B.Tech Lateral Entry Admissions 2026: Entrance Exams, Eligibility Criteria, Admission Process
Through B.Tech Lateral Entry admissions 2026, you can directly join the B.Tech 2nd year program. Admission to B.Tech LE is conducted based on merit or through entrance exams, such as IPU CET, TS ECET, CUET UG, etc. Detailed information about the admissions provided is provided in this article!
B.Tech Lateral Entry Admission 2026 is for students seeking direct admission into the 2nd year of a Bachelor of Technology program. It is applicable only for students who are currently enrolled in a 3-year Diploma in Engineering or a B.Sc. degree. B.Tech Lateral Entry admissions are conducted based on state-level entrance exams like SET, IPU CET, CUET UG, UPSEE, etc. Some colleges also offer B.Tech Lateral Entry admissions based on a merit-based selection process.
The eligibility criteria for B.Tech Lateral Entry Admission 2026 include a 3-year Diploma in Engineering or Technology from an AICTE-approved institution, a minimum of 45% to 50% marks in the Diploma degree, and an upper age limit of 27 years in some cases for B.Sc. graduates, among others. The registration process for the admission and entrance tests is conducted by the respective state authorities. A state-level counselling process is held for all the selected candidates for admission into their desired colleges.
B.Tech Lateral Entry Admission 2026 Dates
A list of all the state-level entrance exam dates for B.Tech Lateral Entry Admission 2026 has been prepared below for all students to refer to:
Entrance Exam Name | Registration Dates | Exam Dates | Counselling Dates |
February to March 2026 (Tentative) | April 23, 2026 | June 2026 (Tentative) | |
DTU LEET | May to June 2026 (Tentative) | June 16, 2026 | July 2025 (Tentative) |
March to April 2026 (Tentative) | May 15, 2026 | June 2026 (Tentative) | |
To be announced | To be announced | To be announced | |
HP LEET | March to April 2026 (Tentative) | May 24, 2026 | June 2026 (Tentative) |
CUET UG | April to May 2026 (Tentative) | May 11 to 31, 2026 | June 2026 (Tentative) |
IPU CET | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced |
UPSEE Exam | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced |
DTE Kerala LEET | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced |
*Note:B.Tech Lateral Entry admission 2026 dates for all exams are yet to be announced. We will update the B.Tech Lateral Entry 2026 dates on the table above once they're out.
B Tech Lateral Entry Eligibility Criteria
Most of theengineering colleges in Indiarequire a 50% aggregate in a 3-year diploma (Engineering – any stream) after the class 10 board exam for B.Tech lateral entry eligibility. The detailed list of state-wise eligibility criteria for B.Tech lateral entry has been discussed below for all students to refer to:
| State | Eligibility Criteria |
| Telangana |
OR Students must have qualified for the 3-year B.Sc. Degree exam with Mathematics as one of the subjects in the group combination from a recognized University in the state of Telangana/Andhra Pradesh. |
| Andhra Pradesh |
OR Students must have a 3-year B.Sc Degree with Mathematics as one of the mandatory subjects from a recognized institute or its equivalent. |
| Uttar Pradesh |
OR
|
| Haryana |
OR Students must have completed their class 12 (Science) with Mathematics or with technical vocational subject. OR Students must have qualified their class 10 + two years ITI with relevant trade. OR Students must have secured a minimum of 45% aggregate marks (40% for students belonging to the reserved category) in the Diploma in Engineering./ Technology of at least 3 years from the Haryana State Board of Technical Education or its equivalent. OR Students must have a qualified B.Sc from a recognized university with at least 45% aggregate marks (40% for students belonging to the reserved category). Students must also have Mathematics as a mandatory subject in class 12. In case, students belong to the B.Sc stream then they must have qualified the subjects of Engineering Graphics/Engineering Drawing and Engineering Mechanics of the first-year engineering programme along with the second-year subjects. OR Students must have qualified D.Voc. stream in the same or allied sector. |
Admission Process for B.Tech Lateral Entry
B.Tech Lateral Entry admissions are done either via entrance exams or merit-based selection based on marks secured in the diploma or equivalent course. For B.Tech Lateral Entry admissions, students must shortlist the colleges they wish and check their admission gateway. Check out the details about the B.Tech Lateral Entry admission process below.
B.Tech Lateral Entry Admissions via Entrance Exam:Students who wish to take admission through the entrance exam should fill out the application form. Some of the popular B.Tech Lateral Entry entrance exams are All India SLIET Entrance Test (SET), Diploma Common Entrance Test (DCET), Delhi Technological University Lateral Entry Engineering Test (DTU LEET) etc. Students have to pass the entrance exam and score the required cutoff marks. Following that, there might be some counselling process, or an interview round at college that they must qualify.
B.Tech Lateral Entry Admissions via Merits-Based Selection:Students can take admission to the B.Tech Lateral Entry course through merits in their diploma or equivalent course. Some of the B.Tech lateral Entry colleges offering admission via merits are Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Institute of Technology, Tanakpur, Axis College, Amity University, Manipal Institute Of Technology, Manipal etc.
