The Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) will release the BCECE cutoff after each round of counselling in the form of category-wise opening and closing ranks.
The BCECEB will release the results and cutoff expected in July - August 2026 on its official website - bceceboard.bihar.gov.in
- Based on past trends, the General category qualifying cutoff is 600 marks (50%) and the reserved category cutoff is 480 marks (40%) out of 600 marks per group.
- For top government Engineering colleges like MIT Muzaffarpur and BCE Bhagalpur, you need a General category rank within top 2,500 for CSE and ECE branches.
- BCECE prepares separate merit lists for the PCM group (Engineering, B.Pharma) and PCB group (Medical, Nursing, Pharmacy, Agriculture).
- Bihar has unique reservation categories: UR, BC, EBC, SC, ST, RCG (Reserved Category Girls), each with separate rank lists.
In BCECE 2025, around 1.3 lakh students competed for 3,500+ seats, while BCECE 2026 is expected to see nearly 1.4 lakh applicants.
Also Check:
- BCECE Result 2026: Expected in July at bceceboard.bihar.gov.in, Rank Card, Cutoff & Counselling
- BCECE Counselling 2026: Check Dates, Registration, Seat Matrix, Cutoff & Colleges Accepting
- List of Top Colleges in India Accepting BCECE Based on 2026 Ranking
Key Summary
- Cutoff release: Expected August 2026 (after each counselling round)
- Expected General category qualifying marks: 600/1200 (50%)
- Expected reserved category qualifying marks: 480/1200 (40%)
- Total seats: ~3,500+ across Engineering, Pharmacy, and Agriculture
- Official cutoff portal: bceceboard.bihar.gov.in
BCECE Official Opening and Closing Cutoff
| BCECE Opening and Closing Round 1 | Download PDF |
| BCECE Opening and Closing Round 2 | Download PDF |
What is the cutoff of the BCECE exam?
The BCECE cutoff is the minimum score and rank a student must secure to qualify for counselling and seat allotment at participating colleges in Bihar. BCECEB releases the cutoff online on bceceboard.bihar.gov.in in the form of opening and closing ranks, separately for every college, course, and category.
Two distinct merit lists are prepared:
- PCM group merit list (for Engineering, B.Pharma)
- PCB group merit list (for Nursing, B.Pharma, Agriculture, and allied sciences).
Bihar Engineering admissions are mainly done through JEE Main via UGEAC, while BCECE scores are used for Pharmacy, Agriculture, Nursing, and Paramedical courses.
BCECE 2026 Qualifying Cutoff: Category Wise
The BCECE 2026 qualifying cutoff reflects Bihar’s reservation policy by offering relaxed qualifying marks for reserved categories.
- General and EWS candidates are expected to need 50% marks, around 300 out of 600.
- While BC, EBC, SC, ST, RCG, and reserved-category PwD candidates may qualify with 40% marks, with around 240 out of 600.
- General-category PwD candidates are likely to require around 270 out of 600, which is 45% marks.
BCECE 2026 Minimum Qualifying Marks (Category Wise)
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Percentage | Expected Minimum Marks (out of 600) |
|---|---|---|
| General / UR | 50% | 300 marks |
| EWS | 50% | 300 marks |
| BC (Backward Class) | 40% | 240 marks |
| EBC (Extremely Backward Class) | 40% | 240 marks |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 40% | 240 marks |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 40% | 240 marks |
| PwD — General Category | 45% | 270 marks |
| PwD — Reserved Category | 40% | 240 marks |
| RCG (Reserved Category Girls) | 40% | 240 marks |
BCECE 2026 Expected Category-Wise Rank Ranges
The BCECE 2026 expected rank ranges show that government engineering admissions will remain most competitive.
- For General and EWS candidates. who may need ranks within 2,500–3,000.
- BC and EBC candidates could secure seats up to 5,000 ranks, while SC, ST, and PwD candidates may get admission at 8,000 - 12,000.
- In pharmacy and agriculture courses, competition is expected to be lower, with admission chances extending up to 5,000–8,000 ranks.
