EXAM SYLLABUS

The CEETA-PG 2026 (CEETA PG has effectively replaced TANCET for M.Tech admissions.) syllabus is divided into three parts: Parts I and II are common for all applicants, while Part III is specific to the candidate's chosen engineering discipline.

EXAM SYLLABUS

The CEETA-PG 2026 (CEETA PG has effectively replaced TANCET for M.Tech admissions.) syllabus is divided into three parts: Parts I and II are common for all applicants, while Part III is specific to the candidate's chosen engineering discipline.

EXAM PATTERN

The CEETA-PG 2026 exam, conducted by Anna University, follows a structured pattern designed to test candidates across engineering mathematics, basic sciences, and their specific engineering disciplines.

Part-I and Part-II are compulsory and under Part-III the candidates have to answer the section which has been chosen at the time of registration. If a candidate appears for different section, Part – III will not be evaluated.

Mode of Examination

CEETA PG Examination will be held as an Offline Pen and Paper Based Test. Questions will be Objective type Multiple choice in nature.

Medium of Examination

The exam paper for CEETA PG Examination will be in English language Only.

Marking Scheme

1. There will be four alternatives, out of which candidates need to choose one correct answer.

2. For every correct answer, candidates will score 1 mark.

3. For each wrong answer, 1/4 marks will be deducted

4. If any candidate selects multiple options as the answer, it will be treated as the wrong answer and 1/4 mark will be deducted for this.

5. No marks will be deducted for the questions left unanswered.

Normalisation of Marks

The entrance test question paper for M.E. / M.Tech. / M.Arch. / M.Plan. will have two common parts, Part – I Engineering Mathematics and Part – II Basic Engineering & Sciences, and Part – III meant for respective disciplines. On evaluation, the average marks may vary from discipline to discipline under Part – III. Thus, Marks of Part III will be computed using the formula

Computed Marks of Part III = (X+r)m

Where X is the adjustment factor, r is the raw mark scored by the candidates and m is the multiplication factor used to level the averages of all subjects.

This gives the relative ranking of the candidates in any discipline.

Candidates who have written the TANCET/CEETA-PG will normally be notified with actual marks and percentile score they have obtained, at the time of publishing result. However, to avoid projecting negative scoring, the final score card contains only the percentile score. The percentile score is calculated using the formula:

Percentile Score =(Y/N)* 100.

Where Y is number of students scored lesser mark than the candidate in that examination and N is the total number of students appeared for the examination.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates willing to apply for CEETA PG - M.E. / M.Tech. / M.Arch. / M.Plan. Examination are required to fulfil certain conditions to be eligible for it. The candidate who does not satisfy the Eligibility criteria like Age, Minimum educational qualification etc., their candidature shall be rejected by the authorities. The candidate’s eligibility for CEETA PG - M.E. / M.Tech. / M.Arch. / M.Plan. Examination is based on the fulfilment of the following conditions:-

1. Nationality

2. Age Limit & Relaxations

3. Educational Qualifications

Nationality

1. Applicants who want to appear in CEETA PG Exam to pursue a PG program in any field must have a status of Indian Citizenship.

2. Applicants residing in another state should present identity proof as to the most important documents before sitting for the entrance examination.

3. Applicants residing outside of the country are also eligible to apply for this entrance test. In that case, applicants need to present an NRI certificate to apply for the exam. 

4. For NRI seats, candidates of Indian citizens or overseas citizens of India, or Persons of Indian Origin can apply.

Age Limit & Relaxations

As per the eligibility criteria, there is no age bar to apply for the entrance test.

Educational Qualifications

(a) A pass in a recognised Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in the relevant field and obtained atleast 50% (45% in the case of BC, BCM, MBC, SC, SCA and ST candidates belonging to Tamilnadu)in the qualifying degree examination.

(i) B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Arch. Degree Programmes

(or)

(ii) B.Pharm. Degree Programmes

(or)

(iii) Master’s Degree in the relevant branch of Science / Arts, which are prescribed.

(b) (i) 10 + 2 + AMIE* + 2 Yrs of experience

(or)

(ii) 10 + 3 years diploma (awarded by the State Board of Technical Education) + AMIE* + 2 Yrs of experience

* Candidates with Section ‘A’ & ‘B’ certificates (A.M.I.E.) and other similar certificates of professional bodies viz. Aeronautical Society of India, etc., recognised by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India and enrolled before 31.5.2013 are considered to be equivalent to B.E. / B.Tech. Degree holders, only with 2 years regular full time experience in the relevant field after successful completion of the course including project work. An experience certificate shall be produced by the candidates.

