B.Tech. Admission 2026: Eligibility, Entrance Exams & Important Dates

Blog / December 03, 2025

Looking for the B.Tech. admission 2026 last date? JEE Main registration closes in February 2026, followed by other exams like SNUSAT + APT, SAT, ACT, and CUET through March-April. Missing these deadlines means losing your chance at 15.98 lakh engineering seats across India.

B.Tech. admissions have surged to an eight-year high with 12.53 lakh students enrolled in 2024-25, a 67% jump since 2017-18. Competition is intense, especially for high-demand branches: Computer Science filled 3.90 lakh seats alone, reflecting booming opportunities in AI, Data Science, and Cybersecurity.

This guide provides complete B.Tech. admission eligibility criteria, exam schedules, and application processes for IITs, NITs, and 5,875+ AICTE-approved colleges. You'll learn:

Exact last dates for JEE Main, JEE Advanced, and SNUSAT + APT, SAT, ACT, and CUET
Minimum eligibility: 10+2 with 50-75% in PCM (varies by institution)
Direct admission options and lateral entry procedures

B.Tech. Admission 2026: Important Dates & Deadlines

Knowing about the application deadlines is the first step in your engineering admission journey. Here's a complete timeline of major entrance exams and application windows.

National-Level Entrance Exam Schedule

Serial No.	Entrance Exam	Registration Opens	Last Date to Apply	Exam Date	Result Declaration
1.	JEE Main Session 1	January 2026	February 2026	January 2026	Within 15 days
2.	JEE Main Session 2	March 2026	April 2026	April 2026	Within 15 days
3.	JEE Advanced	May 2026	June 2026	May/June 2026	June 2026
4.	CUET UG 2026	February 2026	March 2026	May 2026	June 2026

SNUSAT + APT Application Timeline

SNUSAT, the Shiv Nadar University Scholastic Aptitude Test, offers multiple test cycles, providing flexibility for students. The early round has three distinct phases:

Serial No.	Phase	Application Deadline	SNUSAT Exam Date	Result Release	Fee Payment Deadline
1.	Phase 1	December 31, 2025	January 11, 2026	January 31, 2026	February 09, 2026
2.	Phase 2	January 31, 2026	February 08, 2026	February 23, 2026	March 02, 2026
3.	Phase 3	March 31, 2026	April 12, 2026	May 04, 2026	May 11, 2026

SNUSAT Test Format:

SNUSAT: 40 questions in 90 minutes (Quantitative Reasoning + Logical Reasoning)
APT (for B.Tech. programs): 40 questions in 60 minutes (Mathematics + Physics)

Home-proctored online format
Sample questions are provided in the application dashboard

Students applying through the SAT or ACT have year-round test availability, making these options particularly suitable for international curriculum students.

B.Tech. Admission Eligibility Criteria

Understanding B.Tech. admission eligibility requirements help you identify which colleges you can target based on your academic profile.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

All engineering aspirants must meet these fundamental criteria:

Passed 10+2 from a recognized board
Mandatory subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (PCM)
Valid entrance exam score (JEE/SNUSAT/SAT/ACT/CUET)

Category-Wise Minimum Percentage Requirements

Serial No.	Institution Type	General/EWS	OBC-NCL	SC/ST
1.	IITs (via JEE Advanced)	75%	75%	65%
2.	NITs/IIITs/GFTIs	75%	75%	65%
3.	Top Private Universities	65%	65%	65%
4.	Other Engineering Colleges	50-60%	50-60%	45-50%

The 65% eligibility criterion at top private universities opens opportunities for students who may not meet the 75% requirement for IITs and NITs but still want access to quality engineering education.

Branch-Specific Eligibility Criteria

Serial No.	B.Tech. Specialization	Mandatory Subjects	Minimum Aggregate
1.	Computer Science Engineering	Physics, Mathematics	65%
2.	Electrical & Computer Engineering	Physics, Mathematics	65%
3.	Chemical Engineering	Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics	65%
4.	Civil Engineering	Physics, Mathematics	65%
5.	Mechanical Engineering	Physics, Mathematics	65%

B.Tech. Entrance Exams 2026 Overview

Multiple entrance exams provide different pathways to engineering admission. Understanding each exam's structure and acceptance helps you choose the right preparation strategy.

