List of Lateral Entry Engineering Entrance Exams in India

01 August,2024  |  By Brainwonders

Engineering remains a trendy career choice among young people in India. In addition to the traditional route for 12th-grade graduates, various engineering entrance exams at the national and state levels, as well as individual institutions, provide opportunities for diploma holders to enter degree programs directly.

Diploma holders can gain admission to the second year of undergraduate engineering courses by performing well on these entrance exams. These exams are held annually at different levels, including National, State, and institutional. Notable examples of exams offering lateral entry include Haryana LEET, JLEE, DTE Kerala, and others.

Eligibility Criteria for (Lateral Entry to Second Year) admission to B. Tech. in Engineering. Passed Diploma examination with at least 45% marks (40% in case of candidates belonging to reserved category) in appropriate branch of Engineering and Technology.

To assist candidates in navigating this process, we provide details on various engineering exams scheduled for 2024. Those seeking admission to BTech programs through lateral entry can find information on the exams that offer such opportunities below.

Application forms for many of the major engineering entrance exams in India for 2024 have already been released by the respective authorities. A frequent question from candidates concerns important dates, exam patterns, and syllabi for these exams. Find all the essential details about engineering entrance exams in India below.

What is lateral entry?

After completing the 12th grade, students typically enrol in various courses based on their interests and abilities, starting from the first year of the program. However, another way to gain admission to a course is through lateral entry. This allows students to be directly promoted to the second year of the program. Lateral entry is available to students who have completed a diploma program and wish to pursue a graduate course. Since they have already covered the basics during their diploma, they are deemed qualified to skip the first year by the course governing body.

It is important to note that not all courses offer lateral entry. Only a limited number of programs, such as B.Tech or B.Pharma provides this option. Generally, lateral entry is allowed in graduate courses that have an equivalent diploma program, enabling students to join the second year directly.

Advantage of lateral entry

Students who have completed a diploma course already have a strong foundation in the core concepts of their chosen field. Because the first year of most degree programs focuses on these basics, diploma holders can skip it through lateral entry. This saves them time, as they've already invested three years in their diploma after the 10th, making an additional year unnecessary.

Pursuing a course through lateral entry offers several advantages, including:

1. Direct entry into the second year of the degree program, bypassing the first year, which usually covers introductory material.
2. Different eligibility criteria for lateral entry compared to regular admissions, often allowing students to bypass entrance exams.
3. Financial savings, as students don't need to pay for the first year of the course.
4. The added benefit is that you already hold a diploma, which serves as an extra qualification and provides a solid understanding of the subjects covered in the degree program.

How to get lateral entry in Btech?

Here are the eligibility criteria for BTech:

1. Candidates must have completed 10+2 or intermediate-level studies, securing at least 50% marks with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as their core subjects.
2. Diploma holders in Civil Engineering (through lateral entry) are also eligible to enrol, allowing them to enhance their skills and knowledge further.
3. The program is also open to working professionals, whether they have completed a degree or started working immediately after finishing their 10+2 education.

List of Engineering Entrance Exams for Lateral Entry

Following is the list of entrance exams for lateral entry into Btech:

• All India SLIET Entrance Test (SET)
• Delhi Technological University Lateral Entry Engineering Test (DTU LEET)
• Diploma Common Entrance Test (DCET)
• DTE Kerala LET
• Haryana LEET
• Himachal Pradesh Lateral Entry Entrance Test (HP LEET)
• Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test (IPU CET)
• Joint Entrance Examination for Lateral Entry (JELET)
• Joint Lateral Entrance Examination (JLEE)
• Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Examination (KIITEE)
• Odisha Joint Entrance Exam (OJEE)
• Panjab University Lateral Engineering Entrance Test (PULEET)
• Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Examination (UPSEE)
• Uttarakhand State Entrance Exam (UKSEE)

1. Haryana LEET

The Haryana LEET, also known simply as LEET, is a state-level lateral entry exam administered by the Haryana State Technical Education Society (HSTES). This test provides students with an opportunity to gain admission to the 2nd year/3rd semester of BE/BTech programs at various engineering colleges in Haryana. Eligibility includes candidates with a Diploma in Engineering/Technology or a BSc in a relevant field.

