KCET 2026: The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducted the KCET 2026 examination across multiple sessions on April 22, 23, and 24, 2026, and has declared the final results. Currently the KCET 2026 counselling is ongoing with the mock seat allotment declared and the choice entry portal open for modifications at KEA Official Portal - cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
KCET 2026 Latest Updates
- The Phase 1 web options entry modification window for seat allocation is currently underway.
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The Round 1 final seat allotment result and college reporting dates are scheduled for July 15, 2026.
- The KCET 2026 entrance exam was concluded across Karnataka on April 24, 2026.
- What is KCET Exam?
- KCET 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
- KCET 2026 Counselling
- KCET 2026 Result
- KCET 2026 Cutoffs
- KCET 2026 Answer Keys
- KCET 2026 Analysis
- KCET 2026 Admit Card
- KCET 2026 Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Preparation
- KCET 2026 Eligibility & Application Form
- KCET 2026 FAQs
What is KCET Exam?
Karnataka Common Entrance Test in short known as KCET 2026, is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for admission to undergraduate (UG) courses such as Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture and other professional programmes offered by colleges in Karnataka for the 2026 academic session. The exam is also called as UGCET.
Students looking to take admission to Medical or Dental or Ayurveda or Unani or Homoeopathy courses must qualify the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam, whereas those seeking admission into the Architecture course through KCET must have qualified JEE Main Paper-2 or NATA to participate in KCET counselling.
Additionally, qualifying for KCET with an official state merit rank is an essential statutory mandate to seek admission into any KEA-approved engineering institution, state-level government college, or private university across Karnataka.
Courses Covered Under KCET
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Bachelor of Engineering / Technology (B.E. / B.Tech)
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Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) / Pharma-D
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Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (B.Sc. Agriculture)
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Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc. & A.H.)
Key Highlights of KCET 2026
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Exam frequency |
Once a year across designated weekday slots |
| Mode of exam |
Offline pen-and-paper traditional format using OMR response sheets |
| Number of papers |
Four distinct subject papers distributed across key sessions (PCM/PCB) |
| How many candidates registered for KCET 2026 |
Approximately 2,50,000 to 3,20,000 candidates across the state |
| Language of the exam |
Conducted in English and Kannada languages |
Commonly asked questions
Each paper of KCET exam is conducted for 80 minutes. The Kannada language exam of KCET will be conducted for 60 minutes for Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadiga candidates. KCET exam Biology and Mathematics exam will be conducted on same day while Physics & Chemistry exam will be conducted on separate day.
Karnataka Examination Authority will commence the KCET application form facility after the conclusion of the exam at the official website. Applicants can make changes in the KCET application form in online mode. Candidates are allowed to make changes in certain fields only. Applicants are advised to cross-check all the details before submitting information. KEA do not entertain any request for change in KCET application form after the conclusion of correction facility.
In case any question is asked in KCET exam out of syllabus then applicants are advised to attempt the question. In case a question will be out of syllabus, KEA will provide full marks to applicants who will attempt the question which is out of syllabus.
KCET 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of KCET 2026 exam
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| Jul ' 26 | Final, first-round real seat allotment results TENTATIVE |
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 06 Jul ' 26 | Mock seat allotment results |
| Jul ' 26 | Edits and modification window |
| 20 Jun ' 26 - 30 Jun ' 26 | Option entry window |
KCET 2026 Counselling
Counselling: Jul ' 26
The Karnataka Examinations Authority conducts a centralized, common online KCET counselling process. Individual state admission windows are opened simultaneously for different streams on a unified portal. For undergraduate professional admissions, the qualified candidates will have to apply through the KEA single-window system.
There are over 220 colleges that accept KCET scores for admission into their regular undergraduate programs. Some of the colleges for admissions through KCET scores are - RV College of Engineering (RVCE), BMS College of Engineering (BMSCE), MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT), University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE), PES University, and various state agricultural universities. The typical state-level counseling procedure is outlined below:
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Qualified candidates must manually monitor and log into the common KEA portal to check their structural document verification eligibility status.
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Candidates select and lock in their choices of engineering branches, pharmacy institutes, and agricultural universities based on personal priorities.
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Regional systems allot seats to individuals using their calculated KCET composite merit indices alongside category reservation matrices.
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Complete online reporting: This includes:
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Payment of structural institutional seat confirmation fees.
