AP PGCET (Andhra Pradesh Postgraduate Engineering Common Entrance Test)

AP PGCET-2026

Andhra University administers the state-level entrance exam known as the Andhra Pradesh Post Graduate Common Entrance Test (AP PGCET) on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE).

The AP PGCET (Andhra Pradesh Post Graduate Common Entrance Test) is a state-level entrance exam. This exam serves as a crucial gateway for students seeking admission into various postgraduate courses across various universities and affiliated colleges in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The AP PGCET exam is generally conducted annually by a designated state authority. The aim of this competitive examination is to assess candidates’ knowledge and aptitude in their chosen fields. Candidates appearing for AP PGCET is to determine their eligibility for programs such as M.E., M.Sc., M. Com, M.A., and other postgraduate degrees. With its structured evaluation process and wide recognition, AP PGCET plays a pivotal role in shaping the academic and professional futures of aspiring graduates in the region.

The AP PGCET exam is conducted by the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE). It aims to assess a candidate’s subject knowledge, understanding of core concepts, and analytical skills in their respective undergraduate disciplines. This exam conducts two concepts – General and Core Specific to test the knowledge of the candidates. The general section contains basic engineering & science based Mathematical questions while the core specific contains questions related to the core subjects a candidate aspires to pursue. There is a total of 120 MCQ based questions within the time duration of 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

AP PGCET 2026 Exams Highlights

AP PGCET 2026 – Online Registration:

AP PGCET is conducted by Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE). This exam is for those aspirants who are seeking admission to the following programs listed below.

• 2-year full-time PG program at various colleges and universities accepting AP PGCET
• Candidates can pursue 2-year full time PG programs under Arts & Humanities, Science & Technology, Commerce, and other disciplines.

AP PGCET 2026 Notification:

AP PGCET 2026 notification will be available in March 2026 following with the online application submissions starting in the 3rd week of March 2026. The last date for the submission of online applications is 3rd week April 2026 (without late fees). However, the AP PGCET 2026 will allow candidates to continue submitting the forms between April – May 2026 (with late fees).  AP PGCET exam will be conducted between 1st to 2nd week of June 2026 although the official dates are yet to be released by the authorities.

AP PGCET 2026 Exam Dates

AP PGCET 2026 Important Dates:

AP PGCET 2026 Application Form:

1. The application process conducted by AP PGCET is done through online mode only.
2. Candidates are required to visit the official AP PGCET website to begin with the application process.
3. Candidates are required to fill in the application form with accurate details of information regarding personal and academic details.
4. Payment of the application fee must be done through online mode using various payment methods – Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or AP Online services.
5. The fee is non-refundable and varies by category. For General candidates the application fee is INR 1200, for BC candidates INR 900, for SC/ ST/ PH candidates INR 700.
6. Candidates are required to keep a print/Xerox of the application form for their future references.
7. Candidates are required to indicate their preferred test centers during the application process. The exam conducts for several days with two shifts each day. Hence, candidates are required to select the slot and centers based on their preference.

AP PGCET 2026 Application Process:

Requirements:

1. Candidates must have a valid email id and phone number for ease of communication.
2. Candidates will be required to provide their personal and academic details.
3. Candidates need to upload their scanned images of a recent passport-size photograph and signature in JPEG/JPG format (size around 50 KB and signature size around 30 KB).

Steps to Apply for AP PGCET 2026:

Online Mode:

• Candidates are required to visit the official AP PGCET website to access the online application form.
• Candidates should review the eligibility criteria before starting the application process.
• Candidates need to register by providing their personal details.
• Candidates can pay the application fee online using Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or AP Online services.
• After successful payment, candidates need to proceed to fill in the application form with personal, academic, and contact details.
• Candidates need to upload scanned images of their passport-size photograph (in JPEG format, less than 50 KB) and signature (in JPEG format, less than 30 KB).
• Select your preferred test centers (up to five choices).
• Candidates need to carefully review all the details entered and make corrections if necessary before final submission.
• Submit the application form and take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.
• Note that the application form must be submitted online as no offline submissions are accepted.
• A correction window will be available for rectifying any errors in the submitted application within the specified period.

AP PGCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria:

• Year Post Graduate Program (M. Tech/ M.E./ M. Pharmacy/ M. Arch, etc.):
• The candidate must be an Indian national and should also possess a domicile certificate from Andhra Pradesh.
• A candidate must possess a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the relevant field from an AICTE/ UGC-approved institution recognized by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
• Candidates must have secured a minimum aggregate of 50% marks in the qualifying examination (45% for reserved category candidates).
• Candidates appearing in the final year of their qualifying degree are also eligible to apply.
• Candidates with valid GATE or GPAT scores can also apply for relevant courses.
• The candidate should not be younger than 21 years however there is no upper age limit.
• Some universities and disciplines may have additional or specific eligibility criteria based on the course (e.g., relevant undergraduate degrees for M. Tech, M. Pharmacy, etc.).
• Candidates are also advised to check the detailed eligibility requirements for their specific program and university before applying.

