KCET 2026 - Karnataka Examination Authority has issued the KCET 2026 admit card on April 10, 2026. The KCET admit card 2026 link has been activated on the officail website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. To download the KCET admit card, candidates will need their application number and password. The KCET exam will be held on April 22 (Kannada Language Test), April 23 and 24, 2026. The KCET 2026 exam pattern consists of objective-type questions for a total of 180 marks, with an allotted time of 80 minutes. Find below more information, including the KCET exam date 2026, syllabus, pattern, results, etc.
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The KCET 2026 form correction concluded on March 30, 2026. The KCET 2026 syllabus was published online. The state-level exam provides students with the opportunity to pursue various undergraduate courses, such as Engineering, Architecture, Pharmacy, and more. Through the KCET exam, students can apply for undergraduate courses like B.E./B. Tech, B.Arch, B.Pharm, and other related fields. Candidates can find the complete details of KCET 2026 in this article.
Practise With - KCET 2026 Mock Test
Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
Full Exam Name | Karnataka Common Entrance Test |
Short Exam Name | KCET |
Conducting Body | Karnataka Examinations Authority |
Frequency Of Conduct | Once a year |
Exam Level | State Level Exam |
Languages | English +1 more |
Mode Of Application | Online |
Application Fee | Offline : 500 +1 more |
Mode Of Exam | Offline |
Mode Of Counselling | Online +1 more |
Participating Colleges | 217 |
Exam Duration | 4 Hours |
Get expert advice on college selection, admission chances, and career path in a personalized counselling session.
The KCET 2026 admit card is available on April 10, 2026. Candidates can download it by entering their ID or mobile number on the official KEA website. It is mandatory to carry the admit card to the exam centre; without it, you will not be allowed to take the exam.
Event | Tentative Dates |
|---|---|
Application Starts |
|
Last Date to Apply (without late fees) |
|
| KCET 2026 registration fees payment | March 7, 2026 |
Application Correction | February 24, 2026 to March 30, 2026. |
Admit Card Release | April 10, 2026 |
KCET 2026 Exam Date | April 23 and 24, 2026 April 22, 2026 (Kannada Language Test) |
Answer Key Release | April/May 2026 |
Result Announcement | May 2026 |
Counseling Starts | 1st Week of June 2026 |
Authority releases the KCET 2026 exam centres online on the official website. The exam centres list displays the names of the districts where the KCET exam is scheduled. While filling in the application form, candidates can choose the test centre according to Karnataka's KCET 2026 exam centres. Check the complete list of KCET exam centres from the following table.
| Exam Centre | Exam Centre | Exam Centre |
|---|---|---|
Bagalkot | Chitradurga | Mangalore |
Jamakhandi | Davangere | Moodabidre |
Bangalore | Dharwad | Puttur |
Doddaballapur | Hubli | Ujire |
Belgaum | Gadag | Mysore |
Athani | Gulbarga | Raichur |
Chikodi | Hassan | Ramanagara |
Gokak | Haveridte | Channapatna |
Bellary | Kanwar | Shimoga |
Hospet | Dandeli | Bhadravathi |
Bidar | Kumta | Sagar |
Basavakalyan | Sirsi | Tumkur |
Bhalki | Kolar | Tiptur |
Bijapur | KGF | Udupi |
Chamarajanagar | Koppal | Karkala |
Kollegal | Madikeri | Kundapura |
Chikkaballapur | Mandya | Yadgir |
Chikmagalur | Krishnarajapet |
The KCET 2026 exam will be conducted offline and will consist of 180 marks. The subject-wise distribution is as follows:
Chemistry: 60 Marks
Physics: 60 Marks
Mathematics/Biology: 60 Marks
Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
Total Marks | 180 marks |
Marks Distribution | 60 marks per subject |
Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
Duration | 80 minutes (1 hour 10 minutes) |
Number of Questions | 60 questions per subject |
Question Type | Objective-type questions |
Marking Scheme | 1 mark for each correct answer |
Negative Marking | No negative marking |
The authority has announced that the Karnataka CET syllabus 2026 is based on the first and second-year PUC syllabus as determined by the Department of Pre-University Education of Karnataka State. The authority has released the KCET 2026 syllabus PDF online on the official website. Candidates can download the syllabus PDF for Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
| KCET Subject-wise Syllabus | |
|---|---|
Preparing for the KCET exam can be challenging, but with the right approach, candidates can perform well and secure a seat in prestigious institutions. Here are some preparation tips:
Familiarize Yourself with the Syllabus and Exam Pattern:- Download the official KCET syllabus from the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) website to plan your study schedule effectively.
