The Jharkhand Polytechnic Lateral Entry 2026 entrance examination is officially known as the Diploma Entrance Competitive Examination (Lateral Entry) or DECE LE. It is conducted by the Jharkhand Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (JCECEB) for direct admission to the second year of 3-year Diploma (Polytechnic) programmes across government and private institutes in Jharkhand. Furthermore, JCECEB released the 2026 notification on 16 May 2026 (Advt. No. 20). Subsequently, the application window was open from 19 May 2026 to 12 June 2026 and the exam is scheduled for 28 June 2026 (Sunday). Therefore, this page covers all key details including exam dates, application process, eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, admit card, answer key, and result. Additionally, you can find the Jharkhand Polytechnic Lateral Entry Syllabus 2026, Admit Card, Answer Key, and Result on their dedicated pages. Note: this is the Polytechnic Lateral Entry (DECE LE) for diploma 2nd-year entry — do not confuse with Jharkhand Polytechnic PECE (1st-year entry) or JCECE (LE) ECE (engineering degree lateral entry).
Latest: The DECE LE 2026 application window closed on 12 June 2026. The written exam is scheduled on 28 June 2026 (Sunday), 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Candidates should track polylateralcet.jceceb.org.in for admit card and further updates.
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Jharkhand Polytechnic Lateral Entry 2026 (DECE LE)
DECE LE — Diploma Entrance Competitive Examination (Lateral Entry) — is the state-level entrance test conducted by JCECEB for admission to the second year of 3-year Diploma/Polytechnic programmes in Jharkhand. Furthermore, it is the gateway for candidates who hold a 10+2 (with Science/Vocational subjects) or 10th + 2-year ITI qualification to enter the second year of polytechnic courses directly. Subsequently, successful candidates participate in centralised online counselling for seat allotment across government and private polytechnic institutes in Jharkhand. Therefore, the test is important for ITI-qualified workers and vocational stream students seeking a diploma qualification. Additionally, JCECEB also conducts the separate PECE for fresh polytechnic admissions to the first year.
DECE LE 2026 Important Dates
JCECEB released the official schedule with Advt. No. 20 dated 16 May 2026. Furthermore, the application portal at polylateralcet.jceceb.org.in was live from 19 May 2026. Therefore, the key dates are as follows:
| Exam Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification (Advt. No. 20) | 16 May 2026 |
| Application Form Start | 19 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 12 June 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| DECE LE 2026 Exam Date | 28 June 2026 (Sunday), 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM |
| Answer Key Release | After exam (as per JCECEB) |
| Result Declaration | Expected July 2026 |
| Counselling Schedule | As per JCECEB |
Source: polylateralcet.jceceb.org.in (official JCECEB application portal, verified June 2026)
Official Website
- Main official website: jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in
- DECE LE application portal: polylateralcet.jceceb.org.in
- CET hub: cet.jceceb.org.in
Application Form
JCECEB conducts the application process exclusively online at polylateralcet.jceceb.org.in. Furthermore, the 2026 application window ran from 19 May to 12 June 2026. Subsequently, candidates who have already applied should preserve their registration number and password for downloading the admit card. Therefore, if you missed the 2026 window, prepare for the next cycle.
- Visit polylateralcet.jceceb.org.in.
- Click on “New Registration” and select DECE LE 2026.
- Register with course, email, mobile, and create a password.
- Login and fill personal, academic, and category details.
- Upload photograph and signature as per specifications.
- Pay the application fee via available payment gateway.
- Submit the form and download the confirmation slip.
Eligibility Criteria
JCECEB sets the following eligibility criteria as per the official 2026 prospectus. Furthermore, candidates must satisfy at least one academic qualification path. Subsequently, both ITI-qualified workers and 10+2 vocational stream students are eligible. Additionally, there is no upper age limit except for the Mining discipline.
- Path 1 (10+2): Passed 10+2 with at least one of Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronics, Information Technology, Biology, Informatics Practices, Bio-Technology, Technical Vocational Subject, Agriculture, Engineering Graphics, Business Studies, or Entrepreneurship.
- Path 2 (ITI): Passed 10th + 2-year ITI certificate in a trade relevant to the Diploma branch sought.
- Age Limit: No age restriction for most disciplines. For Mining discipline, minimum age must be 17 years as on 01.07.2026.
- Domicile: Local resident of Jharkhand (as per Jharkhand domicile policy).
