PGECET 2026 cutoff for ST category is expected at 15 marks out of 120 as the minimum qualifying threshold, based on 2025 trends — giving ST students a 10-mark advantage over the general category qualifying mark of 25.
PGECET (Postgraduate Engineering Common Entrance Test) is conducted by TSCHE for admission to ME, M.Tech, M.Arch, M.Pharm and Pharm.D (PB) programmes in Telangana. ST category students benefit from reserved seats (6% of total intake) and a relaxed qualifying cutoff. PGECET 2026 counselling for ST students is expected to begin in July–August 2026 after result announcement by TSCHE on the official portal pgecet.tsche.ac.in.
- PGECET 2026 total marks: 120
- Expected ST qualifying cutoff: 15 out of 120 (based on 2025 trends)
- General category qualifying marks: 25 out of 120
- ST reservation in Telangana: 6% of total seats
- Counselling mode: Web-based, conducted by TSCHE, Hyderabad
| Direct Link to PGECET 2026 Official Website (Active) |
PGECET 2026 Qualifying Marks for ST Category
The minimum marks needed to be declared qualified in PGECET 2026 vary by category. ST students need to score at least 15 marks out of 120 to be eligible for PGECET 2026 counselling, based on 2025 norms. This is 10 marks lower than the general category threshold and makes even a modest score in the paper sufficient for counselling eligibility. The expected category-wise qualifying marks are listed below.
| Category | Expected Qualifying Marks (Out of 120) | Qualifying Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| OC (General/Unreserved) | 25 | 25% |
| BC (A / B / C / D / E) | 20 | 16.7% |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 15 | 12.5% |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 15 | 12.5% |
| PH (Physically Handicapped) | 15 | 12.5% |
PGECET Previous Year Cutoff for ST Category
PGECET cutoff for ST category is released as closing ranks after each counselling round. In 2025, PGECET ST category closing ranks ranged from around 300 to over 1,800 depending on the branch. CSE and M.Pharmacy were among the most competitive branches for ST students. The table below lists indicative closing ranks from PGECET 2025 for the ST category across key branches, based on 2025 trends.
| Branch | ST Closing Rank — Round 1 (2025) | ST Closing Rank — Final Round (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and Engineering | 300 | 650 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | 450 | 900 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 500 | 1,050 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 600 | 1,200 |
| Civil Engineering | 700 | 1,400 |
| Chemical Engineering | 800 | 1,600 |
| Biotechnology | 900 | 1,800 |
| M.Pharmacy | 400 | 850 |
Expected PGECET 2026 Cutoff for ST Category
Based on 2025 trends and projected applicant numbers, PGECET 2026 ST category cutoff ranks are expected to remain close to 2025 levels. A slight increase in ST applicants could tighten closing ranks in high-demand branches like CSE and ECE. The table below gives expected closing rank ranges for ST category across key branches in PGECET 2026.
| Branch | Expected ST Closing Rank 2026 (Round 1) | Expected ST Closing Rank 2026 (Final Round) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and Engineering | 280–350 | 600–700 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | 420–500 | 850–1,000 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 480–560 | 1,000–1,100 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 570–660 | 1,150–1,300 |
| Civil Engineering | 660–760 | 1,350–1,500 |
| Chemical Engineering | 780–880 | 1,550–1,700 |
| M.Pharmacy | 380–460 | 800–950 |
Factors Affecting PGECET 2026 Cutoff for ST Category
Understanding what drives PGECET cutoff shifts helps you set realistic admission goals. The key factors that determine where PGECET 2026 ST category ranks land are:
- Number of ST applicants: More ST students appearing for PGECET intensifies competition for reserved seats, lowering (tightening) the closing rank.
- Total ST seats available: 6% of seats in every participating institute are reserved for ST students. Addition of new colleges or increased intake expands the pool and can ease closing ranks.
- Branch popularity: CSE and ECE consistently attract the most ST applicants, resulting in the tightest cutoffs. Less-opted branches like Chemical Engineering or Biotechnology tend to have higher (easier) closing ranks.
- PGECET paper difficulty: A tougher paper depresses scores across the board, redistributing ranks and potentially shifting cutoff boundaries for all categories.
- Spot and stray vacancy rounds: Seats that go unfilled after regular counselling are released in spot rounds. ST students with higher ranks may still secure admission through these additional rounds.
PGECET 2026 Counselling for ST Category
PGECET 2026 web counselling for ST students is expected to begin in July–August 2026, following result and rank declaration by TSCHE. ST students who score 15 or more marks out of 120 are eligible to register. The process is entirely online through the official TSCHE portal.
Steps for PGECET 2026 counselling (ST category):
- Download your PGECET 2026 rank card from pgecet.tsche.ac.in after result declaration.
- Register on the official TSCHE web counselling portal with your hall ticket number and rank.
- Pay the counselling registration fee as notified by TSCHE (fee structure varies by category).
- Upload required documents including your ST caste certificate, academic mark sheets and Aadhaar.
- Fill and submit college and branch preferences in order of priority.
- Check seat allotment results on the portal and download the allotment letter if a seat is offered.
- Report to the allotted college within the stipulated date for certificate verification and admission.
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| ST Caste Certificate | Issued by a competent authority in Telangana |
| PGECET 2026 Rank Card | Downloaded from pgecet.tsche.ac.in |
| B.E./B.Tech Mark Sheets (All Semesters) | Original and attested copies |
| Provisional Certificate or Degree Certificate | From the qualifying institution |
| Study Certificate or Residence Certificate | For local area candidature (if applicable) |
| Aadhaar Card | For identity verification at college reporting |
| Passport-size Photographs | Recent, as per the official specification |
PGECET 2026 ST Category Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected qualifying cutoff for ST category in PGECET 2026?
Ans. Based on 2025 norms, ST category students are expected to need a minimum of 15 marks out of 120 to be declared qualified in PGECET 2026 and become eligible for counselling. The official figure will be confirmed by TSCHE at the time of result declaration.
Ques. How many seats are reserved for ST students under PGECET 2026?
Ans. In Telangana, 6% of seats in ME, M.Tech, M.Arch, M.Pharm and Pharm.D (PB) programmes across participating government and private colleges are reserved for ST category students.
Ques. What is the expected PGECET 2026 closing rank for ST category in CSE?
Ans. Based on 2025 trends, the expected PGECET 2026 ST category closing rank for Computer Science and Engineering is approximately 600–700 by the final counselling round. This can vary by college and the number of ST applicants that year.
Ques. When does PGECET 2026 counselling start for ST category students?
Ans. PGECET 2026 counselling for ST students is expected to begin in July–August 2026 after the official result and rank declaration by TSCHE. You should monitor pgecet.tsche.ac.in regularly for schedule updates.
Ques. Can an ST student from another state claim ST reservation in PGECET 2026 counselling?
Ans. No. ST reservation in PGECET counselling applies only to students holding a valid ST caste certificate issued by a competent authority in Telangana for communities listed in the Telangana state ST schedule.
Ques. Does PGECET 2026 have a separate merit list for ST category?
Ans. Yes. TSCHE prepares category-wise merit lists for PGECET counselling. ST students compete within the ST reservation pool for reserved seats while also remaining eligible under the open merit category based on their overall rank.
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