AP POLYCET 2026 Notification Alert: Expected Date & 5 Critical Documents You Must Get NOW

As of February 9, 2026, the AP POLYCET 2026 notification has not been officially released yet. However, based on previous years’ patterns and current trends, the notification is expected to be released by late February or early March 2026.

Every year, thousands of students rush to MeeSeva centers and helpline offices after the notification drops, leading to server crashes, long queues, and unnecessary stress. This year, don’t be one of them. This guide gives you a “Pre-Notification Checklist” so you can apply on Day 1 without any hassle.

AP POLYCET 2026: Expected Important Dates

The AP POLYCET 2026 exam is likely to be conducted in April 2026, with registration expected to begin in March 2026. Here’s the tentative schedule based on historical trends:

Note: These are tentative dates based on previous years. Always check the official website polycetap.nic.in for confirmed dates.

The “Must-Have” Documents Checklist: Start Collecting NOW

Here’s what makes or breaks your admission – getting these documents right is MORE important than scoring well in the exam. Many students lose their seats or fee reimbursement because of document issues during counselling.

1. Income Certificate (MOST CRITICAL) ⚠️

Why This Is Critical: This document is mandatory for claiming tuition fee reimbursement Career Power.

The Validity Rule: Your income certificate MUST be issued on or after January 1, 2026 Career Power. This is the most common mistake parents make – they bring old certificates from 2024 or 2025, which get rejected during counselling.

Income Limit: Typically under ₹2.5 lakhs per annum (confirm from official notification).

Where to Get It: MeeSeva centers or Gram/Ward Sachivalayam Zee News.

Action Item: If your family income is below the limit, apply for a fresh income certificate NOW, even before the notification is released. Getting it issued today (February 2026) ensures it meets the January 1, 2026 requirement.

Pro Tip: Alternatively, you can use a white ration card for claiming tuition fee reimbursement Career Power if you have one.

2. Study Certificates (Class 4 to Class 10)

Why This Matters: These certificates determine your “Local Status” in AP POLYCET, which is crucial for the 85% local reservation quota.

The Rule: To be considered a local candidate, you need study certificates from Class 4 to Class 10 Zee NewsCareers360. The authorities want to see continuous education in Andhra Pradesh.

Real-Life Scenario: If you studied in Telangana from Class 4-7 and then moved to AP for Class 8-10, you need to provide:

• Study certificates proving where you studied each year
• OR a residence certificate for the past 7 years before the qualifying exam (SSC) Zee News if you don’t have institutional education records

For Non-Local Candidates: If you don’t meet the local criteria, you’ll need an Andhra Pradesh residence certificate of either parent for 10 years (excluding employment outside AP) issued by the Tahsildar Zee News.

Action Item: Contact your old schools immediately if you don’t have these certificates. Schools keep records, but getting them can take 2-3 weeks.

3. Caste Certificate (For BC/SC/ST Candidates)

Why You Need It:

• Application fee relaxation: ₹100 instead of ₹400 Shiksha
• Reservation benefits during seat allotment
• Relaxation in minimum qualifying marks

Important Update: Modern caste certificates come with a digital barcode for easy verification Getmyuni. If your certificate is old (issued before 2020) and doesn’t have a barcode, consider getting a fresh one from MeeSeva.

Action Item: Check if your existing caste certificate is valid and has a digital barcode. If not, apply for a new one now.

4. Aadhaar Card (Correction Check)

Why This Is Often Overlooked: Your name and date of birth on Aadhaar MUST match EXACTLY with your SSC (10th Class) records.

Common Mismatch Examples:

• Aadhaar: “K. Sai” vs SSC Certificate: “Katta Sai Kumar”
• Aadhaar: “15/08/2009” vs SSC: “15/08/2010”

The Problem: Even a small mismatch will cause issues during document verification at counselling.

Action Item: Cross-check your Aadhaar with your SSC certificate TODAY. If there’s any mismatch, visit an Aadhaar enrollment center immediately. Biometric updates and corrections typically take 15 days Shiksha.

5. SSC Hall Ticket Number

Important Note: If you are appearing for the March 2026 Board Exams, you don’t need your pass certificate to apply for AP POLYCET Careers360. Just keep your SSC Hall Ticket Number ready when filling the application form.

Why: The AP POLYCET application system auto-fetches your details using your SSC Hall Ticket Number.

For Students Who Passed 10th Before 2026: Keep your SSC marks memo ready.

