Hello.

Lateral entry is word like entry from side so basically whose are admission take in 2nd year not start from 1st year like if you did BCA. then you can go MCA lateral entry means you will take admission in MCA 2nd year and if you did diploma then you go for take admission in 2nd year btech directly so there are lateral entry criteria which you have to full fill. In normal way you get admission in 2nd year that is called lateral entry and some states lateral entry offer take admission any branch like if you do diploma from any branch then you can take admission in Btech 2nd year any branch like in UPTU lateral entry and some states mandatory to take admission relevant branch on previous qualifications.

In simple way , after 10th class people choose diploma/polytechnic , it is 3yrs course. After completion of this course by writing one entrance exam According to their ranks college is alloted and in that college you are going to join directly in 2nd year of BTech instead of studying from 1st year. This is called lateral entry.

Hope this is helpful.

Good luck.