AAU CET 2026: Eligibility, Fee, Reservation, Dates & Other Options for Assam Students

AAU CET 2026 Eligibility, Fee, Reservation, Dates & Other Options for Assam Students

The AAU CET application form 2026 window has already opened on admission.aau.ac.in, and Assam’s agriculture aspirants are racing to understand eligibility, fees, and reservation rules before the deadline. Many candidates also look back at the AAU CET 2025 cutoff trend to gauge how competitive this year’s admission might be. This guide covers everything: who is eligible, what the application fee actually is, how reservation works, the complete list of important dates, and — just as importantly — other genuine options Assam students have if AAU CET isn’t the only or best path for them.

AAU CET 2026 Eligibility, Fee, Reservation, Dates & Other Options for Assam Students
AAU CET 2026 Eligibility, Fee, Reservation, Dates & Other Options for Assam Students

AAU CET 2026 Overview

Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat, has officially released Admission Notice 01/2026 (Notice No. AAU/Exam(CET-26)/RG/2026-27/325, dated 8 May 2026) for admission into various undergraduate degree programmes for the academic session 2026-27. The admission portal opened on 11 May 2026 and the application window closed on 10 June 2026. Admission is decided through the CET-UG-AAU26, a Computer Based Test covering Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology, conducted in three sessions across multiple centres in Assam, with a common merit list prepared via percentile ranking.

Key Facts at a Glance

🔑 AAU CET 2026 — Key Facts
  • Conducting Body: Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat
  • Notice Number: AAU/Exam(CET-26)/RG/2026-27/325, dated 8 May 2026
  • Application Window: 11 May 2026 – 10 June 2026
  • Application Fee: Commonly reported at Rs. 1,500 (verify category-wise figure in the Information Bulletin)
  • Exam Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT), 3 sessions
  • Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology
  • Minimum Age: 16 years as on 1 August 2026
  • Minimum Qualification: 10+2 Science (PCB/PCAg/PCHSc as per course)
  • Faculties Covered: Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, Community Science, Food Nutrition & Dietetics
  • Application Mode: Online at admission.aau.ac.in

What the AAU CET 2025 Cutoff Tells Us About 2026

A lot of 2026 aspirants search for the AAU CET 2025 cutoff hoping to predict this year’s chances. It’s worth understanding exactly what that figure was — and wasn’t. AAU CET 2025 was held on 5–6 July 2025, with the first merit list published on 17 July 2025. Crucially, AAU does not publish one fixed cutoff mark; it ranks candidates by percentile, normalised across three test sessions, and the effective admission threshold differs by course, faculty, and reservation category each year.

  • 📊 A 2025 percentile that secured a seat in one faculty does not guarantee the same outcome in 2026, since the applicant pool and seat matrix reset annually.
  • 🧮 Use 2025 data only as a rough sense of competitiveness — not as a literal benchmark to clear.
  • 📅 The 2026 exam date, admit card, and result date were marked “to be announced” in the official notice, so candidates should track admission.aau.ac.in directly rather than relying on assumed dates.

Eligibility Criteria for AAU CET 2026

Eligibility requirements vary slightly by faculty, but the general framework is as follows:

CriterionRequirement
Educational Qualification10+2 (Science) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB) — or PCAg/PCHSc depending on faculty
Minimum Marks — GeneralApproximately 50% aggregate
Minimum Marks — SC/ST/DACApproximately 40% aggregate (10% relaxation typically applied)
Minimum Age16 years as on 1 August 2026
DomicilePermanent Resident Certificate (PRC) of Assam, except HFC/NRI quota seats
Appearing CandidatesStudents appearing in 10+2 in 2026 may also apply, subject to clearing the qualifying exam before admission

Note: exact percentage and subject-combination requirements can differ by specific course (Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, Community Science, Food Nutrition & Dietetics), so candidates should always cross-check the relevant section of the official Information Bulletin for their target course.

