AP PG Engineering CET 2026

1. Requirement Overview

The Andhra Pradesh Post Graduate Engineering Common Entrance Test (AP PGECET 2026) is a state-level entrance examination conducted by Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE). It is strictly for admission into regular Postgraduate courses in Engineering, Technology, and Pharmacy (M.E. / M.Tech. / M.Pharm. / Pharm.D (PB)) in University and Affiliated Engineering / Pharmacy Colleges across Andhra Pradesh for the academic year 2026-27.

2. Requirement Important Dates (As per the Instruction Booklet)

• Date of Notification in the Newspapers: 04-02-2026 (Wednesday)

• Commencement of submission of Online Applications: 06-02-2026 (Friday)

• Last date for submission without Late Fee: 06-03-2026 (Friday)

• Last date for submission with Late Fee of Rs. 1000/-: 11-03-2026 (Wednesday)

• Last date for submission with Late Fee of Rs. 2000/-: 16-03-2026 (Monday)

• Last date for submission with Late Fee of Rs. 4000/-: 19-03-2026 (Thursday)

• Last date for submission with Late Fee of Rs. 10000/-: 23-03-2026 (Monday)

• Correction of online application data: 24-03-2026 (Tuesday) & 25-03-2026 (Wednesday)

• Downloading of Hall-Tickets: 15-04-2026 (Wednesday)

• Date of Examination: 28-04-2026 (Tuesday), 29-04-2026 (Wednesday) & 30-04-2026 (Thursday)

• Release of Preliminary Key: 06-05-2026 (Wednesday)

• Last date for receiving Objections on Preliminary Key: 08-05-2026 (Friday)

• Results Release: 14-05-2026 (Thursday)

3. Application Fee

The registration fee structure for a single test paper generally is:

• OC Candidates: Rs. 1200/-

• BC Candidates: Rs. 900/-

• SC/ST Candidates: Rs. 700/- (Candidates applying for more than one test paper must pay the respective fee amount per test. Payment can be made via AP Online services, Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking.)

4. Age Limitation

• Minimum Age: There is no strict minimum age limit to appear for the test.

• Maximum Age: For simply appearing in the examination, there is no upper age limit. However, to claim state government fee reimbursement/scholarships, candidates generally must be under 30 years of age (34 years for SC/ST) as of July 1st of the admission year.

5. Eligibility Category

• Nationality & Domicile: Candidates must be Indian Nationals and satisfy the local/non-local status as defined by the AP Educational Institutions Order, 1974.

• Academic Qualification: Candidates must hold a B.E., B.Tech., B.Pharm., or equivalent degree relevant to the applied course. Candidates appearing in their final semester/year are also eligible.

• Minimum Marks: Must have secured at least 50% aggregate marks in the qualifying degree (45% for reserved categories).

• GATE/GPAT Exemption: Candidates holding valid GATE or GPAT scores do not need to write the AP PGECET. They will be given absolute priority during seat allotment. AP PGECET qualifiers are allotted the remaining vacant seats.

6. Detailed List of Vacancy

Since AP PGECET is an academic entrance test, job vacancies do not apply. The exact intake capacity/seat matrix for each Post-Graduate engineering and pharmacy specialization is released by APSCHE and participating universities immediately prior to the Web Counseling phase.

7. Selection Process/Stages

1. GATE/GPAT First Phase Admission: Separate notification is released prioritizing valid GATE/GPAT score holders.

2. Computer Based Test (CBT): The AP PGECET exam for candidates who do not possess valid GATE/GPAT scores.

3. Key & Objections: Release of the preliminary key, where objections can be submitted for Rs. 300/- per question.

4. Rank Declaration: Assigning merit ranks strictly based on the AP PGECET score.

5. Web Counselling: Registration for document verification, exercising online options, and final seat allotment based on merit, category, and local area.

8. Exam Pattern

The test is conducted via a Computer Based Test (CBT) interface:

• Duration: 120 Minutes (2 Hours).

• Total Questions: 120 Objective-type multiple-choice questions.

• Total Marks: 120 Marks.

• Marking Scheme: 1 mark for every correct answer; no negative marking for incorrect answers.

• Medium of Exam: Exclusively in English.

• Syllabus Baseline: The test evaluates the undergraduate syllabus of the specific engineering/pharmacy branch opted for.

9. Previous Year Cut Off Analysis

To successfully qualify for a rank in AP PGECET:

• General / BC Categories: Must secure a minimum of 25% marks, which translates to 30 marks out of 120.

• SC / ST Categories: There is no minimum qualifying mark prescribed. Ranks are simply assigned based on test performance.

10. Required Documents

For the Online Application:

• Qualifying Degree (B.E./B.Tech/B.Pharm) Hall Ticket Number

• 10th Class (SSC) Certificate/Hall Ticket Number

• Proof of Local Status (Study certificates from 9th class to Graduation)

• Aadhaar Card Number

• Caste / Mee Seva Category Certificate

• Parent's Income Certificate (for fee exemption claims)

• Scanned passport photograph (under 50KB in JPG) and signature (under 30KB in JPG)

11. General Conditions and Instructions

• Candidates are firmly advised to ensure their eligibility corresponding to the specific PG course they are applying for, as eligibility is not verified during the application stage but strictly during admissions.

• No personal intimation (hall tickets/results) will be sent via post or email; all activities must be tracked via the official portal.

• Test center allotments and shifts (two sessions per day) are final and binding.

12. How to Apply

1. Visit the official portal: Click Here

2. Navigate to the "Fee Payment" gateway link. Enter basic details (Name, Qualifying Exam Hall Ticket Number, Mobile, DOB) to pay the registration fee.

3. Upon success, use the generated Payment Reference ID to access the "Fill Application Form" link.

4. Enter all requisite personal, educational, and reservation details. Select the specific test paper and preferred examination centers.

5. Upload the scanned photograph and signature.

6. Submit the form and take a printout of the Confirmation Page for future reference.

13. Strategic Preparation and Recommended Books

• Syllabus Focus: Since the exam maps to the respective undergraduate engineering branch, core subjects hold the most weight. Download the official syllabus PDF from the APSCHE portal and strictly limit preparation to those topics.

• Mock Tests: The portal provides an official mock test feature. Taking these is highly recommended to acclimatize to the CBT interface and time management.

• GATE Previous Papers: Practicing the 1 mark objective questions from the last 10 years of GATE exams is highly effective, as the difficulty level of AP PGECET matches these closely.

14. Official Notice & Operational Links

• Official Website: Click Here

• Official Portal Page: Click Here

• Instruction Booklet: Click Here

• Syllabus Link: Click Here

• Contact & Helpdesk: helpdeskappgecet@apsche.org | Mobile: 8331865313