KCET 2025 Branch Preferences by Aspirants: expected counselling dates, cutoff scores, top branches

Karnataka Common Entrance Test 2025 ( KCET )

UPASANA
UPASANA PRADHAN
Assistant Manager- Editorial
Updated on Oct 31, 2025 13:55 IST

As the KCET 2025 results are declared, thousands of students are gearing up for the next big step, which is college admission. Shikhsa conducted an online poll to know about the branch preferences among 3000 students revealed strong trends in engineering branch preferences, and the poll results speak volumes about their career prospects and aspirations. Check the detailed report on the poll below -  

KCET 2025 Top Branches and cutoff trends

As KCET 2025 result and topper’s list is out, students are preparing themselves for the KCET counselling and college admission process.

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The recent poll by Shiksha titled “Which engineering branch are you targeting for admission through KCET 2025?”, saw close to 3000 students express a strong tilt towards Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence-related branches.

With KCET counselling 2025 expected to begin soon, understanding the branch preferences will help in ascer the trend. 

Q:   What are the documents required for KCET counselling?
A:

Karnataka Examinations Authority conducts KCET UGCET counselling in online mode. Applicants first have to complete the KCET counselling registration followed by choice filling and locking. At the time of counselling registration candidates have to upload certain documents in the candidate portals. A list of documents required to be uploaded at the time of KCET counselling registration are given below. 

Copy of KCET application form  

Copy of KCET admit card  

KCET application fee payment proof  

Class 10 mark sheet and certificate  

Class 12 PUC mark sheet and certificate  

7 years study certificate countersigned by the concerned BEO or DDPI  

Recent passport size photography  

Income certificate  

Rural study certificate  

Caste certificate  

Kannada medium certificate  

Parents' study certificate or Parents Hometown certificate or Parents Domicile certificate or Parents Employment certificate or Parents Cumulative Record or Parents Marks Card, etc. for the candidates claiming eligibility for Government seats based on the domicile or study or employment of the parents 

Identity card issued by the Jurisdictional Deputy Commission or District Magistrate or Rehabilitation Commission for the candidates claiming eligibility for Government seats under Jammu & Kashmir Migrants quota.

Q:   What are the KCET 2025 Round 1 counselling dates?
A:

The Karnataka Examinations Authority has revised the KCET 2025 round 1 counselling dates on the official website - cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. Candidates can check the new KCET 2025 counselling dates for round 1 below -

Particulars

Dates

KCET 2025 Option Entry for eligible candidates (as per preference)

Till July 18, 2025 (11:59 pm)

Display of mock seat allotment list result

July 21 after 11:00 am

Provision to change options (add, delete, modify or re-order or alter options)

July 21 (2:00 pm) to 24 (11:59 pm)

Publication of the first round real allotment result

July 28 (after 11:00 am)

Q:   What details are printed on the KCET 2025 counselling fee receipt?
A:

To participate in the KCET 2025 option entry, candidates have to pay a processing fee of INR 750 (NON-REFUNDABLE). The fee receipt carries the following details -

  • CET number
  • Candidate's name
  • Candidate's application number
  • Allotted college
  • Allotted course
  • Course fees
  • Receipt number and 
  • Round number

Latest Updates:

Top Branches Chosen by KCET students

According to the poll results, the majority of students have chosen Computer Science and Engineering. It got 43% votes. The second most popular course is artificial intelligence and machine learning, with 26% of votes, while electronics and communications secured 15% of votes.

Surprisingly, mechanical engineering gathered around 4% votes, while 12% of respondents opted for emerging branches such as data science, civil engineering, etc. "

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What does the KCET 2025 Branch Preference Poll indicate?

KCET 2025 poll results gives a  clear view into the minds of engineering students — technology-driven fields dominate interest, while traditional branches lag. With counselling dates just around the corner, students should prioritise researching colleges, understanding cutoff trends, and planning their option entry wisely.

