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Table of Contents
What is KCET?
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).
- Educational Qualification (Agriculture/Farm Science): Passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology (50% aggregate).
- Appearing Candidates: Those appearing in 10+2 in 2026 are eligible.
- Attempts: No restriction on attempts.
KCET 2026 Application Form: Step-by-Step Guide
The entire registration process is online only on the official KEA portal. Candidates must have a valid mobile number and email ID.
- Visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in → Click “UGCET-2026 Online Application”
- Register using name, mobile, email → Generate User ID & Password
- Log in and fill personal, academic (10th & 12th details), study in Karnataka (7 years proof), reservation claims
- Upload recent photograph, signature, and left thumb impression
- Pay application fee online (Net Banking / Card / UPI)
- Submit and download confirmation page
KCET 2026 Application Fees
Fees are non-refundable and vary by category (2025 fees; expected same for 2026):
| Category | Fee (INR) |
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹ 750 |
| SC / ST / Cat-1 (Karnataka only) | ₹ 500 |
| Female candidates (Karnataka only) | ₹ 500 |
| Outside Karnataka candidates | ₹ 2,500 (for engineering only) |
Document Specifications for Upload
All images must strictly follow KEA guidelines:
| Document | Size | Format | Specific Requirements |
| Passport-size Photograph | 10 KB – 50 KB | JPG/JPEG | Recent colour, white background, name & date at bottom |
| Signature | 5 KB – 30 KB | JPG/JPEG | Black ink on white paper |
| Left Thumb Impression | 5 KB – 30 KB | JPG/JPEG | Blue ink, clear print |
KCET Application Correction Window & Exam Centers
KEA provides a limited correction facility after registration closes.
- Correction Window: Usually 3–5 days in March 2026. Candidates can edit most fields except name, mobile, email, and category once verified.
- Exam Centres: Conducted in 50+ cities across Karnataka only (Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubli, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Shivamogga, etc.). Candidates choose 3 preferred districts during registration.
- Kannada Language Test: Mandatory for Horanadu & Gadinadu Kannadiga candidates (50 marks, qualifying nature).
KCET 2026 Exam Pattern
KCET 2026 is an offline pen-paper test with no negative marking. The question paper is based entirely on the Karnataka PUC (1st & 2nd year) syllabus.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Physics | 60 | 60 | 70 minutes |
| Chemistry | 60 | 60 | 70 minutes |
| Mathematics OR Biology | 60 | 60 | 70 minutes |
| Total | 180 | 180 | 210 minutes |
- Engineering aspirants appear for Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
- Farm Science / B.Pharm aspirants appear for Physics, Chemistry, Biology
- Both groups can appear for all four papers if eligible
- Marking: +1 for correct, 0 for wrong/unattempted
KCET 2026 Detailed Syllabus
Syllabus is 100% based on Karnataka PUC I & II (Class 11 & 12). High-weightage topics:
- Physics: Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, Ray & Wave Optics, Modern Physics, Mechanics
- Chemistry: Solid State, Solutions, p-block, d-block, Coordination Compounds, Organic Chemistry (Reactions & Mechanisms)
- Mathematics: Calculus (Limits, Continuity, Integration, Differential Equations), Vectors & 3D Geometry, Probability, Matrices
- Biology: Human Physiology, Genetics & Evolution, Reproduction, Ecology, Plant & Animal Kingdom
Best Books for KCET 2026 Preparation
| Subject | Book Name | Author / Publisher |
| Physics | KCET Chapterwise Previous Years Solved Papers | MTG / Arihant |
| Physics | Concepts of Physics Vol 1 & 2 | H.C. Verma |
| Chemistry | KCET Chemistry Explorer | MTG |
| Chemistry | NCERT Textbooks (Class 11 & 12) | NCERT |
| Mathematics | KCET Mathematics | Arihant / Disha |
| Mathematics | RD Sharma Objective Mathematics | RD Sharma |
| Biology | Trueman’s Elementary Biology Vol 1 & 2 | Trueman |
| Biology | NCERT Biology Class 11 & 12 | NCERT |
| Full Package | KCET 18 Years Solved Papers | Arihant |
| Full Package | KCET Prep Guide (Physics, Chemistry, Maths/Biology) | MTG |
KCET Cutoff Trends (Previous Years)
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.
- Visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in → Click “UGCET-2026 Admit Card”
- Enter Application Number, Date of Birth, and Security Code
- Download and print the admit card in colour on A4 sheet
- Affix a recent passport-size photo on the admit card (same as uploaded)
- Carry original photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID/SSLC Marks Card) to the exam centre
KCET 2026 Exam Day Instructions
KEA enforces strict protocols to ensure fair conduct. Violations result in disqualification.
- Report at least 45 minutes before exam time
- Entry closes 30 minutes before the start
- Prohibited items: Mobile phones, calculators, electronic gadgets, notes, bags, watches
- Dress code: Simple clothing, no metallic items or tight clothes
- Biometric verification (fingerprint/photograph) and frisking are mandatory
- Use black ballpoint pen for OMR sheet; rough work on question booklet
KCET 2026 Result & Score Card
Results are declared in the first week of May 2026. Provisional answer keys are released earlier for objections.
- Scorecard displays marks in each subject and total score out of 180
- Rank list is prepared based on total marks (tie-breaker: higher marks in Mathematics)
- Download from cetonline.karnataka.gov.in using Application Number & DOB
- Valid only for 2026–27 admission cycle; no re-evaluation
KCET 2026 Counselling & Seat Allotment
Counselling is conducted online in multiple rounds by KEA. Seat allotment is based on rank, choices filled, and reservation.
- Registration & Document Verification: June 2026 (at helplines or online upload)
- Option Entry: Choose colleges & branches (up to 100 options)
- Rounds: Mock Allotment, Round 1, Round 2, Extended Round, Special Category
- Reservation: 40% SC/ST/OBC, 5% Rural, 3% Kannada Medium, Hyderabad-Karnataka quota
- Fee Payment: ₹10,000–30,000 (adjusted in college fees)
- Documents: KCET rank card, 10th/12th marksheets, study certificate, caste/income certificate, ID proof
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.
