The AP PGCET 2026 reservation system follows the reservation rules prescribed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh and APSCHE for admissions to postgraduate programmes. Candidates seeking admission through AP PGCET counselling should understand the category-wise reservation percentages, local-area reservation, EWS seats, and special-category quotas before exercising their web options.
The reservation rules apply while preparing merit lists and making course- and college-wise seat allotments. Candidates claiming reservation must provide the required certificates and supporting documents during the counselling and admission process.
Contents
- 0.1 AP PGCET 2026 Reservation: Category-Wise Seat Matrix
- 0.2 AP PGCET Reservation Percentage Table
- 0.3 AP PGCET 2026 Seat Matrix: How Seats Are Allocated
- 0.4 AP PGCET Local Area Reservation
- 0.5 AP PGCET NCC and Sports Reservation
- 0.6 AP PGCET Reservation for Extra-Curricular Activities
- 0.7 AP PGCET CAP Reservation
- 0.8 AP PGCET PWD / Differently Abled Reservation
- 0.9 AP PGCET Women Reservation
- 0.10 AP PGCET Reservation: Important Points
- 0.11 Documents Required to Claim Reservation
- 0.12 AP PGCET Seat Allotment Process
- 1 AP PGCET Reservation FAQs
- 2 Conclusion
AP PGCET 2026 Reservation: Category-Wise Seat Matrix
As per the APPGCET 2026 Instruction Booklet, 10% of the sanctioned intake is reserved as supernumerary seats for EWS candidates. For the main community reservations, 15% seats are reserved for SC candidates, 6% for ST candidates and 29% for BC candidates. The BC reservation is further divided into BC-A, BC-B, BC-C, BC-D and BC-E categories.
AP PGCET Reservation Percentage Table
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| EWS | 10% supernumerary |
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 6% |
| BC-A | 7% |
| BC-B | 10% |
| BC-C | 1% |
| BC-D | 7% |
| BC-E | 4% |
| Total BC | 29% |
The SC reservation is further divided into three groups under the current AP reservation framework: SC Group-I – 1%, SC Group-II – 6.5%, and SC Group-III – 7.5%.
AP PGCET 2026 Seat Matrix: How Seats Are Allocated
The AP PGCET seat matrix indicates the number of seats available for each course, college, university, region and category. Candidates should note that the actual number of seats available under each category can vary depending on the sanctioned intake and course-wise seat matrix.
For example, if a course has a sanctioned intake of 100 seats, the applicable reservation percentages are used while preparing the category-wise allocation. However, EWS seats are supernumerary, meaning they are provided over and above the sanctioned intake according to the applicable rules.
The AP PGCET 2026 seat matrix should therefore not be interpreted simply by adding all reservation percentages together. Community reservations, EWS and special-category reservations operate according to their respective rules, including horizontal reservation provisions.
AP PGCET Local Area Reservation
Local-area reservation is another important factor in AP PGCET admissions. Under the applicable Andhra Pradesh admission rules, 85% of seats in each course are reserved for local candidates, while the remaining 15% seats are unreserved for eligible local and non-local candidates.
The local-area rules differ depending on the university and its geographical area. Therefore, candidates should carefully check their local status and the university/college region before selecting web options.
AP PGCET NCC and Sports Reservation
AP PGCET also provides reservation for certain special categories.
NCC: 1% of seats are reserved for candidates possessing the prescribed NCC certificates.
Games and Sports: 0.5% of seats are reserved for eligible candidates who have participated in specified sports and games under the applicable government rules.
If suitable candidates are not available under these special categories, the seats may be filled from the general pool based on merit, as specified in the admission rules.
AP PGCET Reservation for Extra-Curricular Activities
The AP PGCET rules also provide 1% reservation for extra-curricular activities. This includes activities such as elocution, debates, essay writing, dance, drama, music, painting, photography, and eligible Scouts and Guides achievements.
Selection under this category is made according to the prescribed order of preference and applicable government guidelines. If suitable candidates are not available, the seats may be filled from the general pool based on merit.
AP PGCET CAP Reservation
A 2% reservation is provided for Children of Ex-Servicemen and Children of Armed Personnel (CAP) under the applicable rules.
Candidates claiming CAP reservation must produce the required certificates and supporting documents. Preference is given according to the prescribed order, including eligible children of Armed Forces personnel killed or disabled in action and other specified categories.
AP PGCET PWD / Differently Abled Reservation
The AP PGCET rules provide 5% horizontal reservation for Persons with Disabilities / Physically Challenged candidates in the first year of PG programmes, covering eligible categories such as visually impaired, hearing impaired and orthopedically challenged candidates.
Candidates claiming PWD reservation must submit the required disability certificate issued by the competent authority. The reservation is applied horizontally across the applicable community categories.
AP PGCET Women Reservation
The AP PGCET admission rules provide for a minimum of 33â…“% reservation for women candidates, wherever applicable. This reservation applies within the respective categories, including OC, SC, ST, BC, PH, CAP, Sports and Extra-Curricular Activities.
