AP POLYCET 2026 Round 1 seat allotment is scheduled for July 6, 2026, and SC category students can expect closing ranks ranging from approximately 8,000 to 60,000 depending on the college and branch, with Computer Science and Engineering at top government polytechnics in cities like Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam being the most competitive.
AP POLYCET 2026 counselling is conducted by the State Board of Technical Education and Training, Andhra Pradesh (SBTET-AP) for admission to three-year diploma programs at government and private polytechnic colleges. SC category students benefit from 15% reservation in all government and aided polytechnic colleges and are ranked separately in their own merit list. Since no minimum qualifying marks apply for SC and ST categories in AP POLYCET, all students who receive a rank can participate in web option entry and counselling. The expected closing ranks below are projections based on 2024 and 2025 counselling trends and will remain estimates until official 2026 Round 1 data is published at polycetap.nic.in on July 6, 2026.
- AP POLYCET 2026 Round 1 allotment date: July 6, 2026 — results available at polycetap.nic.in.
- SC category reservation: 15% of total seats in government and aided polytechnic colleges across Andhra Pradesh.
- No minimum qualifying marks for SC or ST students — all ranked students can participate in counselling.
- Expected SC category closing rank for CSE at top government polytechnics: 8,000 to 18,000 in Round 1.
- Branches like Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering have more relaxed SC closing ranks, expected between 28,000 and 60,000.
- Students allotted seats in Round 1 must report to their college by July 10, 2026.
| Direct Link — AP POLYCET 2026 Official Counselling Portal (Active) — polycetap.nic.in |
AP POLYCET 2026 SC Category Cutoff Overview
AP POLYCET (Andhra Pradesh Polytechnic Common Entrance Test) 2026 is a 120-mark exam conducted by SBTET-AP. The exam has 120 multiple-choice questions — 50 from Mathematics, 40 from Physics and 30 from Chemistry — with 1 mark per correct answer and no negative marking. Counselling follows a centralised web-based allotment system with multiple rounds, of which Round 1 is the most competitive.
SC category students are allotted seats from the 15% reserved quota and compete in a separate merit list. There is no minimum qualifying percentage for SC and ST students in AP POLYCET 2026, which means any student who has received a rank can enter web options and participate in counselling. The closing rank is the highest rank number at which a seat was allotted in a given branch and college during a round; a higher rank number means a more relaxed cutoff.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | AP POLYCET 2026 |
| Conducting Body | SBTET-AP, Andhra Pradesh |
| Total Marks | 120 (120 questions, 1 mark each, no negative marking) |
| SC Category Reservation | 15% of total seats in government and aided polytechnic colleges |
| Minimum Marks for SC Category | No minimum marks requirement |
| Round 1 Allotment Date | July 6, 2026 |
| Reporting to College | By July 10, 2026 |
| Official Portal | polycetap.nic.in |
Expected College-wise SC Category Closing Ranks — Round 1 2026
The table below lists expected AP POLYCET 2026 SC category closing ranks for Round 1 across major government polytechnic colleges in Andhra Pradesh. These are projections based on 2024 and 2025 counselling trends and should not be treated as confirmed figures. Official closing ranks will be published at polycetap.nic.in on July 6, 2026 after Round 1 allotment is complete.
| College Name | District | Branch | Expected SC Closing Rank — Round 1 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Polytechnic, Vijayawada | NTR District | Computer Science and Engineering | 8,000 – 14,000 |
| Government Polytechnic, Vijayawada | NTR District | Electronics and Communication Engineering | 18,000 – 26,000 |
| Government Polytechnic, Vijayawada | NTR District | Civil Engineering | 25,000 – 38,000 |
| Government Polytechnic, Visakhapatnam | Visakhapatnam | Computer Science and Engineering | 10,000 – 18,000 |
| Government Polytechnic, Visakhapatnam | Visakhapatnam | Mechanical Engineering | 28,000 – 42,000 |
| SRI Government Polytechnic, Visakhapatnam | Visakhapatnam | Computer Science and Engineering | 14,000 – 22,000 |
| MBTS Government Polytechnic, Guntur | Guntur | Computer Science and Engineering | 16,000 – 25,000 |
| MBTS Government Polytechnic, Guntur | Guntur | Civil Engineering | 30,000 – 45,000 |
| Government Polytechnic, Nandyal | Nandyal | Computer Science and Engineering | 20,000 – 30,000 |
| Government Polytechnic, Nandyal | Nandyal | Mechanical Engineering | 35,000 – 52,000 |
| Government Polytechnic, Srikakulam | Srikakulam | Computer Science and Engineering | 18,000 – 28,000 |
| Government Institute of Chemical Engineering, Visakhapatnam | Visakhapatnam | Chemical Engineering | 38,000 – 58,000 |
Branch-wise SC Category Cutoff Trends
The branch you choose is as important as the college when it comes to SC category closing ranks. Computer Science and Engineering remains the most competitive branch even within the SC reserved quota, driven by strong placement prospects and industry demand. The table below summarises expected SC category closing rank ranges across government polytechnic colleges in Andhra Pradesh for Round 1 of 2026, based on 2025 trend data.
