KCET 2026 — Karnataka Common Entrance Test

KCET 2026 (Karnataka Common Entrance Test) is conducted by the KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority) for admission to engineering, pharmacy, and other professional courses in Karnataka government and private aided colleges. It's one of India's largest state-level engineering entrance exams, with over 2 lakh students appearing annually.

Quick summary: Apply at kea.kar.nic.in. Exam held in April–May 2026 (2 days). Karnataka domicile required for 85% state quota seats.

KCET 2026 — Key Dates (Tentative)

Always verify dates at the official KEA portal: kea.kar.nic.in

Eligibility Criteria

Karnataka Domicile — Who Gets State Quota?

For the 85% state quota seats, applicants must:

• Be born in Karnataka, OR
• Have studied in Karnataka schools for 7 continuous years (Classes 1–12)
• OR be children of Karnataka state government employees

Karnataka Domicile / Residence Certificate Guide

KCET 2026 Application Process

1. Go to kea.kar.nic.in → "KCET 2026"
2. Register with mobile number + email (OTP verification)
3. Fill application form:
   • Personal details, PUC school details
   • Select exam subjects (PCM/PCB or both)
   • Choose exam centre (district-wise)
4. Upload photo (passport size, white background) + signature
5. Pay fee:
   • General/OBC: ₹650 (2 subjects) | ₹750 (both PCM+PCB)
   • SC/ST Karnataka: ₹500
6. Submit and download confirmation

Exam Pattern

• Mode: Offline (OMR-based)
• Question type: MCQs (1 mark each)
• Negative marking: No negative marking (attempt all questions)
• Day 1: Physics + Chemistry
• Day 2: Mathematics (engineering) or Biology (pharmacy/MBBS)

KCET Syllabus 2026

KCET syllabus is based on Karnataka PUC II (Class 12) syllabus:

Physics: Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Semiconductors, Communication Systems, etc.

Chemistry: Solid State, Solutions, Electrochemistry, Coordination Compounds, Biomolecules, Polymers, Organic Chemistry, etc.

Mathematics: Relations & Functions, Inverse Trigonometric Functions, Matrices & Determinants, Calculus (Differentiation, Integration, Differential Equations), Vectors, 3D Geometry, Probability, etc.

Biology (for pharmacy/NEET backup): Reproduction, Genetics, Evolution, Biotechnology, Ecology, etc.

KCET vs JEE Main — Which Is Easier?

Students often appear in both KCET and JEE Main — KCET for Karnataka colleges, JEE for national options.

KCET 2026 Cutoff (Previous Year Reference)

Cutoffs vary by college and branch. Top colleges (BIT Bangalore, RV College, MSRIT) have higher cutoffs.

Documents Required for Counselling

• KCET rank card / scorecard
• PUC marks card (Class 12)
• SSLC marks card (Class 10)
• Karnataka domicile / residence certificate — apply here
• Caste certificate (for OBC/SC/ST) — apply here
• Aadhaar card
• Passport-size photograph
• Candidate's bank details (for fee payment)

Top Colleges Under KCET

Frequently Asked Questions

Can students from other states apply for KCET?

Yes — students from all states can apply. However, they are eligible only for the 15% all-India quota seats (called Type 2A seats by KEA). The 85% state quota is reserved for Karnataka domicile holders.

Is KCET accepted for MBBS admissions?

KCET is primarily for engineering and pharmacy. For MBBS/BDS in Karnataka, you need NEET — KEA uses NEET scores for medical seat allotment (not KCET scores).

Can I use both KCET and JEE scores for Karnataka colleges?

KCET score is used for Karnataka government and private aided colleges under state quota. JEE Main score may be used by some private unaided colleges (not KEA counselling). In KEA counselling, only KCET rank matters.

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