The AP POLYCET 2026 cutoff is the closing rank at which SBTET AP stops seat allotment for each college-branch-category combination during Andhra Pradesh polytechnic counselling. SBTET — the State Board of Technical Education and Training, Andhra Pradesh — publishes the closing ranks on its official portal at polycetap.nic.in after every counselling round. As of June 30, 2026, Round 1 web options entry is still ongoing. Round 1 closing ranks will be published after seat allotment on July 6, 2026.
AP POLYCET 2026 Round 1 seat allotment is on July 6, 2026; the official closing ranks for each college, branch, and category will be available on polycetap.nic.in after that date.
Here is what you need to know about AP POLYCET 2026 cutoff right now:
- Round 1 closing ranks are not yet out; they will be released after July 6, 2026, once SBTET AP completes seat allotment.
- For the OC category, you need a rank below 4,000 to get CSE at a top government polytechnic such as Government Polytechnic Kakinada or Visakhapatnam.
- The minimum qualifying marks for OC and BC categories are 36 out of 120 (30%); SC and ST candidates have no minimum requirement.
- Categories BC-A, BC-B, BC-C, BC-D, and BC-E each have reserved seat pools with separate closing ranks per college and branch.
- Scoring 90 marks or above out of 120 puts you roughly in the top 5,000 ranks — good enough for CSE at mid-tier government polytechnics.
- A local-area quota gives 70% of seats at each college to candidates from the college’s own district zone; the remaining 30% are open to candidates from other zones in AP.
- Based on 2021–2025 trends, the OC closing rank for CSE at top government polytechnics has tightened by roughly 2,700 ranks over five years.
| Direct Link to AP POLYCET Cutoff 2026 (Soon) |
| AP POLYCET Official Portal – polycetap.nic.in |
Key Summary
- AP POLYCET 2026 Round 1 closing ranks will be available after July 6, 2026; web options entry closes July 3.
- The OC closing rank for CSE at top government polytechnics is expected in the range of 1,500 to 3,500, based on 2025 counselling trends.
- The qualifying cutoff for OC and BC categories is 36 marks (30% of 120); SC and ST have no minimum mark requirement.
- The OC CSE closing rank at top government polytechnics tightened by an estimated 2,700 ranks from 2021 to 2025, showing steady rise in competition.
- Around 1.63 lakh students appeared for AP POLYCET 2026, and 1,48,950 qualified — a record pass rate of 91.37%.
What is AP POLYCET Cutoff 2026?
The AP POLYCET cutoff is the closing rank at which SBTET AP stops allotting seats for a specific college-branch-category combination. It is not a single number for the whole exam. Each college, branch, and category has its own closing rank. That rank changes after every round of counselling as unfilled seats re-enter the pool.
There are two types of cutoff you should understand. The qualifying cutoff is the minimum marks you must score to get a rank and register for counselling. For OC and BC categories, this is 36 out of 120 marks. SC and ST candidates have no minimum — they get a rank regardless of marks. The admission cutoff is the closing rank for a specific college-branch-category in a given round. This is what decides whether you actually get a seat.
Previous Year Official AP POLYCET Cutoff
The table below shows the official qualifying cutoff marks set by SBTET AP over five years. It also shows how the candidate pool has grown, since a larger pool directly pushes admission closing ranks tighter.
| Year | OC / BC Qualifying Marks | SC Qualifying Marks | ST Qualifying Marks | Candidates Appeared (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 30 marks (25%) | No minimum | No minimum | ~1.38 lakh |
| 2022 | 30 marks (25%) | No minimum | No minimum | ~1.48 lakh |
| 2023 | 30 marks (25%) | No minimum | No minimum | ~1.53 lakh |
| 2024 | 30 marks (25%) | No minimum | No minimum | ~1.58 lakh |
| 2025 | 36 marks (30%) | No minimum | No minimum | 1.63 lakh |
Source: SBTET AP – polycetap.nic.in
The OC and BC qualifying bar rose from 30 marks to 36 marks in 2025 — a shift of 6 marks. The candidate pool grew from 1.38 lakh in 2021 to 1.63 lakh in 2025. Both factors raise the competition floor for admission seats at sought-after colleges and branches.
Ques. Will the AP POLYCET 2026 admission cutoff be tighter than 2025?
Ans. It is likely to tighten slightly. Around 1.63 lakh candidates appeared in 2026 — similar to 2025. The qualifying bar stayed at 36 marks. If SBTET AP does not add seats at government polytechnics, closing ranks at popular colleges will tighten by 100 to 300 ranks compared to 2025.