AP PGCET 2026 Exam Pattern:

1. The exam will be conducted in an online computer – based mode.
2. The exam will consist of 120 questions carrying 1 mark each and will be MCQ (Multiple-Choice-Questions) based.
3. The difficulty level of exam will be moderate.
4. The exam will consist of two sections – general and core specific depending on the chosen discipline by the candidates.
5. The duration for the test will be of 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
6. There will be no negative marking for any incorrect answers and 1 mark will be given for each correct answer.
7. The syllabus and subjects vary according to the candidate’s chosen discipline (e.g., Engineering, Pharmacy, Architecture), focusing on relevant core topics.
8. The medium of language will be in English only.

AP PGCET 2026 Admit Card:

1. Candidates will be provided with admit cards for the AP PGCET 2026 exam during the 3rd or 4th week of May 2026.
2. Admit card is mandatory without which no candidate will be allowed to appear for the exam.
3. Candidates will be able to download their hall tickets/admit cards from the official website – cets.apsche.ap.gov.in by providing their registration number, date of birth, qualifying exam hall ticket number, and selected exam paper code.

AP PGCET 2026 Syllabus:

The AP PGCET 2026 syllabus has been designed to assess a candidate’s ability to grasp the fundamental concepts and problem-solving skills in their chosen field of study. The syllabus is further divided into two main sections.

General Section (Common for All Disciplines):

Core Subject Sections (Course-Specific):

The core section tests a candidate’s in-depth knowledge which are related to the chosen postgraduate program. Following is the list of some of the subjects that are to be chosen by the candidates.

Other Disciplines:

The syllabus for other streams such as Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, and various Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences subjects is also available and tailored to each discipline’s requirements.

Scholarship Details:

There is no specific scholarship scheme available which is directly linked to the AP PGCET 2026 exam. However, candidates can still acquire scholarship after securing admission to postgraduate programs through AP PGCET or with valid GATE/GPAT scores. These scores are valid in AICTE – approved institutions which are eligible for the AICTE Post Graduate (PG) Scholarship.

Following is the list of some of the details of the AICTE PG Scholarship for students:

• Eligibility:Only full-time students admitted to AICTE-approved postgraduate programs with valid GATE/GPAT scores are eligible.
• Duration:The scholarship is tenable for 24 months (2 years) or for the duration of the course, whichever is lower.
• Application:The process is announced via advertisements and on the AICTE website. Students must stay updated to follow the procedures and guidelines published by AICTE in their official website.
• Conditions:The scholarship may be discontinued for any misconduct, and the amount/rules are subject to change as per government notifications.
• Candidates admitted solely on the basis of AP PGCET scores (without GATE/GPAT qualification) are generally not eligible for the AICTE PG Scholarship.

State-level or institutional scholarships might be available, and candidates are advised to check with their respective universities and colleges for details on any additional financial aid or fee waivers.

AP PGCET 2026 Results:

AP PGCET 2026 results will be announced by the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) in the 4th week of June 2026, i.e. shortly after the AP PGCET 2026 exam is conducted in the 1st to 2nd week of June 2026.

Candidates will be provided with preliminary answer keys in the 2nd week of June 2026. Candidates will then be able to challenge those answer keys if they have any objections although the portal will be available to them for a short period of time. By the 3rd week of June 2026, the final answer keys will be released by the official authorities.

The results and cut-off marks will be released online. The cut-off in general varies by respective institute and course, and only candidates meeting or exceeding the cut-offs are eligible for the next stage i.e. counselling.

AP PGCET 2026 Selection Process:

• Candidates need to appear for the AP PGCET 2026 entrance exam. The candidates having a valid GATE or GPAT score can also apply for relevant courses and will be considered separately during admissions.
• Counselling will be conducted in multiple phases, which might begin in the month of July or August 2026.
• Separate counselling sessions will be held for AP PGCET-qualified and GATE/GPAT-qualified candidates.
• Candidates must register for counselling and pay the counselling fee (INR 1,000 for general, INR 500 for SC/ST), to participate in the web-based option entry process. Candidates will be provided with a list based on their preferred courses and colleges.
• Candidates must attend the document verification process and should bring all required documents.
• After seat allotment, candidates must report to the allotted institute to complete admission formalities and confirm their seat.

AP PGCET 2026 Instructions:

1. Candidates should upload their photograph and signature with the preferred size in the portal which should be clearly visible.
2. Candidates need to carry their admit card/hall ticket to the exam centre. Candidates will be prohibited from entering the exam hall without this document.
3. Candidates will also be required to carry a valid ID proof such as – Voter ID Card/ Aadhaar Card/ PAN Card/ Driving License, etc.
4. It is advisable for all candidates to enter the designated exam hall before time for a smooth security process before the beginning of exam.
5. Any candidate violating the rules will be strictly dealt as per the norms of the exam centre.
6. Any candidate pursuing any unfair means in the exam hall will be dealt with as per the rules and regulations of the test centre.