Karnataka Common Entrance Test

The KCET will be conducted on 23 and 24 April 2026. Kannada Language Test will be conducted on 22^nd April for Kannadigas from Horanadu and Gadi Nadu.

The KCET 2026 registration deadline has been extended again to 27 February 2026 from 17^th February, 2026. The KEA has again extended the KCET fee payment deadline to 7 March 2026 from 3 March 2026.

As per KEA, nearly 3,15,713 candidates have registered so far for the KCET 2026.

The KCET exam 2026 is a pen-and-paper and MCQ-type exam written by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for professional courses admission. By KCET, admission can be taken in any of the following professional courses in Karnataka, such as:

• Engineering
• Architecture
• Pharma (B.Pharma, D.Pharma, 2nd year B.Pharma)
• Veterinary Science
• Farm Science (B.Sc. Agriculture, Sericulture, etc.)
• Allied Health Sciences, Nursing, Ayurveda, Unani, Homoeopathy, BPT, BPO, etc.

For Medical and Dental courses, KCET registration is still required, even though admission is via NEET. Similarly, the Architecture Course will require NATA-2026.

Related Links:

• KCET Syllabus
• KCET Eligibility Criteria

What is KCET?

Karnataka Common Entrance Test is a state entrance examination that is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). This exam enables the candidates to secure admission into professional courses such as Engineering, Agriculture, and Pharmacy and other courses in Karnataka. It is among the most competitive exams in which candidates have an opportunity to get higher education in the state.

Based on the stream of choice, KCET assesses the learning of candidates in subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology.

• Conducted by Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA).
• Provides engineering, agriculture, veterinary courses and pharmacy courses.
• For Karnataka candidates and non-Karnataka candidates.
• Various subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology.
• Admissions based on KCET rank and counselling.

KCET 2026 Highlights

Read More: KCET Seat Matrix

KCET 2026 Tentative Dates

The KCET 2026 exam date is 23 and 24 April 2026. The official notification has been released on 17 January, 2026. You should follow the official Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) website for definitive dates and to complete the application process.

To help you plan better, here’s a year-wise overview of KCET exam dates and important events from 2025 to 2023, so you can get a clear idea of the usual schedule.

Ques: How to find these changes in the dates of the KCET exam each year?

Ques: When will the KCET results be announced?

KCET Registration Fees (2020-2025 Trends)

• The fee for the KCET registration has been revised; the registration fees for the General category have been revised from 650 INR in 2020 to 800 INR in 2025, and the fee for non-Karnataka candidates has been revised from 750 INR to 900 INR in order to accommodate the higher level of processing.
• Whereas fees for SC/ST/OBC categories remained the same at 500 INR during all those years.
• Increased fee reflects the surging costs of carrying on offline tests, holding on to digital infrastructure, and executing government decisions.

Ques: What are the differences between the registration fees of the categories at KCET?

Ques: Can KCET fees be refunded in case of withdrawal of a candidate?

How many Candidates have registered for KCET? (2025–2023)

According to the data, KCET registrations have increased by 8.3% from 2024 to 2025 and by around 18% compared to 2023. This increase in the number of registrations is because of growing interest in engineering and professional courses in Karnataka.

Ques. What is the increasing trend of applicants in KCET every year?

Ques: Does increased registration make KCET more competitive?

KCET Reappearance Trends (2020-2025)

The table indicates that there is a consistent growth of the recurring candidates in the years 2020 to 2025. Up by 18% in 2020 to 26% in 2025, making a 44% growth over the years. This is an indication that the number of students who are reappearing for KCET wants to improve their scores and ranks, to get good college.

Ques: How come there is a reappearance of many students in KCET?

Ques: Is reappearing an indicator of better chances of admission in KCET?

KCET 2026: Courses & Subjects

Details of Subjects to appear in CET-2026 for various Professional Courses are given below:

For other courses, candidates have to take an entrance exam

KCET Exam 2026 Resources

If you are preparing for the KCET exam 2026, then it is very important to know which KCET resources you need to follow that will make a difference. Below, we have mentioned some recommended resources that you need to follow:

KCET Previous Year Questions

KCET past question papers are also useful in preparation because they enable students to know the patterns of questions.

Or you can check: KCET 2025 Question Paper with Answer Key PDF

Ques: How has the KCET past year's paper assisted in preparation?

Ques: Are the KCET past year question papers in both English and Kannada?

KCET Mock Test

Ques: How significant are KCET mock tests in preparation?

Ques: What are the places Where can the students find KCET mock tests?

Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) prescribe the eligibility criteria for KCET 2026. The official notification has not been released yet. Candidature of students will be purely provisional, subject to the fulfilment of academic and other eligibility criteria. There is no upper age limit in the KCET 2026 exam.

Only the candidate who holds the verification slip will be eligible to enter their priority of options for allotment of seats for admission to Professional Courses. The verification slip is a crucial official document issued by KEA after successful document verification.

In 2025, around 10,000 had their results initially withheld due to wrong registration numbers and the 2nd PUC marks entry.

Over 400 candidates, who reappeared in KCET 2025 after being allotted seats in the previous years but did not join, had their ranks withheld till pending investigation.

Related Articles:

• KCET 2026 Reservation
• KCET 2026 Exam Dates
• KCET 2026 Detailed Syllabus

KCET Eligibility 2026: General Criteria

• Must be an Indian citizen
• No upper age limit, but a minimum of 17 years for some courses like B.Pharm.
• Passed or appearing in the 2nd PUC from a recognised board.

KCET Eligibility 2026: Kannada Language Test

The Kannada Language Test, which is a mandatory qualifying test, will be conducted on 22nd April. The test will be conducted only in Bengaluru, Belagavi, Vijayapura, and Mangalore; therefore, such candidates will have to appear for KCET 2026 in a test centre located at these centres only.

• The candidates claiming eligibility for Government seats under Horanadu & Gadinadu Kannadiga clauses and whose mother tongue is Kannada, Tulu, Kodava or Beary, will have to give the language test to establish their ability to speak, read and write Kannada.
• The minimum passing marks shall be 12 out of 50 marks to be considered for assignment of ranks and to become eligible for allotment of seats in CET-2026.
• However, the Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadiga candidates, who have studied TEN full academic years in Kannada Medium from 1st standard to 10th standard in places outside the state of Karnataka, need not appear for the Language Test.

Ques. Do people fail the Kannada language test?

Ques. What is the syllabus for the Kannada language test?

KCET 2026: Agriculturist Quota Eligibility

Agriculturist Quota is applicable only for Undergraduate courses. The Practical Examination will be conducted at the following centres by the concerned Agricultural / Veterinary Universities.

Practical Test Fees:

• Rs 500/- for General and OBC
• Rs 250/- for SC, ST and Category-1
• Should be paid at the respective practical test centre on the day of verification of documents in the form of a demand draft.

Merit List:

• Based on 25% marks each, secured in 2nd PUC and CET and 50% marks secured in the practical test.
• In case of B.V.Sc & AH, based on 50% of Marks secured in CET and 50% of marks scored in the practical test.

Ques. Who can claim Agriculturist Quota in KCET 2026?

KCET Eligibility 2026: Specific Clauses

KEA prescribes various eligibility clauses and documents required for KCET 2026. Details for various eligibility clauses are discussed below.

Clause A

The candidate should have studied and passed in one or more government-recognised educational institutions in Karnataka for a minimum period of seven years from 1st standard to 2nd PUC / 12th standard as on 1st July 2026, and must have appeared and passed either SSLC / 10th standard or 2nd PUC / 12th standard examination from Karnataka State.

In case of the candidate who had taken more than one year to pass a class or standard, the years of academic study are counted as one year only.

Documents to be Produced

• SSLC / 10th standard mark sheet
• 2nd PUC/ 12th standard mark sheet
• Study certificate
• Rural Study Certificate for completing 10 years from 1st to 10th, if claiming the rural quota
• Kannada Medium Study Certificate for completing 10 years from 1st to 10th, if claiming the rural quota.
• Caste/Income Certificate issued by the Concerned Tehsildar- For SC/ST in Form-D, Category-I in Form E and 2A, 2B, 3 and 3B in Form F, if claiming reservation benefits.

Clause B

The candidate should have studied and passed either the 1st and 2nd year Pre-University Examination within the State of Karnataka from an Educational Institution run or recognised by the State Government, and either of the candidate’s parents should have studied in Karnataka for seven years.

Documents to be Produced:

• SSLC / 10th standard mark sheet
• 2nd PUC/ 12th standard mark sheet
• Caste/Caste Income Certificate issued by the concerned Tehsildar- For SC/ST in Form-D, Category-I in Form E and 2A, 2B, 3 and 3B in Form F, if claiming reservation benefits
• A study certificate for either of the parents, having studied for at least 7 years in Karnataka, from the head of the educational institution where they had studied.
• The candidate’s study certificate for having studied both 1st & 2nd PUC or 11th & 12th standard in Karnataka, issued by the Head of the educational institution.