- For General, BC, and EBC candidates, and up to 12,000–14,000 ranks for SC, ST, and PwD categories.
| Category | Expected Rank Range for Govt. Eng. Colleges | Expected Rank Range for Pharmacy / Agriculture |
|---|---|---|
| General / UR | Top 2,500 | Up to 5,000 |
| EWS | Up to 3,000 | Up to 6,000 |
| BC / EBC | 4,000–5,000 | Up to 8,000 |
| SC | 8,000+ | Up to 12,000 |
| ST | 8,000+ | Up to 12,000 |
| PwD | 10,000–12,000 | Up to 14,000 |
BCECE 2026 PCM Group Cutoff (Engineering and Pharmacy)
The BCECE cutoff is expected to remain largely similar to 2025, indicating stable competition and seat availability for BCECE 2026. The expected BCECE 2026 PCM cutoff data shows strong competition for the general category candidates.
- General category candidates may need around 600 marks to secure a top 2,500 rank, reflecting high competition for Engineering and Pharmacy seats.
- Reserved categories like BC and EBC may see cutoffs between 449 - 480 marks with ranks around 4,000–5,000.
- While SC, ST, and RCG candidates are expected to qualify near 480 marks.
- PwD-General candidates may require nearly 540 marks.
| Category | Expected PCM Cutoff Score (2026) | Expected Rank Range (Engineering) | 2025 Actual Score / Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / UR | 600 marks (50%) | Top 2,500 | ~600 marks |
| EBC (Extremely Backward Class) | ~449–480 marks | 4,000–5,000 | ~449 marks |
| BC (Backward Class) | ~472–480 marks | 4,000–5,000 | ~472 marks |
| SC | 480 marks (40%) | 8,000+ | ~480 marks |
| ST | 480 marks (40%) | 8,000+ | ~480 marks |
| RCG (Reserved Category Girls) | 480 marks (40%) | Variable (category-specific) | ~480 marks |
| PwD — General | 540 marks (45%) | 10,000–12,000 | ~540 marks |
BCECE 2026 PCB Cutoff (Medical, Nursing, Agriculture)
The expected BCECE 2026 PCB cutoff shows that the nursing and agriculture streams are likely to have comparatively broader admission opportunities for reserved categories compared to General candidates.
- General category candidates will have a strong competition, with an expected cutoff of around 600 marks and ranks within 5,000.
- Reserved categories such as EBC, BC, SC, and ST may qualify with nearly 480 marks due to relaxation policies, with admission chances extending up to 8,000–12,000 ranks.
- General-category PwD candidates are expected to require around 540 marks, while their rank range may go up to 14,000.
| Category | Expected PCB Cutoff Score (2026) | Expected Rank Range (Nursing / Agriculture) |
|---|---|---|
| General / UR | 600 marks (50%) | Up to 5,000 |
| EBC / BC | ~480 marks (40%) | 5,000–8,000 |
| SC | ~480 marks (40%) | 8,000–12,000 |
| ST | ~480 marks (40%) | 8,000–12,000 |
| PwD — General | ~540 marks (45%) | 10,000–14,000 |
BCECE B.Sc Nursing Expected Cutoff 2026
| Category | Expected Qualifying Marks (2026) | Expected Rank Range |
|---|---|---|
| General / UR | 600 marks (50%) | Top 3,000 |
| OBC / EBC / BC | 480 marks (40%) | Up to 6,000 |
| SC / ST | 480 marks (40%) | Up to 10,000 |
BCECE Cutoff for Top Colleges 2026
The BCECE 2026 cutoff shows that CSE will remain the most competitive branch, with General category.
- At MIT Muzaffarpur, the General category cutoff may close around 1,000 - 1,500 ranks.
- At BCE Bhagalpur, CSE closing ranks may stay between 1,200 - 2,000.
- ECE cutoffs are likely to range from 1,800–3,500 ranks.
- Mechanical and Civil Engineering branches may close between 5,000 - 10,000 ranks, showing lower competition.
- At Nalanda College of Engineering, Chandi and Purnea College of Engineering, CSE admissions may extend up to 6,000–7,000 ranks.
