HPCET Complete Guide: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Colleges

Himachal Pradesh Common Entrance Test (HPCET 2026) is a state-level entrance exam conducted by Himachal Pradesh Technical University (HPTU), Hamirpur. It is held for admission into various undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by HPTU and its affiliated colleges.

The exam will be conducted offline (pen-and-paper mode) and is expected to take place in May 2026.

Courses Offered Through HPCET

HPCET provides admission to multiple programs, including:

• B.Tech (Engineering)
• B.Pharmacy
• BHMCT / B.Sc. (Hospitality & Hotel Management)
• MBA & MBA (Tourism & Hospitality Management)
• MCA
• M.Sc. (Physics & Environmental Sciences)

HPCET Important Dates

Check the HPCET registration dates available in table below:

Event	Date / Time
Start of Online Application Form	Mid-March
Last Date to Apply	Second Week of April
B.Tech / B.Pharmacy Entrance Exam	First Week of May
B.Sc. (HM & CT) / BHMCT / M.Sc. Environment Sciences Exam	First Week of May
M.Sc. Physics Exam	First Week of May
MBA / MBA (T&HM) / MCA Exam	May
Result Declaration	Last Week of May

HPTU organizes HPCET-2026 as a state-level entrance exam for admissions to programs including B.Tech, B.Pharmacy, MCA, MBA, MBA (T&HM), B.Sc. (HM & CT)/BHMCT, M.Sc. Physics, and M.Sc. Environment Sciences offered by HPTU, its affiliated colleges, deemed universities, or other state-established universities.
The exam notification has been released, with the application form already out and exam dates announced (tentatively around May 10, 2026).

HPCET Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the HPCET Eligible Criteria in table below: 

Course	Recruitment
B.Tech	Passed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Mathematics plus subjects like Chemistry/Computer Science/Biology; min. 45% marks (40% for reserved categories).
B.Pharmacy	Passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry plus Mathematics/Biology; min. 45% marks (40% reserved).
MCA	BCA/B.Sc./B.Com./B.A. with Mathematics at 10+2 or graduation level; min. 50% marks (45% reserved).
MBA/MBA (T&HM)	Bachelor’s degree (min. 3 years) with 50% marks (45% reserved).

HPCET Eligibility FAQs

Appearing candidates are eligible, admissions may also consider JEE Main/ GATE scores alongside HPCET.

Event	Date / Time
HPCET	BE/BTech
Exam Conducting Body	HPTU
Start date of filling-in online Application Form for HPCET for B. Tech (Direct Entry), B. Pharmacy (Direct Entry), MCA, MBA, MBA (T&HM), B.Sc. (HM & CT)/BHMCT, M.Sc. Physics and M.Sc. Environment Sciences courses	Mid March
Closing date of filling-in online form of above courses	Second week of April
Date and time of Entrance Examination for B. Tech. (Direct Entry), B. Pharmacy (Direct Entry) courses	First week of May Timing
Date and time of Entrance Examination for M.Sc. Physics course	Generally same day Timing
Date and time of Entrance Examination for MBA, MBA (T&HM), MCA courses	May
Date and time of Entrance Examination for B.Sc. (HM & CT)/BHMCT, M.Sc. Environment Sciences course	First Week of May one day before BTech exam
Tentative date of declaration of HPCET 2026 result	Last Week of May
conduct of HPCET-2026: It will be conducted	Offline
Language of the question papers	English

HPCET Application fee

S.No.	Course	SC/ST/BPL Fee (₹)	Others Fee (₹)	Remarks
1	B.Tech	800	1,600	Fee once paid shall not be refunded
2	B.Pharmacy (Allopath)	800	1,600
3	B.Tech & B.Pharmacy (both)	1,600	3,200
4	B.Sc.(HM & CT) / BHMCT	800	1,600
5	MCA	800	1,600
6	MBA	800	1,600
7	MBA(T&HM)	800	1,600
8	MBA & MBA(T&HM) (both)	1,600	3,200
9	MCA & MBA(T&HM) (both)	1,600	3,200
10	MBA & MCA (both)	1,600	3,200
11	MBA, MBA(T&HM) & MCA (all)	2,400	4,800
12	M.Sc. Physics	800	1,600
13	M.Sc. Environmental Sciences	800	1,600

