APJEE 2026: Merit List Out, Seat Allotment on 16 June, Eligibility and Admission

APJEE 2026 (Arunachal Pradesh Joint Entrance Examination) is the state-level selection process conducted by the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education (DHTE), Government of Arunachal Pradesh, for admission to 3-year Diploma programmes at state polytechnic colleges. In a major change for the 2026-27 academic session, DHTE issued a non-conduct circular on 11 March 2026, keeping the APJEE Diploma entrance examination in abeyance — admissions this year are based entirely on Class X merit. The APJEE 2026 Diploma merit list was released on 5 June 2026, and Round 1 seat allotment is scheduled for 16 June 2026.

• Round 1 Seat Allotment: APJEE 2026 first round seat allotment is scheduled for 16 June 2026. Candidates who appear in the diploma merit list and locked their preferences before 30 May 2026 will receive seat offers based on Class X merit rank and college-branch choice order.
• Document Verification: After Round 1 allotment, shortlisted candidates must complete document verification at the allotted polytechnic. Carry originals of your Class X marksheet, PRC or domicile certificate, and category certificate. In 2025, this step was completed within 7–10 days of allotment.
• Round 2 Seat Allotment: A second allotment round is expected in early July 2026 to fill seats vacated by candidates who do not confirm after Round 1. Candidates who chose to "float" remain automatically eligible. Exact dates will be announced on apjee.co.in after Round 1 closes.
• Reporting and Admission: After seat confirmation and document verification, candidates must report to their allotted polytechnic and pay the admission fees within the stipulated deadline. In 2025, final reporting deadlines for diploma admissions fell in late July. Watch the portal for the exact date for 2026.

What is APJEE 2026?

APJEE — Arunachal Pradesh Joint Entrance Examination — is the official state-level selection and nomination process managed by the Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Technical Education (APSCTE) under the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education (DHTE), Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar. It selects and nominates eligible state candidates to technical and professional diploma courses at government polytechnics in Arunachal Pradesh, and to reserved seats in colleges across India offered by the Government of India, the North Eastern Council, and partner universities.

APJEE 2026 covers admission to 3-year Diploma programmes in engineering, pharmacy, and hotel management. For the 2026-27 session, DHTE issued a non-conduct circular and replaced the written entrance exam with a Class X merit-based process. The diploma merit list was released on 5 June 2026, and seat allotment begins on 16 June 2026.

APJEE is the primary gateway for Arunachal Pradesh students seeking technical diploma education in state-run polytechnics. The process reserves a large majority of seats for APST (Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe) candidates, with around 20% open to Non-APST residents of the state who meet domicile conditions. APJEE does not cover degree-level (B.Tech) admissions — those go through JEE Main and JoSAA — and it has no role in MBBS or other medical admissions, which require NEET.

APJEE 2026 Eligibility Criteria

APJEE 2026 eligibility rests on three pillars: Class X qualification, age, and domicile in Arunachal Pradesh. Since admissions are merit-based this year, your Class X marks and domicile status are the two factors that directly determine your merit position and eligibility for counselling.

Basic Academic and Age Requirements

• You must be an Indian national.
• You must have passed Class X from a recognised board with a minimum of 35% aggregate marks.
• English, Mathematics, and Science are compulsory for Diploma in Engineering courses. Students without these subjects in Class X cannot be ranked for engineering streams.
• You must be between 15 and 21 years of age as of 31 December 2026.
• You must hold a valid PRC (Permanent Resident Certificate) issued in Arunachal Pradesh or meet the domicile conditions specified for Category-II.

Category-wise Eligibility

Seat Reservation Between Categories

In most diploma branches at state polytechnics, around 80% of seats are reserved for Category-I (APST) candidates. The remaining 20% are available for Category-II (Non-APST/Open) candidates. For certain quota seats offered under North Eastern Council and GoI arrangements, the APST reservation can reach 100%. This means APST candidates have significantly more seat options at the same merit rank.

If you do not hold a valid PRC or do not meet the 3-year continuous domicile condition in Arunachal Pradesh, you cannot be considered for APJEE 2026 admission regardless of your Class X marks.