In agriculture courses, the College of Agricultural Engineering, Bhojpur may see Agricultural Sciences close below 800 ranks, while Agricultural Engineering may offer admissions up to 6,000 ranks.
| College | Branch / Course | Category | Expected Closing Rank (2026) | 2025 Actual Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIT Muzaffarpur | CSE | General | ~1,000–1,500 | ~1,200 |
| CSE | EBC | ~2,000–2,800 | ~2,500 | |
| ECE | General | ~1,800–2,500 | ~2,000 | |
| Mechanical Engg. | General | ~3,500–5,000 | ~4,000 | |
| BCE Bhagalpur | CSE | General | ~1,200–2,000 | ~1,821 |
| CSE | SC | ~60–80 | ~70 | |
| ECE | General | ~2,500–3,500 | ~2,494 | |
| Civil Engg. | General | ~5,000–7,000 | ~6,000 | |
| BCE Bakhtiyarpur | CSE | General | ~3,000–5,000 | ~4,000 |
| ECE | General | ~5,000–7,000 | ~6,000 | |
| Nalanda College of Engineering, Chandi | CSE | General | ~4,000–6,000 | ~5,000 |
| Civil Engg. | General | ~8,000–10,000 | ~9,000 | |
| Purnea College of Engineering | CSE | General | ~5,000–7,000 | ~6,000 |
| ECE | General | ~7,000–9,000 | ~8,000 | |
| College of Agricultural Engineering, Bhojpur | Agricultural Engineering | General | ~1,800–6,000 | Opening: ~1,795 | Closing: ~5,984 |
| Agricultural Sciences | General | ~250–800 | Opening: ~259 | Closing: ~780 |
BCECE Marks vs Rank 2026
BCECE Marks vs Rank refers to the relationship between the marks scored by a candidate in the BCECE exam and the rank they are likely to obtain in the merit list.
- Candidates scoring above 600 marks may secure admission to top colleges like MIT Muzaffarpur and BCE Bhagalpur.
- These scores are suitable for competitive branches like CSE and ECE. Scores between 650–750 may lead to ranks within the top 1–2,000.
- Scores of 600–650 may correspond to ranks around 2,000–4,000 with good chances for ECE and Mechanical branches.
- Candidates scoring 540–600 marks may still get admission to Civil, Electrical, or CSE branches at Nalanda College of Engineering, Chandi and Purnea College of Engineering.
- Scores below 510 marks may result in ranks above 8,000.
- Such candidates may mainly get reserved seats, pharmacy/agriculture colleges, or private engineering institutes.
BCECE 2026 Expected Marks vs Rank (PCM Group)
| Score Range (out of 600) | Approximate Percentage | Expected Rank (General) | Likely Admission Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 650–750 (weighted) | 85%+ | Top 1–2,000 | MIT Muzaffarpur CSE / BCE Bhagalpur CSE (Government) |
| 600–650 | 75–85% | 2,000–4,000 | Good government college — ECE / Mechanical at Muzaffarpur or Bhagalpur |
| 570–600 | 65–75% | 4,000–6,000 | OBC/EBC category — MIT Muzaffarpur CSE; General — Nalanda / Purnea CSE |
| 540–570 | 55–65% | 6,000–8,000 | Government colleges — Civil / Electrical; SC category for top colleges |
| 510–540 | 45–55% | 8,000–12,000 | ST / SC seats at government colleges; private engineering colleges |
| 480–510 (40–45%) | 40–45% | 12,000–18,000 | Reserved category seats; private pharmacy / agriculture colleges |
| Below 480 (General) / Below 240 (Reserved) | Below 40% | Not in merit list | Does not qualify for counselling |
BCECE Previous Year Cutoff Trends
The BCECE previous year cutoff data shows that the qualifying marks have remained almost unchanged from 2021 to 2025.
- General category candidates consistently needed around 600 marks (50%) to qualify.
- OBC, EBC, BC, SC, and ST candidates required nearly 480–490 marks (40%).
- PwD candidates from the General category needed around 540 marks (45%) every year.
The trend indicates a stable cutoff pattern with very little variation over the years.
BCECE Year-wise Qualifying Cutoff
| Year | General | OBC / EBC / BC | SC | ST | PwD (General) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ~600 (50%) | ~480 (40%) | ~480 (40%) | ~480 (40%) | ~540 (45%) |
| 2024 | ~600 (50%) | ~490 (40%) | ~490 (40%) | ~490 (40%) | ~540 (45%) |
| 2023 | ~600 (50%) | ~480 (40%) | ~480 (40%) | ~480 (40%) | ~540 (45%) |
| 2022 | ~600 (50%) | ~480 (40%) | ~480 (40%) | ~480 (40%) | ~540 (45%) |
| 2021 | ~600 (50%) | ~480 (40%) | ~480 (40%) | ~480 (40%) | ~540 (45%) |
BCECE Engineering College Closing Rank Trends (General Category Round 2)
The BCECE engineering college closing rank trends show that CSE and ECE branches have remained highly competitive over the last four years.