Documents Required for B.Tech Lateral Entry Admission
The list of documents required for B.Tech Lateral Entry admission varies college-wise. However, the following are some of the usual documents you must keep ready to apply for the B.Tech Lateral Entry admission 2026:
| List of Documents for B.Tech Lateral Entry Admission | |
| Class 10th marksheet and certificate | Class 12th marksheet and certificate |
| Diploma certificate and mark sheet | Certificate of category (GEN/OBC/SC/ST) & PH (if applicable) |
| Allotment Letter | Transfer Certificate |
| Character Certificate | Gap period Affidavit (if applicable) |
| Income certificate | Domicile certificate |
| Caste certificate | Aadhar Card of the student and parents |
| Passport size photo of the student | - |
List of Entrance Exams for B.Tech Lateral Entry 2026
One of the gateways for B.Tech Lateral admissions 2026 is through entrance exams. There are various state-level and college-level entrance exams for B.Tech Lateral Entry admission. Students may visit the official websites of the respective colleges they wish to take admission in and check out what entrance exam they are accepting. Here are some of the state-wise entrance exams accepted for B.Tech Lateral Entry admissions to offer you an idea:
B.Tech Lateral Entry Entrance Exam | State that Accepts for B.Tech LE Admissions 2025 | About the Entrance Exam |
Telangana State Engineering Common Entrance Test (TS ECET) | Telangana | For the lateral admissions in the state of Telangana, the students will have to qualify the TS ECET exam which is conducted by the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad. |
Andhra Pradesh Education Common Entrance Test (AP ECET) | Andhra Pradesh | AP ECET offers admissions to students into the second year (3rd semester) of four-year degree courses in B.E and B.Tech courses across the Unaided Private Professional institutes (Minority & non-Minority) of Andhra Pradesh. |
Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Examination (UPSEE) | Uttar Pradesh | The UPSEE exam is a gateway for applicants seeking lateral admission into various professional courses provided at the undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) levels at all colleges that recognize UPSEE scores. Through the Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Examination (UPSEE), students can gain admission to around 841 institutions/colleges affiliated with AKTU as well as other universities in Uttar Pradesh. |
Haryana Lateral Entry Entrance Test (Haryana LEET) | Haryana | The Haryana State Technical Education Society (HSTES) administers the Haryana LEET, also referred to as LEET, as a state-level lateral entry entrance exam to grant admission to students enrolled in BE/BTech programs in the second, third, and fourth semesters at various engineering colleges in Haryana. |
DTE Kerala LET | Kerala | The Directorate of Technical Education Kerala Lateral Entrance Test (DTE Kerala LET) is held for students seeking admission directly to the second or third semester of the BTech programs provided by the colleges in the state of Kerala. |
Himachal Pradesh Lateral Entry Entrance Test (HP LEET) | Himachal Pradesh | HP LEET is held for students seeking admission to the second year/3rd semester of diploma courses in Himachal Pradesh's government and private colleges. |
Diploma Common Entrance Test (DCET) | Karnataka | DCET is a Diploma Common Entrance Test administered by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA). The entrance exam is held for admission to 2nd-year undergraduate engineering programs (BTech). The DCET exam is held in offline mode. |
Uttarakhand State Entrance Exam (UKSEE) | Uttarakhand | Uttarakhand Technical University administers the Uttarakhand State Entrance Exam (UKSEE) for admission to the second year/3rd semester of BTech. Various government and private institutions in Uttarakhand accept UKSEE scores for admission. |
College-Wise B.Tech Lateral Entry Entrance Exams
Students can go through the college-wise B.Tech Lateral Entry admission 2026 details for various college-level entrance exams provided below:
B.Tech Lateral Entry Entrance Exam | Colleges Accepting B.Tech LE Admissions 2025 | About Entrance Exam |
Delhi Technological University Lateral Entry Engineering Test (DTU LEET) | Delhi Technological University | The DTU LEET, exam is held for students who want direct admission into the second year/3rd semester of BTech programs. students who have obtained a Diploma in Engineering may apply for DTU LEET 2025. |
Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test (IPU CET) | Indraprastha University | Indraprastha University conducts the Common Entrance Test (CET) for B.Tech Lateral Entry admission. |
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Examination (KIITEE) | Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology | The KIIT University conducts KIITEE for students seeking lateral entrance into various undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) courses. The Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Examination (KIITEE) will take place online in 69 cities across 27 states and UTs. |
Top B.Tech Lateral Entry Colleges in India
Some of the popular B.Tech Lateral Entry colleges in India are:
College Name | NIRF Ranking 2025 (Overall) |
20 | |
49 | |
17 | |
`101-150 | |
14 | |
66 | |
43 | |
Kalinga Institute Of Industrial Technology [KIIT], Bhubaneswar | 28 |
101-150 | |
NA |
Benefits of B.Tech Lateral Entry Admission
Studying a B.Tech Lateral Entry course after a diploma provides several advantages over enrolling in a traditional 4-year B.Tech study. You will have an advantage over other B.Tech students with diploma backgrounds if you enroll in B.Tech LE.