Ques. Is the qualifying cutoff the same as the admission cutoff for AP POLYCET?
Ans. No. The qualifying cutoff (36 marks for OC/BC, no minimum for SC/ST) decides whether you get a rank. The admission cutoff is the closing rank for a specific college-branch-category in counselling. You may clear the qualifying cutoff but still not get the college or branch you want if your rank is too high.
AP POLYCET Cutoff 2026: Important Dates
Upcoming events are listed first. Past events follow in chronological order at the bottom.
| Event | Date (2026) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 Web Options Entry Closes | July 3, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment | July 6, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Round 1 Closing Ranks Published | July 6 – 7, 2026 (expected) | Upcoming |
| Round 2 Web Options Entry | Second week of July 2026 (expected) | Upcoming |
| Round 2 Seat Allotment | Third week of July 2026 (expected) | Upcoming |
| Spot / Mop-up Round | August 2026 (expected) | Upcoming |
| AP POLYCET 2026 Exam | April 25, 2026 | Over |
| AP POLYCET 2026 Result Declared | May 5, 2026 | Over |
| Counselling Registration and Fee Payment | June 24 – 30, 2026 | Over |
| Certificate Verification | June 25 – July 1, 2026 | Over |
| Round 1 Web Options Entry Opens | June 29, 2026 | Over |
Factors Affecting AP POLYCET Cutoff 2026
These are the main forces that push AP POLYCET closing ranks up or down each year:
- Total qualified candidates: Around 1.48 lakh candidates qualified in 2026. More qualified students competing for the same seats tightens closing ranks at popular colleges.
- Seat availability: If SBTET AP adds seats or approves new branches for 2026–27, the closing rank for those branches rises (relaxes). Fewer seats mean a tighter cutoff.
- Branch demand: CSE and AI & ML draw far more web-option preferences than Mechanical or Civil Engineering. Their closing ranks are consistently lower and more competitive.
- College reputation and location: Government polytechnics in Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, and Guntur attract heavier demand than rural-district colleges. Their closing ranks are tighter every year.
- Local area quota rule: 70% of seats at each college go to local-area candidates. If your district differs from the college’s zone, you compete in the smaller 30% non-local pool — which can have a different closing rank.
- Category-wise seat distribution: Each category has a fixed seat quota. If fewer eligible applicants apply in a reserved category than there are seats, the closing rank for that category rises and vacant seats roll over to the next round.
- Qualifying marks threshold: The bar rose from 30 to 36 marks in 2025. If it stays at 36 in 2026, the rank pool is slightly smaller than years when the bar was 25% — which can marginally relax closing ranks.
AP POLYCET Category-Wise Cutoff 2026
AP POLYCET uses a multi-category reservation system unique to Andhra Pradesh. The table shows the expected closing rank range for CSE at top government polytechnics, based on 2025 counselling trends. Official 2026 closing ranks will be available after July 6.
| Category | Full Form | Expected Closing Rank – CSE, Top Govt. Polytechnic (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| OC | Open Competition (General) | 1,500 – 3,500 |
| BC-A | Backward Class A – Muslim communities | 4,000 – 9,000 |
| BC-B | Backward Class B – other OBC communities | 5,000 – 10,500 |
| BC-C | Backward Class C – Christian converts from SC | 6,000 – 13,000 |
| BC-D | Backward Class D – other backward communities | 5,500 – 11,500 |
| BC-E | Backward Class E – economically backward Muslims | 7,000 – 15,000 |
| SC | Scheduled Caste | 8,000 – 18,000 |
| ST | Scheduled Tribe | 16,000 – 35,000 |
| EWS | Economically Weaker Section | 3,000 – 7,500 |
| PH | Physically Handicapped | 10,000 – 45,000 |
These are expected ranges based on previous counselling trends — not official 2026 figures. Actual closing ranks vary by college, round, and the number of preferences filled by candidates in each category.