Overview of HPCET Exam Pattern

The exam is offline (pen-and-paper), MCQ-based (Multiple Choice Questions), with a total of 150 questions to attempt, carrying 600 marks. Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes (195 minutes). Each correct answer awards 4 marks (no negative marking specified).

Detailed Subject-Wise Structure

Here’s the formatted version of the provided table for clarity:

Subject	Section	Number of Questions	Total Questions to be Attempted	Marks (per question × total attempted)	Total Marks	Type of Questions	Duration
Physics	Section A	20	All 20	4×20 = 80	80	MCQs	3 Hours &
	Section B	40	30	4×30 = 120	120		15 Minutes
Chemistry	Section A	20	All 20	4×20 = 80	80	MCQs
	Section B	40	30	4×30 = 120	120
Mathematics OR Biology	Section A	20	All 20	4×20 = 80	80	MCQs
	Section B	40	30	4×30 = 120	120
Total	–	–	150	–	600	–	–

1. Physics/Chemistry: Compulsory 20 questions (Section A) + attempt any 30 from 40 (Section B).
2. Mathematics/Biology: Choose one; same structure as above (candidates select based on course eligibility, e.g., Mathematics for B.Tech/B.Pharmacy, Biology option where applicable).

Duration Of HPCET  

The total exam duration is 3 hours and 15 minutes (195 minutes), covering physics, chemistry, and mathematics or Biology.

HPCET Question Attempt Rules

1. Section A (MCQs): All 20 Questions per subject are compulsory.
2. Section B (MCQs): Attempt any 30 out of 40 questions per subject. If more than 30 are attempted, only the first 30 will be evaluated.

HPCET Marking Scheme

Marking Scheme (with negative marking): Each question is MCQ Based (chose one correct/most appropriate option). Scoring post – challenge verification:

Scenario	Marks Awarded
Correct Answer	4
Incorrect Option	1
Unanswered /unmarked	0
Multiple correct options	4 Particle
All option correct 4 to all who attempted	4 all attempters
No correct option/ question dropped/wrong +4 to all who appeared (attempted)	4 all candidates

Negative Marking applies to both sections. Use question provided constants for calculations.

NEET UG Marks FAQs

HPCET Eligibility: Educational Qualification & Minimum Marks

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have passed 10+2 examination (or equivalent) from a recognized board with the following:

• Compulsory subjects: Physics and Mathematics.
• Additional subjects (one required): Chemistry/ Computer Science / Electronics / Information Technology / Biology / Informatics Practices / Biotechnology / Technical Vocational subject / Agriculture / Engineering Graphics / Business Studies / Entrepreneurship (as per Appendix-F).

Note: Agriculture stream specifically for agriculture engineering.

OR

Passed D.Voc. Stream (Diploma in Vocational) in the same or allied sector.

HPCET Minimum Marks Requirement

At least 45% marks in the above subjects taken together.

Relaxed to 40% for candidates belonging to reserved categories (eg. SC/ST/OBC as per state norms).

Appearing candidates (final 10+2 in 2026) are eligible provisionally, subject to proof at admission.

