GCET (Goa Common Entrance Test)

Content Writer Papri Dutta
Updated On Date: Dec 17, 2025

GCET 2026

The GCET 2026 (Goa Common Entrance Test) will be conducted by the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Goa, for admission into professional undergraduate degree programs offered by colleges in the state. GCET is primarily held for admission into B.E. (Engineering), B.Pharm, B.Arch, and other allied courses. The official notification for GCET 2026 is expected to be released in March 2026, with the exam likely scheduled for May 2026.

GCET is a state-level entrance examination conducted in offline mode, with separate papers for Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology, depending on the course applied for. Engineering aspirants must appear for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, while Pharmacy and allied science candidates may be required to take Biology. The questions are based on the Class 12 syllabus, and the exam is designed to assess subject clarity and problem-solving ability.

Admissions based on GCET 2026 scores are carried out through a centralized counselling process organized by DTE Goa. The counselling includes online registration, document verification, choice filling, seat allotment, and reporting to the allotted institute. For certain programs such as MBBS and BDS, admissions are conducted through NEET-UG, while GCET scores are used for engineering and pharmacy programs.

GCET serves as the primary admission route for students seeking technical and professional education within Goa. Further details related to eligibility requirements, paper-wise exam pattern, participating institutes, and counselling guidelines are discussed in the sections that follow.

GCET 2026 – Key Highlights:

All You Need to Know for GCET 2026

Basic Information on GCET

GCET 2026 – Exam Dates (Tentative)

GCET 2026 – Exam Highlights

GCET 2026 – Eligibility Criteria

GCET 2026 – Application Form

GCET 2026 – Exam Pattern

GCET 2026 – Syllabus

GCET 2026 – Admit Card

GCET 2026 – Result

GCET 2026 – Counselling

Basic Information on GCET:

The GCET (Goa Common Entrance Test) is a state-level entrance examination conducted by the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Goa, for admission into undergraduate professional programs such as B.E. (Engineering) and B.Pharm in colleges across the state. The exam is conducted in offline mode, with subject papers in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology, depending on the course applied for. Questions are based on the Class 12 syllabus, and candidates must qualify GCET to be considered for state quota seats. Admissions are finalized through a centralized counselling process organized by DTE Goa, where seats are allotted based on GCET scores, eligibility criteria, reservation policies, and choice preferences.

GCET 2026 Exam Dates (Tentative):

Following is the list of the GCET 2026 exam dates. Please note that these dates are only tentative as the authorities are yet to release the dates in their official website.

Event

Tentative Dates for 2026

Application Form Release

2nd week of May 2026

Last Date for Application

4th week of May 2026

Eligibility List Release

2nd week of June 2026

Provisional Merit List

Late June 2026

Final Merit List

Early July 2026

Counselling Registration Start

July 1, 2026 (slotted)

Counselling Completion

August 2026

GCET 2026 Exam Highlights:

Features

Details

Exam Name

Goa Common Entrance Test (GCET) 2026

Conducted by

Directorate of Technical Education, Goa

Exam Level

State-level

Exam Duration

2 hours per paper

Question Type

Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)

Total Questions

75 per paper (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology)

Sections

Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (for engineering); Biology option for pharmacy

Section-wise Questions

75 questions each for Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology

Marking Scheme

+1 mark per correct answer; no negative marking

Syllabus

Class 12 syllabus of Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology)

Language

English

Eligibility

Passed Class 12 with Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry/Biology; minimum 45% aggregate (40% for reserved categories)

GCET 2026 Cut Offs:

GCET 2026 cut offs will be released category-wise by each participating institute in Goa after the results declaration, determining eligibility for admissions to engineering, pharmacy, and other professional courses based on factors like the number of applicants, candidate performance, seat availability, and reservation policies. Qualifying marks typically require candidates to score at or above the minimum threshold in the 75-question MCQ papers for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology, with previous years showing general category cut offs around 50-60 marks out of 75 for top colleges like Goa College of Engineering, while reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC) often see lower thresholds of 35-50 marks. These cut offs vary by course and institute, released online via the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) Goa portal during the counselling process, urging candidates to aim for scores well above past trends for competitive branches like Computer Science.

Click Here For GCET 2026 Cut Offs

GCET 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.

GCET 2026 FAQs:

Q1. What is the structure of GCET 2026?

Ans. The exam comprises 75 MCQs each in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (or Biology), lasting 2 hours per paper, with +1 mark per correct answer and no negative marking. It follows the Goa Board Class 12 syllabus.

Q2. Which authority conducts GCET 2026?

Ans. The Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Goa, manages this state-level test for admissions to engineering, pharmacy, and architecture courses in Goa's colleges. Counselling occurs centralized post-results.

Q3. What eligibility is required for GCET 2026?

Ans. Candidates need to pass Class 12 with Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry/Biology, achieving 45% aggregate (40% for reserved categories). Goa domicile is preferred but not always mandatory.

Q4. How are GCET 2026 cut offs released?

Ans. Institute-wise cut offs are published after results on the DTE Goa portal, varying by category and course; general category often needs 50-60 marks out of 75 for top seats like at Goa College of Engineering.

Q5. What languages are used in GCET 2026?

Ans. The exam is conducted solely in English. Candidates should prepare accordingly for the objective-type questions across all sections.