What is the DCET lateral entry scheme at colleges located in Karnataka?

The Diploma Common Entrance Test (DCET), is a lateral entry scheme conducted in Karnataka. Meaning the entrance exam is held for lateral entry at colleges in Karnataka. The entrance test is a gateway for admissions to 2nd-year undergraduate engineering programmes and 1st-year undergraduate architecture programmes offered under the lateral entry scheme. The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) releases a notification announcing the DCET application process, important date, eligibility criteria, and other relevant information in the official website.

I am a final year Diploma student and waiting for the result. Can I apply for DCET 2026?

Those who have passed the Diploma or who are waiting for their results are eligible to apply for DCET 2026. A minimum of 45% marks in the 5th and 6th semesters combined is required to apply for the exam. The minimum percentage mark for SC/ST candidates is 40%.

Is there a negative marking in DCET?

There is no negative marking in DCET examination for any incorrect and unattempted questions. The maximum marks in DCET are 100 marks and candidates get 1 mark for every correct answer.

What is the tie breaking formula in DCET result?

In case two or more candidates scores same marks in DCET then KEA will use tie breaking formula to declare the results. Candidates can check DCET result tie breaking formula from below. Marks obtained in the entrance test Marks obtained in the 2nd year Marks obtained in the 1st year Age factor will be implemented A separate merit list is prepared for the following colleges: Day Engineering College Courses Evening Engineering College Courses (Bangalore) Evening Engineering College Courses (Mysore)

When will DCET cutoff be released?

The authority releases the DCET cutoff after each round of counselling. Candidates can check the cutoff for DCET on the authority's website. The cutoffs are the minimum ranks for admission to participating colleges.

I'm Hyderabad Diploma student. Am I eligible for DCET in Karnataka as a non Karnataka student?

No you cannot, DCET is only for the students who studied in the Karnataka Technical Education Board. Even when you try to apply for DCET it will ask you the ID which is provided by the Department Of Technical Education to be uploaded. It will be verified if the student has studied in Karnataka for at least of 10+ years. It is some what similar to that of KCET. Which requires all the requisites asked by the KCET verification.

How is DCET exam merit list prepared?

Karnataka Examination Authority will release the DCET result online at the official website. Applicants must note that the DCET merit list is prepared keeping weightage of both board and entrance exam marks. While preparing the merit list, 50% weightage will be given to the marks obtained in DCET 2025 and 50% weightage will be given to the marks secured in the final year examination of diploma course.

Where can I check DCET counselling dates?

The DCET counselling dates will be announced on the website cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. DCET 2026 counselling date will include the schedule for various steps such as choice filling, allotment, fee payment, verification and reporting.

Do I need to pay any fee to access DCET application form correction facility?

No, applicants are not required to pay any fee for DCET application form correction. KEA will allow candidates to make correctios in DCET 2025 application form from the login window. Candidates must note that only certain details will be allowed to be edited at the time of correction facility. Changes in personal details like name, father name, date of birth and email ID will not be allowed.

What is the last date to fill DCET application form?

Karnataka Examination Authority will release the DCET application form online at the official website. Applicants looking for admissions to Diploma courses can fill DCET 2025 application form at kea.kar.nic. KEA will announce the DCET application form last date 2025 along with the official notification.

Can you suggest the top civil engineering colleges in Karnataka through lateral entry for a DCET ranking below 5000?

National Institute of Technology, Surathkal 17 National Institute of Technology, Surathkal Bangalore - Manipal Institute of Technology 14 Manipal Institute of Technology Manipal - BMS College of Engineering 15 BMS College of Engineering Bangalore - Ramaiah Institute of Technology 28 Ramaiah Institute of Technology Bangalore - The National Institute of Engineering 13 The National Institute of Engineering Mysore - Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Engineering and Technology 9 Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Engineering and Technology Dharwad - M. V. J. College of Engineering 30 M. V. J. College of Engineering Bangalore - KLS Gogte Institute of Technology 14 KLS Gogte Institute of Technology Belgaum - Jawaharlal Nehru National College of Engineering 17 Jawaharlal Nehru National College of Engineering Shimoga Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology 9 Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology Bangalore Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering (DSCE) 23 Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering (DSCE) Bangalore Siddaganga Institute of Technology 8 Siddaganga Institute of Technology Tumkur - Sri Sairam College of Engineering 5 Sri Sairam College of Engineering Bangalore Don Bosco Institute of Technology 14 Don Bosco Institute of Technology Bangalore School of Engineering and Technology, Jain University 7 Scho.

Which factors will be checked while preparing DCET cutoff?

DCET cutoff will differ for each college and course. The factors that will be considered to prepare the DCET cutoff are: previous year's DCET cutoffs, number of qualified candidates, the total number of seats, exam difficulty level.

Where can I check the DCET syllabus?

Candidates can check the DCET exam syllabus on the website cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. Students must check the course-wise syllabus to know what to study for the test. The DCET syllabus will help candidates to plan their preparation and cover all the subjects.

What is the DCET application fee for SC/ST students?