Application forms for Haryana LEET have yet to be released. The application fee is Rs 500 for general candidates and Rs 200 for those in reserved categories. The exam will be conducted online. Results will be posted on both the HSTES official website and the LEET official website at www.onlinetesthry.gov.in. For more detailed information about Haryana LEET, please refer to the options provided in the table below.

Haryana LEET dates	Haryana LEET Application form
Haryana LEET Syllabus	Haryana LEET Pattern
Haryana LEET Admit card	Haryana LEET Result

2. Joint Lateral Entrance Examination (JLEE)

The Assam Joint Lateral Entrance Examination (JLEE) will be organized by the Directorate of Technical Education, Assam, for admissions to the 2nd year/3rd semester of BE programs for the academic year 2024-25. This exam serves as a gateway to various engineering colleges in Assam, including Assam Engineering College, Jorhat Engineering College, Jorhat Institute of Science and Technology, and Bineswar Brahma Engineering College. Selection will be based on a merit list compiled from the total marks obtained in the JLEE.

JLEE dates	JLEE Application form
JLEE Pattern	JLEE Admit card
JLEE Result	-

3. DTE Kerala LET

The DTE Kerala LET stands for Directorate of Technical Education Kerala Lateral Entrance Test. This state-level exam is required for candidates who wish to gain admission directly to the 2nd year or 3rd semester of BTech programs at colleges within Kerala. The exam is held annually. The application form for DTE Kerala LET 2024 is expected to be available around June. For more details about the DTE Kerala LET 2024, please refer to the relevant information provided below.

DTE Kerala LET dates	DTE Kerala LET Application form
DTE Kerala LET Syllabus	DTE Kerala LET Pattern
DTE Kerala LET Admit card	DTE Kerala LET Result

4. Joint Entrance Examination for Lateral Entry (JELET)

The Joint Entrance Examination for Lateral Entry (JELET) 2023 is a state-level exam organized by the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board (WBJEEB). It is designed for admission to the 2nd year/3rd semester of four-year degree programs in Engineering, Technology, and Pharmacy through a lateral entry scheme. The WBJEEB will release a merit list based on candidates' performance in the entrance test. For more information about JELET 2024, please refer to the relevant details provided below.

JELET Dates	JELET Application form
JELET Syllabus	JELET Pattern
JELET Admit card	JELET Result

5. Panjab University Lateral Engineering Entrance Test (PULEET)

PULEET, or Panjab University Lateral Engineering Entrance Test, is administered by Panjab University, Chandigarh. The PULEET 2024 will be held for admission to the 2nd year/3rd semester of the four-year Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree program. The BE courses available include Chemical Engineering, Food Technology, Computer Science Engineering, Information Technology, Electronics & Communication, Biotechnology, Electrical & Electronics, and Mechanical Engineering. Candidates will be selected based on their rank in the PULEET, with no minimum cutoff marks required for any category to pass the exam.

PULEET dates	PULEET Application form
PULEET Syllabus	PULEET Pattern
PULEET Admit card	PULEET Result

6. Delhi Technological University Lateral Entry Engineering Test (DTU LEET)

The Delhi Technological University Lateral Entry Engineering Test, commonly known as DTU LEET, is held for direct admission to the 2nd year/3rd semester of BTech programs. Eligible candidates must have completed a Diploma in Engineering. For DTU LEET 2024, the application form will be available exclusively online at www.dtu.ac.in. A brief notification about admissions can also be found on the official website. The university offers lateral entry into BTech courses across 14 engineering disciplines.

DTU LEET dates	DTU LEET Application form
DTU LEET Syllabus	DTU LEET Pattern
DTU LEET Admit card	DTU LEET Result

7. Himachal Pradesh Lateral Entry Entrance Test (HP LEET)

HP LEET, which stands for Himachal Pradesh Lateral Entry Entrance Test, is for candidates seeking admission to the 2nd year/3rd semester of Diploma courses at both Government and Private colleges in Himachal Pradesh. To apply for HP LEET 2024, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria set for the exam. The HP LEET is a two-hour offline test featuring objective questions from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and General Knowledge. The question paper for HP LEET 2024 will be available in both English and Hindi for the Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry sections.