Clause C

The candidate and either of their parents’ mother tongue should be Kannada, Tulu or Kodava. Either of the parents should have been domiciled in the State of Karnataka, and such candidates should have passed the qualifying examination from a University or Board or any other Institution located outside Karnataka.

They should be residing outside the State of Karnataka as on 1st May 2026. Provided that the candidate shall undergo a Kannada Language test conducted by KEA.

Documents to be Produced:

• SSLC / 10th standard mark sheet
• 12th standard mark card of the candidate
• Domicile certificate issued by the concerned Revenue or Municipal Authorities certifying that the candidate and either of their parents have resided outside the state of Karnataka as on 01-05-2026. The place of the issuing authority should correspond to the place of domicile of the candidate/father/mother.
• Domicile certificate issued by the concerned Revenue Authorities of the state of Karnataka regarding the previous domicile of the father/mother of the candidate, as a place in the state of Karnataka. The place of the issuing authority should correspond to the place of domicile of the father/mother.
• Candidate’s Study certificate, Transfer Certificate.
• Father/Mother’s 10th standard marks card/ cumulative record in original in support of mother tongue as Kannada/Tulu/Kodava.
• A duly sworn declaration regarding the mother tongue of the candidates.

Clause D

A candidate whose mother tongue is Kannada, Tulu or Kodava should have resided and studied for a period of SEVEN years between 1st and 12th standards in the disputed Kannada-speaking areas of South Solapur or Akkalkot or Jeth or Gadhinglaj taluka of Maharashtra State or Kasargod or Hosadurga Taluks of Kerala State.

Provided that the candidate shall undergo a Kannada Language test conducted by KEA.

Documents to be Produced :

• SSLC/10th standard Marks Card and 2nd PUC/12th standard Marks Card of the candidate
• Residential certificate from the concerned Tahsildar of the respective disputed Taluk.
• Candidate’s study certificate issued by the head of the institution, which should be countersigned by the Taluk Education Officer.
• A duly sworn declaration regarding the mother tongue of the candidate.
• NOTE: The candidates claiming eligibility under c and d above should invariably speak, read and write Kannada and must secure a minimum of 12 marks in Kannada Language Test to be conducted by KEA. Otherwise, they won’t be assigned ranks.

Clause E

In the case of a candidate who is the son or daughter of defence personnel who have worked continuously in Karnataka for a minimum period of one year in Karnataka during the two-year period of study of candidates in PUC/11th and 12th standard.

The candidate should have studied and passed the qualifying examination from any Government or Government-recognised educational institution located in the State of Karnataka.

Documents to be Produced:

• SSLC/10th standard Marks Cards
• 2nd PUC/12th Standard Marks Card of the candidate
• The candidate’s study certificate for having studied 2nd PUC or equivalent examination in Karnataka, issued by the head of the educational institution
• Employment certificate of the parent issued by the Controlling Office where the parents are working, indicating the period during which they have worked in the state of Karnataka, i.e., from the reporting date to the current date.

Clause F

Son or daughter of serving Defence personnel from Karnataka who, at the time of joining the Defence service, had declared their hometown a place in the State of Karnataka.

Proof of such domicile should be obtained and produced by obtaining the extract from the AG’s (Army Hqs) respective branch of the integrated HQ of MoD for Officers and respective Record Offices for JCOs/OR.

Further, the candidate should have passed the Q.E. from a University or Board or any other institution located anywhere in India.

Documents to be Produced:

• SSLC/10th standard Marks Card
• 2nd PUC/12th standard Marks Card of the candidate;
• If claiming reservation benefits:- Caste/Income Certificate issued by the concerned Tahsildar as per the prescribed format given in the brochure
• Parents’ home town declaration certificate while joining the service, issued by the respective branch of the Integrated HQ of MoD for Officers and the respective record offices for JCOs.

Clause G

In the case of a candidate who is a son or daughter of defence personnel who has served in Karnataka for at least one year and is posted on duty in Field/Active service, and whose family is permitted by Defence Authorities to continue to stay in Karnataka.

Such candidates should have studied and passed the qualifying examination from any government or government-recognised educational institution located in Karnataka.

Documents to be Produced:

• SSLC/10th standard Marks Cards
• 2nd PUC/12th Standard Marks Card of the candidate
• The candidate’s study certificate for having studied the 2nd PUC or equivalent examination in Karnataka, issued by the head of the educational institution
• Service certificate of the parent issued by the Controlling Office, indicating the period during which the parent has worked in Karnataka and a certificate showing the present place of posting, indicating that their family is permitted to stay in Karnataka. The present working place of the parent should be indicated by name and not by code numbers.

