Delhi CET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Delhi CET 2026 eligibility criteria is set by the Department of Training and Technical Education (DTTE), Government of NCT of Delhi. The criteria differ by course type: diploma in Engineering/non-Engineering, diploma in Pharmacy, and lateral entry to diploma. Conditions cover academic qualification, minimum marks, subject combinations, age limits, and category/domicile relaxations.

Diploma in Engineering / Non-Engineering

For full-time diploma programmes in engineering and some non-engineering fields, the baseline educational requirement is Class 10 (Matriculation):

• The candidate must have passed Class 10 or equivalent examination from a recognized board (such as CBSE or its equivalent).
• Compulsory subjects: Science, Mathematics and English must have been studied and passed in the qualifying examination.
• Minimum marks: General category candidates typically need at least about 35–40% aggregate marks (exact percentage can vary slightly by trade and notification year), while reserved category candidates (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) receive relaxation as per Delhi Government norms.
• Candidates must pass in each compulsory subject; failure or compartment in a required subject renders them ineligible until passed within permissible timelines.

Diploma in Pharmacy

Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) under Delhi CET follows Class 12 science-based eligibility:

• The candidate must have passed Class 12 or equivalent in the Science stream from a recognized board.
• Compulsory subjects: Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or Biology must be studied and passed, with PCMB or PCB/PCM combination accepted as per official norms.
• Minimum marks: Usually at least 45% aggregate marks for general category and about 40% for reserved categories in the qualifying examination, though the exact figure is confirmed in each year’s brochure.

Lateral Entry to Diploma (2nd Year)

For admission directly into the second year (lateral entry) of diploma programmes through Delhi CET, the requirements are more vocational or technical in nature:

• Candidates should have completed either 10+2 (Vocational/Technical stream) or an ITI programme of two years duration after Class 10 from a recognized institution.
• The qualifying disciplines must be relevant to the diploma branch sought (for example, an ITI in Mechanical for lateral entry to a Mechanical Engineering diploma), as defined in the official prospectus.
• Minimum marks thresholds (aggregate percentage) and subject requirements align with DTTE regulations and generally include relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD as per Government of Delhi norms.

Age Limit and Relaxations in Delhi CET 2026

Unlike many degree-level exams, Delhi CET has explicit age limits, which vary by course and category:

• For standard diploma programmes, the minimum age is around 15 years, and the maximum is typically about 21 years for general category at the time of admission, with relaxations for reserved candidates (for example, a few years’ extension for SC/ST/PwD as notified).
• For specific programmes like pharmacy or vocational/lateral entry, slightly different upper age limits may be notified in the annual brochure, and candidates must check the official document for precise numbers.

Domicile / Delhi Region Preferences

• While Delhi CET is open to Indian nationals from any state, a significant proportion of seats in Delhi government polytechnics are reserved for candidates belonging to the Delhi region.
• Typically, Delhi candidates are those who have passed the qualifying exam from schools located within the NCT of Delhi, with detailed definitions and required domicile or school-study proof specified each year.
• Non-Delhi candidates may compete for a smaller number of seats under an Outside Delhi quota in many institutes.

Category-wise Reservations and Relaxations

Eligibility thresholds and seat shares are relaxed for reserved categories in line with Delhi Government policies:

• SC, ST, OBC (NCL), EWS, and PwD candidates get reserved seats in government-run and aided polytechnic colleges, along with relaxation in minimum qualifying marks and age limits.
• Reservation may also exist for categories such as Defence/Ex-servicemen, and sometimes for female candidates in selected programmes, as detailed annually in the information bulletin.

FAQs

Q1. What is the minimum qualification for Delhi CET 2026 diploma engineering courses?

Ans. For diploma engineering/non-engineering courses, candidates must have passed Class 10 or equivalent from a recognized board with Science, Mathematics and English as compulsory subjects and at least about 35–40% aggregate marks for the general category, with relaxation for reserved categories.

Q2. Who is eligible for the Diploma in Pharmacy course through Delhi CET 2026?

Ans. Candidates must have completed Class 12 in the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or Biology as compulsory subjects and obtained at least around 45% aggregate (40% for reserved categories), as indicated in recent patterns.

Q3. What is the age limit for appearing in Delhi CET 2026?

Ans. The general age range for most diploma programmes is a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of about 21 years for general category candidates, with extended upper age limits for SC/ST and other reserved categories according to Delhi Government rules.

Q4.  Who can apply for lateral entry to diploma through Delhi CET 2026?

Ans. Lateral entry is open to those who have completed 10+2 (Vocational/Technical stream) or a 2-year ITI after Class 10 in a relevant trade, subject to prescribed minimum marks and branch suitability as laid out by DTTE.

Q5. Is Delhi domicile compulsory for Delhi CET 2026?

Ans. Delhi domicile is not compulsory to take the exam, but a majority of seats in government polytechnics are reserved for Delhi Region candidates, defined primarily by having passed the qualifying exam from schools in the NCT of Delhi, while Outside Delhi candidates compete for a separate quota of seats.

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