HP LEET Dates	HP LEET Application form
HP LEET Syllabus	HP LEET Pattern
HP LEET Admit card	HP LEET Result

8. Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test (IPU CET)

IPU CET, or Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test, is used for admissions to various undergraduate and postgraduate programs at Indraprastha University. For the lateral entry scheme, candidates are admitted based on their performance in this Common Entrance Test (CET). Only eligible candidates will be able to download the IPU CET 2024 admit card online.

IPU CET  Dates	IPU CET  Application form
IPU CET  Syllabus	IPU CET  Pattern
IPU CET  Admit card	IPU CET  Result

9. Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Examination (UPSEE)

The UPSEE exam provides a pathway for candidates seeking lateral entry into various undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programs at colleges that accept UPSEE scores. Through the Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Examination (UPSEE), candidates can gain admission to approximately 841 institutions and colleges affiliated with AKTU, as well as other universities in Uttar Pradesh. Specifically, around 93 colleges in Ghaziabad and 75 colleges in Gautam Budh Nagar are affiliated with AKTU.

UPSEE Dates	UPSEE Application form
UPSEE Syllabus	UPSEE Pattern
UPSEE Admit card	UPSEE Result

10. Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Examination (KIITEE)

KIITEE, organized by KIIT University, facilitates lateral entry for candidates into various undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programs. The Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Examination (KIITEE) will be held online across 69 cities in 27 states and Union Territories. To be eligible for KIITEE 2024, candidates must possess a diploma in the relevant engineering field. Those who qualify in KIITEE 2024 will be invited for counseling based on their ranks in the entrance exam.

KIITEE Dates	KIITEE Application form
KIITEE Syllabus	KIITEE Pattern
KIITEE Admit card	KIITEE Result

11. Diploma Common Entrance Test (DCET)

The Diploma Common Entrance Test (DCET), conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), serves as the entry point for admissions to 2nd-year undergraduate engineering programs (BTech) and 1st-year undergraduate architecture programs (BArch) under the lateral entry scheme. The exam is administered in a pen-and-paper format. The merit list will be determined by the scores achieved in DCET 2024. Candidates will be selected for participation in the DCET 2024 counseling process based on their exam scores.

DCET Dates	DCET Application form
DCET Syllabus	DCET Pattern
DCET Admit card	DCET Result

12. All India SLIET Entrance Test (SET)

The Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (SLIET) conducts the All India SLIET Entrance Test (SET) for admissions to various programs, including Integrated Certificate-Diploma (ICD), 2nd year of ICD, BE lateral entry, and PhD. The SET is usually held in four phases: SET I, SET IA, SET III, and SET V. Additionally, SLIET offers BE, MTech, MBA, and MSc courses, with admissions based on scores from national level exams and centralized counseling.

SLIET SET Dates	SLIET SET Application form
SLIET SET Syllabus	SLIET SET Pattern
SLIET SET Admit card	SLIET SET Result

13. Uttarakhand State Entrance Exam (UKSEE)

Uttarakhand Technical University organizes the Uttarakhand State Entrance Exam (UKSEE) for admissions to the 2nd year/3rd semester of BTech, BPharma, and MCA programs. Several government and private institutions in Uttarakhand use UKSEE scores for admission to these courses. Below, we provide details about the UKSEE 2024 examination.

UKSEE Dates	UKSEE Application form
UKSEE Syllabus	UKSEE Pattern
UKSEE Admit card	UKSEE Result

14. Odisha Joint Entrance Exam (OJEE)

The Odisha Joint Entrance Exam (OJEE) is a state-level entrance test organized by the OJEE Cell for admissions to Lateral Entry B.Tech and MCA/Lateral Entry MCA programs. Candidates can use their OJEE 2024 scores to apply for various courses at participating colleges. Although OJEE 2024 was initially set for the first week of May 2024, the exam has been postponed indefinitely due to the extended nationwide lockdown.