Clause H

Son or daughter of ex-servicemen who, at the time of joining the defence service, had declared a place in Karnataka as their hometown.

Proof of such domicile should be obtained and produced from the “Deputy Director, Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement” of that district, and the same should be countersigned by the Director, Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement.

Further, the candidate should have passed the qualifying examination from a university or board or any other institution located anywhere in India.

Documents to be Produced:

• SSLC/10th standard mark sheet
• 2nd PUC/12th standard mark sheet
• Caste/Income Certificate issued by Concerned Tehsildar- For SC/ST in Form-D, Category-I in Form E and 2A, 2B, 3 and 3B in Form F, if claiming reservation benefits
• Parents’ hometown declaration certificate while joining the service, issued by the Joint Director/Deputy Director of the concerned district and countersigned by the Director, Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement, Bangalore.

Clause I

In the case of a candidate being a son or daughter of an employee of the Union Government of the Union of Karnataka State Government Undertaking or Joint Sector Undertaking, who is liable to be transferred anywhere in India and has worked in Karnataka for a minimum period of one year during the two-year period of study of candidates in PUC/11th or 12th standards.

The candidate has studied and passed the qualifying examination from any government or government-recognised educational institution located in the state of Karnataka.

Documents Required:

• SSLC/10th standard Marks Cards
• 2nd PUC/12th Standard Marks Card of the candidate
• The candidate’s study certificate for having studied the 2nd PUC or equivalent examination in Karnataka, issued by the head of the educational institution
• A certificate from the employer indicating the parent’s period of employment in the state of Karnataka, and also showing that they are transferable anywhere in India.
• A certificate from the employer indicating parents as an employee of the Union or Karnataka State Government Undertaking or the Joint Sector Undertaking.

Clause J

Son or daughter of a working or retired employee of the Union Government or employee of the Union or Karnataka State Government undertaking or Joint Sector undertaking where such employee;

(a) had declared to the employer at the time of joining service, any place in Karnataka to be their hometown;

(b) had studied in any government or government-recognised educational institutions or institutions located in Karnataka for a minimum period of seven years; and was or is liable to be transferred anywhere in India as per the terms and conditions of his employment.

The candidate should also have passed the qualifying examination from a university or board, or any other institution located anywhere in India.

Documents to be Produced:

• SSLC/10th standard mark sheet
• 2nd PUC/12th standard mark sheet
• Caste/Income Certificate issued by the concerned Tehsildar- For SC/ST in Form-D, Category-I in Form E and 2A, 2B, 3 and 3B in Form F, if claiming reservation benefits along with:
• A study certificate of the parent employee for having studied for at least 7 years in Karnataka from the Head of the educational institution where they had studied.
• Home town declaration certificate of the parent employee while joining the service, and showing that they are transferable anywhere in India, issued by the employer.

Clause K

Son or daughter of Members of Parliament elected from Karnataka.

Further, the candidate should have passed the qualifying examination from a university or board or any other institution located anywhere in India.

Documents to be Produced:

• SSLC / 10th standard mark sheet
• 2nd PUC/ 12th standard mark sheet
• Caste/Caste Income Certificate issued by the concerned Tehsildar- For SC/ST in Form-D, Category-I in Form E and 2A, 2B, 3 and 3B in Form F, if claiming reservation benefits
• Certificate showing that the parent is/was a Member of Parliament elected from Karnataka, issued by the Parliament Secretariat.

Clause L

Son or daughter of serving or retired employee:

(a) belonging to All India Service of Karnataka cadre; and

(b) of the Karnataka State Government, who has served or is serving outside the State of Karnataka during the period corresponding to candidate’s study outside the state from 1st standard to 2nd PUC or 12th standard examination can be added to make up for seven years within Karnataka as required under clause (a) above.

Documents to be Produced:

• SSLC / 10th standard mark sheet
• 2nd PUC/ 12th standard mark sheet
• Caste/Income Certificate issued by the concerned Tehsildar- For SC/ST in Form-D, Category-I in Form E and 2A, 2B, 3 and 3B in Form F, if claiming reservation benefits
• Certificate from the Principal Secretary/Deputy Secretary/Under Secretary, DPAR, Government of Karnataka, Bangalore, where the parent belongs to the All India Service of Karnataka cadre, stating that the parent is a member of such All India cadre. Such a certificate should also state the period for which they have served or are serving outside Karnataka, and if they are a State Government employee, a certificate certifying the same from the concerned head of the office/department.

