KCET 2026 Exam Guide: Dates, Eligibility, Pattern & Karnataka Colleges
📌 Related pillar guides: B.Tech Admission Guide · Engineering Colleges India · JEE Main 2026
Everything for KCET 2026 — the Karnataka CET for government-quota professional seats: exam dates, eligibility, the pattern and marking, KEA counselling, and the Karnataka engineering colleges that admit through KCET.
By Krishna Pandey, Founder & Lead Counsellor
✅ Sourcing: figures follow official/institute disclosures (year-labeled) — verify current-year details on the official source before payment.
KCET — Key Facts
- Conducting body: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
- Purpose: admission to government-quota seats in Karnataka’s engineering, B.Pharm, agriculture and other professional colleges (for Karnataka-domicile candidates)
- Mode & frequency: Offline (OMR-based), conducted once a year around April–May
- Eligibility: Karnataka-domicile candidates who passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics
KCET 2026 Exam Overview
KCET is the route to Karnataka’s government-quota professional seats at subsidised fees. The KCET rank — combined 50:50 with Class 12 marks for the engineering rank — feeds KEA’s centralised online counselling. Many top Karnataka colleges (such as RVCE, BMSCE and MSRIT) offer both KCET government-quota seats and COMEDK private seats; Karnataka-domicile students should apply for both.
KCET 2026 Important Dates
📌 In one line: round-wise schedule — cross-check live dates on the official portal.
| Event | Window |
|---|---|
| Registration | 17 January – 16 February 2026 |
| KCET exam | 23–24 April 2026 |
| Result | Declared (check kea.kar.nic.in) |
| KEA counselling | June–August 2026 (in progress) |
✅ KCET 2026 was conducted on 23–24 April 2026 (Kannada language test on 22 April), per KEA's official CET-2026 schedule; KEA counselling is now underway. Always confirm the latest round dates on the official portal kea.kar.nic.in before planning.
KCET 2026 Eligibility
KCET is for Karnataka-domicile candidates (eligibility determined by KEA’s Clause A–P) who have passed (or are appearing in) Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics for engineering (and the relevant subjects for other streams).
KCET Exam Pattern & Marking
- Engineering: Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics — separate papers based on the Class 11 and 12 syllabus
- Biology paper additionally for relevant streams
Each correct answer scores 1 mark with no negative marking. The engineering rank is computed with 50:50 weightage between KCET marks and Class 12 PCM marks, and used in KEA’s online counselling for government-quota seats.
Colleges Accepting KCET 2026 — Full List
KCET government-quota seats are offered by Karnataka’s engineering colleges. Below are the colleges on FindUrCollege. Click any college for its fees, cutoffs, placements and admission process.
Related: COMEDK Counselling · JEE Main 2026.
How FindUrCollege Helps KCET Aspirants
From shortlisting the right colleges for your expected score/rank to counselling guidance, application strategy and document help, FindUrCollege guides KCET aspirants end-to-end. Use the free form on this page, or message us on WhatsApp at +91 91126 50438 for a free profile review.