ISTC Merit List, Cut-off and Selection
Selection at ISTC is based only on your entrance exam marks. A merit list is prepared, and courses are allotted at counselling in order of rank, within category reservation. A candidate with a negative total is not considered. ISTC does not publish closing ranks or cut-off marks for each course.
How the merit list works
- Your entrance exam score (with negative marking) sets your rank.
- Candidates are called to counselling in order of merit, category-wise.
- At your turn you choose from the courses that still have seats. When a course fills up, later candidates can choose only from the remaining courses.
- If you are absent at counselling, you lose your candidature.
What about cut-off marks?
ISTC does not publish course-wise closing marks. The 2026 brochure's only stated floor is that a candidate with less than zero marks is not considered. Earlier ISTC admission documents listed minimum qualifying marks of 25% (General/EWS), 22.5% (OBC) and 20% (SC/ST) in the entrance exam. Treat these as indicative and confirm in the 2027 brochure.
In practice, with 180 seats and applicants from across North India, a strong Class 10 foundation and careful handling of negative marking matter more than any published number.
Frequently asked
What is the cut-off for ISTC?
ISTC does not publish course-wise cut-offs. Selection is by entrance exam rank. A negative total makes a candidate ineligible.
Is Class 10 percentage used in ISTC merit?
No. The 2026 brochure states the final merit list is based on entrance exam marks. Class 10 marks only decide eligibility.
Last verified against istc.ac.in and the official 2026 Information Brochure on .