The Uttar Pradesh Technical Admission Counselling (UPTAC) 2026 has officially begun, with registration now live for thousands of engineering, architec
UPTAC 2026 Admissions: Complete Guide to Online Counseling, Choice Filling, Registration & Allotment Results
The Uttar Pradesh Technical Admission Counselling (UPTAC) 2026 has officially begun, with registration now live for thousands of engineering, architecture, pharmacy, and management aspirants seeking admission to colleges affiliated with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU). This centralized counselling process is the gateway to over 800+ AKTU-affiliated institutions across Uttar Pradesh, including prestigious government colleges like HBTU Kanpur and MMMUT Gorakhpur.
Whether you have cleared JEE Main 2026, CUET UG, or NATA, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about registration, document verification, choice filling, seat allotment results, and the complete counselling timeline.
What is UPTAC 2026?
- Full Name: Uttar Pradesh Technical Admission Counselling 2026
- Conducting Body: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), Lucknow
- Official Portal: uptac.samarth.edu.in
- Purpose: Centralized online counselling for admission to B.Tech, B.Arch, B.Pharm, BCA, BBA, MBA, MCA, M.Tech, and other professional courses
- Exam Basis: JEE Main 2026 (B.Tech), NATA 2026 (B.Arch), CUET UG/PG 2026 (various courses)
- Total Participating Colleges: 800+ AKTU-affiliated institutions across Uttar Pradesh
UPTAC 2026 Important Dates
Registration & Document Phase
- Online Registration Opens: 25 May 2026 (Sunday)
- Last Date for Registration: 15 June 2026 (Monday)
- Document Upload Period: 25 May 2026 to 15 June 2026
- Document Verification (Central Team): 28 May 2026 to 20 June 2026
- Query Response Window: 25 May 2026 to 20 June 2026
Round 1
- Choice Filling & Locking: 22 June 2026 to 25 June 2026
- Seat Allotment Result: 27 June 2026
- Seat Confirmation Fee Payment: 27 June 2026 to 29 June 2026
- Freeze/Float Option Submission: 27 June 2026 to 29 June 2026
Round 2
- Choice Modification & Locking: 30 June 2026 to 1 July 2026
- Seat Allotment Result: 3 July 2026
- Seat Confirmation Fee Payment: 3 July 2026 to 5 July 2026
- Freeze/Float/Withdrawal: 3 July 2026 to 5 July 2026
Round 3
- Final Choice Locking: 6 July 2026 to 7 July 2026
- Seat Allotment Result: 9 July 2026
- Seat Confirmation Fee Payment: 9 July 2026 to 10 July 2026
- Freeze/Float/Withdrawal: 9 July 2026 to 10 July 2026
Round 4
- Seat Allotment Result: 11 July 2026
- Seat Confirmation Fee Payment: 11 July 2026 to 13 July 2026
- Withdrawal Window: 11 July 2026 to 16 July 2026
- Physical Reporting at Allotted College: 14 July 2026 to 16 July 2026
Internal Sliding Round (Round 5)
- Sliding Option Submission: 14 July 2026 to 16 July 2026
- Sliding Allotment Result: 18 July 2026
Special Round 1
- Registration (Phase 2 for new candidates): 18 July 2026 to 21 July 2026
- Fee Payment: 18 July 2026 to 21 July 2026
- Document Verification: 18 July 2026 to 22 July 2026
- Choice Filling: 19 July 2026 to 23 July 2026
- Seat Allotment Result: 25 July 2026
- Physical Reporting: 27 July 2026 to 28 July 2026
Special Round 2
- Registration: 27 July 2026 to 28 July 2026
- Fee Payment: 27 July 2026 to 28 July 2026
- Document Verification: 27 July 2026 to 29 July 2026
- Choice Filling: 27 July 2026 to 30 July 2026
- Seat Allotment Result: 31 July 2026
- Physical Reporting: 31 July 2026 to 3 August 2026
Note: The schedule is tentative and subject to change. Always verify dates on the official portal uptac.samarth.edu.in
Eligibility Criteria for UPTAC 2026
For B.Tech (First Year)
- Must have a valid score in JEE Main 2026
- Must have passed Class 12 (10+2) with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects
- Must have Chemistry/Biotechnology/Biology/Technical Vocational subject as the third subject
- Minimum Marks: 45% aggregate (40% for SC/ST candidates)
- Must have qualified in JEE Main 2026
For B.Arch
- Must have a valid score in NATA 2026
- Must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
- Minimum Marks: 50% aggregate
For B.Tech via CUET UG Route
- Only candidates who specifically selected AKTU while filling the CUET UG 2026 application form are eligible
- Must meet the same Class 12 subject requirements as JEE Main candidates
For B.Pharm
- Must have valid score in JEE Main 2026 or CUET UG 2026
- Must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology
For B.Tech Lateral Entry (Second Year)
- Must have passed a 3-year Diploma in Engineering in the relevant branch
- Minimum 45% marks (40% for SC/ST)
For MBA
- Must have valid score in CUET PG 2026 / CAT / MAT
- Must be a graduate with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST)
For MCA
- Must have valid score in CUET PG 2026