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Allocation validation through option freezing, holding, or upgrading based on specific authority layout rules.
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Mandatory upload and online verification of core documents by verified scrutiny officers.
Also read: KCET Marks vs Rank 2026 - Cut Off, Qualifying Marks; Top KCET Colleges
Commonly asked questions
The expected KCET cutoff course-wise of RV College of Engineering as per the last year is as follows -
| RV College of Engineering courses | Cutoff (closing rank) |
| Aerospace engineering | 3824 |
| Computer Science and Engineering (AI and ML) | 888 |
| Biotechnology | 8563 |
| Chemical Engineering | 13853 |
| Civil Engineering | 16279 |
| Computer Science and Engineering | 501 |
| Computer Science and Engineering (Cyber Security) | 1017 |
| Computer Science and Engineering (Data Science) | 745 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 4202 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | 1354 |
| Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering | 2347 |
| Industrial Engineering and Management | 21255 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 8395 |
KCET mock seat allotment is a list of students and colleges released after counselling is conducted. In mock seat allotment the name and college of students is mentioned . If any student want to get it changed, they can edit the response or else the alloted college will be final.
KCET 2026 Result
The KEA has declared the step-by-step KCET 2026 result online after the conclusion of individual verification stages. The KCET 2026 scorecard displays structural raw scores for distinct sections alongside an aggregate evaluation score out of 180 marks per stream. For candidates attempting multiple subject combos, distinct merit lists for Engineering, Pharmacy, and Agriculture are taken for evaluation. The final ranks of candidates is determined based on a 50:50 weightage between KCET scores and Class 12 (II PUC) board marks.
How to Check KCET 2026 Result?
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Open the official web address - kea.kar.nic.in
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Click on the activated KEA UGCET 2026 Scorecard download tab
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Login using your verified application registration ID and secure date of birth
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The scorecard will be displayed instantly on your screen
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Download and save a high-quality printout for your subsequent admission rounds
Commonly asked questions
To get top college through the KCET exam, candidates must score above 160+ marks out of 180 which is generally considered good. This score will help them secure a seat in top institutes.
KCET ranks are calculated using 50% of KCET marks and 50% of the qualifying 2nd PUC core subject marks.
The KCET Spot ranking results is likely to be announced in July 2026 on the official website - cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
Although taking KCET mock tests are not mandatory, it is a great way to practice. The mock tests give candidates an idea about look and feel of the exam.
KCET 2026 Cutoffs
Karnataka Examination Authority will release the KCET 2026 cutoff after the declaration of seat allotment results. KCET cutoff will be released separately for all counselling rounds. Applicants appearing in the counselling process can check the KCET cutoff at kea.kar.nic.in. There are two main categories under the KCET cutoff evaluation system:
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Qualifying cutoff: The minimum baseline scores needed within Class 12 marks (45% for general, 40% for SC/ST) to pass the eligibility framework and become eligible for ranking.
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Admission cutoff: The structural closing ranks or score bounds specified by individual colleges and universities to filter seat allocations during their independent counseling procedures.
KCET 2026 Admission Cutoff for IITs, NITs and IIITs
As KCET applies strictly to State Engineering Colleges, Government institutions, and local private universities rather than central IIT/NIT engineering branches, candidate score closures are directly governed by the state merit lists and local university cutoffs based on total rank weightage. Central institutes require JEE Main scores instead.
Commonly asked questions
For KCET exam, scheduled castes (SC) have a 15% reservation, while Scheduled Tribes (ST) are allocated 7.5% of seats.
The KCET cut-offs depend on total applicants, exam difficulty, seat availability, and previous year trends.
Candidates belonging to the OBC category (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B) collectively has a 27% reservation in KCET.
No, applicants looking for admission to various courses have to appear in the counselling process. KEA will allot colleges to shortlist candidates based on the rank in the result. The authorities will allot colleges to students based on the choices filled at the time of option entry.
KCET 2026 Answer Keys
KEA releases the KCET 2026 answer key online at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. After reviewing objections raised by candidates against the provisional answer keys, the authorities released the final answer key on May 10. Candidates can download the final answer keys for PCB here. The provisional answer key allows candidates to evaluate their performance, estimate scores, and raise objections (if any) within the deadline as set by KEA. Candidates are also able to know the correct answers to the question paper through the KCET final answer key 2026 and calculate their probable secured scores in KCET 2026. While calculating the scores, the candidates have to refer to the official marking scheme as per the official KCET 2026 exam pattern (1 mark per question, no negative marking). However, the calculated scores are indicative and can differ from the official result. Along with the final answer key, the authorities also release the preliminary key for candidate objection tracking.
