The Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) is a state-level entrance examination conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for admission to undergraduate professional courses in Karnataka. It covers engineering (B.E./B.Tech), pharmacy (B.Pharm), agriculture, farm sciences, and architecture courses in government, university, aided, and private colleges. KCET serves as the primary gateway for over 1.5 lakh seats across 200+ engineering colleges, 40+ pharmacy institutes, and agricultural universities in the state. Established under the Karnataka Educational Institutions Act, it ensures merit-based admissions with reservations for local candidates (85% seats reserved for Karnataka domicile). Unlike national exams like JEE Main, KCET focuses on PUC (Class 11-12) syllabus and is held offline in English and Kannada.
KCET 2026 Highlights
Key features of KCET 2026 include offline mode, no negative marking, and separate papers for engineering and medical streams.
Particular
Details
Exam Name
Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET)
Conducting Body
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
Exam Level
State Level
Exam Frequency
Once a year
Mode of Exam
Offline (Pen-Paper Based)
Total Seats (Approx.)
1.5 lakh+ across UG courses
Duration
70 minutes per paper (total 210 minutes)
Total Questions
180 MCQs
Total Marks
180
Marking Scheme
+1 for correct, 0 for incorrect/unattempted
Language
English & Kannada
Official Website
cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
KCET 2026 Important Dates
KEA is expected to release the official notification in January 2026. Based on previous trends, the tentative schedule is as follows:
Event
Tentative Date
Notification Release
January 2026
Online Registration Starts
January 23, 2026
Last Date to Submit Application
February 24, 2026
Application Fee Payment Last Date
February 25, 2026
Application Correction Window
March 2026
Admit Card Download
April 1–7, 2026
KCET 2026 Exam Date
April 16–17, 2026
Kannada Language Test
April 18, 2026
Result Declaration
May 2026
Counselling Registration
June 2026
KCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy KEA's eligibility norms for their chosen stream. Karnataka domicile is mandatory for 85% seats; 15% are open to all India candidates.
Nationality: Indian citizens; Karnataka domicile required for state quota.
Age Limit: Minimum 17 years for all courses; no upper limit.
Educational Qualification (Engineering): Passed 10+2 with Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry/Biology/Computer Science/Biotechnology/Electronics (45% aggregate; 40% for reserved).
Educational Qualification (Pharmacy): Passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics (50% aggregate).
Cutoffs are released after each counselling round and vary by category, branch, and college. Below are Round 1 General Merit (GM) closing ranks for CSE in top colleges (2025 data; 2026 expected similar or slightly higher due to toppers scoring 160+):
College
2025 GM Rank
2024 GM Rank
2023 GM Rank
RV College of Engineering, Bangalore
1,200
310
499
PES University (EC Campus), Bangalore
2,450
1,800
2,076
MSRIT, Bangalore
3,000
1,626
3,870
BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore
2,500
2,950
3,156
UVCE, Bangalore
5,020
4,723
2,929
Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bangalore
8,500
8,500
8,500
Bangalore Institute of Technology, Bangalore
8,200
8,200
8,200
New Horizon College of Engineering, Bangalore
17,363
15,834
9,034
Top Engineering Colleges Accepting KCET 2026 (Approx. Annual Fees)
College
Location
Approx. Annual Fee (B.Tech)
RV College of Engineering
Bangalore
₹2–2.5 lakh
Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT)
Bangalore
₹1.8–2.2 lakh
BMS College of Engineering
Bangalore
₹2–2.5 lakh
PES University
Bangalore
₹2.5–3 lakh
University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE)
Bangalore
₹26,000–50,000
Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering
Bangalore
₹1–1.5 lakh
Bangalore Institute of Technology
Bangalore
₹1–1.2 lakh
Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology
Bangalore
₹40,000–60,000
Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering
Mysuru
₹50,000–70,000
National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK)
Surathkal
₹1.25 lakh (govt. quota)
How to Download KCET 2026 Admit Card
Admit cards are released 10–15 days before the exam on the official KEA website. No physical cards are mailed.
Fee Payment: ₹10,000–30,000 (adjusted in college fees)
Documents: KCET rank card, 10th/12th marksheets, study certificate, caste/income certificate, ID proof
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, anyone can appear, but 85% of seats in government and private colleges are reserved for Karnataka domicile candidates. Non-Karnataka students can only compete for the remaining 15% open/all-India seats (mostly in private colleges).
Yes, around 30–40% seats in private colleges and some government colleges are filled through COMEDK/JEE Main. However, top government colleges like UVCE, SJCE, and most aided colleges admit only through KCET.
No. Each correct answer gives +1 mark, and there is no penalty for wrong or unattempted questions.
Yes, the question paper is bilingual (English + Kannada). You can answer in either language.
You must have studied for at least 7 years in Karnataka (from Class 1 to 12) OR your parent must be a Karnataka resident for 7+ years OR you must have passed Kannada as a language in Class 10.
Yes, significantly. KCET is based only on Karnataka PUC syllabus (Class 11 & 12), has no negative marking, and is shorter (60 questions per subject). Toppers usually score 170–178/180.
General Merit (GM) rank under 1,500 is safe for CSE in RV College, PES University, or MSRIT. Rank under 3,000 almost guarantees CSE in top 5 private colleges.
Usually in the third week of January 2026. Last date is generally end of February.
Yes. For B.Arch, you need a valid NATA score + KCET rank. 50% weightage to NATA and 50% to KCET.
Yes. One application covers all courses. You just choose the subjects (Maths or Biology) during the exam.
No electronic devices, calculators, log tables, or mobile phones are allowed.
Separate rank lists are prepared. PCM for engineering, PCB for pharmacy/agriculture/farm science courses.
Document verification and option entry usually begin in the first week of June 2026 after result declaration.
Yes, for 2A/2B/3A/3B categories, annual family income must be below ₹8 lakh (creamylayer excluded).
Yes. You can participate in Round 2 for upgradation. If you don’t want to upgrade, choose “Freeze” option.
No management quota in government colleges. Some private colleges have COMEDK seats that act like management quota with higher fees.
₹10,000–₹30,000 depending on category and college type. This is adjusted in the first-year fee.
No, but most students prefer hostel due to limited PG options. Hostel fee is ₹20,000–₹50,000 per year.
Yes. SC/ST/Cat-1 students with income below ₹2.5 lakh get full fee waiver. OBC students get partial concession based on income.
UVCE Bangalore, SJCE Mysuru, Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology Bangalore, SKSJTI Bangalore, and all Government Engineering Colleges (GEC) in Hassan, Ramanagara, etc.
Only for Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadiga candidates claiming reservation under Clause (f). Others are exempt.
There is no limit. You can appear every year until you secure the desired rank and branch.
No. Follow Karnataka PUC textbooks (1st & 2nd year) strictly. NCERT covers only 60–70% of the syllabus.
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