Karnataka PGCET Bell Timings 2026: Reporting Time, Shift Timings for MBA & MCA Exam

KEA will conduct Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam for MBA and MCA courses. Both courses have separate shift timings. Check the Karnataka PGCET bell timings 2026 below.

Karnataka PGCET Bell Timings

Karnataka PGCET Bell Timings 2026: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) releases PGCET bell timings along with the hall ticket. As per the Karnataka PGCET bell timings 2026, there are a total of seven bells rung during the exam. Karnataka PGCET MBA exam will be conducted from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, whereas the PGCET MCA exam will be conducted from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Not following the bell timings for Karnataka PGCET 2026, may lead to disqualification. Scroll down for more details on Karnataka PGCET bell timings 2026.

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Shift Timings

KEA has scheduled the Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam for both MBA and MCA papers in separate shifts. Check PGCET Karnataka shift timings below:

Karnataka PGCET Reporting Time 2026

KEA will allow entry into the exam hall at 10 AM for the morning shift and at 2 PM for the afternoon shift. This is the time for the first bell. Before the first bell, candidates go through security checks and frisking. Candidates must carry the Karnataka PGCET hall ticket as well as a valid photo ID proof to enter the exam hall.

Security Screening at Karnataka PGCET Exam Centres

All candidates will undergo security screening before being allowed inside the exam centre. This includes metal detector checks and AI-based facial recognition through a mobile app. KEA PGCET exam centres will also have CCTV surveillance for security purposes.

The following categories of candidates are required to arrive 2 hours before the exam begins:

• Candidates wearing religious attire (head, ear, or face coverings) must report by 8:30 AM (for MBA shift) and 12:30 PM (for MCA shift).

• Specially-abled candidates using hearing aids or cochlear implants must report by the same times (8:30 AM or 12:30 PM). Candidates must carry their UDID cards and a valid medical certificate. These candidates will be screened separately before they are permitted to use their hearing aids or implants during the exam.

Karnataka PGCET Bell Timings 2026

Check the table below for a quick overview of all seven bells to ring on the exam day:

What does Each Bell at PGCET Test Centre Mean?

KEA follows a strict schedule for the bells on the exam day. Each bell has a separate duty for the invigilators and the test taker. Check a detailed overview of all seven bells on the exam day:

Karnataka PGCET First Bell at 10 AM or 2 PM

Candidate are required to enter the exam hall and occupy their assigned seat. Additionally, candidates must provide their PGCET hall ticket and valid photo ID. The invigilator must verify the photograph on the PGCET admit card against the ID card, followed by distributing the OMR answer sheets to the candidates present in the exam hall.

After receiving the OMR sheet, candidate must write their name on the OMR answer sheet, enter their PGCET number and shade the corresponding circle. 

NOTE: Candidates must ensure they write the correct PGCET number on the OMR sheet.

KEA PGCET Second Bell at 10:15 AM or 2:15 PM

Sealed packets of question paper is distributed at 10:20 AM, for the morning shift, and 2:20 PM, for the afternoon shift to the room invigilators. Invigilators are required to announce to all candidates that the seal is intact and must request any two candidates to certify the same.

At 10:25 AM / 2:25 PM, question booklets are distributed to candidates present inside the exam hall. Candidates are required to enter the version code of the question booklet on the OMR sheet and shade the corresponding circle. Additionally, candidates must enter the question booklet serial number on the OMR sheet, affix their signature on the bottom of the OMR sheet, and sign the nominal roll when requested by the invigilator.

Karnataka PGCET Third Bell at 10:30 AM or 2:30 PM

Candidates are allowed to open the question booklet with the third bell at the KEA PGCET test centre and can begin answering on the OMR sheet. No candidate is permitted to enter the exam hall after the third bell. 

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Caution Bells

Fourth, fifth, and sixth bells are the caution bells inside the PGCET exam centre, indicating the time to the test takers and invigilators. No particular actions are required by the test taker or the invigilators when the caution bell rings.

• Fourth bell, i.e., first caution bell rings at 11:30 AM or 3:30 PM, indicating that one hour has been completed

• Fifth bell, i.e., the second caution bell, rings at 12 Noon or 4 PM, indicating that only 30 minutes are left for the PGCET 2026 exam to conclude.

• Sixth bell, i.e. third caution bell rings at 12:25 PM or 4:35 PM, indicating that only five minutes are left for the KEA PGCET exam to end.

Karnataka PGCET Seventh Bell at 12:30 PM or 4:30 PM

The last bell, i.e. the seventh bell, rings inside the test centre at 12:30 PM or 4:30 PM, indicating the exam has concluded. The invigilator must first ensure that all candidates have stopped writing on the OMR sheets, then collect the sheets from all test-takers. Invigilators are also required to separate the top sheet (office copy) of the OMR sheet and retain the same with them.

Candidates are allowed to leave the exam hall and take the bottom sheet replica or the OMR answer sheet with them, along with the question booklet.