- At MIT Muzaffarpur, the CSE closing rank stayed close to 1,100–1,300 from 2022 to 2025, indicating stable demand for the branch.
- At BCE Bhagalpur, CSE closing ranks improved from around 2,494 in 2024 to nearly 1,821 in 2025, showing rising competition.
- ECE cutoffs at both colleges remained within the 2,000–2,800 range over the years.
- Mechanical Engineering at MIT Muzaffarpur had comparatively higher closing ranks between 4,000–4,500, reflecting lower competition compared to CSE and ECE.
| College — Branch | 2025 Closing Rank | 2024 Closing Rank | 2023 Closing Rank | 2022 Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIT Muzaffarpur (CSE) | ~1,200 | ~1,300 | ~1,100 | ~1,200 |
| BCE Bhagalpur (CSE) | ~1,821 | ~2,494 | ~2,000 | ~2,100 |
| MIT Muzaffarpur (ECE) | ~2,000 | ~2,200 | ~2,100 | ~2,000 |
| BCE Bhagalpur (ECE) | ~2,494 | ~2,800 | ~2,600 | ~2,700 |
| MIT Muzaffarpur (Mechanical) | ~4,000 | ~4,500 | ~4,200 | ~4,300 |
Factors Affecting BCECE Cutoff
The BCECE 2026 cutoff depends on multiple factors. Understanding these helps you set a realistic score and rank target before the results are out.
Among all factors, the difficulty of the Physics and Mathematics sections has the highest individual impact on the PCM group cutoff. With over 1.25 lakh applicants competing for approximately 3,500 seats, the overall selection rate is under 3%.
| Factor | Typical Impact on Cutoff |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Applicants | More students → Higher competition → Stricter (higher marks) cutoff |
| Difficulty Level of the Exam | Harder paper → Lower average scores → Relaxed (lower marks) cutoff |
| Number of Seats Available | More seats → Relaxed closing ranks (higher rank numbers) |
| Previous Year Cutoff Trends | Strongest predictor; BCECE cutoff has been stable at 50%/40% for five years |
| Category-wise Reservation (Bihar norms) | UR/General → strictest; EBC/BC → moderate; SC/ST → most relaxed |
| Stream-wise Demand (PCM vs PCB) | PCM (Engineering/CSE) highly competitive; PCB (Agriculture) relatively relaxed |
| Number of Qualifying Students Required | BCECEB adjusts the merit list size to fill available seats; affects effective cutoff |
| Branch-wise Popularity | CSE and ECE always have the lowest closing ranks; Civil and Agriculture have relaxed cutoffs |
What After BCECE Cutoff? Counselling Process
Qualifying the BCECE cutoff and appearing in the merit list makes you eligible for the BCECE 2026 counselling process. BCECEB conducts counselling online in two rounds. Seat allotment is based on your rank, category, and college–course choices.
BCECE 2026 Counselling: Key Steps
- Online Registration: Register on bceceboard.bihar.gov.in after the merit list is published (expected August 2026).
- Application Fee Payment: Pay the counselling fee — Rs. 1,200 for General/BC/EBC and Rs. 600 for SC/ST/PwD students.
- Choice Filling and Locking: Fill and lock your preferred colleges and courses in order of priority. Unlocked choices are not processed.
- Round 1 Seat Allotment: Seat allotment is based on merit, category, and preferences. The Round 1 cutoff is published simultaneously.
- Document Verification: Report to your allotted college for original document verification within the specified window.
- Round 2 Allotment (if applicable): Vacant seats after Round 1 are re-opened. Fresh registration may be required for new applicants in Round 2.
- Final Reporting and Fee Deposit: Deposit the admission fee and complete formalities at the allotted institute to confirm your seat.
Make sure to carry all original documents to the reporting centre — category certificate, qualifying marksheet, rank card, ID proof, and passport-size photographs.
BCECE Cutoff 2026: FAQs
Ques. Can I get nit through BCECE?
Ans. No, candidates cannot get admission to NITs through BCECE scores. NIT admissions are conducted through JEE Main, followed by JoSAA counselling.
- BCECE is mainly used for Bihar state-level admissions in engineering, pharmacy, and agriculture courses.
- Students generally need a strong JEE Main rank and around 75% marks in Class 12 for admission to top NITs.
Ques. What is the percentage required for BCECE in Class 12?