+ Candidates who have qualified as AIIA (Associateship Examination of the Indian Institute of Architects) with a valid registration with the Council of Architecture are eligible.

IMPORTANT DATES

Important tentative dates for Anna University CEETA PG 2026 (Common Engineering Entrance Test and Admission – for M.Tech / M.Arch / M.E / M.Plan) are based on the latest available schedule.

EXAM ANALYSIS

Here is the exam analysis for the upcoming CEETA-PG 2026 exam conducted by Anna University. The analysis is based on the previous year’s exam (CEETA-PG 2025) to understand the exam schedule, pattern, difficulty level, and expected trends for 2026.

CEETA-PG Exam 2026 Analysis (Based on Previous Year)

When the Last CEETA-PG Exam Was Conducted

The most recent exam cycle, CEETA-PG 2025, was conducted on 23 March 2025 for admission to postgraduate engineering and architecture programs in Tamil Nadu.

The exam was organized by Anna University for admission to programs such as M.E., M.Tech, M.Arch, and M.Plan in university departments, government engineering colleges, and government-aided institutions.

Exact Date, Time, and Shift Details (Previous Exam)

The CEETA-PG exam is typically conducted in a single shift nationwide.

Date
23 March 2025

Shift timing
10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

Duration
2 hours

Mode
Offline (pen-and-paper test).

Since the exam is held in a single shift, all candidates face the same paper, ensuring uniform difficulty.

CEETA-PG 2026 Exam Schedule

For the upcoming cycle, the CEETA-PG 2026 exam is scheduled as follows:

Exam date
10 May 2026

Exam time
10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

Registration start
16 March 2026

Last date to apply
10 April 2026.

The exam will again be conducted in offline mode at designated exam centres.

CEETA-PG Exam Pattern

The exam pattern generally remains consistent each year.

Mode
Offline (pen-and-paper)

Duration
2 hours

Total questions
100

Question type
Multiple choice questions

Marking scheme
1 mark for each correct answer
0.25 mark negative marking for each incorrect answer.

The paper primarily tests technical knowledge related to the candidate’s engineering discipline.

Subject Coverage

Candidates must choose a specific engineering discipline based on their undergraduate degree.

Typical subjects include

Civil Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Electronics and Communication Engineering
Computer Science Engineering
Architecture and Planning

Questions are mainly based on core B.E./B.Tech syllabus topics.

Difficulty Level of Previous Exam

Based on exam reviews and student feedback, the overall difficulty level of CEETA-PG 2025 was moderate.

Common observations:

Questions were conceptual rather than formula-based
Some sections required analytical understanding of engineering principles
Time management was important due to conceptual questions

Candidates with strong fundamentals in undergraduate engineering subjects generally performed well.

Good Attempts in the Exam

Because the exam includes negative marking, students attempt questions carefully.

Typical good attempt range
70 – 80 questions

High accuracy is important to secure a better rank.

Expected Cutoff Trends

Cutoffs vary depending on:

Exam difficulty
Number of candidates
Availability of seats

Typical expected score range for competitive ranks:

Score above 75
High rank

Score 65 – 70
Competitive rank

Score 50 – 60
Moderate rank

Higher ranks are required to secure admission in top government engineering colleges under Anna University.

Participation Trends

Thousands of candidates appear for CEETA-PG each year to pursue postgraduate engineering programs in Tamil Nadu.

The exam serves as the primary entrance test for M.E., M.Tech, M.Arch, and M.Plan admissions in government and government-aided colleges in the state.

What to Expect in CEETA-PG 2026

Based on previous trends, the 2026 exam is expected to follow the same structure:

Single shift exam
100 questions in 2 hours
Offline mode
Negative marking continues

The overall difficulty level is expected to remain moderate with conceptual engineering questions.

Preparation Strategy for CEETA-PG 2026

To perform well in the exam:

Revise core B.E./B.Tech engineering subjects thoroughly
Practice previous year CEETA-PG questions
Focus on conceptual understanding rather than memorization
Take mock tests to improve speed and accuracy

STUDY TIPS

The only deciding factor for the selection or rejection of a candidate is the Strategy & Planning which is used by them for their preparation for the CEETA PG - M.E / M.Tech / M.Arch / M.Plan Examination. A good and result-oriented Strategy & Planning for the examination will definitely allow the candidates to make their way through CEETA PG Examination.