- Must be a graduate with Mathematics at 10+2 or degree level
Domicile Requirement
- UP Domicile candidates get priority in main counselling rounds
- All-India candidates can participate in Special Rounds for vacant seats after main rounds
Registration Fee Structure
- Registration Fee (One-Time): ₹1,000 for all categories (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS)
- This fee is non-refundable under any circumstance
- Must be paid online via UPI, Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking
- Payment through MP Online Kiosk is also available
- Seat Acceptance/Confirmation Fee:
- General / OBC Candidates: ₹20,000
- SC / ST Candidates: ₹12,000
- This fee is adjusted against the total college admission fee at the time of final reporting
- Partial refund available if withdrawal is done in designated rounds (Rounds 2, 3, and 4)
Documents Required for Registration
Candidates must keep scanned copies of the following documents ready before starting the registration process:
- Class 10th Marksheet and Certificate — for date of birth verification
- Class 12th Marksheet and Certificate — for academic qualification
- JEE Main 2026 Scorecard and Admit Card — for B.Tech candidates
- NATA 2026 Scorecard — for B.Arch candidates
- CUET UG/PG 2026 Scorecard — for CUET route candidates
- Passport-Size Photograph — recent, color, white background, as per specifications
- Signature — full signature on white paper (initials or capital letters not accepted)
- Aadhaar Card — for identity verification
- APAAR / ABC ID — mandatory for UPTAC 2026 registration
- Category Certificate — SC/ST/OBC/EWS (if applicable), issued by competent authority
- Income Certificate — for fee waiver benefits (if applicable)
- UP Domicile Certificate — for state quota benefits
- PwD Certificate — for persons with disability quota (from competent medical authority)
Step-by-Step Registration Process
- Step 1 — Generate APAAR/ABC ID: Before starting UPTAC registration, generate your Academic Bank of Credits (APAAR) ID via DigiLocker at digilocker.gov.in. This is mandatory and takes 10-15 minutes. Save the APAAR ID number.
- Step 2 — Visit Official Portal: Go to uptac.samarth.edu.in and click on "New Candidate Registration" or "UPTAC 2026 Registration Link"
- Step 3 — Enter Basic Credentials: Provide your JEE Main 2026 application number (or CUET/NATA credentials), full name, mother's name, date of birth, and gender
- Step 4 — Create Password: Set a strong password. This will be used for all future logins — choice filling, seat allotment checking, and reporting
- Step 5 — Fill Personal and Academic Details: Enter your address, category, qualifying exam marks, board details, contact information, and APAAR ID. Double-check every field — no corrections are allowed after submission
- Step 6 — Upload Documents: Scan and upload all required documents in the specified format (JPG/PDF). Ensure photos are clear and signatures are on white paper. Blurry documents cause verification delays
- Step 7 — Pay Registration Fee: Pay ₹1,000 online using UPI, Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking. Keep the payment receipt safe
- Step 8 — Submit and Save Registration ID: After submission, note down your registration confirmation ID. This ID is essential for downloading the admit card and checking seat allotment results
- Step 9 — Wait for Document Verification: The Central Document Verification Team (CDVT) will verify your documents between 28 May and 20 June 2026. You will receive SMS and email confirmation once verified. Choice filling unlocks only after verification
Choice Filling: The Most Critical Step
When and Where
- Round 1 Choice Filling: 22 June 2026 to 25 June 2026
- Portal: uptac.samarth.edu.in — login with your credentials
How to Fill Choices Effectively
- Fill Maximum Choices: UPTAC allows an unlimited number of college-branch combinations. Fill as many valid choices as possible — never limit yourself to just 1 or 2 options
- Priority Order Matters: Arrange choices in strict order of preference. The system allots based on your priority order combined with your rank and category
- Mix Strategy: Include a balanced mix of:
- Dream Colleges (top 20-30% of your choices) — high-rank colleges you aspire for
- Safe Options (middle 40-50%) — colleges where your rank has a realistic chance
- Backup Colleges (bottom 20-30%) — colleges you are certain to get, ensuring you don't end up with no seat
- Research Before Filling: Check placement records, faculty, infrastructure, location, and fees of each college before prioritizing
- Branch vs College: At the mid-tier level, prioritize branch (CSE, ECE, IT) over college brand for better long-term career prospects
