🏛 Exam Introduction
- Full Name: Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET)
- Conducted by: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
- Purpose: Admission to UG Engineering, Technology, Pharmacy, Agriculture, Veterinary, and other professional courses in Karnataka
- Mode: Offline (Pen & Paper OMR-based)
- Exam Level: State-Level Entrance Test
- Participating Institutes: Government colleges, state universities, private colleges in Karnataka
🔗 KCET Official Website
📅 Important Dates (Tentative – KCET 2026)
- Application Form Release: January 2026
- Application Correction Window: February 2026
- Admit Card Download: April 2026
- Exam Date: May 2026 (generally first/second week of May)
- Result Declaration: June 2026
- Counselling & Seat Allotment: June–August 2026
🎓 Eligibility
For Engineering (B.E./B.Tech)
- Qualifying Exam: Class 12/PUC or equivalent with Physics, Mathematics, and one among Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Computer Science/Electronics.
- Minimum Marks: 45% aggregate in PCM (40% for reserved categories).
- Domicile: Must meet Karnataka domicile/residency requirements (7-year study rule / parent domicile).
For Pharmacy (B.Pharm/D.Pharm)
- 10+2 with Physics & Chemistry and one among Biology/Mathematics.
For Agriculture/Veterinary/Allied
- PCB group required; additional requirements like practical tests in some courses.
📝 Application Process
- Register on KEA KCET portal (kea.kar.nic.in).
- Fill personal, academic, category, and course details.
- Upload scanned documents (photo, signature, thumb impression).
- Pay application fee online or via bank challan.
- Submit form & download confirmation.
- Admit Card download before exam.
💰 Application Fee
- General/OBC (Karnataka): Around ₹500–₹650
- SC/ST/Cat-1 (Karnataka): Around ₹250–₹500
- Outside Karnataka candidates: Higher fee (e.g., ₹750–₹1000)
- Foreign/NRIs: Around ₹5000
(Exact fees will be updated in official brochure.)
🧾 Exam Pattern & Marking
- Mode: Pen-and-paper OMR-based.
- Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (for Engineering) OR Physics, Chemistry, Biology (for Medical/Agri/Pharma).
- Total Questions: 180 (60 per subject).
- Marks: Each question = 1 mark; no negative marking.
- Duration: 80 minutes per subject.
- Language: English/Kannada.
📘 Syllabus
- Based on Karnataka 1st PUC (Class 11) & 2nd PUC (Class 12) syllabus.
Physics: Mechanics, Heat & Thermodynamics, Electrostatics, Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Modern Physics.
Chemistry: Atomic Structure, Bonding, States of Matter, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Organic Chemistry, Biomolecules, Environmental Chemistry.
Mathematics: Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Probability, Vectors, Coordinate Geometry, Differential Equations.
Biology (if applicable): Cell Biology, Genetics, Plant Physiology, Human Physiology, Ecology, Biotechnology.
🎫 Admit Card & Exam Centres
- Admit cards released online ~2 weeks before exam.
- Exam conducted across major cities/districts of Karnataka.
- Carry Admit Card + Valid ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, School ID).
🗝️ Result, Merit & Counselling
- Results published online in June.
- Merit List: Based on KCET marks (PCM/PCB) + Class 12/PUC marks (in some cases, like agriculture).
- Counselling (KEA CAP rounds): Choice filling → Document verification → Seat allotment → Fee payment.
- Separate counselling for Engineering, Medical/Pharmacy, Agriculture.
🧑🎓 Participating Courses & Institutes
- Engineering & Technology: B.E./B.Tech in state universities and private colleges.
- Pharmacy: B.Pharm, D.Pharm.
- Agriculture/Veterinary: B.Sc Agriculture, B.V.Sc & AH, B.Sc Forestry, Sericulture, Horticulture, Fisheries, etc.
- Architecture: Based on NATA/JEE (Paper 2) + KCET.
🎓 Reservation & Domicile
- Reservation for Karnataka candidates under SC/ST/OBC/Cat-1.
- Rural quota, Kannada medium quota, Hyderabad-Karnataka region quota available.
- Non-Karnataka students can apply, but priority goes to Karnataka domiciles.
📋 Exam-Day Guidelines
- Reach exam centre at least 1 hour early.
- Carry admit card, valid photo ID, black/blue pen.
- No calculators, mobiles, smart devices allowed.
- Rough sheets provided with the question paper booklet.
❓ FAQs
Q1. Is KCET only for Karnataka students?
Primarily yes, but some seats open for All India/management quota.
Q2. Is there negative marking in KCET?
No, there is no negative marking.
Q3. What is the syllabus for KCET 2026?
PUC I & II syllabus (Class 11 & 12 Karnataka board).
Q4. Which courses require KCET?
Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture, Veterinary, and allied professional courses.