Exam Pattern
The entrance test is conducted in OMR-based offline mode. Furthermore, the question paper has 100 MCQs worth 100 marks across two sections. Therefore, candidates should plan time carefully across both sections within the 2-hour window.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 50 | 50 | 10th Standard |
| Science (Physics + Chemistry) | 50 | 50 | 10th Standard |
| Total | 100 | 100 | — |
- Mode: Offline (OMR-based)
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Marking: +1 for correct answer, –0.25 for wrong answer
- Unanswered questions: No penalty
Syllabus
The DECE LE syllabus covers Mathematics and Science (Physics + Chemistry) at the 10th Standard level. Furthermore, the full topic breakdown is available on the Jharkhand Polytechnic Lateral Entry Syllabus 2026 page. Subsequently, NCERT Class 9–10 textbooks are the primary preparation resource. For previous year papers and practice, visit the DECE LE Previous Year Question Papers page.
Admit Card, Answer Key, Result
JCECEB releases the Admit Card a few days before the exam on the official portal. Furthermore, the Answer Key appears after the test along with an objection window. Subsequently, the Result is declared based on the final answer key and the merit list is used for counselling. Additionally, candidates can download their scorecard and check their rank through the JCECEB login portal.
Counselling and Admission
JCECEB conducts online counselling for qualified candidates after the result is declared. Furthermore, the process involves separate counselling registration, choice filling, seat allotment, and document verification at the allotted polytechnic. Subsequently, multiple counselling rounds may take place to fill vacant seats. Therefore, candidates should keep their original certificates, photo IDs, and category proofs ready for verification. Additionally, seat allotment is based on merit rank, category, and branch preferences.
Recommended Books
These books are useful for preparing for the Jharkhand Polytechnic Lateral Entry (DECE LE) entrance examination:
- Arihant Jharkhand Polytechnic Entrance Exam Guide 2026 — Maths, Physics, Chemistry
- Arihant Jharkhand Polytechnic Entrance Exam 2026 — Solved Papers 2000–2025
DECE LE 2026 — Overview Table
| Name of Exam | DECE LE 2026 |
| Full Form | Diploma Entrance Competitive Examination (Lateral Entry) |
| Also Known As | Jharkhand Polytechnic Lateral Entry; JCECEB DECE LE; Diploma Lateral Entry CET |
| Conducting Body | JCECEB (Jharkhand Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board) |
| Level | State Level |
| Mode | Offline (OMR-based) |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Exam Date 2026 | 28 June 2026 (Sunday), 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM |
| Questions | 100 MCQs |
| Maximum Marks | 100 |
| Subjects | Mathematics, Science (Physics + Chemistry) |
| Syllabus Level | 10th Standard |
| Marking Scheme | +1 correct, –0.25 wrong |
| Admission To | 2nd Year Diploma/Polytechnic programmes |
| Official Website | jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in |
| Application Portal | polylateralcet.jceceb.org.in |
| Type of Exam | Diploma Entrance Exams |
Frequently Asked Questions
DECE LE stands for Diploma Entrance Competitive Examination (Lateral Entry). It is conducted by JCECEB for admission to the second year of 3-year Diploma/Polytechnic programmes across government and private institutes in Jharkhand. Candidates with 10+2 (Science/Vocational) or 10th + 2-year ITI qualification are eligible.
The DECE LE 2026 written test is scheduled on 28 June 2026 (Sunday) from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM as per the official JCECEB portal at polylateralcet.jceceb.org.in.
Candidates who passed 10+2 with Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronics, IT, Biology, Informatics Practices, Bio-Technology, Technical Vocational, Agriculture, Engineering Graphics, Business Studies, or Entrepreneurship are eligible. Alternatively, candidates with 10th pass and a 2-year ITI certificate in a relevant trade are also eligible. Applicants must be local residents of Jharkhand.
The exam has 100 MCQs across Mathematics (50) and Science (50), totalling 100 marks. Each correct answer earns +1 mark and each wrong answer deducts 0.25 marks. The exam is OMR-based offline and lasts 2 hours. The syllabus is at 10th Standard level.
PECE (Polytechnic Entrance Competitive Examination) is for fresh admission to the first year of diploma courses. DECE LE (Diploma Entrance Competitive Examination — Lateral Entry) is for direct admission to the second year for candidates with 10+2 or ITI qualifications. Both are conducted by JCECEB.
Applications for DECE LE 2026 were accepted at polylateralcet.jceceb.org.in. The 2026 window ran from 19 May to 12 June 2026. For future cycles, candidates should track jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in for the official notification.
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