If women candidates selected purely on merit already constitute 33â…“% or more of the seats in a category, the additional reservation rule does not apply. If suitable women candidates are unavailable, the seats may be filled by eligible male candidates from the same category.
AP PGCET Reservation: Important Points
Candidates should keep the following points in mind while participating in counselling:
- EWS reservation is 10% of sanctioned intake as supernumerary seats.
- SC reservation is 15%.
- ST reservation is 6%.
- BC reservation is 29%, divided into BC-A, BC-B, BC-C, BC-D and BC-E.
- NCC reservation is 1%.
- Sports reservation is 0.5%.
- Extra-Curricular reservation is 1%.
- CAP reservation is 2%.
- PWD reservation is 5% horizontal reservation under the AP PGCET rules.
- Women reservation is a minimum of 33â…“% wherever applicable.
- 85% of seats are reserved for local candidates, with 15% remaining unreserved, subject to the applicable local-area rules.
- Candidates must produce valid certificates to claim reserved seats.
- Candidates securing admission on merit under SC/ST/BC categories are considered against the general category seats, rather than consuming a reserved-category seat.
Documents Required to Claim Reservation
Candidates should keep the following documents ready during AP PGCET counselling and admission:
- AP PGCET 2026 Rank Card
- AP PGCET 2026 Hall Ticket
- Qualifying Degree Certificate
- Degree Marks Memos
- Intermediate Marks Memo
- SSC or equivalent certificate
- Study Certificates
- Caste/Community Certificate for SC/ST/BC candidates
- EWS Certificate, wherever applicable
- Income Certificate, wherever required
- Local/Nativity Certificate
- PWD/Disability Certificate, if applicable
- NCC Certificate, if claiming NCC quota
- Sports Merit Certificate, if claiming Sports quota
- CAP Certificate, if claiming CAP reservation
- Other certificates required under the applicable special category
Candidates should ensure that the certificates are valid and issued by the competent authority. The AP PGCET rules specifically require community, nativity and date-of-birth documentation for candidates claiming SC, ST and BC reservations.
AP PGCET Seat Allotment Process
The AP PGCET seat allotment is carried out through the web-based counselling process. Candidates first complete registration and certificate verification and then enter their preferred courses, universities and colleges through web options.
During allotment, the candidate’s AP PGCET rank, category, local status, reservation eligibility, web-option preferences and available seats are considered. The allotment is made according to merit while following the applicable reservation rules.
Candidates should therefore enter a sufficient number of course and college options and arrange them carefully according to their preference. A candidate should also verify whether the selected institution and course have seats available under the relevant category.
AP PGCET Reservation FAQs
1. What is the EWS reservation in AP PGCET 2026?
10% of the sanctioned intake is reserved as supernumerary seats for EWS candidates, subject to the applicable government rules.
2. What is the SC reservation in AP PGCET?
15% of seats in each course are reserved for SC candidates. The SC reservation is divided into Group-I 1%, Group-II 6.5% and Group-III 7.5%.
3. What is the ST reservation?
6% of seats in each course are reserved for candidates belonging to the ST category.
4. What is the total BC reservation in AP PGCET?
The total BC reservation is 29%, divided as BC-A 7%, BC-B 10%, BC-C 1%, BC-D 7% and BC-E 4%.
5. How much reservation is available for NCC candidates?
1% of seats are reserved for eligible candidates with the prescribed NCC certificates.
6. Is there a Sports quota in AP PGCET?
Yes. 0.5% of seats are reserved for eligible candidates under the Games and Sports category.
7. What is the PWD reservation in AP PGCET?
The AP PGCET rules provide 5% horizontal reservation for Persons with Disabilities/Physically Challenged candidates in the first year of PG programmes.
8. Is there a women reservation in AP PGCET?
Yes. A minimum of 33â…“% of seats, wherever applicable, are allotted to women candidates within the respective categories.
9. How much local reservation is applicable?
Generally, 85% of seats are reserved for local candidates, while 15% are unreserved, subject to the applicable Andhra Pradesh local-area admission rules.
10. Can a reserved-category candidate get a seat under general merit?
Yes. SC, ST and BC candidates who secure a seat on merit are considered against the general category seats, rather than against the reserved seat of their respective category.
Conclusion
The AP PGCET 2026 reservation and seat matrix plays an important role in determining admission opportunities for candidates across different categories. The key reservations include 10% EWS supernumerary seats, 15% SC, 6% ST and 29% BC, along with provisions for PWD, Women, NCC, Sports, CAP and Extra-Curricular categories.
Candidates should carefully check their category eligibility, local status, certificates and course-wise seat availability before exercising web options. Since the final allotment depends on merit, reservation rules, local status, preferences and available seats, candidates should follow the official AP PGCET counselling instructions and complete every step within the prescribed deadlines.
For the latest AP PGCET 2026 counselling, reservation, seat matrix, web options, seat allotment, cutoff ranks and admission updates, candidates can follow Manabadi and the official APSCHE notifications.