AP POLYCET Cutoff for Top Government Polytechnic Colleges
The colleges below see the most competition each year. The expected ranges shown are for the OC category in Round 1 of 2026 counselling, based on 2025 closing rank data from SBTET AP counselling.
| College | Location | Expected OC Closing Rank – CSE, Round 1 (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Government Polytechnic College | Kakinada | 1,500 – 2,800 |
| Government Polytechnic College | Visakhapatnam | 1,800 – 3,200 |
| Andhra Polytechnic | Kakinada | 2,200 – 4,000 |
| Government Polytechnic College | Guntur | 2,500 – 4,500 |
| Sri Venkateswara Government Polytechnic | Tirupati | 3,000 – 5,500 |
| Government Polytechnic College | Vijayawada | 3,500 – 6,500 |
| Government Polytechnic College | Nellore | 4,000 – 7,500 |
| Government Polytechnic College | Kurnool | 5,000 – 9,000 |
Round 2 closing ranks are typically higher (more relaxed) than Round 1 at the same college. Seats that go unfilled after Round 1 allotment re-enter the pool for Round 2.
AP POLYCET Branch-Wise Cutoff 2026
Your branch choice shapes your chances as much as your college choice. The table below shows expected Round 1 closing ranks for OC category across popular branches at top government polytechnics in AP.
| Branch | Expected OC Closing Rank – Top Govt. Polytechnic, Round 1 (2026) |
|---|---|
| Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) | 1,500 – 4,000 |
| Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI & ML) | 2,000 – 5,500 |
| Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT) | 2,500 – 6,000 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) | 3,500 – 8,500 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) | 6,000 – 14,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 9,000 – 22,000 |
| Civil Engineering | 12,000 – 28,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | 18,000 – 42,000 |
CSE fills first at every government polytechnic. If your rank falls outside the CSE range for your preferred college, CSIT or AI & ML at the same college offer similar career paths and have slightly more relaxed closing ranks.
AP POLYCET Previous Year Cutoff Trends
The table below tracks the qualifying marks and approximate OC closing rank for CSE at top government polytechnics from 2021 to 2025. It shows how competition has grown year on year.
| Year | OC Qualifying Marks | Candidates Appeared | Approx. OC CSE Closing Rank (Top Govt. Polytechnic) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 30 marks (25%) | ~1.38 lakh | ~5,500 |
| 2022 | 30 marks (25%) | ~1.48 lakh | ~4,800 |
| 2023 | 30 marks (25%) | ~1.53 lakh | ~4,200 |
| 2024 | 30 marks (25%) | ~1.58 lakh | ~3,500 |
| 2025 | 36 marks (30%) | 1.63 lakh | ~2,800 |
The OC CSE closing rank at top government polytechnics moved from around 5,500 in 2021 to around 2,800 in 2025. That is a shift of roughly 2,700 ranks over five years. The sharpest single-year tightening came between 2024 and 2025, when the closing rank fell by about 700 ranks. Two factors drove that jump: the candidate pool grew by 5,000 students, and SBTET AP raised the qualifying bar from 30 to 36 marks. Based on this pattern, the OC CSE closing rank at the most competitive colleges could tighten further to around 2,500 or below in 2026.
If your rank is between 2,500 and 5,000 and you want CSE at a government polytechnic, apply for at least 10 to 15 different colleges across both local and non-local zones when filling web options.
Ques. Why has the AP POLYCET CSE closing rank been tightening every year?
Ans. More students appear each year, and demand for technology branches keeps rising. The total candidate pool grew from 1.38 lakh in 2021 to 1.63 lakh in 2025. More competition for the same CSE seats at government polytechnics pushes the closing rank lower and tighter every cycle.
AP POLYCET Marks vs Rank 2026
The table below shows the expected rank band for each marks range, based on 2025 data. When two students score the same, SBTET AP uses a three-step tie-breaking rule: higher Mathematics marks go first; if still equal, higher Physics marks decide; if both are equal, the older student gets the better rank.
| Marks Scored (out of 120) | Expected Rank Range | Likely College Access |
|---|---|---|
| 115 – 120 | 1 – 20 | Any government polytechnic, any branch of choice |
| 100 – 114 | 21 – 1,000 | Top government polytechnic, CSE or ECE |
| 90 – 99 | 1,001 – 5,000 | Good government polytechnic, CSE or AI & ML |
| 75 – 89 | 5,001 – 15,000 | Government polytechnic, ECE or EEE branch |
| 60 – 74 | 15,001 – 35,000 | Government polytechnic (Mechanical / Civil) or private aided college |
| 45 – 59 | 35,001 – 80,000 | Private aided or unaided polytechnic |
| 36 – 44 | 80,001 – 1,48,950 | Private unaided polytechnic |
A score of 90 or above is broadly considered a good score for AP POLYCET. It places you in roughly the top 5,000 ranks. That opens the door to CSE and AI & ML at well-regarded government polytechnics in AP.