JEE Main and JEE Advanced

JEE Main 2026:

Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
Exam Pattern: 90 questions (30 each in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)
Duration: 3 hours
Attempts: Unlimited
Colleges: 31 NITs, 25 IIITs, 30+ GFTIs, 1000+ private colleges

JEE Advanced 2026:

Eligibility: Top 2.5 lakh JEE Main qualifiers
For admission: 23 IITs
Maximum attempts: 2 consecutive years
Difficulty level: Highest among engineering entrance exams

CUET UG for Engineering

CUET (Common University Entrance Test) has expanded to engineering admissions:

Accepted by: 45+ central universities
Subjects tested: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (domain-specific)
Advantage: Single exam for multiple university applications

University-Specific Entrance: SNUSAT + APT

SNUSAT offers distinct advantages for engineering aspirants:

Test Structure:

SNUSAT: Quantitative Reasoning (20 questions) + Logical Reasoning (20 questions)
APT (for Engineering): Mathematics (20 questions) + Physics (20 questions)
Total Duration: 150 minutes (SNUSAT: 90 min + APT: 60 min)

Key Features:

Home-proctored online examination
Six test cycles from January to July 2026
Focus on aptitude and conceptual understanding
Sample questions provided before the exam
Multiple attempt opportunities across phases

International Tests: SAT and ACT

College Board SAT:

Sections: Math, Evidence-Based Reading & Writing
Score range: 400-1600

Accepted at select private universities
Year-round test availability

ACT:

Sections: English, Math, Reading, Science
Score range: 1-36
Alternative to the SAT with science section

B.Tech. Application Process 2026

A systematic approach to applications ensures you don't miss critical steps or deadlines.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Step 1: Registration

Visit the official admission portal
Create an account with email/mobile verification

Step 2: Application Form

Enter personal details (verify name spelling matches documents)
Fill academic information (board, subjects, percentage)
Select program preferences
Choose admission route (JEE/SNUSAT/SAT/ACT/CUET)

Step 3: Document Upload

Upload scanned documents as per specifications
Verify that each document appears correctly

Step 4: Fee Payment

Application fee: ₹1,000-2,500 (varies by institution)
SC/ST concession: 50% typically

Save the payment confirmation immediately

Step 5: Submission

Review all entries carefully
Submit application
Download confirmation page
Note the application number for tracking

Document Checklist

Required documents for B.Tech. applications:

Class 10th and 12th marksheets (scanned, PDF/JPEG, under 200KB)
Transfer certificate and character certificate
Category certificates (SC/ST/OBC-NCL) if applicable
Income certificate for scholarship applications
Passport-size photographs (JPEG format)
Aadhaar card
Valid email ID and mobile number

Popular B.Tech. Specializations and Career Prospects

Choosing the right engineering branch significantly impacts your career trajectory. Here's data-driven insight into different specializations.

Branch-Wise Enrollment and Salary Statistics

Serial No.	Engineering Branch	2024-25 Enrollment	Average Starting Salary	Top Salary Range
1.	Computer Science Engineering	3.90 lakh students	₹6-10 LPA	₹30-50 LPA
2.	Mechanical Engineering	2.36 lakh students	₹4-6 LPA	₹15-20 LPA
3.	Civil Engineering	1.72 lakh students	₹4-5 LPA	₹12-18 LPA
4.	Electronics & Communication	1.60 lakh students	₹5-6 LPA	₹20-25 LPA
5.	Electrical Engineering	High demand	₹5-7 LPA	₹18-25 LPA

Emerging High-Demand Specializations:

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Data Science & Engineering
Cybersecurity
Biotechnology Engineering

B.Tech. Fee Structure and Financial Planning

Understanding the complete cost structure helps families plan engineering education financing effectively.