1. Clear your concepts and basics :- The first step of any exam preparation is to have conceptual clarity. Unless the basics are clear, no amount of mock test or rote learning will come handy during the test. Practice formula, vocabulary, rules of grammar regularly. If you have brushed up your basics, it will be easier for you to solve any question. Make sure that you practice all the important topics for the exam as per TANCET syllabus.

2. Know your strength and weaknesses : - The better way to analyse your strength and weaknesses is to attempt the mock tests. It will help to find out the areas/topics within a section that are your strengths, and the ones are your weaknesses. Accordingly, you will be able to plan out a strategy for improving the weak areas.

3. Take mock tests :- Take as many mock tests you can, as it will give an idea about the actual test. Also, do not forget to analyse your performance after every mock test. This will help you in measuring your TANCET preparation level. Along with taking mock tests, it is equally important to analyse the mock tests to identify the areas which need improvement and the reason for answering wrong. There are primarily two reasons, lack of conceptual clarity and silly mistakes. If it is the former, you have to go back to the basics. If it is the latter, practice is the only way out. 

4. Practice Question/Sample Papers :- Practice Papers/Sample Papers serve as the best resource for TANCET preparation 2022. Therefore, solve TANCET question/sample papers regularly because the concepts and types of questions are repeated sometimes in the exam. It will help you to know the actual difficulty level of TANCET exam.

5. Focus on improving speed and accuracy :-Speed and accuracy are two important aspects of scoring good marks in the exam. Focus on building accuracy first then with regular practice, you will master the speed of solving questions. Since there is no negative marking scheme in the TANCET exam pattern, you must focus on speed and attempt as many questions as possible as more questions improve the chance of scoring higher. 

6. Time Management :- Plan out strategy as to how you will divide time between sections during the exam. The ideal way is that, read the question paper carefully and solve the less time-consuming ones. In the first round, you can solve easy questions and do the moderate or tough ones later. In the second round, solve moderate ones or tough ones. Remember there is negative marking, for incorrect answer 1/3 marks will be deducted. Therefore, you need to choose questions judiciously.

7. Revision :- Revision plays an important role in TANCET preparation. Glance through the theorems and formula regularly. Make a note of the topics you have studied so far. This will help in revising the topics easily and quickly. To improve on vocabulary and formulae, you can prepare flash notes and notebooks and keep it in your vicinity so that you can revise it without putting an extra effort for it. 

8. Clear and defined exam day strategy :- A well-defined strategy is necessary to crack the exam. You need to have a clear strategy as to how to attempt each section, how to allow time to each question etc.  Sticking to the plan is important. Decide the exam taking strategy based on your high scoring mock tests. You should ideally start with the sections you are comfortable in as it will boost your confidence, and then move towards the moderate to tough areas.

9. Be confident  :- Keep your confidence level high. Being confident will make your learning abilities better and help you to keep calm during the exam. If you take tension, it will affect your performance during the exam.

Preparation Plan for One Months

A one-month study plan for CEETA PG 2026 requires intensive, focused revision of core topics, daily MCQ practice, and timed mock tests. Divide the 30 days into: 15 days for subject-wise intensive revision, 10 days for mock tests and weak area improvement, and 5 days for final rapid review of formulas and key concepts, ensuring a 1/4 negative marking strategy. 

Weekly Breakdown:

Week 1: Foundations & Core Subjects

1 - Focus on Engineering Mathematics and Basic Engineering & Sciences (Part I & II).

2 - Revise core subjects (Part III) that carry high weightage.

3 - Create short notes or flashcards for quick daily revision.

Week 2: Intensive Revision & Past Papers

1 - Revise remaining core subjects.

2 - Solve CEETA PG previous year question papers (PYQs) to understand exam difficulty and recurring topics.

3 - Focus on accuracy to avoid negative marking.

Week 3: Mocks and Accuracy Building

1 - Take full-length mock tests daily to build stamina and time management.

2 - Analyse every mock test to identify weak areas.

3 - Maintain a "mistake notebook" to avoid repeating errors.

Week 4: Final Polish (No New Topics)

1 - Revise short notes, formulas, and the mistake notebook daily.

2 - Review high-yield topics and previous year questions.

3 - Take 1-2 light mock tests and focus on maintaining composure. 