APJEE 2026 Important Dates

The APJEE 2026 Diploma merit list is out. Round 1 seat allotment on 16 June 2026 is the next key milestone. All subsequent round dates and reporting deadlines will be published on apjee.co.in after each allotment round closes.

Source: apdhte.nic.in — DHTE, Government of Arunachal Pradesh

Post-Round 1 dates for Round 2, the spot round, and reporting deadlines depend on how many candidates confirm seats in Round 1. DHTE publishes these on the official portal after each round. Keep checking apjee.co.in even if you have not received an allotment in Round 1, as subsequent rounds often fill seats vacated by no-shows in earlier rounds.

APJEE 2026 Application Process and Fees

The APJEE 2026 application window closed on 30 May 2026. The entire process was online through apjee.co.in. Understanding the process helps current candidates at the counselling stage and future applicants planning for the next cycle.

Step-by-Step Application Process

• Step 1 — Register Online: Create an account at apjee.co.in with your name, mobile number, and email address. Your registration number is your login ID for all future steps.
• Step 2 — Fill Personal and Academic Details: Enter your Class X marks, category (APST or Non-APST), domicile information, and other required personal details.
• Step 3 — Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photo, signature, Class X marksheet, PRC or domicile certificate, and category certificate. Files must be clear and within the specified size limits.
• Step 4 — Document Verification: The authority verifies submitted documents online. If documents are rejected, you get a window to re-upload corrected files — but only before the final deadline.
• Step 5 — Fill Course and College Preferences: Select your preferred diploma branch and polytechnic in order of priority. This was open from 28 April to 30 May 2026.
• Step 6 — Lock Preferences: Lock your preference list once satisfied. Preferences cannot be changed after locking. The seat allotment algorithm uses your locked choices only.
• Step 7 — Pay Registration Fee: Pay the non-refundable fee online by net banking, UPI, or debit/credit card, and download the payment receipt.

APJEE 2026 Application Fees

A separate refundable security deposit is collected only after seat allotment, at the time of admission confirmation. The registration fee is non-refundable regardless of whether you are allotted a seat or choose to withdraw after allotment.

The APJEE 2026 application window is closed (30 May 2026 midnight). Late applications are not accepted. If you missed the deadline, watch apdhte.nic.in from early 2027 for the next cycle notification.

APJEE 2026 Participating Colleges and Available Courses

APJEE 2026 fills seats at government polytechnic colleges in Arunachal Pradesh. The process also nominates candidates to seats reserved for Arunachal Pradesh residents in institutions across India under GoI and North Eastern Council quota arrangements.

Government Polytechnic Colleges in Arunachal Pradesh

Diploma Courses Available Through APJEE 2026

• Diploma in Civil Engineering
• Diploma in Electrical Engineering
• Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
• Diploma in Electronics and Communication Engineering
• Diploma in Computer Science and Engineering
• Diploma in Pharmacy
• Hotel Management and Catering Technology

Not every branch is offered at every polytechnic. The exact seat matrix — showing branch-wise seat counts split by Category-I and Category-II at each college — is published on apjee.co.in during the seat allotment phase. Review this before choosing preferences so your selections are realistic for your merit rank.

Out-of-State Nominee Seats

Beyond state polytechnics, APJEE nominates Arunachal Pradesh candidates to seats in technical institutions across India. These are offered through the Government of India, the North Eastern Council, and partner institutions under quota agreements. The specific programmes and colleges available under this route are listed in the official APJEE notification on apdhte.nic.in each year. Candidates interested in out-of-state placements must include these as preferences during the filling window.

Seat Distribution by Category

Around 80% of seats in most diploma branches at state polytechnics are reserved for Category-I (APST) candidates. The remaining 20% go to Category-II (Non-APST) candidates. For certain NEC and GoI quota seats, the APST share can reach 100%. At the same merit rank, an APST candidate therefore has significantly more seat options than a Non-APST candidate.

Documents Required for APJEE 2026 Admission

You need all documents in order before Round 1 allotment on 16 June 2026. Document verification is mandatory for confirming your seat. Missing or incorrect documents can lead to cancellation of your allotment even after the merit rank has been assigned.

