UPCET 2026: UPTAC Counselling Registration Open, Eligibility, JEE Main Cutoff and Dates

UPCET 2026 (Uttar Pradesh Combined Entrance Test) is the gateway for admission to B.Tech, B.Pharm, B.Arch, MCA, MBA and other professional courses in colleges affiliated to Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), Lucknow. The UPCET exam, earlier known as UPSEE, has been discontinued since 2021. For 2026, B.Tech admissions in Uttar Pradesh are now based on JEE Main scores, and the counselling is handled through UPTAC (Uttar Pradesh Technical Admission Counselling). The biggest current update is that UPTAC 2026 counselling registration is now live, and you can apply on the official portal till 15 June 2026.

Latest Update: UPTAC 2026 Round 1 registration, fee payment and document upload are open from 25 May to 15 June 2026 on uptac.samarth.edu.in. Choice filling starts on 22 June 2026.

• UPTAC Counselling Registration: Registration is open now and will close on 15 June 2026. You need a valid JEE Main 2026 rank to register, and the fee is INR 1,000 for all categories.
• Choice Filling: Online choice filling and locking for Round 1 will run from 22 to 25 June 2026. UPTAC allows unlimited college-branch choices, so fill as many as you can.
• Round 1 Seat Allotment: The first seat allotment result is expected on 27 June 2026. Last year too, the first allotment came within a week of choice locking.
• B.Tech Seats: More than 87,000 B.Tech seats are on offer across 800+ AKTU-affiliated colleges through UPTAC 2026, making it one of the largest state engineering admission processes in India.

What is UPCET 2026?

UPCET 2026 stands for Uttar Pradesh Combined Entrance Test. It is the common admission route for engineering, pharmacy, architecture, management and computer application courses in Uttar Pradesh. Earlier, it was a state-level entrance exam known as UPSEE (Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Examination) and was conducted by AKTU, and later by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in 2021.

One important thing you should know is that the UPCET written exam has been scrapped. AKTU stopped conducting its own engineering entrance test after 2021. From 2022 onwards, B.Tech admissions in AKTU-affiliated colleges are done on the basis of JEE Main scores. So for UPCET 2026, there is no separate written exam for B.Tech. You only need a valid JEE Main 2026 rank.

The admission process is managed through UPTAC, which stands for Uttar Pradesh Technical Admission Counselling. AKTU conducts UPTAC counselling every year. More than 800 colleges take part, and over 87,000 B.Tech seats are filled through this process. This makes UPCET one of the biggest state-level technical admission systems in the country.

For courses other than B.Tech, AKTU uses other national exams. B.Pharm admissions use Class 12 marks and merit, MCA and MBA admissions use CUET PG or NIMCET scores, and B.Arch admissions use NATA or JEE Main Paper 2 scores. So UPCET 2026 is best understood as an admission and counselling process, not a single written test.

UPCET 2026 Highlights

Here is a quick summary of the most important UPCET 2026 details. This table gives you the conducting body, qualifying exam, counselling name and mode at a glance.

UPCET 2026 Important Dates

The UPCET 2026 admission timeline is driven by the UPTAC counselling schedule. AKTU has released the tentative schedule for B.Tech admissions. The registration window is open right now, so you should not wait till the last day.

The table below lists the key UPTAC 2026 dates. Upcoming events are listed first, followed by events that are already over.

UPTAC registration will not be allowed in later rounds. If you miss the 15 June 2026 deadline, you cannot join the B.Tech counselling in Round 2, 3 or 4.

Source: uptac.samarth.edu.in

UPCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before you register for UPTAC 2026, you should check the UPCET eligibility criteria carefully. The rules are different for each course. For B.Tech, the main requirement is a valid JEE Main 2026 score along with the right subjects in Class 12.

Here are the basic UPCET 2026 eligibility points for B.Tech admission:

• Qualifying Exam: You must have passed 10+2 from a recognised board like UP Board, CBSE or ICSE.
• Subjects: You should have Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, along with Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology or a technical vocational subject.
• Minimum Marks: You need at least 45% marks in the required subjects. For SC and ST candidates, the limit is 40%.
• Entrance Exam: A valid JEE Main 2026 rank is needed for B.Tech admission through UPTAC.
• Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for B.Tech admission through UPTAC 2026.
• Domicile: Both UP and non-UP candidates can apply, but seat reservation benefits are mainly for UP domicile candidates.

For other courses, the eligibility changes. B.Pharm needs Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Mathematics in Class 12. MCA needs a Bachelor’s degree with Mathematics. MBA needs a Bachelor’s degree in any stream. You should always read the official UPTAC information brochure for the exact rules of your course.

UPCET 2026 Registration and Application Process

The UPCET 2026 registration is done through the UPTAC portal. The process is simple if you keep your documents and JEE Main details ready. You should complete the registration well before the 15 June 2026 deadline.

