KCET Reservation Criteria 2026: Category-Wise Seats, Eligibility
  • KCET Exam
  • KCET Reservation Criteria 2026: Category-Wise Seats, Eligibility

KCET Reservation Criteria 2026: Category-Wise Seats, Eligibility

Simran KashyapUpdated on 03 Jan 2026, 11:59 AM IST

KCET Reservation Criteria 2026 - KEA will provide the KCET reservation criteria 2026 PDF on the official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. The authority will release the KCET reservation criteria while offering admission to the reserved category students. To claim a reservation in KCET, candidates must belong to any of the following categories: General Merit, SC, ST, or OBC. The KCET reservation categories for 2026 will include a list and the percentage of seats reserved for each category. Candidates qualifying for the KCET exam will be considered for the admission process. The authority will conduct the KCET 2026 exam from April 23 to 24, 2026, while the Kannada language exam is scheduled for April 22, 2026. Further, the KCET 2026 application form will be released on January 17, 2026.

This Story also Contains

  1. KCET Reservation Criteria 2026
  2. KCET Reservation 2026 Eligibility Criteria
  3. KCET 2026 Reservation Based on Marks
KCET Reservation Criteria 2026: Category-Wise Seats, Eligibility
KCET Reservation Criteria

Find the detailed KCET reservation criteria 2026 for OBC and other candidates in this article. Candidates must meet the KCET eligibility criteria and provide the required documents to be eligible for admission to the reserved seats. The reservation criteria of KCET 2026 will vary for each category of candidates. Read the entire article to know more about the KCET 2026 reservation criteria.

KCET Reservation Criteria 2026

KEA will release the list of KCET 2026 reservation categories on the official website. Candidates can find the KCET 2026 reservation criteria in the table below. Here we have provided the KCET seat distributions as per the Karnataka CET reserved category list. Moreover, candidates will also get to know what the special categories in KCET are. The following table is updated with the reservation criteria of KCET 2026 based on previous years:

KCET Reservation of Seats

KEA KCET Category ListKCET Reserved Seats (%)

Rural Candidates

15% of Government Seats

Candidates from Kannada Medium

5% of Government Seats

Jammu & Kashmir Migrants

1 seat in every engineering college

Article 371(J) Kalyana Karnataka (Hyderabad Karnataka)
  • 70% of the available seats in every course of study in any regional University (located in the districts of Bidar, Gulbarga, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, and Bellary-Vijayanagar) shall be reserved in favour of the local persons
  • 8% of the available seats in every course of study provided in a statewide University or a statewide educational institution be allocated among the local candidates of the Hyderabad-Karnataka Region

Defence Personnel of Karnataka Origin

10% seats in all engineering colleges

OBC/SC/ST under category - 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B

N/A

Sports Special Category

N/A

Scouts and Guides

N/A

Physically Disabled

N/A

NCC Category

N/A

Supernumerary Category

N/A

Related links:

KCET Sample Papers
Get exam-ready for KCET 2026 with this ebook containing full-length sample papers based on the latest syllabus and pattern.
Download Now

KCET Reservation 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The authority will publish the KCET 2026 reservation eligibility criteria in the official brochure. As mentioned, a certain number of seats are reserved for the special category candidates. To be eligible for the mentioned seat, candidates need to meet the KCET eligibility clause set for different categories. The following table describes the eligibility conditions to be met by candidates of different categories to avail of the reservation of KCET 2026.

KCET Reservation Eligibility Criteria

Category KCET Reservation Eligibility Details

NCC Special Category



Check the order of preference for selection of a reserved seat under NCC category


  • Candidates should have participated in the Republic Day camp conducted by the NCC Director General of New Delhi from Karnataka, OR

  • Should have participated in All India Thal Sainik Camp (Boys) – TSC/All India Thal Sainik Camp (Girls) – TSC (G)/All India Nau Sainik Camp – NSC/All India Vayu Sainik Camp – VSC.

  • Candidates should also havea B-certificate, obtained during the 5 years of study in Karnataka (between 8th and 12th standard).

  • Should have participated in camp/courses, i.e., NIC, Mountaineering, BLC, ALC, RCTC, Trekking, Army, Navy, and Air Force & Hospital Attachments and should also possess a B-Certificate during five years of education in Karnataka.

  • Candidates should have participated in All India Mavalankar Shooting Championship with KAR and GOA Director Team.

  • Should have participated in the National Level Youth Exchange Program and Foreign Naval Cruise conducted by DG, NCC. Apart from this, candidates who have been selected for the DG NCC team and hold a B-Certificate obtained during five years of education in Karnataka will also be eligible.

