The State Board of Technical Education and Training (SBTET), Andhra Pradesh has released the information brochure for the POLYCET 2026 on 3rd March 2026. The Polytechnic Common Entrance Test (POLYCET) is conducted for admission into various diploma courses offered in Government, Aided, Private Unaided Polytechnics, and Second Shift Polytechnics across Andhra Pradesh. Candidates can apply online from 3rd March 2026.
The last date to submit the online application is 4th April 2026. The examination will be conducted on 25th April 2026 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Check the important dates, eligibility, exam pattern, and other details of AP POLYCET 2026 in this article.
AP POLYCET 2026: Overview
The AP POLYCET 2026 is a state-level entrance test for candidates seeking admission into Diploma in Engineering (Polytechnic) courses in Andhra Pradesh. The exam consists of 120 objective-type questions from Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry based on the SSC syllabus.
| AP POLYCET 2026 | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Andhra Pradesh Polytechnic Common Entrance Test (POLYCET) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | State Board of Technical Education and Training (SBTET), Andhra Pradesh, Mangalagiri |
| Exam Level | State Level (Andhra Pradesh) |
| Purpose | Admission into Diploma (Polytechnic) Courses in Engineering/Non-Engineering |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Online Application Start Date | 3rd March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 4th April 2026 |
| Exam Date | 25th April 2026 (11:00 AM to 1:00 PM) |
| Result Declaration (Tentative) | 10th May 2026 |
AP POLYCET 2026: Important Dates
Candidates must note the following important dates for AP POLYCET 2026:
| Event | Important Date |
|---|---|
| Commencement of online application filing | 3rd March 2026 |
| Last date for filing online application | 4th April 2026 |
| Date & Time of Entrance Examination | 25th April 2026 (11:00 AM to 1:00 PM) |
| Tentative date of declaration of results | 10th May 2026 |
Direct Link to Apply for AP POLYCET 2026
The application forms are available online through the official website. Candidates can also visit any of the designated Helpline Centres (HLCs) listed in the information brochure to complete their application process with assistance.
Application Fee
The application fee for POLYCET 2026 varies based on the category of the candidate. The fee is non-refundable.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| OC / BC Candidates | ₹400/- |
| SC / ST Candidates | ₹100/- |
How to Apply Online
Candidates can apply for POLYCET 2026 either by themselves online or by visiting any of the authorized Helpline Centres (HLCs) across Andhra Pradesh. The step-by-step procedure is as follows:
Step 1: Visit the official POLYCET website: polycetap.ap.gov.in
Step 2: Click on the link for “POLYCET-2026 Online Application”.
Step 3: Fill in the required details carefully:
- 10th Class Hall Ticket Number, Year of Pass, and Date of Birth
- Candidate’s name as per school records (one letter per box)
- Father’s name, Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY format)
- Address details (House Number, Village/Street, Mandal/Town/City, District, PIN Code, Mobile Number)
Step 4: Select your preferred Examination Centre from the list provided in the brochure.
Step 5: Enter your Local Area Code (the region you belong to in Andhra Pradesh).
Step 6: Select your Reservation Category (BC/SC/ST) and Special Category (CAP/SP/PH/NCC), if applicable.
Step 7: If you belong to a minority community (other than Hindu), fill in the details as per school records.
Step 8: Indicate your willingness to appear for the examination in Urdu medium (exam available only at Guntur and Nandyal centres).
Step 9: Upload scanned copies of your recent photograph and signature as per the specifications.
Step 10: Pay the application fee online (OC/BC: ₹400, SC/ST: ₹100).
Step 11: Submit the application form and take a printout for future reference.
Note: Candidates who visit Helpline Centres will have their photo and signature scanned by the operator, who will then provide a printout for verification. After confirming the details, the operator will submit the application.
AP POLYCET 2026: Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must ensure they fulfil the following eligibility requirements before applying:
Nationality:
- Candidate must be an Indian National.
- Candidate should belong to the State of Andhra Pradesh as defined in G.O.(P). No.646, Education (w) Dept., dated 10-07-1979 and its subsequent amendments.
Educational Qualification:
- Candidates should have passed the SSC Examination conducted by the State Board of Secondary Education, Andhra Pradesh/Telangana OR any other examination recognized as equivalent by the Board of Secondary Education, A.P.
