ITICAT 2026 SC category expected cutoff is estimated at 113 to 143 marks out of 300, with closing ranks for popular trades expected to fall between 4,300 and 4,600, based on Bihar ITI admission trends from 2022 to 2025.

The Bihar Industrial Training Institute Competitive Admission Test (ITICAT) is conducted by the Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) for admission to ITI trade courses across the state. SC (Scheduled Caste) students are allotted reserved seats under Bihar’s state reservation policy, which means the effective cutoff for this category is lower than the general merit list. Understanding the expected SC cutoff helps you set realistic rank targets and plan your trade and ITI preferences before ITICAT 2026 counselling begins.

  • ITICAT 2026 is conducted for 300 total marks across three sections — Mathematics, General Science, and General Knowledge — with 100 marks each and no negative marking.
  • SC category students are allotted reserved seats under Bihar state reservation norms, giving access to seats at lower cutoff ranks than the general category.
  • Over 33,000 ITI seats are available across 121 government and 354 private ITIs in Bihar.
  • SC category closing ranks for the Electrician trade at Government ITI Patna have trended from 3,720 in 2022 to 4,250 in 2025, reflecting rising competition.
  • Attempting all 150 questions is advisable as there is no negative marking, maximising your total score and rank.
Direct Link to ITICAT 2026 Official Portal (Active)bceceboard.bihar.gov.in

ITICAT 2026 SC Category Expected Cutoff Overview

The ITICAT 2026 SC category cutoff is the minimum marks or closing rank an SC student must secure to get a seat in a preferred trade and ITI. BCECEB releases the official cutoff after all counselling rounds close, but students can estimate their standing using data from 2022 to 2025.

Based on past ITICAT admission trends, the expected SC category cutoff marks for 2026 are as follows:

Section Total Marks Expected SC Cutoff Marks (2026)
Mathematics 100 35 – 45
General Science 100 38 – 48
General Knowledge 100 40 – 50
Total 300 113 – 143 (expected)

These are expected estimates based on 2024 and 2025 ITICAT trends and are not confirmed figures. BCECEB will publish the official cutoff marks on bceceboard.bihar.gov.in after the ITICAT 2026 result is declared.


ITICAT cutoffs vary by trade, ITI, and district. The closing rank is the most practical benchmark for SC category admission planning. The table below shows the SC category closing rank trend for the Electrician trade at Government ITI Patna, one of the most competitive combinations in Bihar:

Year SC Closing Rank — Electrician, Govt ITI Patna
2022 3,720
2023 3,950
2024 4,100
2025 4,250
2026 (Expected) 4,300 – 4,600

The SC closing rank for this trade has risen by roughly 530 positions over four years, reflecting increased SC applicant volume year on year. Students targeting Government ITI Patna Electrician in the SC category should aim for a rank better than 4,600 in ITICAT 2026. Trades with lower demand and ITIs in smaller districts carry notably lower SC cutoff ranks, offering more accessible options for students with moderate scores.


ITICAT 2026 SC Category Qualifying Marks

Qualifying marks are the minimum marks needed to be eligible for ITICAT 2026 counselling. These are distinct from the admission cutoff, which depends on the specific trade and ITI a student selects. BCECEB announces official category-wise qualifying marks after the result is published.

Based on previous ITICAT result cycles, the expected qualifying marks by category are:

Category Expected Qualifying Marks (out of 300)
General / Unreserved 150 – 180
BC / EBC 130 – 160
SC 113 – 143 (expected)
ST 100 – 130

These are expected ranges based on past ITICAT trends and are not official figures. The minimum academic eligibility for ITICAT 2026 is passing Class 10 with at least 35% marks. SC students who meet this academic criterion and score within the expected qualifying range stand a strong chance of securing a seat in at least one preferred trade through ITICAT 2026 counselling rounds.


SC Category Seat Availability in Bihar ITIs

Bihar has over 33,000 ITI seats spread across 475 institutions — 121 government ITIs and 354 private ITIs. SC category seats are reserved as per Bihar state reservation norms. BCECEB releases an official seat matrix before counselling, listing trade-wise and category-wise seat counts at each ITI across the state.

Institution Type Number of ITIs Seat Availability
Government ITIs 121 Higher share of SC reserved seats; preferred for employment prospects
Private ITIs 354 Mix of open and reserved seats; lower competition in smaller districts
Total 475 33,000+ seats statewide

SC students should download the ITICAT 2026 seat matrix PDF from bceceboard.bihar.gov.in before filling counselling choices. This document lists the exact number of SC reserved seats available trade-wise and ITI-wise across all districts. Government ITIs in district headquarters carry a higher concentration of reserved category seats and are preferred for their stipend benefits and post-training placement support.


Factors Affecting ITICAT 2026 SC Cutoff

The SC category cutoff for ITICAT 2026 will depend on several variables that shift each year:

  • SC applicant volume: A larger pool of SC applicants increases competition and pushes closing ranks higher for popular trades at government ITIs.
  • SC seat intake: Any increase in SC seat allocation by BCECEB for 2026 can ease the effective closing rank compared to 2025 figures.
  • Exam difficulty: A harder paper lowers overall scores, which can reduce the marks threshold for qualifying without significantly changing closing ranks in high-demand trades.
  • Trade and ITI preference: High-demand trades — Electrician, Fitter, and Motor Mechanic — at government ITIs in Patna, Muzaffarpur, and Gaya consistently record the highest SC closing ranks in Bihar.
  • Counselling round carry-over: Seats unfilled after the first round are re-offered in subsequent rounds, sometimes allowing SC students with lower ranks to secure admission to their preferred ITI.

ITICAT 2026 SC Category Cutoff FAQs

Ques. What is the expected ITICAT 2026 cutoff for SC category?

Ans. Based on past ITICAT trends, the expected SC category cutoff for ITICAT 2026 is approximately 113 to 143 marks out of 300. The official category-wise cutoff will be published by BCECEB on bceceboard.bihar.gov.in after the result and counselling are completed.

Ques. What are the qualifying marks for SC category in ITICAT 2026?

Ans. BCECEB announces official qualifying marks after the ITICAT 2026 result. Based on previous cycles, SC category students are expected to need approximately 113 to 143 marks out of 300 to qualify for counselling. These are estimates and will be confirmed once official figures are released.

Ques. How many seats are reserved for SC category in ITICAT 2026?

Ans. SC seats are reserved across 33,000+ total ITI seats in 475 Bihar institutions as per state reservation norms. The exact trade-wise and ITI-wise SC seat count is published in the ITICAT 2026 seat matrix on bceceboard.bihar.gov.in before counselling begins.

Ques. Which trades have the lowest SC cutoff rank in ITICAT?

Ans. Less competitive trades such as Draughtsman, Stenographer, and Surveyor at private ITIs or smaller district ITIs generally record lower SC closing ranks. High-demand trades like Electrician, Fitter, and Motor Mechanic at government ITIs in major cities carry the highest SC cutoff ranks in Bihar.

Ques. Is there negative marking in ITICAT 2026 that affects SC cutoff scores?

Ans. No, ITICAT 2026 does not carry negative marking. The exam has 150 questions worth 2 marks each, totalling 300 marks. SC students should attempt all 150 questions to maximise their total score and secure the best possible rank against the SC cutoff.

Ques. Where can I check the official ITICAT 2026 SC category cutoff after the result?

Ans. The official ITICAT 2026 SC category cutoff will be released by BCECEB on bceceboard.bihar.gov.in after all counselling rounds are complete. Students can view seat allotment results, trade-wise closing ranks, and category-wise cutoff details from the same portal.