HP PAT 2026 Registration Now Open – Exam Scheduled for May 17
The Himachal Pradesh Technical Education Board has officially opened the application window for the Polytechnic Admission Test (PAT) 2026. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can submit their applications through the official board website until May 5. The entrance examination itself is scheduled to take place on May 17, 2026.
Exam Details and Administrative Guidelines
HP PAT 2026 will be conducted across 29 designated examination centers throughout the state. The test is scheduled to run from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. The board has made it clear that requests for changes to assigned examination centers will not be entertained under any circumstances. Candidates are advised to carefully note their allocated centers and plan their travel accordingly.
Application Fee Structure
The application fee for HP PAT 2026 varies based on the candidate’s category:
- General category candidates: ₹750
- Reserved category candidates: ₹500
Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
The HP PAT 2026 examination comprises four subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and English. A total of 150 questions will be asked in the test. The marking scheme is as follows:
- Each correct answer: +4 marks
- Each incorrect answer: −1 mark (negative marking applies)
Admission to polytechnic institutions will be granted based on the merit list, which will be prepared according to the scores obtained in this entrance examination.
Important Dates for HP PAT 2026
Candidates should keep track of the following key dates for the complete admission cycle:
- Last date to submit applications: May 5
- Release of roll numbers: May 11
- Examination date: May 17
- Last date to raise objections to the answer key: May 23, up to 5:00 PM
- Declaration of results: May 25
Eligibility Criteria for HP PAT 2026
To be eligible for HP PAT 2026, candidates must have passed Class 10 from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate score of 35%. Students who are currently appearing for their final examinations are also permitted to apply for the entrance test. However, their documents will be verified during the physical reporting stage, so they must ensure all necessary paperwork is in order at that time.
Scope and Recognized Institutions
The HP PAT is conducted once every year and serves as the gateway for admission into polytechnic institutions across Himachal Pradesh. This includes colleges affiliated with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) as well as registered ITI institutions that hold approval from the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT).
Counseling and Preference Submission
Following the announcement of results, the merit list will be generated based on the marks secured in the examination. Candidates who qualify will then have the opportunity to fill in their preferences for courses and institutions. According to the official PAT brochure, a second phase of counseling will also offer candidates the flexibility to modify their preferences before the final seat allocation process.
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their registration well before the deadline to avoid any last-minute technical difficulties. Keeping all required documents ready in advance can help streamline the application process.