AP POLYCET Cutoff 2026: Round-Wise Counselling
AP POLYCET counselling runs in two main rounds followed by a spot or mop-up round. Closing ranks typically relax from Round 1 to Round 2 for mid-tier colleges, as unfilled seats re-enter the pool. The table below shows the expected schedule.
| Round | Web Options Entry | Seat Allotment | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | June 29 – July 3, 2026 | July 6, 2026 | Web options ongoing |
| Round 2 | Second week of July 2026 (expected) | Third week of July 2026 (expected) | Upcoming |
| Spot / Mop-up Round | August 2026 (expected) | August 2026 (expected) | Upcoming |
If you do not get a seat in Round 1, do not cancel your registration. Attend Round 2 with fresh web options. Seats that go unclaimed after Round 1 come back into Round 2. The closing rank for many mid-tier colleges rises by 500 to 2,000 ranks between Round 1 and Round 2, giving you a second chance at a better college or branch.
How to Check AP POLYCET Cutoff 2026
Once SBTET AP publishes Round 1 closing ranks after July 6, follow these steps to check them:
- Visit the official portal at polycetap.nic.in.
- Click on the counselling or seat allotment section on the homepage.
- Select your category, preferred branch, and district or zone.
- The closing rank for each college-branch-category combination appears after allotment is declared.
- Compare the displayed closing rank with your AP POLYCET rank to gauge your chances for Round 2.
AP POLYCET Cutoff 2026: FAQs
Ques. When will AP POLYCET 2026 Round 1 cutoff be released?
Ans. Round 1 seat allotment is on July 6, 2026. The closing ranks for each college-branch-category will be published on polycetap.nic.in shortly after allotment — likely by July 6 or July 7, 2026.
Ques. What are the minimum qualifying marks for AP POLYCET 2026?
Ans. For OC and all BC categories, the minimum qualifying marks are 36 out of 120 (30%). SC and ST candidates have no minimum marks requirement. They get a rank based on whatever they score in the exam.
Ques. What rank do I need to get CSE in a top government polytechnic?
Ans. For the OC category, you need a rank below around 2,800 for top colleges like Government Polytechnic Kakinada or Visakhapatnam, based on 2025 closing ranks. For other government polytechnics, a rank below 6,000 should get you CSE in most cases.
Ques. Are Round 1 and Round 2 closing ranks the same?
Ans. No. Round 2 closing ranks are usually higher (more relaxed) than Round 1. Seats that go unfilled in Round 1 come back in Round 2. Mid-tier colleges often show closing ranks 500 to 2,000 ranks higher in Round 2 than in Round 1.
Ques. Does the local area quota affect the AP POLYCET cutoff?
Ans. Yes. 70% of seats at each college go to local-area candidates from the same district zone. The remaining 30% are open to non-local AP candidates. If you are a non-local candidate, you compete in a smaller pool. The closing rank for non-local candidates can differ from the local pool — tighter or more relaxed depending on the college’s location and demand.
Ques. How does SBTET AP break ties in the AP POLYCET rank list?
Ans. SBTET AP uses three tie-breaking steps. First, the student with higher Mathematics marks gets the better rank. If Mathematics marks are still equal, higher Physics marks decide. If both are still equal, the older student gets the better rank.
Ques. What happens if I do not accept my Round 1 seat allotment?
Ans. If you do not report to the allotted college by the deadline, your Round 1 seat is cancelled. You can still participate in Round 2 with fresh web options. If you skip both rounds without reporting anywhere, you lose your claim to counselling for that year.
Ques. Can I get a seat in the spot round if I missed Round 1 and Round 2?
Ans. Yes. SBTET AP holds a spot or mop-up round in August to fill seats left vacant after Rounds 1 and 2. Spot round closing ranks are the most relaxed of all rounds. You must physically attend a designated venue with all original documents to participate.
Ques. How many students appeared for AP POLYCET 2026?
Ans. Around 1.63 lakh students appeared for AP POLYCET 2026, held on April 25, 2026. Of these, 1,48,950 qualified — an overall pass rate of 91.37%, the highest recorded for the exam. All 1.48 lakh qualified candidates are eligible for AP POLYCET 2026 counselling.
Ques. Which branch has the tightest closing rank in AP POLYCET every year?
Ans. CSE consistently has the lowest (tightest) closing rank across all government polytechnics. AI & ML and CSIT follow closely behind. All three fill up in the first few rounds. Branches like Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering have far more relaxed closing ranks and remain available even in later rounds.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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