Karnataka PGCET Option Entry 2026 @kea.kar.nic.in: Direct Link, Process & Last Date

Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test 2026 ( Karnataka PGCET )

Abhishek
Abhishek Dhawan
Deputy Manager - MBA & BBA Content
Updated on May 4, 2026 02:00 IST
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) will begin the PGCET 2026 option entry process at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/pgcet2026. The last date to exercise Karnataka PGCET option entry link will be notified along with the KEA PGCET counselling schedule. To exercise Karnataka PGCET option entry, candidates have to pay a processing fee.

Karnataka Examinations Authority will start PGCET option entry process soon after the exam results are declared. Candidates who have the claim slip can participate in the PGCET option entry process. Check complete details on Karnataka PGCET 2026 option entry.

Karnataka PGCET Option Entry 2025

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Option Entry Link

Karnataka PGCET Option Entry 2026: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) will begin the PGCET 2026 option entry process at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/pgcet2026. The last date to exercise Karnataka PGCET option entry link will be notified along with the KEA PGCET counselling schedule. To exercise Karnataka PGCET option entry, candidates have to pay a processing fee. Based on the options exercised by the candidates, KEA will publish the Karnataka PGCET seat allotment results. Scroll down for complete information on Karnataka PGCET option entry 2026, including how to fill options, and what after Karnataka PGCET 2026 option entry.

Table of contents
  • Karnataka PGCET Option Entry Link 2026
  • Karnataka PGCET Option Entry Dates 2026
  • Karnataka PGCET Option Entry Process 2026
  • What after Karnataka PGCET Option Entry?

Karnataka PGCET Option Entry Link 2026

KEA is yet to facilitate the Karnataka PGCET option entry link. The space below mentions the direct link to exercise the Karnataka PGCET options

Direct Link for PGCET Option Entry: to be updated

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Who releases Karnataka PGCET exam dates?
A: 

Karnataka PGCET exam dates and event schedule is released by Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA).  KEA conducts the Karnataka PGCET exam for admission to MBA/MCA, and MTech courses offered by colleges in Karnataka. Besides these courses, candidates aspiring for MArch courses are also required to fill the PGCET form to be considered for the centralised counselling process. Karnataka MArch admissions are based on CoA's PGETA. 

KEA releases the schedule for Karnataka PGCET exam, including the application schedule, admit card dates, exam dates, answer key release schedule, and result declaration dates. Besides these events, KEA also conducts the centralised counselling process for MBA admission and the schedule for the same is released seperately.

Q:   I have lost my challan copy of having paid for PGCET MBA Karnataka. Is it necessary for verification?
A: 

Challan copy is a proof of the candidate’s candidature in Karnataka PGCET, hence it is an important document to retain. Candidates must reach out to the concerned bank or KEA for a resolution.

Q:   How to manage time in Karnataka PGCET exam?
A: 

The golden rule of all speed-based test is time management and this is applicable for Karnataka PGCET exam as well. In order to master skills of managing time for the test, practice Karnataka PGCET question papers multiple times as well as any available online test on MBA exam question paper. Do not just practice, keep an eye on the time taken to solve the question paper. On the exam day if you know all the answer but cannot manage the time you will end up completing a fraction of the test paper. Your aim should, therefore, be to answer a maximum number of questions accurate within less duration.

Q:   What is the exam date for Karnataka PGCET MBA exam?
A: 

KEA conducts the Karnataka PGCET exam every year for admission to MBA and MCA courses. Besides the MBA, MCA admissions, Karnataka PGCET exam also aids the MTech admission for candidates who do not have a valid GATE score. There is no fixed timeline for Karnataka PGCET exam. The exam dates for MBA and MCA exam remains the same. Whereas, the PGCET exam date for ME/MTech courses is different. Karnataka PGCET 2025 exam is generally conducted in the month of June for MBA and MCA courses. 