Follow these steps to register for UPTAC 2026:

• Step 1: Go to the official website uptac.samarth.edu.in and click on the new registration link.
• Step 2: Enter your JEE Main 2026 application number, roll number and other basic details.
• Step 3: Create your login by setting a password and adding your mobile number and email.
• Step 4: Fill the application form with your personal, academic and category details.
• Step 5: Upload your photo, signature and required documents in the correct format.
• Step 6: Pay the registration fee of INR 1,000 through online mode.
• Step 7: Submit the form and download a copy for your records.

You should fill the form carefully because wrong details can lead to document rejection. Once your documents are verified, you become eligible for choice filling in Round 1.

UPCET 2026 Syllabus

As the UPCET 2026 admission depends on JEE Main, the syllabus you need to prepare is the JEE Main syllabus. It is based on the NCERT Class 11 and Class 12 books for Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

The main topics for each subject are listed below:

• Physics: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Optics, Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, Modern Physics and Waves.
• Chemistry: Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Chemical Bonding, Equilibrium and Coordination Compounds.
• Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus, Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry, Vectors, Probability and Statistics.

You should give equal time to all three subjects. Most of the questions follow the NCERT pattern, so a strong base in NCERT helps a lot. Solving previous year JEE Main papers is the best way to understand the level of questions.

UPTAC 2026 Seat Allotment and Rounds

The UPTAC 2026 seat allotment is based on your JEE Main rank, your locked choices and the seats available in each college. The whole process runs across five rounds and two special rounds, so you get many chances to get a good seat.

Here is the round-wise UPTAC 2026 schedule. Upcoming rounds are shown first.

After each allotment, you can choose to freeze, float or withdraw. If you freeze, you accept the seat. If you float, you keep the seat but try for a better one in the next round. After Round 4, AKTU conducts an internal sliding round for candidates who have reported physically. Special rounds are held later to fill any vacant seats.

Documents Required for UPTAC 2026

You must keep your documents ready before you register for UPTAC 2026. The document verification is done online, so all files must be clear and valid. Any wrong or unclear file can lead to rejection.

Here is the list of documents you need for UPTAC 2026 counselling:

• JEE Main 2026 Admit Card and Scorecard: Needed to prove your rank and eligibility.
• Class 10 Marksheet and Certificate: Used for date of birth proof.
• Class 12 Marksheet and Certificate: Used for academic eligibility.
• Domicile Certificate: Required for UP state quota benefits.
• Category Certificate: For SC, ST, OBC or EWS candidates.
• Income Certificate: Needed for fee benefits and EWS claims.
• Photo ID Proof: Aadhaar card, voter ID or passport.
• Passport Size Photo and Signature: In the correct size and format.

You should carry the original documents along with photocopies at the time of physical reporting. The college will check your originals before confirming your admission.

UPCET 2026 Counselling Fees

The UPCET 2026 counselling has two main fees. The first is the registration fee, which you pay while signing up. The second is the seat confirmation fee, which you pay only after a seat is allotted to you.

The fee details for UPTAC 2026 are given below:

The registration fee of INR 1,000 is non-refundable. You will not get it back even if you do not fill choices or do not get a seat. The seat confirmation fee is adjusted later against your college fee, and it is refundable if you withdraw in the allowed rounds.

Pay the seat confirmation fee within the given window after allotment. If you miss it, your allotted seat will be cancelled.

Top Colleges Accepting UPCET Score

More than 800 colleges accept admission through UPCET 2026 counselling. These include government colleges, constituent institutes of AKTU and many private engineering colleges. The best colleges fill up fast, so a good JEE Main rank helps you get a top branch.

Some of the top colleges that take part in UPTAC 2026 counselling are listed below:

HBTU Kanpur and MMMUT Gorakhpur are also top engineering institutes in Uttar Pradesh. But they conduct their own counselling and do not come under UPTAC. You should apply to them separately if you want a seat there.

UPCET 2026 Preparation Tips

Since UPCET 2026 admission depends on JEE Main, your preparation should focus on scoring well in JEE Main. A better JEE Main rank gives you a better college and branch in UPTAC counselling. Here are some simple tips that can help you.

• Stick to NCERT: Most JEE Main questions are based on NCERT. Read your Class 11 and 12 books fully before moving to other material.
• Solve Previous Papers: Practising past JEE Main papers helps you understand the question pattern and manage time.
• Take Mock Tests: Give regular mock tests to build speed and accuracy. Review your mistakes after each test.
• Make a Timetable: Divide your day between Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Give extra time to your weak topics.
• Revise Regularly: Keep short notes for formulas and key points. Revise them often so you do not forget them.

For the counselling stage, you should also prepare your documents early and research the colleges. Fill as many choices as possible during choice filling. This increases your chance of getting a seat in your preferred college.