Ans. Candidates usually need at least 45% marks in Class 12 for BCECE engineering and pharmacy courses under the General category. Reserved category candidates generally require 40% marks.
For Agriculture courses, the minimum percentage may go up to 50% for General candidates. Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology subjects are mandatory depending on the course.
Ques. When will the BCECE 2026 cutoff be released?
Ans. The BCECE 2026 cutoff will be released tentatively in August 2026, after the result is declared in July 2026. The cutoff is published round-wise on the official website. Round 1 cutoff is expected in the first or second week of August 2026.
Ques. How is the BCECE 2026 cutoff calculated?
Ans. BCECEB prepares separate merit lists for the PCM group and PCB group. Each correct answer carries +4 marks and each wrong answer carries -1 mark.
The final rank is based on total marks secured. For Agriculture, 50% of seats are filled through PCM/PCB and the remaining 50% through Agriculture (CBA/PCA/MBA) group scores.
Ques. How many marks are needed to get into MIT Muzaffarpur through BCECE?
Ans. Based on previous year trends, you need approximately 285–310 marks in BCECE to get into MIT Muzaffarpur (CSE or ECE), which will place you within a rank of top 1,000–2,000. For other branches like Mechanical or Civil, a score of 250+ marks is generally sufficient.
Ques. Is the BCECE cutoff the same for Engineering and Pharmacy?
Ans. No. BCECE has separate merit lists for PCM and PCB groups. The qualifying marks threshold (50% for General, 40% for reserved) is the same for both groups. However, the college-wise and branch-wise closing ranks differ significantly, Engineering (CSE/ECE) is more competitive than Pharmacy or Agriculture courses.
Ques. What is the BCECE cutoff for OBC and EBC categories?
Ans. Based on 2025 trends, the expected qualifying marks for OBC and EBC students are approximately 480 marks (40%).
For government engineering colleges, OBC/EBC students typically need to be within the 4,000–5,000 rank range for competitive branches like CSE at MIT Muzaffarpur or BCE Bhagalpur.
Ques. What is the difference between PCM and PCB group cutoffs in BCECE?
Ans. The PCM group merit list is used for Engineering and B.Pharma admissions. The PCB group merit list is used for Nursing, BPT, Paramedical, B.Pharma, and B.Sc Agriculture admissions. Students who appeared in all five subjects (PCMB) are eligible for both merit lists and can apply to any course.
Ques. Does BCECE have a separate cutoff for girls?
Ans. Yes. Bihar's reservation policy includes an RCG (Reserved Category Girls) category. Students belonging to RCG have a separate rank list with relaxed cutoffs; the qualifying marks threshold is 40%, the same as other reserved categories.
The closing ranks for RCG seats are generally higher (more relaxed) than the General category closing ranks.
Ques. Can I get Engineering admission through BCECE in Bihar?
Ans. Engineering admissions at most government colleges in Bihar (MIT Muzaffarpur, BCE Bhagalpur, etc.) are now primarily through JEE Main scores via Bihar UGEAC. BCECE scores may be used for state-quota seats at state-affiliated engineering institutes.
Ques. Where is the official BCECE 2026 cutoff published?
Ans. The official BCECE cutoff is published at bceceboard.bihar.gov.in as a downloadable PDF after each counselling round. You can access Round 1, Round 2, and final round cutoffs separately from the official portal.
Ques. What is a good rank in BCECE 2026?
Ans. A General category rank below 2,000 is considered a good rank in BCECE. This places you in contention for premier government colleges like MIT Muzaffarpur and BCE Bhagalpur for competitive branches like CSE and ECE.
- For other good branches and colleges, a rank within 5,000 is competitive.
- Reserved category students with ranks up to 8,000–10,000 have strong chances at several government colleges.
Ques. What happens if I score below the BCECE cutoff?
Ans. If you score below the minimum qualifying marks (50% for General, 40% for reserved), your name will not appear in the merit list and you will not be eligible for BCECE counselling. If you qualify the marks threshold but do not secure a seat in Round 1, you should participate in Round 2 counselling — closing ranks typically relax in later rounds as seats remain vacant.
Ques. Does the BCECE cutoff change from round to round?
Ans. Yes. The closing ranks change with every counselling round. In general, closing ranks become higher (more relaxed) in Round 2 as some allotted students decline their seats or pay their fees for better-ranked colleges. Students with ranks just above the Round 1 cutoff often secure seats in later rounds.
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