HORTICET 2026: Registration Closed, Exam Dates, Syllabus, Pattern and Cutoff

HORTICET 2026 (Horticulture Common Entrance Test) is the state-level entrance exam conducted by Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University (DRYSRHU), Andhra Pradesh, for admission to the B.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture programme. The registration window for HORTICET 2026 has been closed on 31 May 2026, and the university will now open a short form-correction window for applicants who made mistakes in their forms. The exam is expected to be held in August 2026, and around 8,000 to 10,000 candidates usually compete for the limited B.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture seats across the affiliated horticulture colleges.

• Form Correction Window: The HORTICET 2026 form-correction window is expected to open in the first week of June 2026. Last year, the university gave applicants around 3 to 5 days to edit their details after the registration deadline.
• Admit Card: The HORTICET 2026 admit card (hall ticket) is expected to be released in July 2026. Last year, it was made available around 7 to 10 days before the exam on drysrhu.ap.gov.in.
• Exam Date: HORTICET 2026 is expected to be held in August 2026 in offline (pen-and-paper) mode. The paper carries 200 objective-type questions and has no negative marking.
• Result: The HORTICET 2026 result and merit rank list are expected in September 2026. Last year, the result followed about 2 to 3 weeks after the exam.

What is HORTICET 2026?

HORTICET 2026 is the Horticulture Common Entrance Test held by Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, Andhra Pradesh. The university uses this entrance exam to fill seats in its four-year B.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture degree programme. This is the main path for students who want to build a career in horticulture, plant science, and agri-allied fields in the state.

Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University is based in Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari district. It is the only university of its kind in Andhra Pradesh that focuses fully on horticulture education, research, and extension. The HORTICET score decides your merit rank, and this rank is then used during the counselling process for seat allotment.

The exam is held in offline mode. You have to answer objective-type questions based on the Intermediate (10+2) syllabus. Since the seats are limited and demand is high, HORTICET is a competitive exam for science students in the state. Here are the key details of HORTICET 2026 at a glance.

HORTICET 2026 Registration: Window Closed

The HORTICET 2026 registration has been closed on 31 May 2026. If you applied within the deadline, your next step is to wait for the form-correction window and then the admit card. Fresh applications are no longer accepted on the official portal.

The HORTICET 2026 registration closed on 31 May 2026. No new applications will be taken after this date.

The HORTICET application is an online process. You should complete the registration, fill the application form, upload your photo and signature, and pay the fee online. Here is how the process worked this year.

• New Registration: You first register with your name, mobile number, and email to create a login.
• Form Filling: You fill in your personal details, Intermediate academic details, and category.
• Document Upload: You upload a scanned passport-size photo and signature in the required size and format.
• Fee Payment: You pay the application fee online through net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI.
• Final Submission: You submit the form and take a printout of the confirmation page for your records.

You should keep your application number and login password safe. You will need them to download the admit card and to check your result later.

HORTICET 2026 Form Correction Window

The HORTICET 2026 form-correction window is the next event in the schedule. The university opens this short window so that applicants can fix small mistakes in their submitted forms. It is expected to open in the first week of June 2026, soon after the registration deadline of 31 May 2026.

You should use this window carefully because it is usually open for only a few days. Last year, the correction window stayed open for around 3 to 5 days. During this time, you can usually edit details such as:

• Personal Details: Spelling of your name, parent’s name, or date of birth.
• Category and Reservation: Your category, sub-category, or special reservation claim.
• Academic Details: Your Intermediate subjects, marks, or board details.
• Photo and Signature: Re-uploading a clear photo or signature if the earlier one was unclear.

Some fields like your registered mobile number, email, or exam category may not be editable. You should check the official notice before making changes.

Once the correction window closes, no further changes are allowed. So you must review your full form as soon as the window opens and correct any errors before the last date.

HORTICET 2026 Important Dates and Exam Schedule

The HORTICET 2026 exam schedule is set by Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University. With registration now closed, the focus shifts to the form-correction window, admit card, and the exam. The table below shows the upcoming events first, followed by the events that are already over. The expected dates are based on official information and previous-year trends.

Source: drysrhu.ap.gov.in

All event dates after the registration deadline are expected dates. You should keep checking the official website for the exact confirmed dates.

HORTICET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before you apply, you should check the HORTICET 2026 eligibility criteria. The university sets rules on nationality, education, age, and subjects. If you do not meet these rules, your application can be rejected at any stage.

Nationality: You must be an Indian citizen. You should also meet the local or non-local status rules set for Andhra Pradesh admissions.

Educational Qualification: You must have passed the two-year Intermediate (10+2) examination from the Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh, or an equivalent board. You must have studied Physical Sciences and Biological or Natural Sciences as your main subjects. In simple words, the Bi.P.C. stream (Biology, Physics, Chemistry) students are eligible.

Diploma Holders: Candidates with a Diploma in Horticulture from a recognised institution are also eligible. Final-year diploma students can apply on a provisional basis.