DCET exam is for Karnataka-origin students. Students who belong to the SC/ST category have to pay INR 500 for the application form. The DCET application fee has to be paid while submitting the application form. The DCET application form will not be accepted without paying the fee. The application form fee can be paid in online mode.

Can I make changes to the DCET application form?

Changes to the submitted DCET application form can be made through the correction facility. The application form correction for DCET will be available for a limited time. No corrections will be allowed to the application form after this period.

What is the mode of payment for filling out the DCET application form?

The DCET application fee can be paid through e-challan. A student has to select a bank, obtain the challan and make the payment at the bank. The application fee is Rs 650 for general and Rs 500 for reserved category applicants.

What are the sections of questions in DCET?

DCET 2024 question paper will consist of Engineering Mathematics, Statistics & Analytics, IT Skills, Fundamentals Of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, and Project Management Skills for all Engineering Diploma Programmes. By checking the DCET syllabus, the candidates will be able to boost their preparation for the examination. For higher chances of scoring well, the candidates are advised to study the entire DCET syllabus.

What is the total number of questions in DCET?

The DCET question paper will have a total of 100 questions. It will include questions from engineering mathematics, statistics & analytics, IT skills, fundamentals of electrical & electronics engineering and project management skills.

What details are required to download DCET Admit Card?

To download the DCET admit card, candidates have to visit the KEA website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. Click on the download link and enter your application number and date of birth. After a successful login, students can download the DCET hall ticket.

When will the DCET admit card be released?

The DCET 2025 admit card will be available a few days before the exam. The DCET admit card will have the information regarding the exam crentre, date and time of the exam. The candidates can check the admit card for the exam day guidelines. Candidates need to download the admit card using the application number and date of birth.

How can I download the DCET admit card? What are the steps?

The application number and date of birth of the candidate have to be submitted to check the admit card. The steps to download the application form are as follows. Go to the official website of DCET 2025 Click on the admit card link Candidates will have to provide their application form number and date of birth Click on 'Submit' DCET 2025 admit card will be displayed on the screen Candidates will have to check all the credentials and details mentioned in the admit card The admit card has to be downloaded and printed for future use.

Where can I check DCET result?

To check the DCET result, candidates have to go to cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. Click on the result link and enter your DCET application number. The scorecard will appear on the screen. Candidates should carefully check every detail mentioned on the results.

When will DCET results be released?

KEA will release the DCET results a few days after the provisional answer key. Candidates will be able to download the DCET result from the website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in using their login details.

Can I request for re-evaluation of DCET result?

Karnataka Examination Authority will release the DCET result 2025 online at the official website. KEA will not allow any candidates to request for re-evaluation. The result once released will be considered as final. However, applicants will be allowed to raise objections in the DCET answer key.

How can I download DCET answer key?

Candidates can download the DCET answer key simply by going to the website cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. There are no credentials required to download the DCET answer key.

How to raise objections in DCET answer key?

Karnataka Examination Authority will release the DCET answer key 2025 online at the official website. Applicants can check steps provided below to raise objections in answer key. Visit the DCET official website at kea.kar.nic.in. Click on the DCET answer key link. Check all the details mentioned in the answer key. Email the required objections along with the proof to exam authorities. Preview all details and send the mail for future reference.

Where can I check DCET previous years' cutoff scores?

DCET's previous year's cutoffs are available on this page. Candidates can check the previous year cutoffs for an idea of the minimum marks required for admission to a particular college or course.

When will the DCET Seat Allotment Result be released?

DCET 2025 First Round Seat Allotment Result will be announced at the official website. The candidates must enter the CET number to download the result. The DCET 2025 Cutoff will be released online. The direct link to check the DCET 2025 Seat Allotment Result will be released online at the oficial website.

DCET 2026: Registration, Eligibility, Pattern & Syllabus, Preparation Tips, Admit Card, Results

This exam is conducted for courses given below:

BTech Lateral Entry BArch

Updated on Nov 17, 2025 12:22 IST

By Samridhi Mishra, Senior Executive

DCET 2026: Karnataka Examinations Authority will conduct the DCET exam in May 2026. Candidates who fill up the Karnataka DCET application form can appear for the exam. The authority will release the complete notification and all the details on the exam at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. Diploma holders who seek lateral entry into the second year of B.E./B.Tech programmes or the first year of undergraduate architecture programmes can apply for the exam. It is important to prepare for the exam as per the DCET syllabus and pattern. For more details about the DCET 2026 exam, refer to the article below.

Table of content

DCET 2026 - Exam Highlights
DCET 2025 Exam Dates & Schedule
DCET Application Form 2026
DCET Exam Pattern 2026
DCET Syllabus 2026
DCET Preparation Tips 2026
DCET Admit Card 2026
DCET Answer Key 2026
DCET Result 2026
DCET Counselling 2026
DCET 2026 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

DCET 2026 - Exam Highlights

DCET 2025 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of DCET 2025 exam

Dates	Past Exam Dates
22 Aug ' 25	DCET round 3 counselling: Final Seat Allotment
20 Aug ' 25	DCET round 3 counselling: Provisional Seat Allotment
12 Aug ' 25	DCET round 3 counselling: Document Verification (Only for leftover candidates)
View More Past Events (11)