KCET

Overview

The Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for admission to undergraduate engineering, farm science, veterinary science, pharmacy, B.Sc. Nursing and related professional courses in institutions across Karnataka. It is compulsory for students seeking a Karnataka state-quota seat in these courses.

Who can apply

Candidates need to have passed or be appearing for Class 12 (II PUC) or an equivalent examination, with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects along with Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Electronics, or Computer Science as the additional subject relevant to the course chosen. Most seats under the state quota require the candidate to have studied in Karnataka or meet Karnataka's domicile/eligibility rules laid down by KEA; specific nativity and reservation rules are published in the KCET information bulletin each year.

Exam pattern

KCET 2026 was held on 22, 23 and 24 April 2026, with a separate 80-minute paper for each subject.

Candidates appear for Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (or Biology in place of Mathematics, or both, depending on the courses they want to be considered for). Each question has four options with one correct answer, and each correct answer carries one mark.

Syllabus

The KCET syllabus is based on the Karnataka II PUC (Class 12) syllabus for Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology, with some topics carried over from Class 11. KEA publishes the exact syllabus and blueprint on its website each year.

Marking and results

KEA does not apply negative marking in KCET. The final rank for admission is calculated by combining the KCET score with the candidate's Class 12 (II PUC or equivalent board) marks, with each given equal (50:50) weightage. Separate rank lists are published for General Merit (GM) and for reserved categories such as 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, SC, ST and Kannada Medium candidates.

Important dates

For the KCET 2026 cycle, the notification was released in January 2026, online registration opened on 16 January 2026, and the exam was held on 22–24 April 2026. Exact dates change every year and are published on the KEA website ahead of the cycle.

Fees

For KCET 2026, KEA's published application fee was ₹500 for general category candidates and ₹250 for SC/ST and category-1/female candidates. Fees are payable online at the time of registration. A separate counselling registration-cum-processing fee is charged later to candidates who qualify and wish to take part in seat allotment.

How to apply

Candidates register online on the KEA CET portal (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea), fill in personal, academic and category details, upload the required photograph, signature and certificates, and pay the fee online. KEA later issues admit cards from the same portal.

After the exam

After KCET results and the combined rank list are published, KEA conducts a separate, multi-round online counselling process where candidates register, verify documents, enter their college and course preferences, and are allotted seats based on rank, category and availability. Candidates report to allotted colleges to confirm admission within the schedule KEA announces.

Preparation tips

Since each subject has its own timed 80-minute paper, practising full-length subject-wise mock tests under time pressure is useful. Because KCET rank blends board marks with the entrance score equally, keeping Class 12 board preparation strong matters as much as KCET-specific practice. Revising the II PUC Karnataka syllabus directly, rather than a generic national syllabus, helps since KCET questions map closely to it.

FAQs