AAU CET 2026 Application Fee Breakdown

This is one area where candidates should be careful: reported figures for the AAU CET application fee vary slightly across sources. The most consistently reported figure for UG admission is Rs. 1,500, payable online via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI — and no offline payment mode is accepted. However, AAU’s own official admission notice explicitly directs candidates to “refer to the Information Bulletin for exact category-wise fee details,” meaning some categories (such as SC/ST) may carry a reduced fee that isn’t uniformly reported everywhere.

CategoryCommonly Reported FeeVerify Before Paying
General / OBC / EWSRs. 1,500 (most commonly reported)✅ Confirm in Information Bulletin
SC / ST / PwBDMay be reduced (reported as low as Rs. 500 in some cycles)✅ Confirm in Information Bulletin
HFC / NRI QuotaTypically higher than standard fee✅ Confirm in Information Bulletin
✅ Pro Tip: Don’t pay based on a number you saw on a third-party blog. Download the actual Information Bulletin PDF from admission.aau.ac.in first — the fee table there is category-wise and authoritative, and it’s the only version that matters if there’s ever a dispute about your payment.

Reservation & Category Benefits at AAU

AAU follows Assam state and central government reservation norms. Reserved categories include Scheduled Tribes (Plains and Hills) under Article 342 of the Constitution, Other Backward Classes/More Other Backward Classes (which in Assam specifically extends to the Tea Garden Labourer, Moran, Motak, Koch Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, and Chutia communities), Scheduled Castes, and Economically Weaker Sections under the Constitution (103rd Amendment) Act, 2019.

  • 🎓 Higher Fee Category (HFC): A specific quota for candidates who don’t qualify under statutory reservation but are willing to pay a higher fee — useful for out-of-state or non-reserved candidates seeking a seat.
  • 🏡 PRC-based domicile quota: The bulk of AAU seats are reserved for Assam-domicile candidates holding a valid Permanent Resident Certificate.
  • ✈️ NRI quota: A separate, smaller quota exists for NRI candidates, requiring passport, visa, and financial sponsor documentation.
  • 💰 State Merit Scholarships: AAU provides scholarships of around Rs. 1,500/month for UG and Rs. 2,000/month for PG students, limited to Assam domiciles.

AAU CET 2026: Important Dates

EventDate
Notice Issued8 May 2026
Admission Portal Opens11 May 2026
Last Date to Apply Online10 June 2026
Admit Card / Hall TicketTo be announced
Entrance Test DateTo be announced
Result DeclarationTo be announced
Merit List & CounsellingTo be announced — follows result declaration
✅ Pro Tip: Since the exam and result dates were marked “to be announced” at notification stage, bookmark admission.aau.ac.in and check it weekly from late June onward — AAU has historically announced exam dates with only a few weeks’ notice.

Step-by-Step AAU CET 2026 Application Process

  1. Visit the official portal: Go to admission.aau.ac.in
  2. Register: Create an account with a valid mobile number and email ID; you’ll receive login credentials.
  3. Fill the application form: Enter personal details, academic qualifications, and preferred course/college.
  4. Generate ABC ID: Provide your Academic Bank of Credits ID as per UGC norms (generate one if you don’t already have it).
  5. Upload documents: Scanned photograph, signature, mark sheets, PRC, and Medical Fitness Certificate in the specified format and size.
  6. Pay the application fee: Online via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI — no offline mode accepted.
  7. Review and submit: Double-check every field; the form generally cannot be edited after final submission.
  8. Download confirmation: Print the acknowledgement/confirmation page for your records.

Who Should Apply for AAU CET 2026?