Create a Balanced Study Plan:- Include all subjects in your plan, with equal focus on each. Schedule regular breaks to avoid burnout.
Use NCERT Books:- NCERT books are highly recommended for mastering core concepts in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. Class 11 and 12 NCERT textbooks provide a solid foundation.
Refer to Selective Reference Books:
Using the right reference books can enhance your understanding and speed up preparation. Some recommended books include:
Physics: Physics for Karnataka CET and COMEDK by K.L. Gomber and K.L. Gogia
Chemistry: MTG Objective Karnataka CET Chemistry, Organic Chemistry by Morrison and Boyd
Mathematics: Mathematics by Dinesh, MTG Objective Karnataka CET Mathematics
Biology: Handbook of Biology by Arihant Publications, Trueman's Objective Biology
Practice Previous Papers and Mock Tests:
Solve past KCET question papers and attempt mock tests to familiarize yourself with the exam format and question types. Online mock tests and coaching institutes also offer practice sessions.
Stay Positive:
Maintain a positive mindset during preparation and practice. Confidence plays a crucial role in exam success.
Mock tests are replicas of the actual exam papers, where the structure and pattern are similar to the original ones. Candidates can prepare for the KCET exams by attempting the KCET mock test by Careers360. The KCET mock test is based on the exam pattern of KCET.
To prepare for the KCET 2026 exams, candidates should check the best books for KCET. Find below the list of books for the subjects Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
Subject | Best Books for KCET 2026 Preparation |
|---|---|
Physics | - NCERT Physics Textbooks (Class 11 & 12) |
-Physics for Karnataka CET and COMEDK | |
-Physics for 1st Year PUC by AS Govind | |
- Physics for Karnataka CET and COMEDK by K. L. Gomber and K. L. Gogia | |
- Fundamentals of Physics by S. Chand | |
- Pradeep’s Fundamental Physics (Class 11 and 12) | |
Chemistry | - NCERT Chemistry Textbooks (Class 11 & 12) |
- Modern’s ABC of Chemistry (Part 1 and Part 2) by S.P. Jauhar | |
- Chemistry for 1st Year PUC by Prof. Somashekara Prasad | |
- Pradeep’s New Course Chemistry | |
Mathematics | - NCERT Mathematics Textbooks (Class 11 & 12) |
- CET by Bosco | |
MCQ by Asit Das Gupta | |
Mathematics for 1st Year PUC BY Dr PG Umarani | |
- Mathematics by Dinesh |
KEA has announced the KCET 2026 exam dates on its official website. The subject tests will be held on April 23 and 24, 2026. The Kannada Language Test will be held on April 22, 2026. The other important dates are inclusive of the KCET 2026 registration date, exam dates, results dates, counselling dates and more. The complete KCET 2026 exam schedule will be relased soon through brochure.
After the KCET exam, the KEA will release the official KCET answer key on their website. Candidates can use the answer key to estimate their score. If any discrepancies are found in the answer key, candidates can file a complaint with the KEA.
The KCET 2026 result will be declared in the second week of June 30, 2026. Candidates can download their scorecards from the KEA website. The merit list will also be published based on the exam results.
The KCET 2026 cut-off marks will be announced shortly after the results are declared. Candidates must meet the minimum cut-off to qualify for admission. The cut-off may vary by category, gender, and other factors.
The counseling process for KCET 2026 is expected to begin in June or July 2026. Candidates must register online for counselling and submit necessary documents for verification. Participating in the counselling process is essential to secure a seat at one of Karnataka's top institutions.
KCET 2026 counselling will start tentatively from June or July 2026. Candidates have to register online for the counselling and they have to submit documents for verification. Candidates must directly take part in the Counselling session to get seat.
Documents Required During Counselling of KCET 2026:
Karnataka Examinations Authority will release the KCET participating institutes 2026 list online. The list will provide the names of the top engineering colleges accepting the KCET score. Since the 2026 list is not out yet, candidates can check the previous year’s participation institute lists. Candidates can check the list of KCET colleges in the table below.