Karnataka PGCET Option Entry Dates 2026

KEA releases Karnataka PGCET counselling schedule for each round separately. The option entry process for admissions via Karnataka PGCET 2026 will be facilitated before the first round of seat allotment only. The table below indicates Karnataka PGCET option entry dates:

Karnataka PGCET Counselling Events

Karnataka PGCET Counselling Dates 2026

Karnataka PGCET option entry start date

July 2026

Last date to exercise Karnataka PGCET options

July 2026

Publication of Karnataka PGCET mock allotment results

July 2026

Facility to edit exercised options

August 2026

Release of first round provisional seat allotment results

August 2026
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Karnataka PGCET Option Entry Process 2026

The process to exercise options for admissions via Karnataka PGCET 2026 ranks is mentioned below:

  1. Access Karnataka PGCET option entry link mentioned above, or via official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/pgcet2026
  2. Scan the QR code printed on Karnataka PGCET claim slip, followed by entering the application number and option entry PGCET number.
  3. Complete the OTP verification with the password received via an SMS on the registered mobile number.
  4. Access the Karnataka PGCET option entry dashboard using face recognition.
  5. Pay the processing fee of INR 750, followed by entering priority of options.
  6. The option entry panel will display all the discipline tabs to which the candidate is eligible.
  7. Choose the course tab inside the Karnataka PGCET option entry portal
  8. The login dashboard hosts the list of colleges as well as courses under the tab for each discipline. Candidates can choose as many course and college options as possible.

NOTE: If a candidate is eligible for admission to both MBA and MCA disciplines and desires for MBA admission more than MCA, then he/she must give more preferences for MBA than any other discipline.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the frequency of the Karnataka PGCET exam?
A: 

Karnataka PGCET exam is conducted once every year. The exam score is valid for one exam session only. Karnataka PGCET is an offline exam with as many as 100 MCQs to be answered within 150 minutes.  Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test is administered annually by Karnataka Examination Authority. Karnataka PGCET acts as the gateway exam for admission into PG courses, including MBA, MCA, M.E., M.Tech. and M.Arch in the state of Karnataka. 

Q:   How many times is Karnataka PGCET exam conducted?
A: 

Karnataka PGCET exam is conducted once every year for admission to PG professional courses. Each course exam for admission via PGCET is conducted in a separate shift.

Q:   When will KEA conduct Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam?
A: 

KEA has successfully conducted Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam for MBA and MCA courses.

Q:   Who conducts Karnataka PGCET exam?
A: 

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducts the PGCET exam annually. Candidates aspiring for PG admissions in Karnataka can appear for PGCET exam.

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What after Karnataka PGCET Option Entry?

KEA hosts Karnataka PGCET option entry for all candidates with a claim slip. Once eligible candidates have exercised PGCET option entry, he/she will find the Karnataka PGCET mock seat allotment result. KEA releases Karnataka PGCET mock allotment results to familiarise candidates with the allotment process, including how to check, and what college to expect.

Candidates are allowed to edit Karnataka PGCET options after mock allotment results are declared. Based on the edited preference order, KEA will release first round Karnataka PGCET seat allotment results. 

NOTE: Mock allotment results are only for guidance purposes; KEA will facilitate admissions via first round Karnataka PGCET seat allotment results.

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About the Author
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Abhishek Dhawan
Deputy Manager - MBA & BBA Content

Abhishek Dhawan is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He holds a BA degree from the University of Delhi. At Shiksha, Abhishek primarily covers MBA and BBA entrance

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Answered a month ago

The highest rank acceptable in 2024 was 2206 for the General AI category. So, students who have a rank below 2206 have a better chance of admission in the MBA/PGDM course. Students should know that the cutoff for other categories will vary. 

Note: Cut- off data is an estimate and not official. 

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

To get a seat at NITTE Meenakshi Institute of Technology for the MBA/PGDM course, students have to first appear for the Karnataka PGCET entrance exam and then for its counselling process to be considered eligible for admission. 

The Karnataka PGCET cutoff is released in the form of open and closing r

...Read more

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

To get a seat at this university for the MBA/PGDM course, students have to appear for the Karnataka PGCET entrance exam, followed by its counselling process. The cutoff is released in the form of ranks for various AI and HS quota categories. 

Candidates who clear the round, year and category-specific

...Read more

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Qualifying Karnataka PGCET is compulsory for Karnataka domicile students to get admission in M.Arch in BMS School of Architecture. For others, it is not compulsory and they can get admission based on GATE score or through Management Quota.

S

Saumya Gairola

Contributor-Level 10