Clause M

For the son or daughter of Jammu and Kashmir migrants, a proof of migration is needed to be produced from the jurisdictional “District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner” of any state in India.

Documents to be Produced:

• SSLC / 10th standard mark sheet
• 2nd PUC/ 12th standard mark sheet
• As proof of migration, an original certificate issued by the Jurisdictional District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner of any state in India. Under the clause, candidates can claim eligibility for the seats earmarked by the government.

Clause N

The candidates who have studied 10 full years in Kannada medium from 1st standard to 10th standard in places outside of Karnataka need not appear for the Kannada Language Test conducted by KEA.

However, the candidate should have passed the qualifying examination from any government or government-recognised educational institution.

Documents to be Produced:

SSLC / 10th standard mark sheet

2nd PUC/ 12th standard mark sheet

A domicile certificate issued by the concerned Revenue or Municipal Authorities certifying that the candidate and their parent have resided outside the state of Karnataka as on May 1, 2026. The place of the issuing authority should correspond to the place of domicile of the candidate/father/mother

A study certificate issued by the head of the institution for having studied in Kannada medium from 1st standard to 10th standard.

Clause O

Son/daughter of a working or retired employee in the Central Armed Police Force service, who at the time of joining the CAPF service had declared the hometown as a place in the state of Karnataka, proof of such domicile having been produced by obtaining the extract from the Record Office of the CAPF unit where the parents’ service record is maintained.

Further, the candidate should have passed the Q.E. from a University or Board or any other institution located anywhere in India.

Documents to be Produced:

• SSLC / 10th standard mark sheet
• 2nd PUC/ 12th standard mark sheet
• Caste/Income Certificate issued by the concerned Tehsildar- For SC/ST in Form-D, Category-I in Form E and 2A, 2B, 3 and 3B in Form F, if claiming reservation benefits
• Parents’ hometown declaration certificate while joining the service, issued by the Record Office of the CAPF unit, where the parents' service records are maintained.

Ques. What are the eligibility clauses ‘A’ to ‘O’ in KCET 2026 eligibility criteria?

Ques. Which clauses do not require the Kannada Language Test?

KCET Eligibility 2026: Documents Required

Students should keep the following documents before applying to KCET 2026.

• Recent passport-size colour photograph
• Candidate’s signature
• Left thumb impression
• Class 10th marks card
• 2nd PUC marks card
• Category certificate, Rural study certificate, and Income certificate (if applicable)
• Kannada medium certificate ( if studied in Kannada from 1st to 10th std.)
• Domicile Certificate ( If Applicable)
• Aadhar card for verification
• Defence/Service Certificate (If Applicable)

The KCET application process started on January 17. The official notification has been released. Candidates can get all the necessary details about the exam at https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. There will be an application fee of INR 500 for general category candidates and INR 250 for SC/ST/ and female candidates.

The KCET registrations are now closed. However, the KEA has again extended the fee payment window, which will remain open until March 7.

A total of 3,15,713 candidates have registered for the KCET 2026 exam so far. – As per KEA

Since the KCET 2026 application is a common application for all courses- Architecture, Engineering, and AYUSH, candidates must register online for KCET 2026.

• Medical, Dental, and AYUSH courses require a valid UGNEET-2026 score, since the admission will be on the basis of NEET rank. However, candidates must compulsorily register for KCET 2026, fill out the application, and pay the fees to become eligible for KEA counselling.
• Similarly, for admission to the Architecture course, candidates should compulsorily qualify in NATA-2026 (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) and must compulsorily register for KCET 2026, fill out the application, and pay the fees to become eligible for KEA counselling.
• For admission to B.P.T., B.Sc. Allied Health Sciences, BPO courses, selection will be based on PU marks. But they must compulsorily register for KCET 2026, fill out the application, and pay the fees to become eligible for KEA counselling.

“Recent years show that more female candidates register, appear and qualify compared to males, especially in streams like Pharmacy and Nursing. In 2025, around 1.8 lakh girls registered compared to ~1.5 lakh boys.”

Related Articles

• KCET 2026 Admit Card
• KCET 2026 Eligibility
• KCET 2026 Exam Centres

What is KCET Registration?

KCET registration is the online application process conducted by KEA for admission to professional courses such as engineering, pharmacy, veterinary, and agricultural courses.