Key Tips for Success

1 - Prioritize Accuracy: Since the exam has 115 MCQs with 1/4 negative marking, focus on correctness over speed.

2 - Daily Practice: Solve at least 90-100 MCQs daily.

3 - Balanced Focus: Allocate time proportionately: Part I/II (General) and Part III (Core).

4 - Revision is Key: Regularly review formulas to keep them fresh. 

Preparation Plan for 6 Months

A 6-month study plan for CEETA PG 2026 requires balancing Engineering Mathematics, Basic Engineering & Sciences, and core subjects (Parts I, II, & III) through structured, consistent study. Key strategies include creating a detailed syllabus-based schedule, practicing with previous year papers, taking daily mock tests, and avoiding negative marking, with a focus on comprehensive revision and time management. 

Month-by-Month CEETA PG 2026 Plan

1 - Months 1 & 2: Foundation & Conceptual Clarity

Goal: Understand the syllabus and build a solid foundation.

Action: Go through the entire syllabus (Parts I, II, & III) and identify key topics.

Activities: Create short notes and bullet points for quick revision. Focus on fundamental concepts in Engineering Mathematics and Basic Engineering.

2 - Months 3 & 4: Application & In-depth Practice

Goal: Apply concepts to problem-solving.

Action: Focus on solving MCQs, specifically targeting weak areas.

Activities: Start solving topic-wise questions and previous year question papers to understand diff

STUDY TIPS

The only deciding factor for the selection or rejection of a candidate is the Strategy & Planning which is used by them for their preparation for the CEETA PG - M.E / M.Tech / M.Arch / M.Plan Examination. A good and result-oriented Strategy & Planning for the examination will definitely allow the candidates to make their way through CEETA PG Examination.

1. Clear your concepts and basics :- The first step of any exam preparation is to have conceptual clarity. Unless the basics are clear, no amount of mock test or rote learning will come handy during the test. Practice formula, vocabulary, rules of grammar regularly. If you have brushed up your basics, it will be easier for you to solve any question. Make sure that you practice all the important topics for the exam as per TANCET syllabus.

2. Know your strength and weaknesses : - The better way to analyse your strength and weaknesses is to attempt the mock tests. It will help to find out the areas/topics within a section that are your strengths, and the ones are your weaknesses. Accordingly, you will be able to plan out a strategy for improving the weak areas.

3. Take mock tests :- Take as many mock tests you can, as it will give an idea about the actual test. Also, do not forget to analyse your performance after every mock test. This will help you in measuring your TANCET preparation level. Along with taking mock tests, it is equally important to analyse the mock tests to identify the areas which need improvement and the reason for answering wrong. There are primarily two reasons, lack of conceptual clarity and silly mistakes. If it is the former, you have to go back to the basics. If it is the latter, practice is the only way out. 

4. Practice Question/Sample Papers :- Practice Papers/Sample Papers serve as the best resource for TANCET preparation 2022. Therefore, solve TANCET question/sample papers regularly because the concepts and types of questions are repeated sometimes in the exam. It will help you to know the actual difficulty level of TANCET exam.

5. Focus on improving speed and accuracy :-Speed and accuracy are two important aspects of scoring good marks in the exam. Focus on building accuracy first then with regular practice, you will master the speed of solving questions. Since there is no negative marking scheme in the TANCET exam pattern, you must focus on speed and attempt as many questions as possible as more questions improve the chance of scoring higher. 

6. Time Management :- Plan out strategy as to how you will divide time between sections during the exam. The ideal way is that, read the question paper carefully and solve the less time-consuming ones. In the first round, you can solve easy questions and do the moderate or tough ones later. In the second round, solve moderate ones or tough ones. Remember there is negative marking, for incorrect answer 1/3 marks will be deducted. Therefore, you need to choose questions judiciously.

7. Revision :- Revision plays an important role in TANCET preparation. Glance through the theorems and formula regularly. Make a note of the topics you have studied so far. This will help in revising the topics easily and quickly. To improve on vocabulary and formulae, you can prepare flash notes and notebooks and keep it in your vicinity so that you can revise it without putting an extra effort for it. 

8. Clear and defined exam day strategy :- A well-defined strategy is necessary to crack the exam. You need to have a clear strategy as to how to attempt each section, how to allow time to each question etc.  Sticking to the plan is important. Decide the exam taking strategy based on your high scoring mock tests. You should ideally start with the sections you are comfortable in as it will boost your confidence, and then move towards the moderate to tough areas.

