Based on 2022-23 counselling trends, the expected CENTAC 2026 OBC category closing cutoff marks range from around 118 to 193 out of 300, with Puducherry Technological University (PTU) remaining the most competitive college for OBC students across all branches.
CENTAC (Centralised Admission Committee) manages B.Tech seat allotment across government and self-financing engineering colleges in Puducherry. The OBC category carries reserved seats at every participating institution. Cutoff benchmarks are set as the minimum normalized marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (Class 12, out of 300) scored by the last OBC student admitted to a given college and branch in each round. The CENTAC 2026 first-round allotment and cutoff is expected around June 25, 2026, and will be published on the official portal.
- CENTAC cutoff is based on Class 12 PCM normalized marks out of 300 — not JEE Main or any separate entrance score.
- OBC category students get a reserved quota of seats in all CENTAC-affiliated colleges in Puducherry.
- PTU (formerly Pondicherry Engineering College) CSE OBC closing mark is expected around 188–193, making it the toughest cutoff among all colleges.
- Private colleges such as SMVEC, RGCET, and Christ College have progressively lower OBC closing marks, giving students with mid-range PCM scores viable options.
- Students must hold a valid OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate from a competent authority before appearing for CENTAC 2026 counselling.
| Direct Link — CENTAC 2026 Official Portal (Active) — centaconline.in |
CENTAC 2026 Expected OBC Cutoff — College and Branch Wise
The table below lists expected CENTAC 2026 OBC category opening and closing cutoff marks for major Puducherry engineering colleges. All figures are projected based on 2022-23 actual counselling data and trend analysis — official 2026 cutoffs will be released on centacpuducherry.in after each allotment round. Marks are out of 300.
| College | Branch | OBC Opening Marks (Expected 2026) | OBC Closing Marks (Expected 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puducherry Technological University (PTU) | Computer Science Engineering | 248–262 | 188–193 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | 234–250 | 173–180 | |
| Mechanical Engineering | 215–232 | 149–158 | |
| Civil Engineering | 198–218 | 133–142 | |
| Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College (SMVEC) | Computer Science Engineering | 244–258 | 178–183 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | 218–238 | 154–162 | |
| Mechanical Engineering | 196–215 | 130–139 | |
| Sri Manakula Vinayagar Institute of Technology (SMVIT) | Computer Science Engineering | 233–250 | 162–168 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | 208–228 | 140–149 | |
| Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering and Technology (RGCET) | Computer Science Engineering | 216–234 | 145–151 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | 194–214 | 128–136 | |
| Christ College of Engineering and Technology | Computer Science Engineering | 203–224 | 129–135 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | 182–204 | 114–122 | |
| Achariya College of Engineering and Technology | Computer Science Engineering | 193–214 | 118–127 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | 170–192 | 104–113 |
All marks are expected figures projected from 2022-23 CENTAC counselling actuals. Official 2026 cutoffs will be published at centacpuducherry.in after each allotment round.
Previous Year CENTAC OBC Cutoff — Data and Trends
The table below shows actual OBC closing marks from CENTAC 2022-23 counselling, which serves as the baseline for projecting 2026 expected cutoffs. PTU consistently records the highest (most competitive) OBC closing marks, while Christ College and Achariya offer seats at lower qualifying marks.
| College | Branch | General Closing Marks (2022-23) | OBC Closing Marks (2022-23) | Expected 2026 OBC Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College (SMVEC) | Computer Science Engineering | 178.33 | 177.00 | Slight rise — 178 to 183 expected |
| Sri Manakula Vinayagar Institute of Technology (SMVIT) | Computer Science Engineering | 164.00 | 160.33 | Moderate rise — 162 to 168 expected |
| Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering and Technology (RGCET) | Computer Science Engineering | 142.33 | 142.33 | Moderate rise — 145 to 151 expected |
| Christ College of Engineering and Technology | Computer Science Engineering | 138.67 | 127.33 | Moderate rise — 129 to 135 expected |
| Puducherry Technological University (PTU) | Computer Science Engineering | 194+ (est.) | 192+ (est.) | Stable to slight rise — 188 to 193 expected |
A notable pattern from 2022-23 data: the gap between General and OBC closing marks is narrow at most colleges, indicating that OBC seats are genuinely competitive. At SMVEC CSE, the difference was just 1.33 marks, while at Christ College the OBC cutoff was 11.34 marks lower than General — giving OBC students a meaningful advantage at private colleges.