The registration process includes submitting personal, academic, and category details and paying the application fees.

KCET 2026 Registration Dates

KEA has officially announced the registration and exam dates for KCET 2026. Other key dates will be released with the official notification.

Also read: KCET 2026 Exam Dates

How to Apply for KCET 2026

KCET 2026: Application Fees

The KCET application fee varies across different categories. Apart from the below-mentioned application fee, candidates had to pay an additional bank charge of INR 10. Those paying at the e-post office were charged INR 12 extra. These additional fees are service charges/Bank processing charges. Candidates can check the KCET fee structure in the table below:

KCET 2026: Documents Required

Students should keep the following documents before applying to KCET 2026.

• Recent passport-size colour photograph
• Candidate’s signature
• Left thumb impression
• Class 10th marks card
• 2nd PUC marks card
• Category certificate, Rural study certificate, and Income certificate (if applicable)
• Kannada medium certificate ( if studied in Kannada from 1st to 10th std.)
• Aadhar card for verification

KCET 2026: Registration Deadlines

The last date to register for KCET 2026 has been announced by KEA. The last day to fill the online application form without the late fee is 27^th Feb, 2026.

As per the previous year's trend, the registration deadline had been extended for the benefit of students. For example, in 2025, the registration date was extended for one week.

KCET 2026: Correction Window

KCET Application Forms can be corrected on the official website. The correction window is generally opened after the KCET application form. Candidates can edit the wrongly mentioned claims of reservation, special category, academic information, etc.

Candidates who wish to correct their Name, Father/Mother Name, Date of Birth, 10th/SSLC & 2nd PUC/12th standard register number have to submit a requisition along with relevant documents.

Candidates must submit the edited application forms before the last date of correction. This window can be accessed once, i.e., only one chance of editing the KCET Application Form will be given to the candidates.

Candidates can follow the following steps to edit the Karnataka CET 2026 Application Form:

• Visit the official website and click “Editing CET 2026 Application.”
• Enter your User ID and generate OTP on your registered mobile number
• Edit the fields you want to edit and select the “Declare Button.”
• Click the ‘Submit’ button to make sure that the changes are saved and submitted
• Then print the edited KCET Application form

KEA has released the KCET exam pattern 2026 along with the information bulletin on its official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. As the exam dates (April 23 & 24) are out, understanding the exam pattern is essential for effective preparation.

The KCET exam pattern includes the structure, marking scheme, duration, subject-wise details, and Kannada language test.

• The exam will be conducted in an offline pen-and-paper format.
• It includes 4 subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology.
• The duration of the exam is 80 minutes for each subject, and there will be 60 questions per subject.
• There will be no negative marking, and students will get +1 for every correct answer.
• In Physics, Gravitation questions have appeared in 90% of papers since 2021.
• In Biology, only 15% questions are diagram-based, but they carry 25% of the scoring potential.

The Kannada Language Test, which is a mandatory qualifying test for certain candidates (Kannadigas from Horanadu and Gadinadu), will be conducted on 22nd April.

As per recent years' trend, female candidates comprise 55-60% in PCB streams and around 54-55% in PCM. Females have outperformed males by making up 54-55% of overall qualified candidates(in 2025).

Related Articles:

• KCET 2026 Detailed Syllabus
• KCET PYQs with solutions
• KCET Paper Analysis

KCET 2026: Exam Structure

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ KCET Exam will be held in a non-digital, traditional way, and will consist of MCQs from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology.

• Every individual subject will have 60 questions, and the time allotted for each subject will be 80 minutes.
• The new information regarding the KCET Exam will be available on the official KCET website.
• The KCET exam will be conducted on two days, with separate sessions for each subject.

KCET 2026: Exam Schedule

KEA has released the official exam schedule for the KCET 2026 exam on January 2, 2026.

Kannada Language Test

Also Read: KCET Exam Important Dates

KCET 2026: Subject-Wise Breakdown & Weightage

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ KCET Exam 2026 will be held in Multiple Choice Questions, and the candidates will be tested based on the course they have chosen, that is, Engineering (PCM) or Veterinary and Animal Husbandry (PCB).

All the subjects will carry the same weightage in the final score, thus making it necessary for the candidates to prepare evenly for all subjects.

KCET Exam Pattern for Physics

• The Physics section will have 60 questions, with each worth 1 mark. The exam will be held for a duration of 80 minutes.
• Most​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ of the questions in the Physics section of KCET are concept-based and numerical, with the key topics being Mechanics, Electricity, and Modern Physics.
• Physics is normally considered a section of medium difficulty, as it requires the understanding of theory and the ability to solve ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌problems.

KCET Exam Pattern for Chemistry

• The Chemistry section will have 60 questions, with each worth 1 mark. The exam will be held for a duration of 80 minutes.
• About​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ 40% of the questions in KCET Chemistry are directly taken from NCERT, with factual, conceptual, and application-type questions forming the major focus.
• Theoretical aspects dominate Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, whereas Physical Chemistry is a blend of theory and numerical ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌problems.

KCET Exam Pattern for Mathematics

• The Maths section will have 60 questions, with each worth 1 mark. The exam will be held for a duration of 80 minutes.
• The KCET Mathematics section carries high weightage from Algebra, Calculus, and Coordinate Geometry.
• It is considered the most scoring subject for engineering aspirants if practised regularly.

KCET Exam Pattern for Biology

• The Biology section will have 60 questions, with each worth 1 mark. The exam will be held for a duration of 80 minutes.
• For​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ PCB students, the KCET biology part mainly deals with topics of Human Physiology, Genetics, Ecology, and Cell Biology that make up nearly 45% of the total questions.
• It is a scoring section of the examination if one has thoroughly prepared the concepts from the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌NCERT.

KCET 2026: Kannada Language Test

Kannada Language Test for Horanadu & Gadinadu Kannadiga candidates will be

conducted only in Bengaluru, Belagavi, Vijayapura, and Mangalore.

• The minimum passing marks for candidates shall be 12 out of 50 marks.
• The Kannada Language Test paper will be of the 4th Standard Level.
• Candidates giving the language test will have to appear for the KCET 2026 in a test centre located at Bengaluru, Belagavi, Bijapura, and Mangalore only.

However, Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadiga candidates who have studied 10 full academic years in Kannada Medium from 1st standard to 10th standard in places outside the state of Karnataka need not appear for the Kannada Language Test.

KCET 2026: Marking Scheme

In the KCET Exam, each subject will include 60 MCQs, and the marking scheme will remain uniform for all subjects.

The KCET expected marking scheme, based on the previous year’s pattern, is as follows:

KCET syllabus is based on the 1st and 2nd Pre-University Course (Class 11 and 12) curriculum of the Karnataka State Board. For the Kannada language test, which is a mandatory qualifying test for certain candidates (Kannadigas from Horanadu and Gadinadu), the syllabus will be based on the 4th Standard level.

The Syllabus is divided into 4 subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology.

• For Engineering/Technology courses, students have to appear in PCM subjects.
• For Farm Sciences courses, students have to appear in PCMB subjects.
• For B.VSc and AH, Naturopathy & Yoga, and B.Sc (Nursing), students have to appear in PCB subjects.
• And for B-Pharma, 2nd Year B.Pharma, and Pharma-D, students have to appear in either PCB or PCM subjects.

Approximately 20-40% questions come from 1st PUC, and 60-80% come from 2nd PUC, making the latter more important for high scorers.

Related Articles:

• KCET Paper Analysis
• KCET 2026 Best Books
• KCET 2026 Preparation Tips

KCET: Syllabus PDFs

KCET 2026: Detailed Syllabus

Students can find the detailed syllabus for KCET 2026, which includes all four subjects, in the table given below:

Physics

Chemistry

Mathematics

Biology

KCET 2026: Chapter-Wise Weightage

Knowing the topic/chapter-wise weightage helps students prepare the syllabus strategically. It will help you focus on high-weightage topics, and you can make your study plan more efficient and aligned with the exam pattern.

Physics

Chemistry

Mathematics

Biology

KCET 2026: Changes Made in Syllabus

The syllabus for KCET 2026 has not been released yet by KEA. In 2025, some topics were added to the syllabus in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. These topics are given below:

• Experimental Skills in Physics as Unit X.
• Principles related to Practical Chemistry as Unit XI in Chemistry.
• Principles related to Experimental Biology as Unit VI in Biology.

KCET 2026: Best Books

The golden rule shared by toppers and experts is that students should start with NCERT textbooks as they cover 80-90% of the questions directly, and then move to KCET-specific reference books for practice.

KCET: Previous Year Papers

The KCET 2026 cutoffs will be released by Karnataka Examinations Authority after the counselling of students for admissions to various professional courses such as Engineering/Technology courses, Farm Science courses, Veterinary and Animal husbandry courses etc.