• Minimum Age: You must be at least 17 years old. The age is usually counted as on 31 December of the admission year.
• Maximum Age: The upper age limit varies by category, with some relaxation for reserved categories.
• Qualifying Marks: You should have the minimum aggregate marks in your qualifying exam as set by the university for your category.
• Appearing Candidates: Students waiting for their Intermediate results can also apply, but they must qualify before admission.

HORTICET 2026 Application Fee

The HORTICET 2026 application fee depends on your category. You have to pay the fee online while filling the form. The fee is non-refundable, so you should pay it only after checking that you are eligible.

The fee amounts above are based on previous-year trends. You should confirm the exact fee from the official information bulletin. The fee should be paid online and will not be refunded after submission.

HORTICET 2026 Syllabus

The HORTICET 2026 syllabus is based on the Intermediate (10+2) course of the Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh. It covers four subjects. You should focus on the NCERT and state board topics, as most questions come directly from these.

Botany: This section covers plant kingdom, plant physiology, cell biology, genetics, ecology, and plant reproduction. These topics are very useful for horticulture, so you should study them deeply.

Zoology: This section covers animal kingdom, human physiology, cell structure, genetics, and ecology. The questions are usually direct and based on standard textbook content.

Physics: This section covers mechanics, heat and thermodynamics, optics, electricity, magnetism, and modern physics. You should focus on formulas and basic concepts.

Chemistry: This section covers physical chemistry, organic chemistry, and inorganic chemistry. Topics like chemical bonding, the periodic table, and basic organic reactions are important.

• Botany and Zoology: The biology sections together carry the highest weight, so they need the most attention.
• Physics and Chemistry: These sections test your basic understanding from Intermediate, so revising NCERT helps a lot.
• Best Strategy: You should revise the full Intermediate syllabus and practise previous-year question papers.

HORTICET 2026 Admit Card

The HORTICET 2026 admit card is the hall ticket you need to enter the exam hall. It has not been released yet. The university is expected to release the admit card in July 2026, after the form-correction window closes. Last year, the admit card came out around 7 to 10 days before the exam.

You can download the HORTICET admit card online from drysrhu.ap.gov.in by logging in with your application number and password. The admit card is not sent by post, so you must download and print it yourself.

• Login: Visit the official website and log in with your credentials.
• Download: Click on the admit card link and check all your details.
• Print: Take a clear printout and keep it safe until the exam.
• Photo ID: You should carry a valid photo ID along with the admit card to the exam centre.

No candidate is allowed to enter the exam hall without a valid HORTICET 2026 admit card. You should check all details on it as soon as it is released.

HORTICET 2026 Answer Key

The HORTICET 2026 answer key is expected to be released in August 2026, soon after the exam. The answer key helps you calculate your expected score before the result comes out. The university first releases a preliminary answer key and then a final answer key after reviewing objections.

Using the answer key, you can match your answers and estimate your marks. Since there is no negative marking, your score is simply the number of correct answers. Here is how you can use the answer key.

• Download: Visit the official website and open the answer key PDF after the exam.
• Match Answers: Compare your responses with the correct answers given.
• Calculate Score: Give 1 mark for each correct answer to find your total.
• Raise Objections: If you find a wrong answer, you can raise an objection within the given time, if the university allows it.

The final answer key is used to prepare the result and merit list. So the score you calculate from the final answer key will be very close to your actual result.

Colleges and Courses Through HORTICET 2026

HORTICET 2026 is the entry route to the B.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture programme offered by Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University and its affiliated colleges of horticulture in Andhra Pradesh. The degree is a four-year programme that mixes classroom study with field and practical training.

The B.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture course covers subjects like fruit science, vegetable science, floriculture, plantation crops, soil science, and post-harvest technology. After this degree, you can work in farms, nurseries, food processing units, government agriculture departments, or go for higher studies like M.Sc. Horticulture.

• College of Horticulture, Venkataramannagudem: One of the main constituent colleges of the university.
• College of Horticulture, Anantharajupeta: Another constituent college offering the B.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture degree.
• College of Horticulture, Parvathipuram: A constituent college serving the northern districts.
• Affiliated and Private Colleges: Some private horticulture colleges also admit students through HORTICET ranks.

The seats are split between merit seats filled through HORTICET and payment or management seats. Most students aim for the merit seats, which are filled purely on the basis of your HORTICET rank.

HORTICET 2026 Preparation Tips

With the registration over and the exam expected in August 2026, you should start your focused preparation now. HORTICET is based on the Intermediate syllabus, so a strong base in Botany, Zoology, Physics, and Chemistry helps a lot. Here are some simple tips to improve your score.

• Know the Syllabus: Study the full Intermediate (10+2) syllabus, as questions come directly from it.
• Focus on Biology: Botany and Zoology together carry 100 marks, so give them extra time.
• Solve Previous Papers: Practising old HORTICET papers shows you the question pattern and important topics.
• Attempt All Questions: There is no negative marking, so you should answer every question.
• Take Mock Tests: Mock tests help you manage time and find your weak areas.
• Revise Regularly: Short, regular revision works better than studying everything at the last minute.

You should also keep your basics clear in Physics and Chemistry. These sections can be scoring if you focus on formulas, basic reactions, and standard concepts. With steady practice, you can aim for a high merit rank.