Himachal Pradesh Technical University has officially announced the schedule for the HP Common Entrance Test (HPCET 2026). The university’s entrance exam is set for May 10, 2026 . HPCET 2026 governs the admission process for various undergraduate and postgraduate programs for the upcoming 2026-27 academic session.
This examination serves as the primary mechanism for direct entry to key programs. These include Bachelor of Technology (BTech) and Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharma) at the undergraduate level. For postgraduate studies, HPCET 2026 covers Master of Computer Applications (MCA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and MBA in Tourism and Hotel Management (MBA T&HM).
Undergraduate Exam Details
The HPCET 2026 for undergraduate programs, specifically BTech and BPharma, will take place on a single designated day. The examination date is confirmed as May 10, 2026 . This particular test will be held in a single shift, accommodating all undergraduate candidates. The morning session is scheduled to run from 9:00 AM to 12:15 PM . Candidates must be prepared for a traditional pen-and-paper mode examination.
Further instructions regarding exam day protocols, permitted items, and reporting times will be detailed in the official admit cards. These will be made available on the university’s website closer to the examination date.
Postgraduate Exam Schedule
Entrance tests for postgraduate programs are also slated for the same date, May 10, 2026 . Candidates seeking admission to the Master of Computer Applications (MCA) program will sit their exam in the afternoon. Similarly, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) entrance test is scheduled for this period. The exam for the specialized MBA in Tourism and Hotel Management (MBA T&HM) will also occur concurrently. These postgraduate examinations are set to commence at 2:00 PM and conclude at 4:00 PM . Like the undergraduate tests, all postgraduate entrance tests will be conducted using a pen-and-paper format.
Registration Process
Himachal Pradesh Technical University has yet to release the official start date for the HPCET 2026 registration process. Prospective students are advised to regularly check the university’s official website for timely announcements. All applications for HPCET 2026 must be submitted online. The designated official portal for these applications is himtu.ac.in .
Candidates must carefully review all published eligibility criteria before initiating their application. Fulfilling these requirements is mandatory for consideration. Early application submission is recommended once the registration window opens. This helps avoid potential last-minute technical issues or delays.
HPCET 2026 Exam Structure and Marking
The HPCET 2026 question paper is structured to comprehensively evaluate applicants. The examination will consist of a total of 150 questions . These questions will cover relevant subjects pertinent to the chosen program. The entire examination is worth a maximum of 600 marks . Each correct answer will contribute to the overall score. Specific marking schemes for correct and incorrect answers will be detailed upon official notification.
Candidates are required to secure a predetermined minimum passing mark. This threshold score is crucial for eligibility to proceed further in the admission process. Failure to achieve the minimum passing marks will result in disqualification for admission through HPCET 2026.
Admission Criteria and Merit Lists
Admission to all programs offered by Himachal Pradesh Technical University and its affiliated institutions will operate on a strict merit basis. Student allocations to various colleges will be determined solely by the marks obtained in the HPCET 2026 examination. The university will generate and publicly display a detailed merit list. This list will rank all candidates who successfully qualify in the HPCET 2026.
Additionally, a separate and distinct merit list will be prepared for candidates who opt for admission based on their JEE Main scores. This dual approach provides multiple avenues for engineering and other technical program aspirants. Candidates listed on either the HPCET 2026 or the JEE Main merit list will then be invited to the next stage: counselling.
The counselling process is mandatory for seat allocation. During counselling, candidates will select their preferred courses and institutions based on their merit rank. The final admission process will follow the completion of these counselling rounds. This structured approach ensures a transparent and equitable admission for the 2026-27 academic session.