- Lock Choices Manually: You can edit and reorder choices any number of times before the deadline. Always lock your choices manually before the deadline. If not locked, the system auto-locks your last saved order, which may not reflect your true priority
Choice Filling for Subsequent Rounds
- Round 2: 30 June to 1 July 2026 — Modify and re-lock choices
- Round 3: 6 July to 7 July 2026 — Final choice locking
Seat Allotment Result: How It Works
Basis of Allotment
Seats are allotted based on three key factors:
- JEE Main 2026 Rank (or respective entrance exam rank)
- Category (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD)
- Choice Order / Priority filled by the candidate
Round 1 Result
- Date: 27 June 2026
- How to Check: Login to uptac.samarth.edu.in using your registration credentials
- What You See: Allotted college name, branch/course, and category
Willingness Options After Allotment
After viewing your allotted seat, you must choose one of three options:
- Freeze: Permanently accept the current allotted seat. You exit all further rounds and will not be eligible for any upgrade. Choose this only when you are completely satisfied with both the college and the branch
- Float: Retain the current seat while remaining eligible for a better college or branch in subsequent rounds. If a better seat is allotted in the next round, the old seat is automatically released. If no better seat comes, the current one is retained. This is the most popular choice among students
- Slide: Retain the same college but indicate willingness to upgrade to a better branch within that same college in the next round. For example, if allotted ECE at GL Bajaj but want CSE at the same college, choose Slide
Seat Confirmation Fee Payment
- Must be paid immediately after selecting your willingness option
- General/OBC: ₹20,000
- SC/ST: ₹12,000
Internal Sliding Round
- For Whom: Only candidates who have physically reported to their allotted institute
- Purpose: Allows branch upgrade within the same college
- Sliding Option Submission: 14 July 2026 to 16 July 2026
- Allotment Result: 18 July 2026
- How It Works: If a higher-preference branch in your current college becomes vacant, you may be upgraded. Your original branch seat is then offered to the next eligible candidate
Special Rounds: Second Chance for All
- Open to All-India Candidates: Unlike main rounds that prioritize UP domicile, special rounds are open to candidates from any state
- Based On: JEE Main 2026, CUET UG 2026, and Class 12 merit (for specific courses)
- When: August 2026 (Special Round 1 and 2)
- Who Should Apply: Candidates who did not get a seat in main rounds, or those with lower ranks who missed main round registration
Top AKTU-Affiliated Colleges to Target
Government/University Colleges
- Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU) — Kanpur — One of UP's oldest technical institutes, strong CSE and Mechanical placements
- Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology (MMMUT) — Gorakhpur — Government university, excellent placement record, low fees
- Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) — Lucknow — Premier government college under AKTU
- Kamla Nehru Institute of Technology (KNIT) — Sultanpur — Reputed for core branches
Top Private Colleges
- Galgotias College of Engineering & Technology — Greater Noida — Strong industry tie-ups, large campus
- GL Bajaj Institute of Technology — Greater Noida — Good placements, modern infrastructure
- JSS Academy of Technical Education — Noida — Excellent CSE and IT branches with NCR placement access
- KIET Group of Institutions — Ghaziabad — Consistent placement record
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Registering on the Last Day: Server crashes and technical glitches spike near deadlines. Complete registration by 10 June 2026 to avoid last-minute panic
- Not Generating APAAR ID Beforehand: This mandatory ID takes time to generate. Do it before starting registration
- Uploading Blurry or Incorrect Documents: Failed verification delays your access to choice filling by days. Upload clear, legible scans
- Filling Only 1-3 Choices: This drastically reduces your chances. Fill the maximum valid choices
- Wrong Priority Order: Once locked, choice order cannot be changed. Research thoroughly before finalizing
- Selecting Freeze Too Early: Unless you get your absolute dream seat, choose Float to keep upgrade options open
- Missing Seat Fee Deadline: Even a 1-hour delay cancels your seat. Set multiple reminders
- Not Manually Locking Choices: Auto-lock may not reflect your true priority. Always lock manually before the deadline
- Skipping Special Rounds: Many candidates ignore special rounds and miss excellent opportunities
- Not Checking Official Website Regularly: Dates can change. Bookmark uptac.samarth.edu.in and check daily
UPTAC 2026 vs JOSAA: What's the Difference?