  • Cadets finally selected as a part of DG NCC team to participate in the All India Mavalankar Shooting Championship at the National Level and Youth Exchange Programmes and Foreign Naval Cruise organised by DG, NCC will be eligible.

  • Candidates who have participated in the following camps/courses conducted by the Director General of NCC, New Delhi from Karnataka and who possess ‘B’ Certificate obtained during the five years of study in Karnataka between 8th and 12th standards namely:

(a) NIC

(b) Trekking

(c) Mountaineering

(d) BLC

(e) ALC

(f) RCTC and

(g) Army, Navy, Air Force & Hospital Attachments

(h) IMA /OTA, AF Stn, Naval Academy, Indian Naval or Coast Guard Ship or

(i) any other attachment camp based on vacancies issued by DG, NCC

(j) Mountaineering, Para Basic, SSB Screening, or any other DG NCC-organised course and adventure camps.

Sports Special Category

  • Candidates should have won National-level cup/medals in Super-A games or B-games during five years of basic education (8th to 12th standard) in Karnataka.

Check more details about KCET 2026 reservation criteria for Sports Special Category

Scouts and Guide Special Category

  • Candidates who have received ‘President’s Award’ as ‘Scouts/Guides’ during five years of education from Class 8 to 12 in Karnataka will be eligible.

  • Such Candidates will be required to show the “President's Award” certificate at the time of document verification with other certificates.

OBC/SC/ST under Category-1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B

  • Candidates will have to produce a caste certificate/caste income certificate issued by concerned Jurisdictional Tahsildar in accordance with Government Regulations.

  • The candidates will also need to hold Form ‘D’ in case of ST and ST, Form ‘E’ in case of Category-I, Form ‘F’ in case of OBC like 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B.

Physically Disabled Category

  • For this category, the candidates will have to provide a medical/disability certificate.

  • Candidates having at least 40% physical disability will be considered under this category of KCET reservation 2026.

Kannada Medium

Candidates should have studied in Kannada Medium from Class 1 to 10 standard.

Anglo-Indian Special Category

Candidates will have to produce a certificate issued by the Registered Association of Anglo Indian Community of Karnataka and countersigned by an Anglo Indian MLA appointed by the Government of India at the time of document verification.

Defence Special Category

  • Son/Daughter of Defence personnel

  • Candidates need to possess a Defence Certificate.

Ex-Defence Category

  • Son/Daughter of ex-personnel of Defence services

  • Needs to possess Defence Certificate issued by Joint Director/Deputy Director.

Central Armed Police Force/Ex-CAPF

Candidates will have to possess a certificate issued by CAPF Unit mentioning candidate’s parent declaration that he/she was domicile of Karnataka at the time of joining CAPF service, during the document verification.

Rural

Candidates should have completed 10 years of basic education in rural areas/small urban areas/transitional areas as mentioned by the Municipal Corporation of Karnataka under the Karnataka Municipalities Act. 1964 and the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976.

Supernumerary Quota

All candidates (including General category) are eligible for admission under Sthe upernumerary quota. However, they need to provide an income certificate issued by the concerned Tahasildar.

Jammu and Kashmiri Migrants

Son/Daughter of Jammu & Kashmiri migrants can claim seats under the Jammu and Kashmiri Migrants quota.

Hyderabad Karnataka

  • Local candidates of areas/districts including Bidar, Gulbarga, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal and Bellary Fare can claim seats under this category.

  • Such candidates will be required to provide relevant eligibility certificates issued by the concerned Assistant Commissioner.

Note: Candidates belonging to Scouts & Guides, Defence, Ex-defence and Anglo-Indian, CAPF, Ex-CAPF will be considered for allotment of seats in the respective special category seats as per their merit order only in the General Round of allotment of seats along with the other general merit and reserved category candidates.

Related links:

KCET 2026 Reservation Based on Marks

Candidates who wish to apply for the KCET entrance exam have to meet the minimum eligibility conditions. The eligibility criteria comprise of qualifying marks. Students belonging to the reserved category will be given a relaxation of 10%. Below are the KCET marks for relaxation based on previous years:

  • All aspirants must achieve a 50% aggregate in their 10+2 level exams.
  • SC/ST/OBC candidates have a relaxation of 10% marks, requiring them to score a minimum of 40% marks at the 10+2 level.