| Branch | Demand Level | Expected SC Closing Rank — Top Colleges | Expected SC Closing Rank — Other Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) | Very High | 8,000 – 18,000 | 18,000 – 35,000 |
| Information Technology (IT) | High | 10,000 – 20,000 | 20,000 – 38,000 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) | High | 14,000 – 26,000 | 26,000 – 46,000 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) | Moderate | 18,000 – 30,000 | 30,000 – 52,000 |
| Civil Engineering | Moderate | 20,000 – 38,000 | 38,000 – 56,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | Moderate | 22,000 – 42,000 | 42,000 – 60,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | Low | 35,000 – 58,000 | 55,000 – 75,000 |
SC category students with ranks above 40,000 are advised to prioritise Civil Engineering, EEE or Mechanical Engineering at district-level government polytechnic colleges. These branches carry higher closing ranks and offer a much stronger chance of securing a government seat in Round 1 rather than waiting for subsequent rounds.
Factors Affecting AP POLYCET 2026 SC Category Cutoff
Several variables determine where the SC category closing rank settles each year. Understanding these helps you prepare a realistic shortlist before Round 1 allotment on July 6, 2026.
- Total SC applicants: A larger pool of SC students qualifying the exam increases competition for reserved seats, pushing closing ranks lower (making them harder to clear). AP POLYCET typically attracts 1.5 to 2 lakh total applicants each year.
- Number of SC reserved seats per college: Each government polytechnic allocates 15% of its intake to SC students. Colleges with larger intake capacity provide more SC seats and slightly more relaxed closing ranks.
- Branch popularity: CSE and IT attract the highest demand even within the SC quota, resulting in the lowest closing ranks. Chemical Engineering and Textile Technology have the most relaxed closing ranks due to lower enrolment interest.
- College location and reputation: Urban government polytechnic colleges in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati draw more students and show tighter SC closing ranks than rural or smaller-district counterparts.
- AP POLYCET 2026 exam difficulty: A harder exam compresses the overall score distribution and can push SC closing ranks higher (more relaxed in rank number), as fewer students score in the top bands.
- Carryover seats from Round 1: Round 1 always has the tightest cutoffs. Unfilled SC seats move to Round 2 and Round 3 with progressively more relaxed closing ranks, giving students with higher rank numbers a second opportunity.
AP POLYCET 2026 SC Category Cutoff FAQs
Ques. When will AP POLYCET 2026 Round 1 allotment results be released for SC category?
Ans. AP POLYCET 2026 Round 1 seat allotment results, including SC category closing ranks, are scheduled for July 6, 2026. Students can check their allotment status at polycetap.nic.in using their hall ticket number and date of birth. Reporting to the allotted college must be completed by July 10, 2026.
Ques. What is the expected SC category closing rank for CSE at top AP government polytechnic colleges in Round 1 2026?
Ans. Based on 2024 and 2025 counselling trends, the expected SC category closing rank for Computer Science and Engineering at top government polytechnic colleges in AP is approximately 8,000 to 18,000 in Round 1 of 2026. Actual figures will be confirmed on July 6, 2026 at polycetap.nic.in.
Ques. Is there a minimum qualifying mark for SC category in AP POLYCET 2026?
Ans. No. SC and ST category students have no minimum qualifying marks requirement in AP POLYCET 2026. All SC students who have received a rank after appearing in the exam are eligible to participate in web option entry and counselling. Admission depends on rank, available SC seats and the choices entered.
Ques. Can SC category students with AP POLYCET rank above 40,000 get a seat in Round 1?
Ans. Yes. SC category students with ranks above 40,000 can still secure seats in Round 1, particularly in branches like Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and EEE at government polytechnic colleges in smaller districts. CSE seats at top urban colleges are expected to have SC closing ranks between 8,000 and 18,000, making them difficult to secure at this rank range.
Ques. How is the AP POLYCET SC category closing rank different from the OC category closing rank?
Ans. The SC category closing rank is always higher in number (more relaxed) than the OC category closing rank for the same branch and college. SC students compete only within the 15% reserved seats through a separate merit list. This means a student with a higher rank number can secure a seat in the SC quota that would not be available to OC or BC students at the same college and branch.
Ques. What should I do after AP POLYCET 2026 Round 1 allotment on July 6?
Ans. After the Round 1 allotment on July 6, 2026, you must report to your allotted college with original certificates by July 10, 2026 to confirm your seat. If you prefer a different college or branch, you may participate in Round 2 counselling — but this carries the risk of losing the confirmed Round 1 seat. Check polycetap.nic.in for exact Round 2 dates and instructions.
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