Factors That Influence CENTAC 2026 OBC Cutoff
Understanding what drives the OBC cutoff each year helps you set a realistic target score before CENTAC 2026 counselling begins.
- Total OBC seats in the seat matrix: Any revision to the number of seats allocated for the OBC quota directly affects the closing mark. More OBC seats typically lower the closing mark.
- Class 12 PCM score distribution in 2026: If the batch scores higher on average, the merit list compresses and closing marks rise. A weaker batch pushes cutoffs down.
- Applicant registration numbers: A higher number of OBC registrations intensifies competition at top colleges and raises the closing mark. Fewer applicants ease the cutoff.
- Branch popularity among OBC applicants: CSE remains the most sought-after branch, keeping its OBC closing mark the highest within every college. Civil and Mechanical engineering have comparatively lower closing marks.
- Number of counselling rounds and spot admissions: Seats unfilled after Round 1 re-open in Round 2 and the Spot Round, sometimes at a lower effective closing mark. Participating in all rounds maximises your chances.
How to Check CENTAC 2026 OBC Cutoff
After each allotment round, CENTAC publishes the college-wise and category-wise cutoff on its official portal. Follow these steps to access the OBC cutoff for your preferred college and branch.
- Visit the official CENTAC portal: centaconline.in.
- Click the Merit List / Allotment Result link on the homepage.
- Select the counselling round you want to check (Round 1, Round 2, or Spot Round).
- Choose OBC from the category filter.
- Select your preferred college and branch.
- Note the opening and closing cutoff marks displayed for that combination.
- Download the cutoff PDF from the same page for a full college-wise comparison across all branches.
The CENTAC 2026 first-round cutoff is expected on or around June 25, 2026. Check centaconline.in and centacpuducherry.in on that date for the official allotment result and OBC category cutoff data.
CENTAC 2026 OBC Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected OBC closing mark for PTU CSE in CENTAC 2026?
Ans. Based on 2022-23 counselling trends, the expected OBC closing mark for PTU (Puducherry Technological University) CSE in CENTAC 2026 is approximately 188–193 out of 300. This is a projected figure; the official cutoff will be confirmed after the first allotment round on centacpuducherry.in.
Ques. Is the CENTAC OBC cutoff lower than the General category cutoff?
Ans. Yes, typically. In 2022-23, the OBC closing mark was equal to or slightly lower than the General closing mark at most colleges. For example, SMVEC CSE General closing was 178.33 while OBC closing was 177.00. At Christ College CSE, the OBC cutoff was 11.34 marks lower than General, providing a more significant advantage.
Ques. When will the CENTAC 2026 OBC cutoff be released?
Ans. The CENTAC 2026 cutoff for the OBC category is expected on or around June 25, 2026, after the first round of seat allotment. Students should monitor centaconline.in and centacpuducherry.in for official announcements.
Ques. How is the CENTAC OBC cutoff determined?
Ans. The CENTAC OBC cutoff is the minimum normalized mark in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (Class 12, total out of 300) scored by the last OBC student to receive a seat in a particular college and branch during a given allotment round. A separate merit list is prepared for each category, including OBC.
Ques. Can I secure an RGCET CSE seat in CENTAC 2026 with an OBC PCM score of 145?
Ans. Based on 2022-23 data where RGCET CSE OBC closing was 142.33, a score of 145 gives you a reasonable chance in Round 1 for 2026. However, cutoffs tend to rise slightly each year. Participating in all rounds, including the Spot Round, is advisable to secure a seat.
Ques. What documents are required for OBC students during CENTAC 2026 counselling?
Ans. OBC students must carry: Class 12 mark sheet (original and photocopy), a valid OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate from a competent authority, CENTAC 2026 registration slip, a government-issued photo ID, and recent passport-size photographs. Bring originals and photocopies of all documents to the reporting centre.
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