9. Be confident  :- Keep your confidence level high. Being confident will make your learning abilities better and help you to keep calm during the exam. If you take tension, it will affect your performance during the exam.

Preparation Plan for One Months

A one-month study plan for CEETA PG 2026 requires intensive, focused revision of core topics, daily MCQ practice, and timed mock tests. Divide the 30 days into: 15 days for subject-wise intensive revision, 10 days for mock tests and weak area improvement, and 5 days for final rapid review of formulas and key concepts, ensuring a 1/4 negative marking strategy. 

Weekly Breakdown:

Week 1: Foundations & Core Subjects

1 - Focus on Engineering Mathematics and Basic Engineering & Sciences (Part I & II).

2 - Revise core subjects (Part III) that carry high weightage.

3 - Create short notes or flashcards for quick daily revision.

Week 2: Intensive Revision & Past Papers

1 - Revise remaining core subjects.

2 - Solve CEETA PG previous year question papers (PYQs) to understand exam difficulty and recurring topics.

3 - Focus on accuracy to avoid negative marking.

Week 3: Mocks and Accuracy Building

1 - Take full-length mock tests daily to build stamina and time management.

2 - Analyse every mock test to identify weak areas.

3 - Maintain a "mistake notebook" to avoid repeating errors.

Week 4: Final Polish (No New Topics)

1 - Revise short notes, formulas, and the mistake notebook daily.

2 - Review high-yield topics and previous year questions.

3 - Take 1-2 light mock tests and focus on maintaining composure. 

Key Tips for Success

1 - Prioritize Accuracy: Since the exam has 115 MCQs with 1/4 negative marking, focus on correctness over speed.

2 - Daily Practice: Solve at least 90-100 MCQs daily.

3 - Balanced Focus: Allocate time proportionately: Part I/II (General) and Part III (Core).

4 - Revision is Key: Regularly review formulas to keep them fresh. 

Preparation Plan for 6 Months

A 6-month study plan for CEETA PG 2026 requires balancing Engineering Mathematics, Basic Engineering & Sciences, and core subjects (Parts I, II, & III) through structured, consistent study. Key strategies include creating a detailed syllabus-based schedule, practicing with previous year papers, taking daily mock tests, and avoiding negative marking, with a focus on comprehensive revision and time management. 

Month-by-Month CEETA PG 2026 Plan

1 - Months 1 & 2: Foundation & Conceptual Clarity

Goal: Understand the syllabus and build a solid foundation.

Action: Go through the entire syllabus (Parts I, II, & III) and identify key topics.

Activities: Create short notes and bullet points for quick revision. Focus on fundamental concepts in Engineering Mathematics and Basic Engineering.

2 - Months 3 & 4: Application & In-depth Practice

Goal: Apply concepts to problem-solving.

Action: Focus on solving MCQs, specifically targeting weak areas.

Activities: Start solving topic-wise questions and previous year question papers to understand difficulty levels and patterns.

3 - Month 5: Intensive Revision & Mock Tests

Goal: Enhance speed and accuracy.

Action: Take daily mock tests to improve performance under timed conditions.

Activities: Revise short notes, formulas, and high-yielding topics.

4 - Month 6: Final Polishing & Strategy

Goal: Final exam readiness.

Action: Review all formulas and previously made notes.

Activities: Practice full-length,,0.5-hour mock tests, focusing on minimizing negative marking (1/4 mark deduction). ???????

OVERVIEW

For the 2026 academic session, admissions to M.Tech, M.E., M.Arch, and M.Plan programs in Tamil Nadu are conducted through the CEETA-PG (Common Engineering Entrance Test and Admission) by Anna University, Chennai. While the TANCET exam is now dedicated strictly to MBA and MCA courses. CEETA PG has effectively replaced TANCET for M.Tech admissions.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process for CEETA-PG 2026 (Common Engineering Entrance Test and Admission) is a multi-stage procedure managed by Anna University through the Common Engineering Admission Procedure (CEAP 2026). 

Entrance and Qualification

Candidates must first qualify via one of two paths: 

CEETA-PG Exam Path: Most candidates must appear for the 2-hour offline CEETA-PG exam held tentatively in March 2026.

GATE Path: Candidates with valid GATE 2024, 2025, or 2026 scores in Engineering/Technology disciplines can apply without the CEETA-PG exam. However, those with GATE scores in Engineering Science (XE) or Life Science (XL) papers must also appear for CEETA-PG 2026.