• Class X Marksheet: Original and self-attested photocopy of your Class X board marksheet showing subject-wise marks. This is the primary document used to prepare the merit list.
• Class X Passing Certificate: Original certificate from your school or board confirming you passed Class X.
• Class XII Marksheet (if applicable): For candidates who have already passed Class XII. Some quota seats may require it.
• PRC (Permanent Resident Certificate): Valid PRC issued by the competent authority in Arunachal Pradesh. Mandatory for all candidates without exception.
• Domicile Certificate (for Category-II without PRC): Certificate showing at least 3 years of continuous residence in Arunachal Pradesh for Non-APST residents applying under Category-II.
• Category Certificate: APST or relevant community certificate issued by the competent authority. Mandatory for Category-I candidates.
• Parent’s Government Service Certificate (if applicable): Service certificate of a parent employed in State or Central Government or a CPSU posted in Arunachal Pradesh, for candidates applying under that sub-category.
• Passport-size Photographs: Recent colour photographs with a white background. Carry at least 6 copies for application, verification, and enrollment formalities.
• Valid Photo ID Proof: Aadhaar card, passport, or any government-issued photo identity document.
• APJEE Registration Receipt: Printout of the completed APJEE 2026 application or the registration confirmation from apjee.co.in.
• Seat Allotment Letter: Printed copy of the allotment letter generated on apjee.co.in after Round 1 or the applicable round.

Always carry originals along with self-attested photocopies. The institution inspects originals but retains photocopies during enrollment. Do not permanently surrender original certificates at document verification — keep them for future use.

If any document submitted during the application stage is found to be incorrect or forged during physical verification, your admission will be cancelled. Verify all documents carefully before submission.

Tips for Future APJEE Applicants

If you plan to apply for APJEE in the next academic cycle, here is what you should focus on. These tips cover both the 2026 merit-based model and the scenario where a written exam returns for 2027.

If APJEE Continues as Merit-Based

• Prioritise Mathematics and Science in Class X: These subjects are the primary tie-breakers in the APJEE merit list. A single mark difference in Maths or Science can shift your rank by dozens of positions when many candidates share similar aggregates. Aim for 90% or higher in both subjects.
• Do Not Neglect English: English is compulsory for engineering diploma courses in the best-five calculation. A weak English score lowers your aggregate and directly reduces your merit rank.
• Focus on Overall Board Performance: Since Class X marks are the only criterion, every subject in your best five matters. Do not drop or neglect any subject during board preparation.
• Start Document Collection Early: PRC, category certificate, and parent service certificate take time to obtain from government offices. Begin this process as soon as Class X results are declared in May — do not wait for the APJEE notification to open.
• Know Your Category Before Applying: Applying under the wrong category leads to rejection. Verify your category status with the DHTE office before the registration window opens.

If the Written Exam Returns for APJEE 2027

• Cover Class X Maths and Science Thoroughly: Past APJEE written tests were based on Class X-level topics. Your board preparation already covers most of this content, but practising previous-year APJEE questions helps with exam-specific patterns and question formats.
• Practise Under Timed Conditions: The written APJEE was time-bounded with MCQ questions. Regular timed practice builds accuracy and reduces careless errors on exam day.
• Rely Only on Official Notifications: Do not base your preparation timeline on third-party sources. Check apdhte.nic.in directly for the official syllabus, dates, and application schedule.

Applicable for All Future Cycles

• Apply Before the Deadline: APJEE 2026 closed on 30 May 2026 at midnight. Technical errors or last-minute document rejections on deadline day can cost you a seat for the year. Apply at least 7–10 days early.
• Add Multiple College-Branch Preferences: During the filling window, add every combination you would realistically accept. Fewer choices mean fewer options if your top preferences go to higher-ranked candidates.
• Monitor the Portal During Counselling: Allotment results, response windows, and round dates appear only on apjee.co.in. Missing a response window can result in automatic seat cancellation.
• Plan Degree Routes Separately: APJEE Diploma is not a path to a B.Tech degree. Prepare for JEE Main independently if you want degree engineering. You can pursue lateral entry into a 3rd-year B.Tech programme after completing the diploma, but that requires a separate admission process.