OJEE Dates	OJEE Application form
OJEE Syllabus	OJEE Pattern
OJEE Admit card	OJEE Result

Top Btech lateral entry colleges

Here is the list of top colleges that offer lateral entry into Btech:

1. Bon Maharaj Engineering College, Mathura
2. KP Group of Institutions, Agra
3. Krishna Institute of Technology, Kanpur
4. LDC Institute of Technical Studies, Allahabad
5. Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology, Kanpur
6. Raja Balwant Singh Engineering Technical Campus, Agra
7. Sagar Institute of Technology and Management, Lucknow
8. Shanti Institute of Technology, Meerut
9. Sir Chhotu Ram of Engineering and Technology, Meerut
10. Vindhya Institute of Technology and Science, Allahabad

Lateral entry admission process

The lateral entry process for a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) is straightforward and transparent. Here's how the admission process works:

1. Candidates can apply for lateral entry after completing a three-year diploma program in the relevant field.
2. Each university follows its specific admission guidelines, which are strictly adhered to during the process.
3. Admission is typically based on a merit list and entrance exam scores.
4. State-level entrance exam results are used for admissions to various state institutions.
5. Merit is a critical factor in determining eligibility for admission.
6. Prestigious universities often conduct their entrance exams for BTech lateral entry admissions.

Lateral entry counselling 2024

For BTech Lateral Entry, the most common selection method is through a written or computer-based entrance exam. After the exam, colleges and universities create a merit list of successful candidates, who are then invited for counselling sessions. Given the limited number of seats, the competition is intense. Therefore, students are encouraged to begin their preparation as early as possible to enhance their chances of success.

All set!

We hope this post on lateral entry has provided you with a clear understanding. If you still have questions, consider reaching out to unbiased counsellors for expert guidance. We at Brainwonders, India's Largest Career Counselling & Guidance and DMIT Company, strive to help you make an informed decision about your career. Based on the analysis you opt for, we assist you in understanding your or your child's capabilities better.  We try to help young, confused minds from 9th class, 10th class, class 11, and class 12 with an aim to select their most-suited career choices.

FAQs regarding Lateral Entry Exams in India

Q1. Who qualifies for lateral entry?

Ans: Candidates who have completed a diploma from an AICTE-approved institution with a minimum of 45% marks (40% for reserved categories) in a relevant branch of Engineering/Technology are eligible for lateral entry admissions.

Q2. How do I pursue lateral entry?

Ans: Lateral Entry Programs are available at universities and engineering colleges for students who have completed a 3-year diploma in Engineering or a BSc degree (or an equivalent qualification) with at least 45% marks.

Q3. Which is better: BTech or Polytechnic?

Ans: Polytechnic is a 3-year diploma course, while BTech is a 4-year degree program. In general, degree holders are often considered for more advanced positions compared to diploma holders.

Q4. Do IITs offer lateral entry?

Ans: IITs do not offer lateral entry admissions for diploma holders.

Q5. What is a lateral entry test?

Ans: A lateral entry test allows students who have completed their diploma to enter directly into the second year of an engineering program. These candidates must pass a specialized examination to enrol in the institute.

Q6. Which are the best colleges for lateral entry in BTech?

Ans: Some top colleges for lateral entry include Anna University, Tamil Nadu; Jadavpur University, Kolkata; Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Punjab; PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore; Amity University, Uttar Pradesh; and Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal.

Q7. Is there any lateral entry in NITs?

Ans: NITs do not offer lateral entry admissions; they only accept candidates through regular admissions.

Q8. Is lateral entry available at BITS Pilani?

Ans: BITS Pilani does not offer lateral entry admissions at any of its campuses. The only entrance exam for undergraduate admissions is BITSAT.

Q9. Can I get lateral entry into DTU?

Ans: Yes, candidates with a completed Diploma in Engineering can apply for the DTU LEET 2023 to gain admission to Delhi Technological University (DTU).

Q10. How do I apply for the LEET exam?

Ans: Registration for the LEET exam can be completed online.