Typical Annual Costs by Institution Type

Serial No.	Institution Category	Annual Tuition	Living Expenses	Total Per Year
1.	IITs	₹2-2.5 lakh	₹1.5-2 lakh	₹3.5-4.5 lakh
2.	NITs/IIITs	₹1.5-2 lakh	₹1.5-2 lakh	₹3-4 lakh
3.	Top Private Universities	₹4-6 lakh	₹2-2.5 lakh	₹6-8.5 lakh

Scholarship Opportunities

Merit-Based Scholarships:

95%+ in Class 12: 50% tuition waiver
98%+ School Topper: 100% tuition waiver
JEE Main 98+ percentile: 100% tuition waiver
JEE Main 95-98 percentile: 50% tuition waiver

Category-Specific Scholarships:

Women in Engineering: ₹1 lakh annual reduction
Need-Based Aid: Up to 100% tuition + hostel (family income <₹3 lakh/year)
Sports Excellence: 20-100% waiver for national/international athletes
Armed Forces Dependents: 25-100% tuition waiver

Forge Your Path to Engineering Excellence at Shiv Nadar University (Institution of Eminence)

Shiv Nadar University, recognized as an Institution of Eminence, offers a wide range of B.Tech. programs through various admission pathways. The university fosters an international atmosphere, employs innovative teaching methods, and promotes critical research partnerships. Students benefit from hands-on experience in advanced facilities, which include laboratories for Cloud Computing, IoT, Mechatronics, Thermal Energy, Process Control, and more.

B.Tech. Programs Offered at Shiv Nadar University

School of Engineering:

B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering
B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering with specialisation in Bioenergy and Biomaterials
B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering with specialisation in Modelling and Simulation
B.Tech. in Civil Engineering
B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering
B.Tech. in Electrical and Computer Engineering
B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering

Admission Routes to Shiv Nadar University

Serial No.	Route	Entrance Requirement	Additional Test
1.	Route 1	JEE Main 2026 or 2025	No
2.	Route 2	SNUSAT + APT	No
3.	Route 3	College Board SAT	No
4.	Route 4	ACT	No
5.	Route 5	CUET 2026	Interview

How to Apply to Shiv Nadar Universitty

Visit snuadmissions.com and click "Apply Now"
Select B.Tech. program and admission route
Fill the application form with academic details
Upload required documents
Select applicable scholarship options
Pay the application fee
Schedule SNUSAT or upload entrance exam scores
Receive admission decision within 2-4 weeks
Accept the offer by paying the fees before the deadline

Conclusion

With competition at an all-time high and lakhs of seats filling fast, timely action is the key to securing your B.Tech. admission in 2026. From tracking last dates and meeting eligibility criteria to choosing the right entrance exam and specialization, early planning can make the difference between missing out and getting into a top engineering college.

Don’t wait for deadlines to slip by. Shortlist your preferred colleges, register for the right entrance exams, and complete your applications well in advance.

Apply now and stay ahead in the B.Tech. Admission 2026 race. Your engineering journey starts with one smart decision today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last date for B.Tech. admission 2026?

Deadlines vary by entrance exam. JEE Main registration closes in February 2026. SNUSAT offers multiple cycles from January to July 2026, with the early-round phase 3 closing on March 31, 2026. Apply early for better scholarship access.

What is the minimum percentage required for B.Tech. admission?

Requirements vary: IITs/NITs need 75% (65% for SC/ST), top private universities require 65%, and other colleges accept 50-60%. Diploma holders need 60% for lateral entry.

Can I apply through multiple entrance exams?

Yes, applying through multiple routes (JEE, SNUSAT, SAT, ACT, CUET) maximizes your admission chances across different institutions.

How do SNUSAT and JEE Main differ?

JEE Main tests an extensive Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics syllabus. SNUSAT focuses on aptitude (Quantitative and Logical Reasoning) plus subject knowledge through APT. SNUSAT offers six test cycles versus JEE's two sessions.

Are scholarships available for B.Tech. students?

Comprehensive scholarships exist based on merit (Class 12 marks, entrance exam scores), financial need, gender (Women in Engineering), sports achievements, and defense background. Scholarships can cover 50-100% of tuition fees.