UPCET Exam 2026: Exam Dates, Eligibility, Application Form, Exam Pattern, Admit Card, Syllabus, Result, Counselling

Latest Updates

• The students who are shortlisted must submit their documents for verification before 3 July 2025.
• The registration for the second round of UPCET counselling will begin on 5 July 2025.
• The cutoff for all the round 1 ranks is now available on the official website.

Overview

The UPCET (Uttar Pradesh Combined Entrance Test) is a state-level exam that is extremely competitive. It is conducted by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) under the supervision & guidance of the National Testing Agency (NTA). This exam is conducted for the candidates to grab their chances to get admissions into premier UG & PG courses across Uttar Pradesh. It offers admission into B. Tech, B.Arch, B.Pharm/M.Pharm, MCA & MBA etc.

For the 2026 session, the UPCET application typically starts in February for engineering aspirants and in December 2025 for postgraduate aspirants. The UG exam would be conducted online between mid-May to last May 2026, whereas the PG exam would be conducted in March 2026. The test will be conducted online in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, with English and Hindi as the languages for UPCET 2026.

To appear for this examination, one should fulfil the eligibility criteria (minimum aggregate marks in 10+2 for UG programs and graduation for PG programs) from among the given combinations of papers. Upon clearing UPCET 2026, the candidate will gain admission to hundreds of government and private colleges within Uttar Pradesh, namely HBTU Kanpur, MMMUT, KIET Ghaziabad, Galgotias University, and so on.

Quick Highlights 

Below is a consolidated overview of the 2026 UPCET exam features.

What is UPCET 2026?

The Uttar Pradesh Common Entrance Test (UPCET) is a state-level examination conducted every year by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission into various undergraduate and postgraduate courses in engineering, pharmacy, management, computer applications, and other professional programs offered by AKTU, MMMUT, and other participating institutions in Uttar Pradesh. UPCET is conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) and comprises Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The exam tests candidates’ knowledge in their chosen subjects as per the syllabus and is considered one of the most important exams for admission into technical and professional courses across Uttar Pradesh.

UPCET Application/Registration Process 2026

Candidates who want to know how to apply for UPCET (Uttar Pradesh Common Entrance Test) read below to find out the whole application process through the official NTA UPCET portal. This process includes registration, submitting personal and academic information, uploading valid documents, paying the application fee, and finally submitting the application. If any of the steps in the application process are omitted, the application may be rejected.

Procedure to Apply for UPCET 2026

1. Registration: Register on the NTA UPCET portal by entering a legitimate email ID and contact number. 

2. Filling Application: Enter personal, academic, and communication details as required. 

3. Uploading Documents: Upload scanned copies of a passport-sized photograph, signature, and the applicable category/PwD certificate. 

4. Application Fee Payment: Pay the application fee through debit card/credit card/net banking/UPI. 

5. Submission: Take a last review of all the filled details and submit the final application form.

Application Fees 

The application fee for UPCET 2026 is different for the candidates based on their category of the applicants. This is given below in the table.

Admit Card for UPCET 2026

UPCET 2026 Admit Card will be released on the official portal after the application process in March 2026, after the final submission of the application form in December 2025. Candidates must carry a hard copy of the admit card on the date of the examination for successful entry into the exam hall.

The syllabus for UPCET 2026 would vary for each course a candidate is applying to. Generally, it will be questions from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Biology, along with subjects with respect to the level of a particular course. Core topics are taught at the 10+2 level. Candidates can check the detailed syllabus for the respective course on the official website once the notification is released.

UPCET Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates who are applying for UPCET 2026  must meet the following requirements.

UPCET Exam Pattern 2026

The UPCET 2026 exam pattern will consist of multiple papers depending on the course applied for. The exam will be online. It will be a Computer-Based Test (CBT) with a duration of 2-3 hours.

UPCET 2026 Preparation Tips

Any sort of preparation requires strategic planning, a strong conceptual base and regular revisions of your learning. Below are the tips that may help you in your UPCET 2026 preparation.