Recognized Examinations:
- Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
- Indian Council for Secondary Education (ICSE)
- National Institute of Open School (NIOS)
- A.P. Open School Society (APOSS)
- X class examination conducted by various State Boards of Secondary Education in India
Subject Requirements:
- Candidates must have Mathematics as one of the subjects.
- Candidates belonging to NIOS/APOSS/Other examinations recognized as equivalent to SSC by A.P. Government MUST HAVE PASSED ALL SUBJECTS including Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry with a minimum of 35% marks in each subject.
Age Limit:
- There is no age restriction for appearing in POLYCET-2026.
Check Full Official Details Here
AP POLYCET 2026: Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The POLYCET-2026 is an offline (pen and paper) examination conducted for 2 hours. The question paper is based on the syllabus prescribed for the SSC Examination of March 2026 by the Board of Secondary Education, Andhra Pradesh.
Exam Pattern:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Offline (OMR based) |
| Duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with 4 options, only one correct |
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Total Marks | 120 |
| Marking Scheme | +1 mark for each correct answer |
| Negative Marking | No negative marking |
Subject-wise Distribution:
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 50 | 50 |
| Physics | 40 | 40 |
| Chemistry | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
AP POLYCET 2026: Minimum Qualifying Marks
- General Candidates: Minimum 25% marks (30 marks out of 120) to pass the examination.
- SC/ST Candidates: No minimum marks prescribed.
Rank Determination
In case of a tie in ranks, the following criteria will be used to resolve the tie (in order):
- Higher marks in Mathematics in the entrance test.
- Higher marks in Physics in the entrance test.
- Date of Birth: Candidate born earlier will be deemed to have obtained a higher rank (better rank).
- Higher percentage of marks in the qualifying examination (SSC or Equivalent).
AP POLYCET 2026: Scholarships for Diploma Programs
Eligible students can avail the following scholarships:
| Scholarship Name | Details |
|---|---|
| AP State Govt. Scholarship | Various schemes as applicable for eligible students. |
| Pragati Scholarship | AICTE scheme for meritorious girl students. 5,000 scholarships per year. Amount: ₹50,000 per annum. |
| Saksham Scholarship | AICTE scheme for specially-abled students. Amount: ₹50,000 per annum (for college fees, purchase of computer, books, etc.). |
| SWANADH | For candidates whose parents are deceased due to COVID-19. |
Fee Reimbursement:
- Candidates whose total family income is less than or equal to ₹2.50 lakhs are eligible for exemption from fee payment (as per G.O. Ms. No.115 Social Welfare (Edn.) Department dated 30-11-2019).
AP POLYCET 2026: Diploma Courses Offered
The various diploma courses offered through POLYCET include (but are not limited to):
| Course Name | Course Code |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering | CIV |
| Mechanical Engineering | MEC |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | EEE |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | ECE |
| Computer Engineering | CME |
| Automobile Engineering | AUT |
| Mining Engineering | MIN |
| Metallurgical Engineering | MET |
| Chemical Engineering | CHE |
| Ceramic Technology | CER |
| Textile Technology | TXT |
| Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning | AIM |
| Commercial and Computer Practice | CCP |
| Architecture Assistantship | ARC |
| Bio-Medical Engineering (Sandwich) | BME |
FAQs
Ques. What is the last date to apply for AP POLYCET 2026?
Ans. The last date to apply online is 4th April 2026.
Ques. When will AP POLYCET 2026 be conducted?
Ans. The examination will be conducted on 25th April 2026 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Ques. What is the application fee for SC/ST candidates?
Ans. The application fee for SC/ST candidates is ₹100/-.
Ques. Is there any age limit to appear for POLYCET 2026?
Ans. No, there is no age restriction for appearing in POLYCET-2026.
Ques. What is the exam pattern for POLYCET 2026?
Ans. The exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions: 50 from Mathematics, 40 from Physics, and 30 from Chemistry. Total marks are 120, and there is no negative marking.
Ques. Can candidates from other states apply for AP POLYCET?
Ans. The candidate should belong to the State of Andhra Pradesh as defined in the relevant G.O. Candidates from Telangana (TG) are advised to follow Government instructions regarding their eligibility.
