AP SET Notification 2026: Exam Date, Eligibility, and Application Process

AP SET Exam Date 2026

The Andhra Pradesh State Eligibility Test (AP SET) 2026 is scheduled for March 28th and 29th, 2026. This offline examination is the gateway for candidates seeking appointment as Assistant Professors and Lecturers in universities and degree colleges across Andhra Pradesh. Admit cards will be available for download starting March 19th, 2026; applicants should verify their designated exam centers well in advance.

APSET Results 2026 Available Now

AP SET Notification 2026, Apply Till Today

Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, has published the official AP SET 2026 notification. The exam is scheduled for March 28-29, 2026, to determine eligibility for Assistant Professor and Lecturer roles. The application window is open until February 9, 2026 (Last Date Alert). The test will be conducted across major centers including Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Guntur, Nellore, Ananthapur, Tirupati, Kadapa, and Kurnool.

AP SET Exam 2026: Overview

The AP SET 2026 examination is administered by Andhra University. Please refer to the table below for a summary of essential AP SET 2026 event dates and information.

AP SET 2026 Registration Schedule

The registration process for the Andhra Pradesh State Eligibility Test (AP SET) 2026 is officially underway, managed by Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. Prospective candidates must submit their online applications before the deadline to avoid late fees. Below is the detailed AP SET 2026 exam schedule.

AP SET 2026 Apply Online Link

The official AP SET 2026 application link is now live. Candidates must complete their registration and submit the application fee via Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking through the secure portal. Applications must be submitted exclusively through the official website.

AP SET 2026 Online Application Link (Last Date Reminder)

AP SET Application Fees

Andhra University conducts the AP SET-2026 for the recruitment and promotion of Assistant Professors and Lecturers across the state. Registration fees are category-specific and payable via the official portal.

How to Apply for the AP SET 2026?

Follow our step-by-step guide below to ensure your AP SET 2026 application is submitted correctly through the official portal.

• Visit the official website: Go to the official website at apset.net.in.
• Read the Notification: Carefully read the official notification available on the website. It details eligibility criteria, important dates, fees, and the application process.
• Register Online: Click on the “Online Application” link on the website homepage. You will be directed to a new page where you can register by providing your basic details and creating a login ID and password.
• Fill out the Application Form: After successful registration, log in using your credentials and start filling out the online application form. Enter your personal details, educational qualifications, and exam details, and upload required documents like scanned photographs, signatures, and caste certificates (if applicable).
• Pay the Application Fee: Select your payment mode (debit card, credit card, net banking) and pay the application fee as per your category. The fee details are mentioned in the notification.
• Submit the Application: Once you have reviewed all the information carefully, submit the application form online. Remember, you cannot edit the application form after submission.
• Download and Print Confirmation Page: Download and print the confirmation page for your records. It contains your application details and registration number.

AP SET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The AP SET 2026 eligibility criteria are set in accordance with UGC guidelines. Aspiring candidates must thoroughly review educational qualifications, age relaxations, and other requirements before applying.

Educational Qualifications

• General / Unreserved / General-EWS candidates must have secured at least 55% marks (without rounding off) in a Master’s degree or equivalent examination from a UGC-recognized university/institution.
• BC / SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender candidates must have secured at least 50% marks (without rounding off) in the Master’s degree or equivalent examination.
• The eligibility applies to subjects in Humanities and Social Sciences (including languages), Computer Science and Applications, Electronic Science, and other subjects recognized by UGC.

Eligibility for Final Year / Result-Awaited Candidates

• Candidates pursuing their Master’s degree, appearing in the final year examination, or whose results are awaited or delayed, are also eligible to apply.
• To be considered eligible for Assistant Professor, they must complete their Master’s degree within two years from the date of the SET result with 55% marks (General / EWS) /50% marks (BC / SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender)

Relaxation for Third Gender Candidates

• Candidates belonging to the Third Gender category are eligible for the same relaxation in fee, age, and eligibility criteria as applicable to SC / ST / PwD categories.
• The subject-wise qualifying cut-off for this category will be the lowest cut-off among SC / ST / PwD / BC / General-EWS categories in the respective subject.

Relaxation for Ph.D. Degree Holders

• Candidates who completed their Master’s degree by 19 September 1991 and hold a Ph.D. degree are eligible for a 5% relaxation in aggregate marks.
• For such candidates, the minimum required marks will be 50% instead of 55%.

Subject Selection Guidelines

• Candidates are advised to appear in the subject of their Post-Graduation only.
• Candidates whose Post-Graduation subject is not included in the AP SET subject list may appear for UGC-NET / Joint CSIR-UGC Test instead.

Equivalence of Degree / Diploma

• Candidates holding a Post-Graduate diploma/certificate from Indian institutions or a foreign degree/diploma/certificate must ascertain the equivalence of their qualification with a Master’s degree from recognized Indian universities.
• Equivalence should be confirmed from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi.

Validity of SET Qualification

• Candidates who qualified SET before 1 June 2002 are eligible for Lectureship / Assistant Professor posts across India.
• Candidates who qualified SET on or after 1 June 2002 are eligible only for universities and colleges within the state from where they cleared the SET.

Exemptions from AP SET

The following categories are exempted from appearing in the AP SET examination:

• UGC-NET qualified candidates
• CSIR-NET qualified candidates

Age Limit

There is no upper age limit for candidates appearing in the AP SET 2026 examination.

Andhra Pradesh SET Exam Pattern 2026

The AP SET 2026 is designed to evaluate candidate eligibility for Assistant Professor roles. Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation and time management. The exam will be conducted in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format, consisting of two objective-type papers held on the same day.

AP SET Exam centre

To ensure wide accessibility, AP SET 2026 will be held across multiple districts in Andhra Pradesh. Candidates can select their preferred examination city during the online application process, subject to seat availability. Official test centers will be established in the following major districts:

• Srikakulam
• Vizianagaram
• Visakhapatnam
• East Godavari
• West Godavari
• Krishna
• Guntur
• Prakasam
• Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore
• Anantapur
• Kadapa
• Kurnool
• Chittoor

AP SET Qualifying Marks

Qualifying marks for AP SET 2026 will be determined by category, with a 40% threshold for the General category and 35% for other reserved categories. Candidates must meet both academic qualifications and minimum score requirements to qualify.