VTU Change of Branch 2026–27 – Latest Notification, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, has released an official notification inviting applications for Change of Branch (CoB) for the academic year 2026–27. The notification, dated 21 September 2026, provides important details about eligibility, application fees, the selection process, and deadlines for eligible engineering students.
Students studying in VTU-affiliated, autonomous, and constituent engineering colleges can check the notification and contact their respective colleges for further instructions.
VTU Change of Branch 2026–27: Important Dates
Students planning to apply should carefully note the schedule announced by VTU.
| Particulars | Dates |
|---|---|
| Online application starts | 22 September 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 5 October 2026 |
| Last date for colleges to verify applications | 7 October 2026 |
| VTU merit list generation | 12 October 2026 |
| Colleges to recommend branch allotment | 14 October 2026 |
| Submission of hard copies to VTU | 16 October 2026 |
| University-level approval | 17 October 2026 |
| Demand for fee generation | 23 October 2026 |
| Online fee submission | 26 October 2026 |
Students are advised to complete their applications well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.
VTU Change of Branch Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for a branch change, students must understand the eligibility requirements mentioned in the notification.
- Students must have passed all subjects or courses in the first and second semesters.
- Students must be eligible to enter the third semester on or before the notification date.
- Students should verify their eligibility after the announcement of first-year results.
- Change of branch is not a matter of right. Applying does not guarantee approval.
- Students admitted under the SNQ quota are not permitted to change their branch, as specified in the notification.
Students should contact their college if they have questions about their eligibility or academic records.
VTU Change of Branch Application Fees
Students should be aware of the two types of fees mentioned in the notification.
1. Application Fee: ₹600
Every student applying for a branch change must pay a non-refundable application fee of ₹600 through the online application portal.
2. University Fee: ₹7,500
Students recommended by their colleges for approval of a branch change must pay a non-refundable university fee of ₹7,500 through the online payment link.
The university fee applies to students recommended by their colleges for university approval.
How to Apply for VTU Change of Branch 2026–27
Students can follow these steps to submit their applications.
- Visit the official VTU examination portal: https://prexam.vtu.ac.in/coc
- Access the online Change of Branch application.
- Enter the required student and academic details.
- Verify the information before submitting the application.
- Pay the application fee of ₹600 through the online payment option.
- Submit the application before 5 October 2026.
- Contact your college regarding application verification and the subsequent selection process.
Important: Once submitted, an application cannot be edited or resubmitted. Students should carefully verify all details before final submission.
VTU Change of Branch Selection Process
The branch change selection process involves both the university and the respective colleges.
First, colleges verify the details submitted by students through the online portal. After verification, VTU prepares a merit list based on the applicable regulations and confirmed applications.
The university provides the merit list to the respective colleges. Colleges then recommend students for branch allotment according to the merit list and the available vacancies.
The college must follow the prescribed merit order and cannot exceed the permitted number of vacancies. Finally, VTU verifies the submitted recommendations and announces the final approved list.
Students must wait for the official announcement of the final list before attending classes in their new branch.
VTU Change of Branch Vacancy and Merit List
Branch change depends on the availability of vacancies in the respective branches and the prescribed university regulations.
According to the notification, vacancies are calculated after the results of the makeup or supplementary examinations. The vacancy calculation uses the prescribed formula involving approved intake, regular eligible students, and repeaters.
The merit list is prepared by VTU based on the applicable regulations. Colleges must recommend students strictly according to the merit list and the available vacancies.
Therefore, submitting an application does not guarantee a branch change, even if a student meets the eligibility requirements.
Important Rules for Students Applying for Branch Change
Students should remember these important conditions mentioned in the notification:
- Branch change cannot be claimed as a matter of right.
- Applications submitted after the deadline will not be entertained.
- A branch change, once completed, cannot be reversed or changed again.
- Students must obtain the required college and parent confirmations.
- Colleges must submit the required documents and recommendations within the prescribed schedule.
- Students cannot attend classes in the changed branch before VTU announces the final approved list.
Students should read the official notification carefully to understand all applicable conditions.
VTU 2025 Scheme: Additional Course Requirements After Branch Change
VTU has also issued a separate notification regarding course and credit equivalence at the third-semester level for students under the 2025 Scheme.
Students changing branches under the 2025 Scheme may be required to complete additional programme-specific courses and programme-specific course laboratories prescribed for their newly selected branch.
The notification specifies that these additional courses are treated separately from the regular prescribed degree credits. Students must register for, attend, and complete the required continuous internal evaluation before appearing for the applicable semester-end examination.
The additional courses and their grades are reflected in the grade card, but they are not considered for vertical progression, university rank, SGPA, or CGPA calculations, as specified in the notification.
Students should refer to the separate course-equivalence circular and consult their colleges for the requirements applicable to their particular branch change.
Final Words
The VTU Change of Branch 2026–27 notification provides an opportunity for eligible engineering students to apply for a change of branch, subject to merit, vacancies, and university approval.
Students should verify their eligibility, pay the required application fee, and submit their applications before 5 October 2026. They should also stay in contact with their colleges for application verification, merit list updates, and final approval.
Official Application Portal: https://prexam.vtu.ac.in/coc
Source: VTU Change of Branch Notification for the academic year 2026–27, dated 21 September 2026, and the accompanying 2025 Scheme course-equivalence notification.
