Karnataka Management Aptitude Test Eligibility Criteria 2026

What is KMAT 2025?

KMAT (Karnataka Management Aptitude Test) is the entrance test conducted by KPPGCA for admission to MBA/PGDM and MCA programmes. It is accepted by 180+ AICTE-approved, university-affiliated colleges in Karnataka.

The 2025 test is an All-India, remote-proctored exam. Registration is open till 20 Aug 2025, and the test is scheduled for 7 Sep 2025.

KMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025 At a Glance

Graduates with a minimum 3-year degree, or postgraduates, from a recognised university can apply. Final-year students may apply provisionally.

• Minimum marks required in the qualifying degree: 50% for General/OBC and 45% for SC/ST.
• For MBA/PGDM, there is no subject requirement.
• For MCA, Mathematics at 10+2 or graduation level is mandatory.
• No upper age limit applies.
• No Karnataka domicile is required.
• Work experience is not required.
• Recognised distance and online degrees are accepted, subject to verification.
• Candidates with backlogs can take KMAT but must clear all backlogs before admission.

KMAT Eligibility 2025 for MBA/PGDM

For MBA/PGDM admission, there is no specific subject requirement in the qualifying degree. Any graduate with the required minimum marks can apply.

The minimum aggregate required is 50% for General/OBC candidates and 45% for SC/ST candidates.

KMAT Eligibility 2025 for MCA

For MCA admission, Mathematics at the 10+2 level or in graduation is mandatory. This is the main difference from the MBA/PGDM eligibility rule.

The same minimum marks apply: 50% for General/OBC and 45% for SC/ST.

KMAT Eligibility 2025 Age Limit

There is no upper age limit for KMAT 2025. Gap years are acceptable, and colleges follow university norms at the time of admission.

KMAT Eligibility 2025 for OBC

OBC candidates need 50% aggregate marks in the qualifying degree. There is no extra relaxation for OBC unless a specific college grants it.

KMAT Eligibility 2025 Karnataka (Domicile & Nationality)

KMAT is open to all-India and foreign candidates. There is no Karnataka domicile rule, and no nationality restriction is mentioned.

KMAT Registration 2025

Registration for KMAT 2025 is done online at kmatindia.com. The application fee is ₹850.

The registration deadline is 20 Aug 2025, and the exam will be held on 7 Sep 2025.

FAQs

Can final-year students apply for KMAT 2025?

Yes, final-year students can apply provisionally. They must meet the eligibility criteria before admission.

Is work experience required for KMAT?

No, work experience is not required for KMAT 2025.

Are distance or online degrees accepted for KMAT?

Yes, recognised distance and online degrees are accepted, subject to verification.

What is the application fee for KMAT 2025?

The application fee is ₹850, and registration is on kmatindia.com.

KMAT Eligibility 2025: Quick Overview

The table below summarises the basic eligibility criteria for the Karnataka Management Aptitude Test (KMAT) for MBA/PGDM and MCA programmes.

KMAT Eligibility 2025 for MBA/PGDM

You can take KMAT for MBA/PGDM if you hold a recognised Bachelor’s (minimum 3 years) or a Master’s degree and meet the percentage requirement. No Karnataka domicile, no upper age limit, and no work experience are required.

• Bachelor’s (min. 3 years) or Master’s in recognised disciplines (Commerce/Management/Arts/Social Sciences/Engineering/Technology) or equivalent is accepted.
• Minimum aggregate is 50% for General/OBC and 45% for SC/ST in the qualifying degree.
• Final-year/awaiting results candidates can apply; admission is provisional until final marksheets are submitted.
• No specific subject is required for MBA/PGDM under KMAT (unlike MCA).
• Candidates with backlogs may take the exam but must clear all backlogs before college admission/registration.
• No Karnataka domicile requirement; All-India and foreign nationals can apply subject to college documentation norms.
• No upper age limit is prescribed for KMAT MBA/PGDM.
• Work experience is not required; fresh graduates are equally eligible.
• If your university uses CGPA, follow the official CGPA-to-percentage conversion and keep proof handy for verification.

KMAT Eligibility 2025 for MCA

KMAT eligibility for MCA follows the same percentage rules as MBA/PGDM but adds a strict subject requirement. You must have studied Mathematics either in Class 12 or during your graduation.

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university (3-year or higher as per university norms) is required.
• Minimum aggregate is 50% for General/OBC and 45% for SC/ST in the qualifying degree.
• Mathematics must have been studied at 10+2 (PUC) or at the Graduation level as a subject.
• Final-year/awaiting results candidates can apply; admission is provisional until final marksheets are submitted.
• Candidates with backlogs may take the exam but must clear all backlogs before college admission/registration.
• There is no Karnataka domicile requirement; All-India and foreign candidates may apply subject to college document verification.
• No upper age limit is prescribed for KMAT MCA; colleges follow university regulations at admission.
• Work experience is not mandatory; fresh graduates are eligible.
• If your university uses CGPA, use the official CGPA-to-percentage conversion and keep the rule/notification as proof.

KMAT Eligibility 2025 Age Limit

KMAT has no officially prescribed upper age limit by the organiser, so older candidates and those with gap years can apply.

• 21 years or above at the time of admission is commonly referenced as a practical baseline, not a hard rule.
• Colleges verify age as per their affiliating university norms during admission.
• Gap years are generally acceptable as long as other eligibility conditions are met.
• Standard age-proof documents (government ID, DOB certificate, 10th marksheet) may be required at counselling/admission.