• Begin by understanding the syllabus thoroughly and solving the PYQs, which will help you understand the pattern of the UPCET exam.
• Stick to limited resources and focus on NCERTs and UG-level standard books.
• Join a test series to analyse your weak areas.
• Regularly revise in small intervals to have a command of your learning.

Exam Day Guidelines & Dress Code

• Print and carry the hard copy of the admit card with you while going for the exam.
• Reach the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the given time.
• Wear simple clothes and avoid wearing any hoodies or jackets.
• Avoid carrying any digital watches or devices.

Things to Avoid During the Exam

• Do not talk to other candidates or peek into anyone's answer sheet.
• Do not bring calculators unless instructed.
• Don't use gel pens in the OMR sheet.
• Do not attempt any question blindly.

UPCET Answer Key 2026

The UPCET 2026 answer key will be released a few days after the exam. Candidates can challenge the provisional answer key with valid proof and a processing fee.

How to check the UPCET 2026 Answer Key?

To check the UPCET 2026 results :

1. Go to the official website of UPCET (cuet.nta.nic.in).
2. Click on the ‘CUET 2026 Answer key’.
3. Enter your Application Number and Date of Birth in the required columns.
4. Download and match your answers.

Note: If you are unsatisfied with the answer key provided by NTA, you can challenge it with valid evidence and a processing fee.

UPCET Result 2026

The UPCET 2026 results will be declared tentatively in June 2026. After the examination in May 2026, candidates can download their scorecards from the official NTA UPCET portal.

How to Check the UPCET 2026 Results?

To check the UPCET 2026 results

1. Go to the official website: cuet.nta.nic.in.
2. Click on the ‘CUET 2026 Scorecard/Result’ link.
3. Enter your Application Number and Date of Birth in the required columns.
4. Submit it and download your scorecard.

UPCET Counselling 2026

The UPCET 2026 counselling will be conducted entirely online. Only candidates who qualify for the exam will be allowed to participate. Based on merit and seat availability, admission offers will be made.

What to do in UPCET Counselling?

1. Register on the NTA UPCET portal

2. Pay the counselling fee

3. Fill & lock choices

4. Check the seat allotment result

5. Accept the seat & pay the confirmation fee

6. Report for physical document verification

Colleges Accepting UPCET Score

UPCET 2026 scores will be accepted by a variety of engineering, management, and pharmacy colleges across Uttar Pradesh.

The UPCET 2026 is expected to follow a similar schedule to previous years. The official notification is tentatively to be released in February 2026, with the application process open until March 2026. Candidates must visit the UPCET official website regularly for up-to-date information and to avoid missing deadlines.

The following dates are key for UPCET 2026 participants.

The UPCET 2026 cutoff will depend on the exam difficulty level, the number of applicants, and seat availability. It will also vary based on the candidate's category.

Below are the UPCET 2025 cutoffs.

UPCET Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is there any age limit for UPCET 2026?

A1. No, there is no upper age restriction for the UPCET 2026. Anyone who has qualified 10 & 10+2 from a nationally certified college can attempt the examination within the UP domicile.

Q2. Can I apply for two courses under UPCET?

A2. Yes, any candidate can apply for 2 or more courses in UPCET 2026, but only if the exam schedules do not clash. Conducting authorities will not provide any assistance on this matter.

Q3. Are calculators allowed in the exam?

A3. No, only rough sheets will be provided to the candidates for calculating. There are no digital devices allowed inside the examination hall. If you are caught sneaking, your exam might be cancelled.

Q4. What is the validity of the UPCET score?

A4. The UPCET 2026 scores are valid only for one academic year; that is, if the exam results are out in June 2025, then the results will only be valid till June 2026.

Q5. What is the mode of UPCET 2026?

A5. The UPCET 2026 exam will be held on an online platform. It is a Computer-Based Test (CBT).