HPCET 2026 Expected OBC Cutoff: Qualifying Marks Out of 600 and Branch-Wise Closing Rank

For OBC category students, the HPCET 2026 expected qualifying cutoff is around 30–35 marks out of 600 to appear in the merit list, with 100 or more marks strongly recommended to improve branch allotment prospects based on 2024–25 counselling trends.

The Himachal Pradesh Common Entrance Test (HPCET) 2026 is conducted by Himachal Pradesh Technical University (HIMTU), Hamirpur, for B.Tech admissions in affiliated government and private colleges across HP. HPCET 2026 was held for 600 marks across 150 questions, and the result was declared on 21 May 2026. OBC category students can now use previous-year cutoff data to assess their rank-based chances and plan branch preferences for the June 2026 counselling rounds.

• HPCET 2026 total marks: 600 (150 questions × 4 marks; –1 for each wrong answer).
• Expected OBC minimum qualifying marks to enter merit list: 30–35 out of 600.
• Recommended score for OBC students targeting a preferred branch: 100 marks or above.
• Expected OBC closing rank for CSE branch: approximately 600–1,000 (based on 2024–25 trends).
• Official HPCET 2026 branch-wise closing ranks will be published at himtu.ac.in after each counselling round.

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HPCET 2026 OBC Category Qualifying Cutoff Marks

The HPCET cutoff for OBC students works at two levels. The first is the minimum qualifying mark — the score needed to appear in the HPCET merit list and become eligible for counselling. The second is the effective counselling cutoff, which is rank-driven and determines which branch and college you actually receive.

Based on 2024 published data, the minimum qualifying mark for reserved categories including OBC was 30 marks out of 600, while the General category threshold was 40 marks. This bar is intentionally low to ensure all competing students enter the merit list. Since seat allotment is rank-based within the OBC pool, students should realistically target 100 marks or more to secure any branch at a HIMTU-affiliated college, and 120-plus for high-demand branches like CSE.

All 2026 figures are expected based on 2024 published data and year-on-year trends. Minimum qualifying marks allow entry into the merit list; actual seat allotment is determined by rank within each category pool.

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Previous Year HPCET OBC Cutoff Trends (2022–2025)

Tracking the HPCET minimum qualifying cutoff over four years shows a gradual, marginal upward movement. This data helps you set the right score target and interpret your rank’s counselling strength for 2026.

2024 figures are from published cutoff data; 2022–23 and 2025 figures are estimated based on year-on-year trends. These represent minimum marks to enter the HPCET merit list, not the score needed for seat allotment.

The qualifying threshold has been nearly stable, rising by roughly 1–2 marks each year. For HPCET 2026, the OBC qualifying cutoff is expected to be in the range of 30–35 marks out of 600. Within the merit list, rank competition — not the qualifying mark — determines your branch and college.

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HPCET 2026 Expected Branch-Wise Closing Rank for OBC Category

Once you are in the merit list, your rank within the OBC seat pool decides your allotment. CSE and IT draw the highest application volume, producing the most competitive closing ranks. Civil and Mechanical Engineering consistently see relaxed ranks, giving students with higher rank numbers a solid chance.

The table below presents expected branch-wise closing ranks for OBC category in HPCET 2026, projected from 2024–25 counselling patterns across HIMTU-affiliated colleges. A lower rank number reflects a stronger standing.

All closing ranks are expected estimates for 2026 based on 2024–25 HPCET counselling trends. Actual closing ranks are released by HIMTU after each counselling round on its official portal.

OBC students ranked within 1,000 have strong prospects for CSE or IT. Those ranked between 1,000 and 2,500 can realistically target ECE or EE, and students ranked beyond 2,500 have solid options in Mechanical or Civil branches at multiple HIMTU-affiliated colleges.

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Factors Affecting HPCET 2026 OBC Cutoff

Several variables shift the HPCET OBC cutoff each year. Understanding these helps you interpret your score and rank in context and make informed branch choices.

• Number of OBC-reserved seats per branch: OBC reservation in HP government technical colleges is governed by state policy. Fewer OBC seats in a branch raise its effective closing rank, making it harder to secure.
• OBC applicant turnout: A larger pool of OBC applicants intensifies internal competition and can push closing ranks upward across all branches.
• HPCET 2026 paper difficulty: A tougher paper lowers average scores and may ease the absolute qualifying mark, though closing ranks remain driven by relative performance.
• Branch demand trends: CSE and IT see growing interest year on year, continuously tightening their closing ranks. Less sought-after branches stay more accessible.
• HP domicile restriction: Only students with valid HP domicile can compete for state-quota seats, which naturally limits the applicant pool and moderates cutoffs compared to national open exams.
• Multiple counselling rounds: In subsequent rounds, partially-filled branches may open to OBC students with higher rank numbers, expanding seat opportunities beyond round-one projections.