KCET Final Answer Key OUT - Download here
Commonly asked questions
KEA has released KCET answer key at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. The last date to raise objections was April 30 (5pm).
Yes, KEA releases the final answer key after all the objections submitted against the provisional answer keys are taken into consideration.
Candidates need to mention subject, version code, question number carefully. KEA will not entertain any objections with wrong details mentioned in the form.
KCET 2026 Analysis
The overall consensus for the KCET 2026 sessions held across April categorized the difficulty level as Moderate and highly focused on structural conceptual parameters.
Overall Analysis Across Sessions
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Session Comparison: The Mathematics and Biology test blocks showcased highly straightforward questions from the core syllabus, whereas later Physics and Chemistry test blocks demanded deeper analysis in numerical derivation segments.
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Toughest Modules: The structural calculations in organic chemistry and advanced calculus required swift time handling inside the 80-minute window per subject.
Subject-Wise Analysis
| Physics |
Chemistry |
Mathematics / Biology |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate to Difficult |
Moderate |
Easy to Moderate |
| Complex derivation questions and conceptual application calculations |
Evaluated reaction mechanisms, chemical properties, and formulation speed |
Practical computational tasks requiring direct formula application |
| Most questions came from: • Electrostatics • Current Electricity • Wave Optics • Thermodynamics |
Most questions came from: • Coordination Compounds • Organic Chains • Electrochemistry • Chemical Kinetics |
Most questions came from: • Calculus & Integration • Coordinate Geometry • Vectors & 3D Matrix • Genetics / Physiology |
Commonly asked questions
The difficulty wasn't in the concepts, but in length of calculations. Many students felt the paper was designed more like a Board exam than a 60-minute competitive test.
Chemistry was "nightmare" because of a syllabus shift. There were high volume of questions from the Class 11 (I PUC) syllabus.
KCET 2026 Admit Card
The Karnataka Examinations Authority uploads the KCET 2026 admit card on a common release date, approximately 7 to 10 days prior to the examination window. The admit card is an irreplaceable identification document during test execution and institutional verification stages, so it must be preserved properly.
How to Download KCET 2026 Admit Card?
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Open the web interface - cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
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Select the download link for KCET Admit Card
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Input your application sequence number and designated credentials
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Check all details before printing your final download copy
Commonly asked questions
The KCET hall ticket was released on April 10. Candidates could download hall ticket from cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
Candidates are not allowed to leave their seats until entire duration of the session is over.
Attestation is not required unless there is discrepancy in candidate's photograph or signature.
Applicants appearing in the exam will have to carry their KCET hall ticket along with one valid photo ID proof. Candidates are also allowed to carry their personal pen/pencil and face mask inside the exam centre. Applicants are advised not to carry any item restricted inside the exam centre. Without valid KCET admit card, applicants will not be allowed to appear in the exam. A list of valid photo ID proofs applicable for KCET exam are given below.
- PAN card
- Driving License
- Voter ID
- Passport
- Aadhaar Card (With photograph)
- Bank Passbook with Photograph.
- 12th class admit card.
KCET 2026 Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Preparation
Commonly asked questions
No, there is no negative marking in KCET making it important for the candidates to attempt all questions.
Karnataka Examination Authority releases the KCET marking scheme in the official notification. Applicants appearing in the exam will be awarded one mark for every correct answers. There will be no negative marking for wrong answers in KCET exam. KEA will not deduct any marks for unattempted questions in KCET exam. As the exam is conducted in offline mode, applicants are advise to mark their answers carefully in OMR sheet. The questions with multiple options marked will be considered as wrong. Candidates are advise to cross check their answers before marking it in OMR sheet. Do not write anything on KCET OMR sheet other than marking answers.
Yes, NCERT books are suffieicnet to prepare for KCET, however, students can also refer to supplementary books such as past year question papers, RD Sharma etc. However, NCERT books are primary foundation for KCET, as the exam is based on the PUC syllabus.
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.