  • 🎓 Assam-domicile students who’ve passed or are appearing in 10+2 Science in 2026
  • 👩‍🌾 SC/ST/OBC-MOBC/EWS candidates eligible for category-specific relaxation in marks and fees
  • 🏡 Candidates holding or able to obtain a valid Permanent Resident Certificate of Assam
  • 🧑‍🔬 Aspirants targeting Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, Community Science, or Food Nutrition & Dietetics specifically at AAU
  • 💼 Candidates willing to pursue the Higher Fee Category (HFC) route if outside standard reservation
  • 🌍 NRI-sponsored candidates with the required passport, visa, and financial documentation
  • 🔁 Repeat aspirants comparing their previous attempt’s percentile against this year’s process
  • 👨‍👩‍👧 Parents/guardians assisting a candidate through document collection and the application timeline

Other Options for Assam Students Besides AAU CET 2026

AAU CET is not the only door into agriculture and allied careers for Assam students. Depending on your target course, these are genuinely viable parallel or alternative routes:

1. Assam Veterinary and Fishery University (AVFU)

If your goal is specifically B.V.Sc. & A.H. or B.F.Sc., note that veterinary and fishery science admissions are no longer handled by AAU. The Assam Veterinary and Fishery University (AVFU), established in February 2024 by separating these faculties from AAU, now independently runs admissions at its Khanapara (Guwahati), Joyhing (North Lakhimpur), and Raha (Nagaon) campuses. The process mirrors AAU’s — online application, ABC ID requirement, similar fee structure around Rs. 1,500, and the same general PRC/reservation framework — but it is a genuinely separate admission cycle and notification.

2. ICAR AIEEA UG

The ICAR All India Entrance Examination for Admission (AIEEA UG), conducted by NTA, is a national-level exam accepted by AAU itself as an alternate admission channel for certain seats. This opens the door to other ICAR-affiliated agricultural universities across India too, not just AAU, widening your options if you’re open to studying outside Assam.

3. CUET UG (ICAR-UG)

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG), also via NTA, is accepted by over 40 central and state agricultural universities nationwide for various BSc Agriculture and allied courses. For Assam students willing to look beyond the state, this is one of the widest single-exam options available.

4. AAU VET (for Veterinary-specific aspirants under transition)

Some notifications still reference the legacy AAU VET entrance route during the AVFU transition period. If you’re targeting veterinary science, check both AVFU’s current notification and any legacy AAU VET references to ensure you’re applying through the correct, currently active channel.

5. Direct merit-based admission via Class 12 marks (select courses)

For a small number of seats and courses, some AAU-affiliated colleges have historically considered direct Class 12 merit alongside entrance scores. This isn’t a guaranteed annual feature, so always confirm against the current year’s Information Bulletin rather than assuming it applies.

AAU CET vs Other Routes — Comparison Table

FactorAAU CETAVFU AdmissionICAR AIEEA / CUET UG
Conducted ByAssam Agricultural UniversityAssam Veterinary and Fishery UniversityNTA (national level)
Best ForAgriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, Community Science at AAUB.V.Sc. & A.H., B.F.Sc. specificallyWider choice across India, not Assam-specific
Competition PoolLargely Assam-based candidatesLargely Assam-based candidatesAll-India — significantly larger
Domicile RelevancePRC carries direct weightPRC carries direct weightOpen to all-India candidates
Application Fee~Rs. 1,500 (verify category-wise)~Rs. 1,500Varies by NTA notification
Best Suited ForAssam students targeting AAU specificallyAssam students set on veterinary/fishery scienceStudents open to studying outside Assam
🧠 Expert Verdict: If you’re firmly Assam-based and your target is Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, or Community Science, AAU CET remains your most direct route. If veterinary or fishery science is the goal, double-check that you’re applying through AVFU’s current notification rather than an outdated AAU-branded one. And if you’re open to studying anywhere in India, layering ICAR AIEEA UG or CUET UG applications alongside AAU CET meaningfully widens your safety net — many serious aspirants apply to more than one route in parallel rather than betting everything on a single exam.

