AP POLYCET 2026 Round 1 Cutoff: Branch-Wise Closing Ranks and Previous Year Trends

AP POLYCET 2026 Round 1 seat allotment is expected on July 6, 2026; based on 2025 trends, CSE branch closing ranks at top government polytechnics are expected between 1 and 2,500 for the Open category.

The Andhra Pradesh State Board of Technical Education and Training (SBTET) conducts AP POLYCET counselling across multiple rounds. Round 1 cutoff ranks determine which students secure seats in their preferred branch and college. With web options open from June 29 to July 3, 2026, understanding branch-wise and category-wise closing rank trends from previous years helps students set realistic expectations and plan their choices effectively.

• AP POLYCET 2026 Round 1 seat allotment result is expected on July 6, 2026 at polycetap.nic.in.
• AP POLYCET is scored out of 120 marks with no negative marking.
• CSE and AI and ML branches attract the highest competition with closing ranks typically under 2,500 at government polytechnics.
• Civil and Mechanical Engineering branches show more relaxed closing ranks ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 and beyond.
• Over 82,870 seats across 267 polytechnic colleges (88 government and 179 private) are available under AP POLYCET 2026 counselling.

---

AP POLYCET 2026 Round 1 Cutoff: Key Details

AP POLYCET 2026 Round 1 counselling is underway with seat allotment expected on July 6, 2026. The cutoff rank is the last rank at which a seat was allotted in a particular branch and college in that round. Students who filled web options from June 29 to July 3, 2026 will receive their allotment based on rank, category, and available seats.

---

AP POLYCET 2026 Round 1 Expected Branch-Wise Closing Ranks

The following closing rank ranges are expected for Round 1 at government polytechnic colleges based on 2025 and 2024 trends. CSE and AI and ML branches continue to be the most competitive, while Civil and Chemical Engineering show comparatively relaxed closing ranks. These are expected estimates and actual figures will be available after seat allotment on July 6, 2026.

---

AP POLYCET Previous Year Round 1 Closing Rank Trends

Comparing 2024 and 2025 Round 1 closing ranks helps students gauge where 2026 cutoffs may settle. CSE branches have seen consistently tightening closing ranks over the years, while less sought-after branches show wider variation across rounds. The data below reflects approximate closing ranks at top government polytechnic colleges.

Based on this pattern, CSE and AI and ML closing ranks are expected to tighten further in 2026, while Mechanical and Civil Engineering closing ranks are likely to remain in the 9,000 to 11,000 range at top government colleges.

---

AP POLYCET 2026 Round 1 Category-Wise Cutoff Analysis

AP POLYCET seat allotment follows reservation norms mandated by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Category-wise closing ranks vary significantly, with SC and ST students securing seats at much higher (more relaxed) closing ranks compared to OC and BC students. The qualifying marks cutoff also differs by category.

Students with ranks above 25,000 can still secure seats in private polytechnic colleges across Andhra Pradesh. SC and ST students with no qualifying mark requirement must still appear for the exam and obtain a valid rank.

---

Top Government Polytechnic Colleges: Expected Round 1 Closing Ranks

Each government polytechnic college has its own closing rank based on branch, location, and seat intake. Urban colleges in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati attract more web option preferences, resulting in tighter closing ranks. The following table lists expected Round 1 closing ranks based on 2025 trends.

These closing ranks are expected estimates based on 2025 data. Official Round 1 closing ranks will be published at polycetap.nic.in after July 6, 2026.

---

Factors Affecting AP POLYCET 2026 Round 1 Cutoff

Several factors determine where the closing rank settles for each branch and college combination. Understanding these helps students decide how to fill web options strategically.

• Total number of applicants: A higher number of students appearing increases competition and pushes closing ranks upward across all branches.
• Branch-wise demand: CSE, AI and ML, and IT branches consistently attract more students, leading to tighter closing ranks than Civil or Chemical Engineering.
• Available seat intake: Colleges with limited intake of 30 to 60 seats per branch have higher closing ranks than those with larger capacity.
• Exam difficulty level: An easier AP POLYCET paper typically leads to higher scores and tighter cutoffs; a harder paper results in lower scores and more relaxed closing ranks.
• Category reservation norms: Government-mandated reservations for SC, ST, BC, EWS, and PH categories reduce available open-category seats, affecting OC closing ranks directly.
• College location and reputation: Urban colleges in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati attract more web option choices, resulting in more competitive closing ranks than colleges in smaller towns.
• Counselling round number: Round 1 typically shows tighter closing ranks for top colleges; subsequent rounds may see slightly relaxed cutoffs as unfilled seats are redistributed.