Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test (PGCET) 2026, conducted by Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), is the state-level entrance exam for admission to MBA, MCA, ME/MTech, and MArch courses in government, university, and private aided/unaided institutions across Karnataka. Over 170 colleges participate, offering thousands of seats in management, computer applications, and engineering programs. The exam tests proficiency in relevant subjects, with separate papers for different courses. Qualifying candidates proceed to centralized online counselling for seat allotment based on merit, choices, and reservation policies.
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Karnataka PGCET 2026 Important Dates
KEA is expected to release the official PGCET 2026 notification in early 2026. Candidates must regularly check cetonline.karnataka.gov.in for updates. Based on previous years' trends, tentative key dates are:
Notification and Application Start: April-May 2026
Last Date for Application Submission: June 2026
Admit Card Download: July 2026
Exam Date (ME/MTech/MArch): Late July 2026
Exam Date (MBA/MCA): August 2026
Answer Key Release: August 2026
Result Declaration: September 2026
Document Verification and Counselling Registration: October-November 2026
Option Entry and Seat Allotment Rounds: Multiple rounds till December 2026
Exact schedule will be confirmed on the official KEA website.
Karnataka PGCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To apply for PGCET 2026, candidates must fulfill these requirements:
Bachelor's degree from a recognized university with minimum 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/Category-I Karnataka candidates).
For MBA/MCA: Any bachelor's degree of minimum 3 years duration.
For ME/MTech/MArch: Relevant engineering/architecture degree or equivalent.
Final year students can apply provisionally but must produce qualifying marksheets before counselling.
Karnataka domicile preferred for government quota seats; non-Karnataka candidates eligible for limited seats.
GATE qualified candidates exempt from PGCET for MTech but must apply through KEA counselling.
Eligibility varies slightly by course; refer to information bulletin for details.
Karnataka PGCET 2026 Application Form and Fees
Application process is fully online at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. Steps include:
Registration with email and mobile.
Filling personal, academic, and category details.
Uploading photograph, signature, and documents (degree marksheet, caste/income certificate if applicable).
Payment of fee via net banking/credit/debit card.
Application Fee (Expected):
General/OBC: Rs. 650
SC/ST/Category-I: Rs. 500
Correction facility available for limited period after submission.
Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam Pattern
PGCET is conducted offline (OMR-based) except CSE branch in MTech which may be online. Details vary by course:
Course
Duration
Total Questions
Marks
Sections
MBA
120 minutes
100 MCQs
100
Proficiency in English, General Knowledge, Test of Reasoning, Quantitative Analysis
MCA
120 minutes
100 MCQs (Part A: 60, Part B: 40)
100
Mathematics, Computer Awareness, Analytical Ability, General Knowledge/English
Syllabus aligns with undergraduate level knowledge.
MBA: English Language (comprehension, synonyms, grammar), General Knowledge (current affairs, business), Reasoning (puzzles, analogies), Quantitative Analysis (arithmetic, algebra, data interpretation).
MTech: Branch-specific topics (e.g., Civil: Structural Engineering, Geotechnical; CSE: Data Structures, Algorithms, OS) plus Engineering Mathematics (calculus, linear algebra).
Detailed syllabus PDFs available on KEA website post-notification.
Karnataka PGCET 2026 Preparation Tips
Start with basics from undergraduate textbooks. Focus on speed and accuracy due to time constraints. Practice previous papers to understand question types. For MBA/MCA, emphasize reasoning and quantitative sections; for MTech, prioritize core subjects. Join mock tests for time management. Revise formulas and current affairs regularly.
Karnataka PGCET 2026 Admit Card and Exam Centres
Admit card downloadable from KEA portal using registration details. Must carry printed copy with ID proof. Centres spread across Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Belagavi, Hubballi, Kalaburagi, and other districts.
Karnataka PGCET 2026 Result and Merit List
Results declared online as scorecards and merit lists (separate for PGCET and GATE candidates). Merit based on normalized scores. Tie resolved by higher aggregate in qualifying exam, then age.
Karnataka PGCET Previous Year Cutoff Trends
Cutoff ranks depend on course, college, category, and seats. Top colleges like RV College, BMSCE, and MS Ramaiah require low ranks. In 2025, MBA closing ranks for GM ranged from 100-1000 in premier institutes; MCA around 500-3000; MTech branch-wise varied (CSE lowest ranks).
Approximate General Merit closing ranks from recent years for popular courses/colleges:
Course/College
2023 Closing Rank (GM)
2024 Closing Rank (GM)
2025 Expected Range
MBA - RV Institute of Management
176
76
100-200
MBA - BMS College of Engineering
695
360
300-800
MCA - Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology
3693
Approx 4000
3500-4500
MTech CSE - BMS College of Engineering
Low hundreds
Similar
Top 500
MTech Civil - Dayananda Sagar College
2000-4000
2500-5000
3000-6000
Reserved categories have higher closing ranks. Official PDFs released round-wise on KEA site.
Karnataka PGCET Previous Year Question Papers
Previous papers crucial for understanding pattern and difficulty. KEA releases official question papers with answer keys post-exam. Download from cetonline.karnataka.gov.in or reliable sources like collegedunia.com. Papers from 2018-2025 available; practice all for comprehensive preparation.
Karnataka PGCET 2026 Counselling and Seat Allotment
Counselling fully online with multiple rounds including mock allotment. Register, verify documents at helpline centres, pay fees, enter options, and lock choices. Seat allotment based on rank and preferences. Report to allotted college with documents for admission. Total seats: Over 10,000 in MTech, thousands in MBA/MCA. 2025 trends showed high competition for CSE/VLSI in MTech and top B-schools in MBA.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for government and most private seats; some colleges accept CMAT/KMAT/PGCET.
Yes, but limited to private/management quota seats; must meet study/residence criteria for government quota.
No, 1 mark for correct answer, no deduction for wrong or unattempted questions.
RV College, BMSCE, MS Ramaiah, PES University, Dayananda Sagar, NITTE Meenakshi for engineering; IIMB affiliates and autonomous B-schools for MBA.
Over 11,000 seats in MTech and several thousand seats in MBA/MCA across participating institutes.
PGCET scorecard, degree marksheets, caste/income certificate, study certificates, and ID proof.
Yes, GATE qualified candidates get priority in allotment and are considered under a separate merit list.
Quantitative: RS Aggarwal; Reasoning: Arihant; GK: Lucent or Manorama; English: Wren & Martin.
Usually between September and October after result declaration.
Yes, provisionally; candidates must pass the degree examination before admission.
One year, valid only for the current admission cycle.
There is no limit; candidates can appear for PGCET multiple times.
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