- JOSAA covers IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs at the national level
- UPTAC covers AKTU-affiliated colleges in Uttar Pradesh only
- No Conflict: Registering for UPTAC does not affect your JOSAA participation in any way
- Different Pools: These are completely separate seat pools
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I register for UPTAC 2026 if I missed Round 1?
- No. Registration is a one-time process allowed only in Round 1 (25 May to 15 June 2026). If you miss this window, you cannot register in Rounds 2, 3, or 4. However, you may register for Special Rounds in August 2026
Q2. Is CUET UG score accepted for B.Tech admission through UPTAC?
- Yes, but only if you specifically selected AKTU as a participating university while filling the CUET UG 2026 application form. Candidates who did not choose AKTU in their CUET form are not eligible via this route
Q3. What happens if I don't pay the seat confirmation fee on time?
- Your allotted seat is immediately cancelled and offered to the next eligible candidate. There is no grace period
Q4. Can I withdraw after accepting a seat?
- Yes, withdrawal is permitted in Rounds 2, 3, and 4 with a partial refund of the seat confirmation fee. The ₹1,000 registration fee is never refunded
Q5. What is the difference between Float and Slide?
- Float allows upgrade to a better college OR branch in subsequent rounds
- Slide allows upgrade only to a better branch within the SAME college
Q6. Are special rounds only for UP domicile candidates?
- No. Special rounds are open to all-India candidates, including those from other states
Q7. How do I generate my APAAR ID?
- Login to DigiLocker at digilocker.gov.in, navigate to Academic Bank of Credits, and generate your ID. It takes 10-15 minutes
Q8. Is there any reservation for girls in UPTAC?
Final Checklist for UPTAC 2026 Aspirants
Before you begin your UPTAC 2026 journey, ensure you have:
- Valid JEE Main 2026 / CUET UG / NATA scorecard
- Class 10th and 12th marksheets and certificates
- Aadhaar card linked to active mobile number
- APAAR/ABC ID generated via DigiLocker
- Scanned passport-size photo (with name and date printed)
- Scanned signature on white paper
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- UP domicile certificate (if applicable)
- ₹1,000 registration fee ready in your bank account
- ₹20,000 (General/OBC) or ₹12,000 (SC/ST) seat confirmation fee ready
- List of preferred colleges and branches researched and prioritized
Conclusion
UPTAC 2026 represents a critical opportunity for thousands of engineering and professional course aspirants to secure admission in Uttar Pradesh's extensive network of technical institutions. With registration currently live and the choice filling window opening on 22 June 2026, candidates must act swiftly and strategically.
The key to success in UPTAC counselling lies in three things: early registration, strategic choice filling, and timely fee payment. Do not underestimate the importance of filling maximum choices in the correct priority order — this single step determines your entire admission outcome.
Remember, UPTAC and JOSAA are not mutually exclusive. Apply to both, plan your choices carefully, and keep all deadlines marked on your calendar. Your dream engineering college in Uttar Pradesh is just a few clicks away.
Best of luck with your UPTAC 2026 counselling!
Official Links:
- UPTAC 2026 Portal: uptac.samarth.edu.in
- AKTU Official Website: aktu.ac.in
- DigiLocker (for APAAR ID): digilocker.gov.in
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