Updated By Shuchi Bagchi on 18 Dec, 2025 15:44
To be eligible for HPCET 2026, students must have passed their 10+2 examination with the subjects of Physics / Mathematics / Chemistry / Computer Science / Electronics / Information Technology / Biology. Also, they must have also secured at least 45% marks (40% marks in case of candidates belonging to the reserved category) in the above subjects taken together.
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HPCET eligibility criteria 2026 are released by the conducting body of the entrance examination, i.e., Himachal Pradesh Technical University. It is important for aspirants to go through the HPCET 2026 eligibility criteria before filling out the HPCET application form 2026. The norms for eligibility to various courses offered by HPTU and affiliated colleges include educational qualification, subjects studied and marks scored in the qualifying examination, age, etc. Students who fail to meet the HPCET 2026 eligibility criteria will not be allowed to sit in the HPCET exam.
In order to guarantee admission to these courses, aspirants need to make sure that they don’t miss out on any updates and most importantly, any requirements regarding the exam. Cross-checking the eligibility criteria for HPCET 2026 should be the first step in that direction. Candidates can check out the course-wise details about the eligibility criteria of HPCET 2026 and other related information mentioned below.
To be eligible for HPCET 2026, students must have passed their 10+2 examination with the subjects of Physics / Mathematics / Chemistry / Computer Science / Electronics / Information Technology / Biology / Informatics Practices / Biotechnology / Technical Vocational subject / Agriculture / Engineering Graphics / Business Studies / Entrepreneurship, Agriculture stream (for Agriculture Engineering) Candidates must have also secured at least 45% marks (40% marks in case of candidates belonging to reserved category) in the above subjects taken together. Else, candidates must have passed the D.Voc. stream in the same or an allied sector.
Students must have passed a graduation degree (e.g., B.E. / B.Tech., B.Sc., B.Com./ B. Voc./ BCA, etc.), preferably with Mathematics at the 10+2 level or at the Graduation level. Students must have also secured at least 50% marks (45% marks in case of candidates belonging to the reserved category) in the qualifying examination. However, for candidates having no Mathematics background, a compulsory bridge course will be framed by the respective University/ Institution and additional bridge courses related to computer subjects as per the norms of the concerned University.
Students must have passed a bachelor's degree programme of a minimum of 3 years duration. They must have also secured at least 50% marks (45% marks in case of candidates belonging to the reserved category) in the qualifying examination.
Students must have passed/appeared in the 10+2 examination from a recognised board or university with Physics and Chemistry as mandatory subjects along with one of the Mathematics / Biology subject securing at least 45% marks (40% reserved category) in these subjects taken together. Candidates must ensure that they are 17 years or older on or before December 31 of the year of admission to the course.
Students belonging to foreign nationalities or such candidates who are Non-Resident Indians (NRI) can get admission via the HPCET 2026 exam. However, NRIs and foreign candidates need not appear for the HPCET 2026 exam to be considered for admission. A merit list based on the marks secured by them in the qualifying examination will be used for providing admission.
Out of all the available seats for admission via HPCET 2026, some are set aside under different quotas and for various categories. The students must have complete information about the HPCET 2026 reservation policy before they apply for the HPCET 2026 exam. The detailed break-up of HPCET reservation under various categories has been tabulated below.
Category | Percentage of allotted seats |
|---|---|
All India Quota (AIQ) Seats | 15% of total sanctioned seats |
Management Seats in Private Institutions only | 15% of total sanctioned intake across under-graduate courses only |
Lateral Entry Seats | 20% over and above the sanctioned intake |
HP State Quota (HPSQ) Seats | 65% of total sanctioned intake (including one seat under Beti Hai Anmol Scheme of single girl child of Himachali domicile only in each Institution within the sanctioned intake) |
Seats for Non-Resident Indian(s) | 5% of the total sanctioned intake subject |
Supernumerary Seats, Tuition Fee Waiver Seats, Foreign National / Persons of Indian Origins (PIO) / Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries, Kashmiri Migrant | 5% of the sanctioned intake per course, subject to fulfillment of AICTE norms 15% of the sanctioned intake per course in each institute, subject to fulfillment of AICTE norms 2 seats in each institution |
The seats available under Himachal Pradesh State Quota(HPSQ) for HPCET 2026 are further divided according to vertical reservation criteria and horizontal reservation criteria which are based on minority categories and other special categories.The detailed breakup of seats available under HP State quota has been tabulated below.
HPCET 2026 Vertical Reservation Percentage Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
Category of the candidate | Category Description | Percentage of Seats |
Main | General | 55% |
Scheduled Caste (SC) | 22% | |
Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 18% | |
Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 5% | |
HPCET 2026 Horizontal Reservation Percentage Criteria | ||
Category of the candidate | Category Description | Percentage of Seats |
Sub-Reserved | Defence / Ward of ex-servicemen | 15% |
Physically Challenged | 3% | |
Freedom Fighters | 2% | |
IRDP/ BPL / Antodya / Orphans | 15% | |
Backward Area | 4% | |
Sports | 2% | |
Want to know more about HPCET
Yes. It is mandatory for the candidates to comply with the eligibility criteria of HPCET 2024 to be able to sit for the HPCET 2024 exam.
Yes. HPCET exam takes into consideration reservation norms as per government regulations. Reserved seats are available for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and other categories.
Himachal Pradesh Technical University (HTU) has released the HPCET eligibility criteria on the official website www.himtu.ac.in. Candidates can also check the detailed eligibility criteria of HPCET 2024 for various courses on this page.
In order to be eligible for B.Tech direct entry via HPCET 2024, candidates must have passed their class 12 exam in the subjects of Physics / Mathematics / Chemistry / Computer Science / Electronics / Information Technology / Biology / Informatics Practices / Biotechnology / Technical Vocational subject / Agriculture / Engineering Graphics / Business Studies / Entrepreneurship, Agriculture stream (for Agriculture Engineering) with at least 45% marks. Otherwise, candidates must have passed D.Voc. stream in the same or allied sector.
The Himachal Pradesh Technical University (HTU) is in charge of setting the HP CET eligibility criteria.
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