KCET 2026 Scheduled for April 23-24, Who can Apply for Karnataka CET?
KEA sets the KCET eligibility rules, which students must abide by while filling the online application form. If candidates don’t follow it, their candidature will be rejected at a later stage. Here we have shared the KCET eligibility criteria, for all students applying for the exam.
KCET 2026 Scheduled for April 23-24, Who can Apply for Karnataka CET
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) will release the KCET 2026 application form on January 17, 2026. It released the KCET 2026 exam dates on January 2, 2026. Candidates meeting the minimum eligibility criteria will be able to apply till the last date. The exam body sets the eligibility rules, and if they don’t abide by it, their candidature might be rejected at a later stage. Here we have shared the KCET eligibility criteria, for all students applying for the exam.
Also read: KCET 2026 Registration to Begin on January 17: Check List of Documents Required Here
KCET 2026 Dates
| Event |
Date |
|---|---|
| KCET Registration Start Date |
January 17, 2026 |
| KCET Registration End Date |
February last week (Tentative) |
| Kannada Language Test |
April 22, 2026 |
| KCET Exam Dates |
April 23 & 24, 2026 |
| KCET Result |
May 2026 (Tentative) |
Who Can Apply? KCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must be Indian citizens and must have passed or be appearing for 2nd PUC/Class 12 or an equivalent examination in 2026. For the engineering stream, they must have studied Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, with Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Electronics, or Computer Science as an optional subject, and English as a language.
The minimum marks required for general category candidates is at least 45% aggregate in the mandatory subjects. While the minimum marks for SC/ST/OBC (Karnataka) is a minimum 40% aggregate in the qualifying exam.
What are Domicile Rules for Students?
Students must have studied in Karnataka-recognized educational institutions for at least seven years between Class 1 and 2nd PUC/Class 12.
There are also provisions for children of central government employees, defence personnel, those belonging to Horanadu/Gadinadu Kannadiga categories. They will have to take the Kannada Language Test, which is scheduled for April 22, 2026.
How to apply for KCET?
To apply for KCET, students must visit its official portal and login. While registering for the exam, they must arrange the following documents -
- SSLC (Class 10) and 2nd PUC (Class 12) marks cards.
- Scanned photograph, signature, and left thumb impression (Max 50 KB, JPG format).
- Domicile, Caste, or Income certificate.
- Debit/Credit and net banking for application fee payment
What is KCET?
KCET is a state-level annual entrance exam which is conducted to shortlist candidates for admission into various undergraduate (UG) professional courses, including Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture, and Veterinary Science, across Karnataka.
No. The KCET application is mandatory to be applied via official website. The examination is an offline exam.
No, Karnataka Examination Authority will not allow any candidate to choose their exam centre and slot. KEA will allot KCET exam centres on random basis based on the preference fillled by applicants at the time of filling form. KCET exam centre details will be conveyed to applicant through hall ticket.
Follow Shiksha.com for latest education news in detail on Exam Results, Dates, Admit Cards, & Schedules, Colleges & Universities news related to Admissions & Courses, Board exams, Scholarships, Careers, Education Events, New education policies & Regulations.
To get in touch with Shiksha news team, please write to us at news@shiksha.com
No, applicants need to appear in the Karnataka CET exam from the exam centre. KEA will release the KCET admit card for all the registered candidates with exam centre details. Applicants need to carry their KCET admit card along with one valid photo ID proof to the exam centre.