- Saving Time: One of the most significant benefits of lateral entry is time savings. A regular B.Tech course requires four years to finish. However, with lateral entry, you can finish your degree in three years. This is because you skip the first year, having already mastered the fundamentals of your diploma studies. For many students, this saved year can be used to get work experience, further their education, or begin their careers early.
- Advanced Knowledge: Lateral entry students frequently bring many practical experiences from their diploma courses. Diplomas offer more hands-on and focused practical skills, therefore lateral entry students frequently have a better understanding of real-world applications than their colleagues who joined via the traditional 4-year degree path. This practical expertise can help them grasp complex B.Tech subjects and do well in laboratories and projects.
- Better Career Opportunities: Employers value the combination of practical skills and theoretical knowledge that lateral entry students provide. Their diploma courses have equipped them with technical skills, and their B.Tech degree opens the door to more advanced career prospects. Many employers value the hands-on experience that these students bring to the table, making them top students during recruitment.
Future Prospects and Career Opportunities After B.Tech Lateral Entry
There are a variety of career opportunities after completing a B.Tech Lateral Entry programme. students after the completion of the engineering course can work in the chemical, electronics, and energy industries. Since the advancement in technology is intensifying with each passing day, there is also an increasing demand for skilled engineers. Some of thecareer options After B TechLateral Entry are:
| Career Opportunities After B.Tech Lateral Entry | Job Role | Average Salary |
| Civil Engineer | Civil engineers are endowed with the tasks of designing, building, constructing, and supervising construction projects. They work on both public and private projects. The work of civil engineers comprises the construction of dams, tunnels, and highways. | Rs. 4,60,000 LPA |
| Electrical Engineer | An Electrical engineer has the responsibility to develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment. Electrical engineers assess electrical systems, components, and various other applications. Electrical engineers manufacture various products such as electric motors, electric fans, as well as other electrical equipment. | Rs. 5,40,000 LPA |
| Chemical Engineer | Chemical engineers are endowed with the tasks of developing and designing the manufacturing process. Chemical engineers apply their knowledge of chemical engineering to solve problems that involve the production or use of drugs, chemicals, medicines, and preservative food. Their work also involves refining crude oil through distillation and producing fertilizers and other chemical products. | Rs. 6,00,000 LPA |
| Robotics Engineer | Robotics engineers are endowed with the tasks of designing prototypes, machine testing, and frameworks. Robotics engineers also coordinate in scheduling the engineering programmes for building robotic systems. | Rs. 5,06,250 LPA |
| Aerospace Engineer | Aerospace engineers are responsible for the development of technology that is used in aviation, defense, and spacecraft. Aerospace engineers are responsible for testing each machine used in aviation. Aerospace engineers design and develop spacecraft, missiles, and satellites. | Rs. 7,50,000 LPA |
Higher Study Options After B.Tech Lateral Entry
To gain more industry-related skills and make yourself a more valuable job applicant, you can do skill enhancement courses. Nowadays, skill enhancement courses are very much popular among B.Tech graduates. You can choose a skill course as per your specialization of engineering. Some of the popular skill enhancement courses after B.Tech are Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Web Development, Data Analysis, Network Security, Ethical Hacking, etc.However, if you want a proper degree you can choose frombest courses after B.Techgiven below.Nowadays, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Renewable Entry, and Machine Learning, trends have emerged in the engineering and technology sector. If you are a B.Tech student having knowledge and skills in these latest fields will offer you more edge compared to other students. Your value in the job market will be more and you will be preferred by the recruiters during college placement or off-campus placements.
Which one is better - Regular B Tech or B Tech Lateral Entry?
As far as job opportunities are concerned, both programmes are considered equivalent in the market. Students who pursue B.Tech LE are offered the same opportunities and positions as regular B Tech graduates. Some experts say that the practical and core subject knowledge gained by an engineering diploma can really help lateral entry students understand machines better. This can sometimes be an added advantage for students who are pursuing B Tech from trades like Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Plan your education well and take the right entrance exams to secure a seat in either of the good colleges offering B.Tech LE programmes. As long as you score well, you will get the best opportunities in the engineering and technical market.
To conclude, B.Tech Lateral Entry Admissions 2026 saves you 1 year that you can use to begin your career early. One of the benefits of B.Tech Lateral Entry admissions is that it's more easy. B.Tech admissions in India are very competitive and tough. The entrance exams held for B.Tech admission like JEE Main and JEE Advanced are very difficult to crack. However, if you are taking B.Tech Lateral Entry admissions you don't have to face any of this. The competition in B.Tech Lateral Entry admissions is less and entrance exams are easier to crack. However, keep in mind that, not all engineering colleges of India offer Lateral Entry admission to B.Tech. If you are pursuing a diploma and want to study engineering, you should definitely enroll in B.Tech degree through Lateral Entry. A B.Tech degree holds more value compared to Diploma.
Good luck!
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