with Disability) | No minimum | 0% |
Even with no qualifying mark threshold, a higher score in AP ECET 2026 produces a lower rank number, which directly improves your chances of securing a preferred branch and college during ST category counselling rounds.
Expected AP ECET 2026 ST Category Closing Ranks
The table below shows expected AP ECET 2026 ST category closing ranks at major government and university colleges, based on 2025 trends. These are estimates and will be updated once APSCHE releases official Round 1 and Round 2 data. Colleges with limited ST reserved seats typically show lower closing ranks, reflecting tighter competition for fewer seats.
| College | Branch | Expected ST Closing Rank 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam | Computer Science Engineering | 250–400 |
| Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam | Electronics and Communication Engineering | 400–580 |
| Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam | Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 550–800 |
| Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam | Mechanical Engineering | 720–1,050 |
| JNTUK College of Engineering, Kakinada | Computer Science Engineering | 300–450 |
| JNTUK College of Engineering, Kakinada | Electronics and Communication Engineering | 440–660 |
| JNTUK College of Engineering, Kakinada | Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 580–850 |
| JNTUK College of Engineering, Kakinada | Mechanical Engineering | 750–1,100 |
| JNTUK College of Engineering, Kakinada | Civil Engineering | 900–1,300 |
| JNTUA College of Engineering, Anantapur | Computer Science Engineering | 350–550 |
| JNTUA College of Engineering, Anantapur | Electronics and Communication Engineering | 500–750 |
| JNTUA College of Engineering, Anantapur | Mechanical Engineering | 800–1,150 |
| SV University College of Engineering, Tirupati | Computer Science Engineering | 360–520 |
| SV University College of Engineering, Tirupati | Civil Engineering | 950–1,350 |
| Private Aided Colleges (general range) | CSE / ECE | 1,000–2,000 |
| Private Aided Colleges (general range) | Mechanical / Civil | 1,800–2,500 |
Based on 2025 trends, ST students with ranks below 500 have strong prospects at top government colleges for CSE and ECE. Civil and Mechanical Engineering at private aided colleges often remain open for ranks up to 2,500.
AP ECET 2025 ST Category Closing Ranks
AP ECET 2025 ST category closing ranks from the final counselling round are the closest reference for predicting 2026 trends. The table below reflects approximate closing ranks from AP ECET 2025 based on published data.
| College | Branch | ST Closing Rank (2025, Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam | CSE | 320 |
| Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam | ECE | 490 |
| Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam | Mechanical | 780 |
| JNTUK College of Engineering, Kakinada | CSE | 390 |
| JNTUK College of Engineering, Kakinada | EEE | 650 |
| JNTUK College of Engineering, Kakinada | Mechanical | 870 |
| JNTUA College of Engineering, Anantapur | CSE | 420 |
| JNTUA College of Engineering, Anantapur | EEE | 830 |
| SV University College of Engineering, Tirupati | CSE | 460 |
| SV University College of Engineering, Tirupati | Civil | 1,120 |
| Private Aided Colleges (avg.) | CSE | 1,450 |
| Private Aided Colleges (avg.) | Mechanical / Civil | 2,250 |
For the complete college-wise and round-wise ST closing rank data from 2025, visit the official AP ECET portal and navigate to the counselling statistics section after logging in with your rank card credentials.
Factors Affecting AP ECET ST Category Cutoff
Several variables determine where AP ECET 2026 ST category closing ranks settle. Understanding these helps you plan college and branch choices strategically before counselling opens.
- Total ST applicants in 2026: A larger pool of ST students increases competition for the same number of reserved seats, shifting closing ranks to higher numbers.
- 6% ST reservation: Government and aided colleges reserve 6% of seats for ST students. In a college with 300 total intake, roughly 18 seats go to ST — small variations in demand noticeably move the closing rank.
- Branch preference patterns: CSE and ECE attract the highest demand, compressing closing ranks. Civil and Mechanical Engineering branches remain accessible at higher rank numbers.
- College tier: University colleges such as JNTUK, JNTUA, and Andhra University close faster for ST quota seats than private colleges with larger open-merit intake.
- Counselling round: Round 1 closing ranks are the most competitive. Surrendered seats in Round 2 and spot rounds often open up options for students with higher rank numbers.
- Exam difficulty in 2026: A harder paper tends to compress scores, which can ease closing ranks for less-popular branches as score differences between students narrow.
AP ECET 2026 Counselling for ST Students
APSCHE conducts web-based centralised counselling for AP ECET 2026. ST students participate in the same counselling rounds as other categories, with 6% ST reserved seats allocated before open merit. Follow these steps after the result is declared:
- Download your AP ECET 2026 rank card from the official APSCHE portal after results are published.
- Register for counselling using your hall ticket number, rank details, and a valid mobile number linked to Aadhaar.
- Pay the counselling registration fee. Check the official notification for any fee waiver or concession applicable to ST students.
- Fill in college and branch preferences in order of priority during the choice-filling window.
- Check your seat allotment after each round and report to the allotted college within the deadline with original documents.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| ST Caste Certificate | Mandatory for ST category seat claim |
| AP ECET 2026 Rank Card | Proof of rank and category |
| Diploma / B.Sc. Degree Certificate and Marksheets | Lateral entry eligibility proof |
| SSC (10th Class) Certificate | Date of birth and domicile proof |
| Aadhaar Card | Identity verification |
| Income Certificate | Required for fee reimbursement schemes |
| Passport-size Photographs | Admission and registration records |
AP ECET 2026 ST Category Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What are the qualifying marks for ST category in AP ECET 2026?
Ans. ST students are not required to score any minimum marks in AP ECET 2026. While OC and BC students must score at least 25% (37 out of 150 marks), ST students who appear for the exam are directly eligible for counselling regardless of their score, provided they meet the lateral-entry eligibility criteria.
Ques. What is the expected AP ECET 2026 closing rank for ST category in CSE?
Ans. Based on 2025 trends, the expected closing rank for ST category in CSE at top government colleges like Andhra University College of Engineering and JNTUK Kakinada is between 250 and 450. Private aided colleges may show closing ranks up to 1,500 or more depending on their intake and location.
Ques. How many seats are reserved for ST students in AP ECET counselling?
Ans. ST students receive 6% of the total sanctioned seats in government and aided engineering colleges under AP ECET reservation policy. The exact number per college depends on APSCHE-approved intake for that institution and varies by branch.
Ques. When will AP ECET 2026 counselling begin for ST students?
Ans. AP ECET 2026 counselling is expected to begin in July 2026 following the declaration of results, which are expected around June 28, 2026. The exact counselling schedule will be announced by APSCHE on the official portal at cets.apsche.ap.gov.in/ECET/.
Ques. Is a caste certificate mandatory for ST students during AP ECET 2026 counselling?
Ans. Yes, a valid ST caste certificate issued by a competent authority is mandatory for claiming the ST category reservation during AP ECET 2026 counselling. Without it, your admission may be processed under the OC category, disqualifying you from reserved seats.
Ques. Which branches have the least competitive closing ranks for ST category in AP ECET?
Ans. Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering consistently show the highest closing ranks for ST category based on 2025 trends. Students with rank numbers up to 2,500 can often secure seats in these branches at private aided colleges, making them viable options for students with lower scores.
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