High-Value Terms Every AAU CET 2026 Aspirant Should Know

  • Percentile Rank: Your standing relative to all candidates across all test sessions — this, not a raw cutoff mark, drives AAU’s merit list.
  • ABC ID (Academic Bank of Credit): A UGC-mandated student ID required before counselling eligibility is confirmed.
  • PRC (Permanent Resident Certificate): Proof of Assam domicile, central to most AAU seat eligibility.
  • HFC (Higher Fee Category): A quota for candidates outside statutory reservation who pay a higher fee for a seat.
  • Information Bulletin: AAU’s official document with the authoritative, category-wise fee and eligibility details — always the final word over third-party estimates.
  • OBC-NCL Certificate: “Non-Creamy Layer” certificate required to claim OBC/MOBC reservation benefits.
  • CET-UG-AAU26: The official exam code for this year’s undergraduate Common Entrance Test.
  • AVFU: The Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, the separate institution now governing veterinary/fishery admissions in Assam.
  • ICAR AIEEA UG: The national entrance exam AAU itself accepts as an alternate admission channel.
  • Choice Filling: The stage where allotted candidates confirm or select their preferred course/campus combination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the AAU CET 2025 cutoff and how does it help for 2026?

AAU CET 2025 didn’t use a single fixed cutoff mark — it ranked candidates by percentile, and the effective threshold varied by course, faculty, and category. 2025 figures don’t carry forward to 2026; treat them only as a rough difficulty reference, not a guarantee.

How do I fill the AAU CET application form 2026?

Register at admission.aau.ac.in with a valid mobile number and email, fill in personal and academic details, upload documents, pay the application fee online, and submit. The window was open from 11 May to 10 June 2026.

What is the eligibility for AAU CET 2026?

Generally, 10+2 Science (PCB/PCAg/PCHSc depending on course) with around 50% marks for General category and a relaxed minimum for SC/ST/DAC, plus a minimum age of 16 as on 1 August 2026. Always confirm exact figures against the Information Bulletin for your specific course.

What is the application fee for AAU CET 2026?

Most commonly reported at Rs. 1,500 for UG admission, though AAU’s own notice directs candidates to the Information Bulletin for exact category-wise figures, since some categories may have a reduced fee.

What reservation categories are available in AAU CET 2026?

ST (Plains and Hills), OBC/MOBC (including TGL, Moran, Motak, Koch Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, and Chutia communities), SC, and EWS, plus a Higher Fee Category quota for non-reserved candidates.

What are the important dates for AAU CET 2026?

Portal opened 11 May 2026, closed 10 June 2026, per official Notice No. AAU/Exam(CET-26)/RG/2026-27/325 dated 8 May 2026. Admit card, exam date, and result were marked “to be announced” at notification time.

What other options do Assam students have besides AAU CET 2026?

AVFU for veterinary/fishery science, ICAR AIEEA UG (accepted by AAU itself), and CUET UG (ICAR-UG), which opens admission to 40+ agricultural universities across India.

Is AVFU different from AAU for veterinary admission in Assam?

Yes — AVFU has independently handled veterinary and fishery admissions since February 2024, separate from AAU, though the process and documentation are similar.

Can out-of-state or NRI candidates apply for AAU CET 2026?

Yes, through the Higher Fee Category (HFC) quota or the separate NRI route, both requiring specific additional documentation beyond the standard PRC-based application.

This guide is regularly reviewed and updated for accuracy based on official AAU notifications. Bookmark this page and always cross-verify exact fee figures, exam dates, and eligibility specifics directly on admission.aau.ac.in, since some figures (like category-wise fees) are explicitly directed by AAU to the Information Bulletin rather than published in the general notice.

Official Sources: AAU Admission Portal | Assam Agricultural University | Ministry of Labour & Employment (for reservation policy reference)

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, based on publicly available data and official notifications at the time of writing. Agrijob.in is not affiliated with Assam Agricultural University or the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University. Candidates must verify all fees, dates, and eligibility criteria directly on admission.aau.ac.in before applying or making payment.
Last Updated: June 2026