KCET Reservation 2026 Under Hyderabad-Karnataka Category

University/Institution KCET Seat Reservation (in percentage)

Any regional University or educational institution in the Hyderabad-Karnataka Districts

70% of seats in every program

State University/Engineering College/Institution

8% of seats in every program

KCET Reservation Eligibility for Other State Students

Only candidates with a Karnataka domicile will also be eligible to apply for KCET. Applicants must be permanent residents of Karnataka with the intention of making it their permanent home.

KCET Sports Quota Eligibility 2026

Reserved seats under the Sports Quota will be available for candidates who have notable achievements in sports at the state, national, or international levels. Applicants must provide valid certificates as proof of their participation or awards in recognized sporting events.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What percentage of seats are reserved for Rural Candidates in KCET reservation criteria?
A:

As per the KCET reservation criteria, 15% of government seats will be reserved for rural candidates.

Q: What percentage of seats are reserved for candidates from Kannada Medium in KCET 2026 reservation criteria?
A:

As per the KCET reservation criteria, 5% of government seats are reserved for candidates from Kannada Medium.

Q: What is the KCET reservation for Defence Personnel of Karnataka Origin?
A:

As per the KCET reservation criteria, 10% seats are reserved for Defence Personnel of Karnataka Origin in all participating engineering colleges.

Q: How can I check the Karnataka CET reservation category list?
A:

Candidates can check the Karnataka CET reservation category list in the KCET information brochure or on this page.

Q: How can I check the KEA KCET category list?
A:

Candidates will be able to check the KEA CET category list in the information bulletin. Moreover, candidates will get to know the category definitions through the official KCET 2026 notification.

Q: What is the special category in KCET?
A:

The special categories in KCET are CAPF / CRPF / CISF / BSF / ITBP, Ex-Defence, Ex-CAPF, Defence, N.C.C., Sports / Anglo-Indian, Scouts, and Guides.

Q: How can I download category wise KCET reservation pdf?
A:

The category-wise KCET reservation pdf is updated online on the official website.

Q: What are the criteria for KCET reservation?
A:

To claim reservation in KCET, candidates must belong to any of the following categories: General Merit, SC, ST, or OBC.

Q: Is there caste reservation in KCET?
A:

KCET reserves 15% of the total seats for candidates from the Scheduled Castes (SC) category.

Q: What is Kannada medium reservation certificate?
A:

Candidates who have studied in Kannada medium from class 1 to class 10 for a continuous period of 10 years are eligible to claim the Kannada Medium Reservation.

Articles
|
Upcoming Engineering Exams
Ongoing Dates
HITSEEE Application Date

5 Nov'25 - 22 Apr'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
SMIT Online Test Application Date

15 Nov'25 - 12 Apr'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
SNUSAT Application Date

19 Nov'25 - 31 Mar'26 (Online)

Certifications By Top Providers
B.Tech Engineering Technology
Via Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
Certificate Program in Machine Learning and AI with Python
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Post Graduate Diploma Program in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
Via Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi
Computer Fundamentals
Via Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore
Programming Basics
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
C-Based VLSI Design
Via Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Udemy
 1525 courses
Swayam
 817 courses
NPTEL
 773 courses
Coursera
 697 courses
Edx
 608 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to KCET

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to KCET ?

Hello,

Yes, you likely can apply for KCET, as you studied 7 years in Karnataka, fulfilling the core study requirement, but you'll need a Karnataka-issued 7-year Study Certificate and your AP Aadhaar for identity, proving you meet domicile/eligibility for Karnataka seats.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello,

KCET for  (https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/kset2025) 2025. To verify the payment confirmation, click the link; it will direct you.

Enter the allotted CET number and other given details, such as DOB, as such.

After the verification of details, it will direct you to the fee payment section or confirmation slip; just search

Hello,

Quitting the pharmacy college after joining the academic session will highly affect the career, and risks will be imposed from both KEA and the side of the college.

You may be imposed to pay penalties and also forced to face the ineligibility for future exams and post deadlines.

KEA

Hello,

Yes, you can appear for the 2nd PUC exam 2 in 2026 to improve your marks, as Karnataka allows multiple attempts for the PUC exams, and the Karnataka Examination Authority considers your best scores for KCET ranking. Since you passed in 2025, you can apply for the repeater/improvement exam

HELLO,

UNLIKE THE PREVIOUS YEAR, THE ADMISSION OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2026 WILL BE BASED ON THE RANK OF NEET. HIGHER RANK ON NEET, 40% TO 50% ON HIGHER SECONDARY WITH ENGLISH AS AN AMANDATORY SUBJECT IS REQUIRED.

THANK YOU