HPCET Participating Institutions and Sanctioned Intake

Check the HPCET Participating Institutions and sanctioned intake in BTech and Barch Colleges & Seats available in below:

HPCET BTech and B.Arch Colleges and Seats

Check the HPCET and B.Arch. Colleges and Seats in table below:

SN	Name of Institution	Name of Course	Sanctioned Intake
1	School of Engineering & Technology, HPTU, Hamirpur	Computer Science Engineering	60
2	Atal Bihari Vajpayee Govt. Institute of Engg. & Tech., Pragati Nagar, Shimla	Computer Science Engg.  Electronics & Communication Engg. Electrical Engg. Civil Engg.	48 each
3	Jawaharlal Nehru Govt. Engineering College, Sundernagar, Mandi (NBA Accredited)	Civil Engg. Computer Science Engg. (AI & ML)Electronics & Communication Engg. Mechanical Engg. Textile Engg.	60 each
4	Rajiv Gandhi Govt. Engineering College, Nagrota Bagwan, Kangra	Civil Engg. Electrical Engg. Electronics & Communication Engg. Mechanical Engg. Computer Science Engg. (AI & DS)B. Architecture	60 each (except B.Arch: 30)
5	Mahatma Gandhi Govt. Engineering College, Kotla (Jeori), Rampur, Shimla	Civil Engg. Mechanical Engg.	60 each
6	Govt. Hydro Engineering College, Bandla, Bilaspur	Civil Engg. Electrical Engg. Computer Science Engg. (AI & DS)	51+9* each
7	School of Computer Science Engg. & Tech., Govt. College Dharamshala, Kangra	Computer Science Engg.	60
8	Green Hills Engineering College, Solan	Civil Engg. Electrical Engg. Computer Science Engg. Mechanical Engg.	60 each
9	Himachal Institute of Engineering & Tech., Shahpur, Kangra	Civil Engg. Electrical & Electronics Engg. Computer Science Engg. Mechanical Engg.	60, 60, 30, 30
10	Himalayan Institute of Engineering & Tech., Kala Amb, Sirmour	Civil Engg. Electrical Engg. Computer Science Engg. Mechanical Engg. Computer Science Engg. (AI & ML)	30, 30, 120, 30, 60
11	K.C Group of Research & Professional Institutes, Pandoga, Una	Civil Engg. Electrical Engg. Computer Science Engg. Mechanical Engg.	60, 30, 60, 60
12	T.R. Abhilashi Memorial Institute of Engg. & Tech., Tanda, Mandi	Civil Engg.Electrical Engg. Computer Science Engg.	60, 30, 30
13	Vaishno College of Engineering, Thapkour, Kangra	Civil Engg. Electrical Engg. Computer Science Engg. Mechanical Engg.	30, 30, 60, 30
14	L.R. Engineering & Technology, Solan	Civil Engg. Electrical Engg. Computer Science Engg. Computer Science Engg. (AI & ML)	30 each

HPCET Working Professional Institutional Intake

SN	Name of Institution	Name of Course	Sanctioned Intake
1	Vaishno College of Engineering, Thapkour, Distt. Kangra (H.P.)	Civil Engg.	30
		Electrical Engg.	30
		Computer Science Engg.	30

HPCET Admit Card

The e-admit card will be out three or four days before the exam date

E-Admit Card Requirements

Document	Mandatory	Purpose
E-Admit Card	YES	Entry to exam hall + preservation required
Photo ID Proof	YES	Aadhaar Card / Voter ID / PAN / Passport / DL

HPCET Answer key

The HPTU will release the answer key on the same day or the next day, till 12 PM, for seeking challenges in the answer key.

The candidates gives the time to challenge the answer key if they are not satisfy.

Complaint Submission Guidelines

Aspect	Details
Eligible Complaints	Question paper issues + Answer key objections
Deadline	2 days from exam date, by 5:00 PM
Submission Methods	In-person OR Email (both accepted)
Address	Controller of Examinations H.P. Technical University Hamirpur (H.P.)-177001
Email IDs	coehimtu@gmail.com arconduct@gmail.com
Requirements	Supporting documents + proposed solution

HPCET Result

The HPCET result will be out within 12 days of the exam. The answer key is out the same day or the next day

HPCET Counselling

The HPCET second prospectus is released for admission and counselling. The candidates will register for counselling by reading all the necessary guidelines.

FAQs