• The KCET ranks are determined by combining both KCET marks and 2nd PUC marks with 50:50 weightage.
• For RVSC college of Engineering, CSE closing rank for General Merit have increased by ~30% from 2023 to 2025.
• For PES University, Bangalore, CSE cutoff dropped ~ 52% in the year 2025, as compared to 2024.
• Veterinary has only around 200-300 total statewide seats compared to 65,000+ in Engineering, making it more competitive per seat.

As the KCET 2026 exam is scheduled for 23rd and 24th April and the results are anticipated in May 2026, understanding cutoffs are essential for strategic preparation to get a desired branch in desired college.

In top CSE seats such as in RVCE or BMSCE, SC/ST closing ranks reach around 5,000 to 10,000 while General Merit stays under ~1000 showing a 5-10 times difference, one of the largest category gaps in any state entrance exam.

In 2025, cutoffs were released round-wise by KEA after the counselling began in July. The final round cutoffs showed maximum relaxation due to withdrawals, upgrades and vacant seats.

In 2025, around 3 lakh+ candidates appeared for KCET and the difficulty of the exam was moderate.

Related Articles:

• KCET 2026 College Predictor
• KCET 2026 Seat Matrix
• KCET 2026 Marks Vs Rank

KCET 2026: Qualifying Cutoff

Qualifying cutoff refers to the minimum aggregate percentage required by students in their 2nd PUC or Class 12th to be eligible for the KCET exam and counselling.

Kannada Language Test: It is a mandatory qualifying test only for certain candidates (Horanadu & Gadinadu Kannadigas), which requires 12 marks out of 50 to qualify.

Around 456 candidates out of 1520 failed, and 12 candidates scored 0/50 in the Language test.

KCET 2026: Expected Cutoff Category-Wise

The category-wise cutoff highlight the relaxation given to reserved categories to ensure social justice and equality. The categories such as SC/ST/OBC/EWS etc come under reserved categories and they get significant relaxation which means 2-5 times higher ranks (closing ranks) than unreserved category students.

For Engineering Courses

For Farm Sciences Courses

For Pharmacy courses

For Veterinary and Animal Husbandry courses

KCET 2026: Cutoff Shifts

Cutoffs in KCET will be relaxed in later rounds due to withdrawal, upgrades and vacant seats. However, top branches such as CSE in RVCE will see minimal shifts due to high competition and demand. In 2025, for pharmacy courses closing ranks were around ~70k.

KCET 2026: Safe Score

Safe score which are above the closing marks for that rank, increase the probability for students to get their desired college / branch despite the yearly fluctuations in cutoffs.

Based on 2025 data under 500 ranks will require a score of around 170+ as seen in previous years toppers.

KCET 2026: Factors Influencing Cutoffs

Cutoffs are determined by the KEA on the basis of several factors such as number of candidates, difficulty of the exam, seats or vacancies etc. Given below are various factors taht influence the KCET cutoffs:

• Number of Registered / Appearing / Qualified Candidates
• Difficulty level of the exam
• Total number of available seats or seat matrix
• Performance of candidates in 2nd PUC as well as in KCET 2026
• Reservation Policies and Quota’s
• Popularity of Branch / College / Course
• Counselling Rounds

The KEA has declared the KCET Result 2025 on 24 May 2025 on the official website - cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea, along with the KCET Scorecard 2025. The KEA KCET result link is active from 2 PM onwards. Candidates can access by logging in with your application number and password to download the KCET scorecard.

How to Check KCET Result 2025?

Follow the steps below to download your KCET 2025 scorecard:

Visit the official website – kea.kar.nic.in

The candidate needs to enter their Registration Number and the First Four Characters of their Name.

KCET Scorecard

KCET 2025 Details Mentioned

Candidates must verify the following details on their scorecard:

• Candidate’s Name
• Subject-wise Marks
• Total Marks
• Rank Secured
• Qualifying Status

In case of discrepancies, candidates must immediately contact KEA for corrections.

KCET Result 2025: Important Points

• The result will be available online only.
• Candidates will need their registration number and name to check results.
• Only shortlisted candidates can move forward in the admission process.
• Objections against the result can be raised within three days of declaration.

How to Challenge KCET Result 2025?

KEA allows candidates to raise objections to their results within three days of declaration. If found valid, a revised result will be issued to those candidates separately.

KCET Result 2025 Previous Years' Analysis

KEA will release the KCET 2025 statistics post-result announcement. Meanwhile, check the stats from previous years:

KCET 2024 Statistics

KCET 2022 Result Statistics

KCET 2021 Rank List Eligibility

KCET 2020 Subject-Wise Attendance