KCET College list | College codes |
|---|---|
University Visveswaraya College of Engineering | E001 |
E002 | |
E003 | |
E004 | |
E005 | |
E006 | |
E007 | |
E008 | |
E009 | |
E010 | |
E011 | |
E012 | |
E013 | |
E014 | |
E015 | |
E016 | |
E017 | |
E018 | |
E021 | |
E022 | |
E023 | |
E024 | |
E028 | |
E029 | |
E030 | |
E031 | |
E032 | |
E033 | |
E034 | |
E035 | |
K L E Dr. M S Sheshagiri College ofEngineering and Technology | E036 |
E037 | |
B L D E A`s V.P. Dr. P. G. HallakattiCollege of Engg. and Tech. | E038 |
E040 | |
E041 | |
E042 | |
E043 | |
E044 | |
E045 | |
E046 | |
Malnad College of Engineering | E047 |
B M S College of Engineering | E048 |
Basaveshwara Engineering College | E049 |
E053 | |
E054 | |
The National Institute of Engineering | E056 |
Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering. | E057 |
P E S College of Engineering | E058 |
P D A College of Engineering | E059 |
Dr. Ambedkar Institute Of Technology | EO60 |
Karnataka Examination Authority held the KCET application form correction from February 24 to March 30, 2026. Candidates had to follow the steps mentioned below to use the KCET application form correction facility.
The KCET 2026 application process was concluded on February 27, 2026. Candidates were able to apply through the KCET 2026 registration link on the official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. Candidates must complete the KCET 2026 registration to attempt the KCET exam. The steps to apply for the KCET 2026 exam are given below.
Once the basic login is completed, candidates must pay the KCET 2026 application fee.KCET 2026 Application Fee
The application fee for the KCET exam varies depending on the candidate's category, state of origin, and nationality. Candidates must pay the fees along with the KCET application form 2026.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
Karnataka Residents (GM/2A/2B/3A/3B) | Rs. 500 |
Karnataka SC/ST Category-1/Female | Rs. 250 |
Candidates from Outside Karnataka | Rs. 750 |
International Candidates | Rs. 5,000 |
Candidates interested in taking the KCET 2026 exam must meet the following eligibility criteria, depending on the course they wish to pursue. Find below the KCET 2026 eligibility criteria.
Course | Qualification | Marks Requirement | Subjects Required | Appearing Criteria | Additional Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B.Tech | Passed 12th or equivalent from a recognized board | 45% overall (40% for reserved categories) | Physics, Mathematics, and one additional science subject | Students in 12th grade can apply | N/A |
B.Arch | Passed 12th grade or a 3-year diploma from a recognized institution | N/A | Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics | Students in 12th grade can apply | Valid NATA 2026 score required |
B.Pharm | Passed 12th grade or diploma in Pharmacy | 45% overall (40% for reserved categories) | Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics | Students in 12th grade can apply | N/A |
B.V.Sc. & A.H. | Passed 10th and 12th grade or equivalent | 50% overall (40% for reserved categories) | Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English | Students in 12th grade can apply | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Candidates have to pass the 12th Standard Intermediate, and for some courses, it requires the NATA examination also.
The application fee varies from 250 rupees to 5000 rupees based on categories.
Aspirants can find complete information about the KCET 2026 Exam from the KEA official website or through the KCET brochure.
The KCET 2026 exam date is April 23 and 24, 2026.
On Question asked by student community
Hi,
You can download the sample questions for the KCET exam paper from the link below.
Link: https://engineering.careers360.com/download/sample-papers/kcet-sample-paper
Hello Yadhava Murthy,
You can definitely know you'r KCET examination centre for 2026 through KCET admit card 2026 which will be released on April 10, 2026. Click on the link below to directly download KCET admit card 2026.
Link: https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/kcet-admit-card
Hi
Please refer to the link given below to get the KCET PYQs.
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/kcet-question-paper
Please mention the name of the college for which you are seeking BTech admission. There are a huge number of colleges that accept the KCET, COMEDK UGET, JEE Main and CUET scores.
Please check the link for the list of engineering colleges in Karnataka and their details- https://engineering.careers360.com/colleges/ranking/top-engineering-colleges-in-karnataka
All the
Hello Divya,
If you entered your registration number incorrectly in the KCET 2026 application and the correction window does not allow editing it, the only option is to contact the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) directly. The correction window is open till March 30, 2026, but certain fields, like register number,