• Updated on 6 Mar, 2026 by Ankita Banerjee
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AP PGECET Eligibility Criteria 2026 is determined by the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE). Candidates who want to apply for the exam must meet the required academic and residence conditions. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, or Pharmacy from a recognised university. General category candidates must have at least 50% marks in their qualifying degree, while SC and ST candidates must have a minimum of 45% marks. The exam is open only to Indian citizens who follow the local or non-local status rules of Andhra Pradesh. There is no upper age limit to apply for the exam, but some universities may have their own admission guidelines.
Candidates who have a valid score in GATE or GPAT do not need to appear for the entrance exam and are given preference during counselling. Applicants must also make sure that the exam paper they choose matches their academic background before filling out the form. The AP PGECET 2026 Exam Dates are from April 28 to April 30, 2026.
AP PGECET Eligibility Criteria 2026: General
To apply for AP PGECET 2026, students need to meet some general requirements that apply to all courses. These include basic rules around nationality, education, and age. No matter which subject they pick, the same foundational criteria have to be met before moving on to course-specific eligibility. Tabulated below are the general eligibility criteria for AP PGECET 2026:
Note: As per the Government of India norms, 85% of the seats are reserved for local candidates, while the remaining 15% of the seats are kept unreserved.
AP PGECET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Course-Specific
The eligibility requirements for AP PGECET 2026 vary depending on the subject paper a candidate chooses. Each test paper has a specific qualifying degree requirement. Applicants have to verify the eligibility criteria for their selected paper before applying. Check out the course-specific eligibility criteria for AP PGECET 2026 Exam:
Read: AP PGECET 2026 Application Process
AP PGECET Eligibility Criteria 2026: GATE/GPAT
GATE and GPAT qualified students can apply for AP PGECET 2026 counselling without appearing for the entrance test. These candidates are given first preference during admission, provided they meet the academic and category-specific eligibility conditions.
AP PGECET Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs
Who is eligible to apply for AP PGECET 2026?
Any Indian citizen with a valid bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, or Pharmacy can apply. They also have to meet the local/non-local status rules of Andhra Pradesh.
Is there any age limit to appear for AP PGECET 2026?
No, there is no upper age limit. However, universities can apply their own age restrictions at the time of admission.
Can students with distance education degrees apply for AP PGECET 2026?
Yes, if the candidates' course is approved by UGC or AICTE and offered by a recognised university, they are eligible to apply for AP PGECET 2026.
What is the minimum percentage required in the qualifying degree?
Candidates need at least 50% marks to appear for AP PGECET 2026 exam. However, for SC/ST candidates, the minimum mark requirement is 45%.
Do GATE or GPAT-qualified candidates have to appear for the AP PGECET 2026 exam?
No, candidates who qualified for the GATE or GPAT exam are exempted from the exam and can directly participate in the counselling process.
Can B.Pharm graduates apply for AP PGECET 2026?
Yes, B.Pharm graduates with the required marks are eligible to apply for AP PGECET 2026. They can apply for the Pharmacy paper or use their GPAT score.
Are diploma holders eligible to apply for AP PGECET 2026?
Candidates who have a diploma in a degree course cannot directly apply for AP PGECET 2026. However, AMIE holders with a diploma and a relevant field background are considered eligible for select papers.
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