Ritik Kumar · August 28, 2025 Introduction
UPTAC 2026 Engineering Admission will serve as the official gateway for students seeking admission to top engineering colleges in Uttar Pradesh. Managed by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) through its centralized counselling process, UPTAC decides the admission flow for thousands of aspirants each year. Since the discontinuation of the UPSEE exam in 2021, the admission system has shifted to JEE (Main) scores, followed by UPTAC counselling. With more than 700 government and private engineering colleges participating, lakhs of students eagerly look forward to the official UPTAC 2026 notification.
When Will the UPTAC 2026 Notification Be Released?
The official UPTAC 2026 notification has not been announced. Based on previous years, the notification is expected to be released in July 2026 on the official counselling portal: https://uptac.admissions.nic.in.
This notification will contain the official information brochure, key dates, and detailed procedures. Students must monitor this portal regularly.
UPTAC 2026: A Tentative Timeline of Events
While the official schedule for 2026 is awaited, here is a tentative timeline based on past admission cycles to help you plan:
- Notification Release: July 2026
- Registration & Fee Payment: July – August 2026
- Document Verification: August 2026
- Choice Filling & Locking: September 2026
- Counselling & Seat Allotment Rounds: September – October 2026
Disclaimer: This is an estimated schedule. The final dates will be published on the official UPTAC portal, https://uptac.admissions.nic.in.
Who Can Apply for UPTAC 2026 Engineering Admission?
To be eligible for UPTAC 2026, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Educational Qualification: Must have passed Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, along with Chemistry/Computer Science/Biology/Biotechnology. A minimum of 45% marks (40% for reserved categories) is required in this combination.
- Entrance Exam Requirement: A valid score in JEE (Main) 2026 is mandatory for B.Tech admission. For details on the exam, visit the official NTA website: https://jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- Domicile Criteria: Both Uttar Pradesh domicile and outside-state candidates can apply. However, 85% of seats in government and government-aided colleges are reserved for UP domicile candidates.
Which Colleges Participate in UPTAC 2026?
UPTAC facilitates admissions for hundreds of colleges affiliated with AKTU. Some of the top participating institutions include:
- Institute of Engineering & Technology (IET), Lucknow (https://www.ietlucknow.ac.in)
- Kamla Nehru Institute of Technology (KNIT), Sultanpur
- Bundelkhand Institute of Engineering & Technology (BIET), Jhansi
- Ajay Kumar Garg Engineering College (AKGEC), Ghaziabad (https://akgec.ac.in)
- KIET Group of Institutions, Ghaziabad (https://www.kiet.edu)
- JSS Academy of Technical Education, Noida
(Note: State universities like HBTU Kanpur and MMMUT Gorakhpur conduct their own separate counselling and do not participate in UPTAC).
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can students from outside Uttar Pradesh apply for UPTAC?
A. Yes, but their participation remains limited. The initial counselling rounds admit only UP domicile candidates. Non-UP candidates can usually participate in the later Special Rounds for vacant seats.
Q2. What is the difference between Freeze, Float, and Slide options during UPTAC counselling?
A.
Freeze: You accept the allotted seat and do not participate in further rounds.
Float: You accept the allotted seat but remain open to better choices (any higher preference) in later rounds.
Slide: You accept the allotted seat but seek a better branch within the same college in the next rounds.
Q3. Is there a separate UP engineering entrance exam now?
A. No. The state-level UPSEE exam for B.Tech no longer exists. UPTAC now conducts counselling based on JEE Main ranks for admissions into AKTU-affiliated colleges.
Q4. How can I know which college I might get with my JEE Main rank?
A. Check the previous year’s opening and closing ranks for different colleges and branches. UPTAC releases this data officially on its portal after the admission process, and it serves as a strong reference to estimate your chances.
Q5. Are the formats for required certificates (domicile, category, etc.) provided?
A. Yes. UPTAC includes prescribed formats for all required certificates in its official information brochure. You must use these formats to avoid rejection during document verification.
Conclusion
The UPTAC 2026 counselling process will be the decisive step for securing a seat in one of Uttar Pradesh’s many engineering colleges. By staying informed, understanding the process, and preparing your documents in advance, you can navigate the counselling maze successfully.
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