Additional Documents You May Need

For EWS (Economically Weaker Section) Candidates:

• EWS certificate valid for 2026-27 from MeeSeva or Sachivalayam Zee News (only for OC candidates claiming EWS reservation)

For Special Categories:

• PWD: Valid disability certificate
• CAP (Children of Armed Personnel): Certificate from Zilla Sainik Welfare Officer, Identity Card, and Discharge Book Career Power
• NCC/Sports: Original certificates issued by competent authorities APEdu
• Anglo-Indian: Certificate from competent authority of place of residence Career Power

For Telangana Migrants:

• Local status certificate if you migrated from Telangana to Andhra Pradesh between June 2, 2014, and June 1, 2024 Zee News

How to Apply for AP POLYCET 2026 (When Notification Releases)

Step 1: Visit the official website polycetap.nic.in

Step 2: Click on “AP POLYCET 2026 Apply Online”

Step 3: Register by providing your name and mobile number Careers360

Step 4: Log in using your credentials and fill out the application form with personal and academic details Careers360

Step 5: Upload documents:

• Recent passport-size photograph (3.5 x 4.5 cm)
• Signature in prescribed format

Step 6: Pay Application Fee:

• General/OBC: ₹400 Shiksha
• SC/ST: ₹100 Shiksha
• Payment modes: Debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI

Step 7: Submit and download confirmation page

Important: There is no provision for application form correction after submission Careers360, so double-check all details before submitting.

Exam Pattern & Syllabus Overview

Exam Mode: Offline (pen-and-paper based) Careers360

Duration: 2 hours Careers360

Number of Questions: 120 multiple-choice questions Careers360

Subjects: Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry Careers360

Marking Scheme: No negative marking Careers360

Syllabus: Based on Class 10 (SSC) syllabus of Andhra Pradesh Careers360

Minimum Qualifying Marks: Candidates must score at least 35% marks Careers360 (for general category)

Counselling & Document Verification

After results are declared (expected in May 2026), qualified candidates must participate in web-based counselling:

Counselling Fee:

• General/OBC: ₹700 Careers360
• SC/ST: ₹250 Careers360

Documents Required for Counselling:

1. POLYCET Hall Ticket and Rank Card Careers360
2. SSC or equivalent marks memo Careers360
3. Study certificates from Class 4 to Class 10 Careers360
4. Caste certificate (for BC/SC/ST candidates) Careers360
5. Income certificate (if applicable) Careers360
6. EWS certificate (if applicable) Careers360
7. Local status certificate (if applicable) Careers360
8. Transfer Certificate (TC) Careers360
9. Passport-size photograph Careers360
10. Processing fee payment receipt

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I apply if I have a gap after 10th class? A: Yes, you can apply even if you have a gap year. However, you may need to provide a residence certificate for that period.

Q2: Is the income certificate mandatory for everyone? A: No, the income certificate is only mandatory for those claiming tuition fee reimbursement Career Power.

Q3: What if I’m appearing for 10th exams in March 2026? A: Candidates appearing for SSC 2026 are also eligible to apply Careers360. You just need your SSC Hall Ticket Number.

Q4: Can students from other states apply? A: Candidates from other states can apply, but they will be considered under the non-local category KollegeApply as per AP state reservation policies.

Q5: What is the age limit for AP POLYCET 2026? A: There is no age limit for the AP POLYCET exam 2026 Careers360.

Q6: Where can I get help during the application process? A: Offline help centers are available across East Godavari, Guntur, and Krishna districts Careers360. You can also contact the helpline numbers provided in the official notification.

Important Tips for Success

For Document Preparation:

✅ Start NOW – Don’t wait for the notification ✅ Get your income certificate issued in February 2026 itself ✅ Collect all study certificates from Class 4 onwards ✅ Verify Aadhaar-SSC name match ✅ Keep digital and physical copies of all documents

For Application:

✅ Fill the form carefully – no corrections allowed ✅ Upload clear, properly-sized photographs ✅ Use reliable internet connection during payment ✅ Save confirmation page immediately after submission

For Exam Preparation:

✅ Focus on 10th class textbooks ✅ Practice previous years’ question papers ✅ Time management is crucial (120 questions in 2 hours) ✅ No negative marking, so attempt all questions

Fee Structure (Post-Admission)

Once you get seat allotment:

• Government/Aided Polytechnics: ₹4,700 per year
• Private Polytechnics: ₹25,000 per year
• Fee Reimbursement: Available for eligible candidates (those with valid income certificate!)

Stay Updated

Official Website: polycetap.nic.in

Important: This article contains expected dates based on previous years’ trends. Once the official AP POLYCET 2026 notification is released, verify all dates and requirements from the official website.

Final Checklist Before Notification Release

☐ Income Certificate (issued after Jan 1, 2026) – GET THIS NOW
☐ Study Certificates (Class 4-10)
☐ Caste Certificate (with digital barcode if possible)
☐ Aadhaar Card (name matches SSC)
☐ SSC Hall Ticket Number (ready to use)
☐ Recent passport photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm)
☐ Digital signature (scanned)
☐ Payment method ready (₹400/₹100)

Disclaimer: The dates and information in this article are tentative and based on previous academic years’ patterns. Always check polycetap.nic.in for official updates. This article will be updated once the official AP POLYCET 2026 notification is released.

Last Updated: February 9, 2026
Next Update: Once official notification is released (expected late February/early March 2026)

This article has been researched and written based on verified information from official sources and reputable educational portals. The key emphasis is on helping students avoid the most common mistake: using invalid or old income certificates that lead to fee reimbursement rejection.