• Updated on 7 Feb, 2026 by Ankita Banerjee
What's new?
TS Polycet Latest news and articles
TS POLYCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria are set by the exam conducting authorities. To apply for TS POLYCET 2026, students need to meet both academic and residential requirements. Candidates have to pass SSC (Class 10) or an equivalent exam from a recognised board, with at least 35% marks for general category students. However, there is no minimum mark requirement for SC/ST candidates. Mathematics is a compulsory subject, while Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are also considered for some diploma streams like Biomedical or Home Science.
TS POLYCET 2026 Exam is open only to Indian citizens who are residents of Telangana or Andhra Pradesh and satisfied the state’s local or non-local status rules. There is no upper age limit for most diploma courses, but specialised programs in Agriculture, Veterinary, Horticulture, and Fisheries require students to be between 15 and 22 years at the time of admission. Non-local candidates can apply, but are eligible only for unreserved seats during counselling. TS POLYCET 2026 Exam Date is May 13, 2026.
Table of Contents
TS POLYCET General Eligibility Criteria 2026
Students who apply for TS POLYCET 2026 need to fulfil certain eligibility criteria related to domicile, age, and educational qualifications. These rules ensure that only qualified candidates who meet the state’s requirements can participate in the admission process. Meeting these conditions is essential for securing a valid application and moving forward in the selection procedure.
TS POLYCET Age Limit Criteria 2026
For most SBTET diploma courses, no age limit applies. However, specialised programs in Agriculture, Veterinary, Horticulture, Fisheries, and similar fields often require candidates to be 15-22 years old at the time of admission. It was always advised to check the specific college’s guidelines, as age criteria can vary.
TS POLYCET Educational Qualification Criteria 2026
Students who apply for TS POLYCET 2026 need to meet basic educational requirements based on their SSC (Class 10) results. The exam tests a student’s understanding of Mathematics and Science, as these subjects are essential for diploma courses. To know the exact topics and question structure, candidates often refer to the TS POLYCET 2026 Syllabus, which outlines the subjects, mark distribution, and difficulty level. Here’s an overview of the required subjects, minimum marks, and accepted school boards:
TS POLYCET Eligibility for Reserved Categories 2026
Admissions through TS POLYCET 2026 are followed by the Telangana government reservation rules. Seats are allocated based on community categories (vertical reservation) and special groups like differently-abled or women (horizontal reservation), ensuring fair representation for all eligible candidates across various social and special categories during the admission process.
Check: TS POLYCET 2026 Application Process
TS POLYCET Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs
Is there any age limit for TS POLYCET 2026?
For most diploma courses, there is no maximum age limit. However, a few specialised streams, such as Agriculture, Veterinary, Fisheries, or Horticulture, has an age requirement of 15–22 years at the time of admission.
Can students appearing for the SSC in 2026 apply?
Yes. Students who are in their final year of SSC (Class 10) in 2026 can register. But they have to clear the exam before the admission or counselling process begins, otherwise their application will not be considered valid.
Which subjects are important for eligibility?
Mathematics is mandatory for all diploma courses. For certain streams like Biomedical, Agriculture, or Home Science, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are also taken into account during admission.
How many marks are needed in the SSC?
General category candidates need at least 35% marks in the SSC or an equivalent exam. SC and ST candidates do not have any minimum marks requirement and can still participate in counselling.
Are students from other states allowed to apply?
Yes, they can apply. But non-local candidates are considered only for unreserved (open) seats. Local applicants from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are given priority as per state government guidelines.
Does it matter which board a student studied under?
Yes. The SSC or equivalent qualification has to be from a recognised board like Telangana State Board, Andhra Pradesh State Board, CBSE, ICSE, or NIOS. Certificates from unapproved boards are not accepted.
Do any diploma courses require Biology?
Yes. Courses like Biomedical Engineering, Agriculture, Fisheries, Home Science, Animal Husbandry, and Horticulture usually prefer Biology as one of the SSC subjects because they focus more on life sciences.
Which diploma courses only require Mathematics?
Most engineering-related diplomas, such as Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Artificial Intelligence, Mining, and similar fields, only require Mathematics as a compulsory subject.
Is there any relaxation for SC/ST candidates?
Yes. SC/ST candidates are allowed to attend counselling and secure admission even if they have scored below 35% marks in the SSC, ensuring fair opportunities for all communities.
How does the reservation policy work in TS POLYCET?
Reservations are followed as per the Telangana government rules. 15% of seats were reserved for SC, 10% for ST, 29% for BC, and 10% for EWS. Apart from this, special quotas existed for women candidates, NCC cadets, sports achievers, differently-abled students, and children of armed forces personnel.
Can a candidate apply for TS POLYCET if they have completed a diploma earlier?
No, candidates who have already obtained a diploma or equivalent qualification are generally not eligible to apply for TS POLYCET, as it is meant for first-time diploma admissions.
Is there any relaxation in the eligibility criteria for differently-abled candidates?
Yes, differently-abled candidates receive certain relaxations in eligibility and admission procedures as per government norms to ensure inclusive education.
Exam Calendar
Explore exam calendars tailored to your interest