HPCET Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme, Exam Day Requirements & Total Marks

The Himachal Pradesh Technical University (HPTU) has laid down the HPCET exam pattern 2026 for the students. The entrance examination will be held in a single session through offline Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) mode in English language only.

Based on the HPCET pattern 2026 for B.Tech / B.Pharm programs, candidates will have to attempt 150 questions for a total of 600 marks in 3 hours & 15 minutes. However, for the other courses like MBA, MCA, etc. HPCET exam 2026 pattern differs.

This article will provide detailed information to the aspiring students about the HPCET paper pattern 2026 including subject-wise distribution of marks, marking scheme, and so on.

It is mandatory for the students to go through the HPCET 2026 exam pattern and prescribed syllabus of the University-level exam to be well prepared. Moreover, aspiring candidates qualifying the HPCET 2026 can get admission in multiple courses like B.Tech, B.Pharm, B.Sc (HM & CT) / BHMCT, MCA, MBA / MBA (T & HM), and M.Sc (Physics / Environment Sciences).

In addition, applicants can pursue the aforementioned programs at Himachal Pradesh Technical University (HPTU), affiliated Colleges of HPTU, Deemed University / Universities which are established under the State Act / constituent units.

Some of the major highlights of the HPCET exam pattern 2026 are tabulated below:

* Students should be well-acquainted with the HPCET Syllabus 2026 as the question paper will consist of questions based on the topics mentioned in the specified curriculum.

Those who are planning to appear for the test in order to obtain admission in B.Tech / B.Pharm courses at the participating Institutions can refer to the following paper pattern:

The specified HPCET exam pattern 2026 for B.Sc (HM & CT) / BHMCT program is as follows:

The following table comprises the HPCET paper pattern for MCA & MBA / MBA (T & HM) courses for the students:

The question paper of the M.Sc (Physics) program will consist of multiple questions as per the related subjects, the details of the HPCET exam pattern 2026 of the same are stated below:

For M.Sc (Environmental Sciences) course, the HPCET exam pattern 2026 prescribed by the conducting body is given below:

The conducting authority of the HPCET exam, i.e., Himachal Pradesh Technical University (HPTU) has set a specified marking scheme to fairly assess the performance of the applicants.

The comprehensive details regarding the HPCET marking scheme for different programs is as follows:

For B.Tech, B.Pharm, MCA, and MBA / MBA (T & HM) Programs:

• 4 marks will be rewarded for each right response.
• Deduction of -1 mark will be done in case of every incorrect answer.

For B.Sc (HM & CT) / BHMCT and M.Sc (Physics / Environmental Sciences) Courses:

• For each right answer, 1 mark will be given.
• Negative marking of -0.25 mark will be done for every wrong response.

* The conducting body will not deduct any marks for the unattempted / unanswered questions.

In case of any discrepancies found after the procedure of challenges of the answer key verification, marks will be awarded according to the following criteria as mentioned in the HPCET exam pattern 2026:

• If there is more than one correct answer for a question then, specified marks will be awarded to the students who have marked any one of the right responses.
• In case, if all the options given are correct, then the candidates who have attempted the question will be awarded the prescribed marks.
• If all the options or the given question is found to be incorrect then, all the appearing students will be allocated with the specified marks even if they have not attempted the question.

* Applicants should know about the HPCET Registration 2026 process as well as HPCET Eligibility Criteria 2026 so that they can complete the requisite formalities accurately.