Also Read:

Q:   What is the KCET counselling process?
A:

The KCET counselling has registration process, document verification, web option entry that is choosing courses and colleges, mock seat allotment for students to get an idea of the actual process, modify enteries that is post mock the option is given to modify the enteries, 3 rounds of allotment and final admission. The candidates have the choice of waiting for next round for better colleges or holding or exiting the process.

Q:   When will the KCET counselling be held?
A:

The KCET counselling process for the year 2025 has already begun. The round 3 final allotment is also out.

Q:   What are the KCET counselling stages?
A:

The KCET counselling includes document verification, web option entry, mock seat allotment, modify enteries that is post mock the option is given to modify the enteries, 3 rounds of allotment and final admission. The candidates have the choice of waiting for next round for better colleges or holding or exiting the process.

KCET Counselling 2025 Expected Dates

With the KCET 2025 results officially declared, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) is expected to begin counselling by first or mid-June 2025, following these tentative stages -

Particulars

Expected KCET 2025 counselling dates

Document verification at KEA Bangalore

Fourth week of June 2025

KCET 2025 option entry start date

Fourth week of June 2025

Last date to submit KCET option entry

Fourth week of June 2025

First mock allotment list

First week of July 2025

First round of seat allotment

First week of July 2025

NOTE: Students are advised to keep all their documents ready before the counselling begins to avoid hassle and confusion. Documents like class 10 and 12 marksheets, reservation certifications are very important. So, make sure you keep all the papers ready. 

Also Read: KCET 2025 counselling likely to start in June 2025

KCET 2025 Expected Cutoff: What to Expect

Based on the previous year’s trends and high competition for top branches, here’s an expected KCET 2025 cutoff range for popular courses in top engineering colleges in Karnataka accepting KCET scores -

Branch

Expected KCET Rank Cut-off (Top Colleges)

Computer Science

1-2000

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

1000 - 3600

Electronics and Communication

2000 - 5000

Mechanical Engineering

5000 - 15000

Civil Engineering

8000 - 18000

Cutoffs are based on college, category (General/OBC/SC/ST), and availability of seats. CSE in top colleges like RVCE, BMSCE, MSRIT, and PES University generally closes within the top 2,000 ranks for the General category.

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About the Author
author-image
UPASANA PRADHAN
Assistant Manager- Editorial
Upasana has more than six years of experience in the education industry, especially in engineering and medical content articles. She’s an electronics and communication engineering graduate from DTU and covers engine Read Full Bio
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Answered a month ago

No. The official authority does not release mock tests. Candidates need to refer to third party websites for the mock tests.

N

Nishtha Chaudhary

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

No. The JEE Mains emphasizes on deep knowledge and quote challenging with negative marking whereas KCET is moderately difficult which emphasizes on direct factual questions with no negative markings.

M

Mani Mehra

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

The exam tests knowledge of 11th and 12th syllabus so it is important to focus on 11th and 12th standard NCERT textbooks which gradually start by practicing previous years papers and appearing for mock examinations.

M

Mayank Kumari

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

It is important to give mock tests for candidates appearing for KCET examination as it provides a holistic view and it provides a realistic exam experience also helping the candidates for analysing strengths and working on weaknesses.

A

Aayushi Harsha

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

The examination tests knowledge of 11th and 12th standard which includes subjects like physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology.

C

Chanchal Sinha

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

No, there is no negative marking in KCET making it important for the candidates to attempt all questions.

M

Mamona Rai

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

The marking scheme for KCET is 1 mark for each correct answer with no negative marking.

N

Nishtha Taneja

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

The exam is in offline mode with questions asked in MCQ format for subjects like physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology containing 60 questions wherein each subject is a session for 80 minutes.

N

Nishtha Chaudhary

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

The KCET exam 2025 application form started in January.

L

Lalit Jain

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

The type of questions asked are MCQs for subjects like physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology containing 60 questions each with no negative marking.

V

Vikrant Shukla

Contributor-Level 10