KCET 2026 Eligibility & Application Form
Commonly asked questions
After successfully filling the KCET application form, applicants gets the confirmation mail on their registered ID. KEA also send the confirmation text on the registered number. Candidates looking for admission are advised to enter a valid mobile number and email ID at the time of KCET registration. Applicants are advised to keep the confirmation mail and text safe till the conclusion of the admission process.
The exam body released the exam dates for the KCET 2026 on its official website. As per the dates, the test was conducted on April 23-24, 2026.
Yes, Indian nationals can fill the KCET application form. Candidates from Maharashtra can fill the KCET 2026 application form at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. Applicants need to fill their state domicile information at the time of filling out the KCET application form
KEA will release the KCET application form 2026 at the official website. Candidates will have to fill all details in the KCET 2026 application form carefully. KEA will provide KCET 2026 application form correction facility after the conclusion of registration process. However, only few details will be allowed to edit in the form. In case of filling wrong details in the application form, there are chances of KCET form rejection.
KCET 2026 FAQs
Commonly asked questions
The minimum of 12 marks in Kannada Language test is required for specific eligibility clauses. It is advised for students to score a bit more than this score.
Yes, a rank below 5,000 is excellent and typically secures a seat in top-tier Bangalore engineering colleges.
If your PUC marks change, you must bring the updated marks to KEA's notice immediately to have a new rank assigned.
KEA allows objections to the answer key; revaluation of OMR sheets is generally not permitted.
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KCET Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 weeks ago
Aspirants must apply for KCET for admission in BE programme of Ramaiah Institute of Technology. Aspirants can pay the fees via any of the online payment modes. Check below the KCET fees:
Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
Karnataka GM, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B | INR 500 |
Karnataka SC, ST, CAT-1 | INR 250 |
Karnataka All Female Candidates of Karnataka | INR 250 |
Outside Karnataka GM | INR 750 |
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 3 weeks ago
Ramaiah Institute of Technology accepts admission in BE programme based on KCET scores via KEA Counselling. Aspirants who are allotted seat have to report at the campus for document verification and fee payment. In 2025 KCET cutoff ranges between 2000-6000.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, KCET is only for Karnataka domicile students, whereas COMEDK UGET is open to students from any state and is specifically designed for non-Karnataka candidates wanting seats in top private colleges like RVCE and BMSCE. So if you're from outside Karnataka, COMEDK is actually your main entry ticke
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
To get admission to the BTech in AI and ML course at ATME, students have to clear the category-wise KCET rank. As per the ATME KCET cutoff 2025, the highest rank accepted for the General AI category was 61818.
To know the maximum rank for other categories, see the table below.
| Category | ATME KCET cutoff 2025 (Last Round) |
|---|---|
| All India Category | |
| General | 61818 |
| SC | 152441 |
| ST | 108234 |
| Home State Category | |
| General | 68751 |
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
To check the merit list for admission at Vidyashilp University for the BTech (Hons.) in Computer Science and Engineering (Data Science) course, students have to go to the official KEA exam portal, find the KCET/UGCET option and click on it. After this, if the merit list has been declared, you will
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, you can get admission at Vidyashilp University for its B.Tech. (Hons.) in Computer Science and Engineering (Data Science) course, if you belong to the General, SC, or ST AI categories.
For the above categories, the highest ranks accepted were 127676, 222180.5 and 161927, respectively, according
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Vidyashilp University KCET cutoff 2026 is affected by many factors, like the difficulty level of the exam, the number of applicants, the total number of test takers, etc.
The Vidyashilp University cutoff 2026 regarding the KCET examination was published for admission to the B.Tech. (Hons.) in Comput
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Vidyashilp University KCET cutoff 2025 was released for admission to the BTech course for various All India and Home State quota categories.
For the General AI category students, the maximum KCET rank admissible was 127676 for the B.Tech. (Hons.) in Computer Science and Engineering (Data Science) co
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
KCET is only for Karnataka domicile students — so students from other states cannot apply for KCET unless they have studied in Karnataka for a minimum number of years (usually Classes 6–10 or 11–12 in a Karnataka school).
COMEDK UGET, on the other hand, is open to all students across India, regardles
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Round 1 closing rank in Aeronautical Engineering was 56,940 in 2025. By the final round, the closing rank was 97,687. It suggests that, though easier than Computer Science and Engineering, Aeronautical engineering is a popular specialised course.
R
Contributor-Level 9
308 Institutes accepting KCET
4.5
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What is the application fees for KCET for admission at Ramaiah Institute of Technology?