UPCATET 2026 OBC Expected Cutoff: Category-Wise Qualifying Score and Past Year Trends

The UPCATET 2026 expected cutoff for OBC students is estimated to be between 290 and 315 marks out of 800, with the minimum qualifying score set at 160 marks (20%) for OBC, General, and EWS categories.

UPCATET 2026 is conducted by Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology on behalf of participating UP universities for admission to UG and PG agriculture and technology programmes. The exam is scheduled for June 17–18, 2026, and the cutoff is expected to be released in July 2026 along with the result. OBC students must meet the category cutoff to qualify for counselling and seat allotment.

• UPCATET 2026 total marks: 800 (200 questions × 4 marks each; ?1 for each wrong answer).
• OBC minimum qualifying cutoff: 160 marks (20% of 800) — the minimum score to appear on the merit list.
• Expected OBC admission cutoff: 290–315 marks, based on 2024–25 trends.
• SC and ST students need only 80 marks (10%) to meet the minimum qualifying threshold.
• The official cutoff is published at upcatet.org after result declaration.

---

UPCATET 2026 Qualifying Cutoff for OBC

UPCATET 2026 has two levels of cutoff: the minimum qualifying cutoff (who gets on the merit list) and the effective admission cutoff (the score needed to secure a seat in a preferred programme).

For OBC students, the minimum qualifying percentage is 20% of 800 marks = 160 marks. However, scoring only 160 marks will not guarantee a seat at a competitive programme. Based on trends from 2024 and 2025, OBC students targeting B.Sc. Agriculture or B.Tech (Agriculture Engineering) at popular universities should aim for 290 marks or above.

---

Category-Wise Expected Cutoff 2026

UPCATET 2026 cutoff differs across reservation categories as per Uttar Pradesh government norms. The table below shows the expected category-wise cutoff for UPCATET 2026, based on 2024–25 trends.

These figures are expected estimates based on 2024–25 trends and will be confirmed only after the official result and cutoff are released. OBC students compete in a separate reserved-seat merit list, giving access to seats unavailable to General category students.

---

Previous Year OBC Cutoff Trends

Analysing past UPCATET cutoff data helps students set a realistic target score. The table below shows year-wise UPCATET cutoff across categories from 2022 to 2025, reflecting a steady upward trend driven by growing competition.

The data shows that the OBC cutoff has risen by approximately 5–10 marks each year. For 2026, a similar or slightly higher range of 290–315 marks is projected based on this trajectory, with the final figure depending on exam difficulty and total applicant count.

---

Programme-Wise Expected OBC Cutoff 2026

The closing cutoff also varies by programme. More sought-after courses such as B.Sc. Agriculture and B.Tech (Agriculture Engineering) typically carry higher closing cutoffs than less competitive programmes. The table below provides programme-wise expected UPCATET 2026 OBC cutoffs.

All figures are expected values based on previous year closing ranks. Actual programme-wise cutoffs are announced during UPCATET 2026 counselling and may shift depending on seat vacancy and applicant preferences.

---

Factors Affecting UPCATET 2026 Cutoff

Several variables influence where the final cutoff lands each year. Understanding them helps you interpret your score in context:

• Exam difficulty: A harder paper lowers average scores and brings the cutoff down. An easier paper pushes it higher.
• Total number of applicants: A larger applicant pool means greater competition and a higher effective admission cutoff.
• Available seats: The total seat count across participating universities directly shapes how selective the cutoff becomes.
• Category-wise seat matrix: The proportion of OBC-reserved seats across programmes determines the size and competitiveness of the OBC merit list.
• Negative marking effect: With ?1 for wrong answers, students who attempt selectively and accurately can outperform those who attempt blindly, shifting the overall score distribution.
• University-specific demand: Popular institutions such as SVPUAT Meerut, NDUAT Ayodhya, and CSAUAT Kanpur attract more applicants, raising their programme-specific closing cutoffs above the common qualifying threshold.

---

After the Cutoff: UPCATET 2026 Counselling Process

Students who meet the UPCATET 2026 OBC cutoff become eligible for the online counselling process. Here is the sequence of steps after the cutoff is declared:

1. Result and Cutoff Release: The result and category-wise cutoff are published at upcatet.org, expected in July 2026.
2. Counselling Registration: Eligible students register on the official counselling portal within the announced dates and pay the registration fee.
3. Choice Filling and Locking: You select and rank your preferred universities and programmes. Once locked, choices cannot be changed after the deadline.
4. Seat Allotment: Allotment is based on your UPCATET rank, category, and choice preferences. OBC students are allotted seats from the OBC reserved pool.
5. Document Verification: Report to the allotted college with original documents — OBC non-creamy layer certificate, Class 10 and 12 marksheets, domicile certificate, identity proof, and UPCATET 2026 scorecard.
6. Fee Payment and Admission: Pay the admission fee within the stipulated date to confirm your seat. Missing this deadline leads to forfeiture of the allotted seat.