KMAT Eligibility 2025 for OBC

The KMAT organiser’s mark relaxation explicitly mentions SC/ST. There is no KMAT-wide relaxation specifically for OBC; many colleges follow their own reservation/eligibility rules at admission.

• Central KMAT rule: 50% (General) and 45% for SC/ST.
• OBC candidates typically need 50%, unless the admitting college/university offers a relaxation under its policy.
• Always check your target college’s prospectus for category-wise cut-offs and documents.

KMAT 2025 Eligibility – Is Karnataka Domicile Required?

KMAT 2025 does not impose any Karnataka-domicile restriction. The exam is open to candidates from all over India and also accepts foreign nationals.

Applicants from any state, or from abroad, can register and compete for seats in participating Karnataka private B-schools. Admission formalities like visa or Equivalence for foreign degrees are handled later by the admitting college or university.

• KMAT explicitly accepts All-India applicants as well as Karnataka-domicile candidates.
• The application workflow typically includes a “Non-Karnataka candidate” choice, reflecting pan-India eligibility.
• Recent guidance from leading portals notes that any earlier domicile linkage has been removed or relaxed; colleges evaluate all candidates under the same KMAT score framework.
• Foreign nationals, NRIs, and PIOs can apply; they must meet degree recognition and documentation norms set by the university or college.
• Final admission remains subject to institution-level verification of identity, nationality, equivalence of qualifications, and category proofs, if any.

Who Can Apply for KMAT 2025?

KMAT 2025 is open to candidates from across India and abroad who want admission into MBA, PGDM, and MCA programs in Karnataka’s private B-schools. The eligibility mainly depends on graduation degree, marks percentage, and subject requirements for MCA.

• Bachelor’s (minimum 3 years) or Master’s degree from a recognised university.
• Minimum 50% aggregate for General and OBC candidates, and 45% for SC and ST candidates.
• Final-year students may apply; admission is provisional.
• No domicile restriction; All-India and foreign nationals are eligible.
• No upper age limit; colleges follow university rules.

KMAT 2025 Registration and Important Dates

Registration is online on the official website. As per the organizer’s schedule, the last date is 20 Aug 2025, with the test on 7 Sep 2025. Always re-check the date before applying, as schedules can change.

• Official website: kmatindia.com (Apply via the “KMAT 2025 Application” link).
• Mode: Home-based remote-proctored.

KMAT Exam Fee 2025

The KMAT exam fee for 2025 is uniform for all candidates, regardless of category or program. The fee must be paid online during registration through the official KMAT website.

KMAT vs KMAT Kerala – Key Differences

KMAT Kerala is a different exam from KMAT Karnataka. It is conducted by the Kerala CEE for MBA admissions in Kerala colleges, and registration dates are announced separately for each session.

• KMAT Kerala is usually held twice a year, as Session 1 and Session 2.
• Registration opens a few months before each session.
• Application is only through the official portal at cee.kerala.gov.in.
• Eligibility and process differ slightly from KMAT Karnataka.

What is KMAT 2 2025?

KMAT 2 refers to the second session of the KMAT Kerala exam conducted in the same year. It allows candidates who missed or underperformed in Session 1 to reappear and improve their chances of admission.

• KMAT Kerala is typically held in two sessions every year.
• Session 1 is conducted in the first half of the year, Session 2 in the second half.
• Both sessions follow the same eligibility and exam pattern.
• Scores are valid for MBA admissions in Kerala-based colleges.

KMAT Passing Score and Cut-off

KMAT does not have a fixed national cut-off. Each participating college in Karnataka sets its own KMAT score requirement for MBA, PGDM, or MCA admissions.

• No uniform passing score is declared by KPPGCA.
• Colleges decide their own cut-off scores for shortlisting.
• Typically, candidates need a balanced score in all sections to be competitive.
• Category (General, SC, ST) and college ranking influence cut-offs.
• Always check the specific college’s admission criteria for KMAT score.

KMAT 2025 Application Fee

The application fee for KMAT 2025 is INR 850 for all categories. This includes General, OBC, SC, and ST candidates.

The fee is the same for both MBA/PGDM and MCA programs. You must pay the fee online during registration.

• Fee amount: INR 850 for all categories
• Same fee for MBA/PGDM and MCA
• Payment modes: debit card, credit card, or net banking
• Fee is non-refundable once paid
• Payment accepted only via the official KMAT website (kmatindia.com)

Who Can Apply for KMAT 2025

KMAT 2025 is open to candidates from across India and abroad. It is for admission into MBA/PGDM and MCA programs in Karnataka's private B-schools.

Eligibility depends on graduation degree, marks percentage, and subject requirements for MCA.

• Bachelor's degree (minimum 3 years) or Master's degree from a recognised university
• Minimum 50% aggregate for General/OBC candidates
• Minimum 45% aggregate for SC/ST candidates
• Final-year students may apply; admission is provisional
• No domicile restriction; All-India and foreign nationals are eligible
• No upper age limit; colleges follow university rules

KMAT Kerala vs KMAT Karnataka

KMAT Kerala is a different exam from KMAT Karnataka. It is conducted by the Kerala CEE for MBA admissions in Kerala colleges.

Registration dates for KMAT Kerala are announced separately for each session. Candidates should check the official CEE Kerala website for updates.

• KMAT Kerala is usually held twice a year (Session 1 and Session 2)
• Registration opens a few months before each session
• Application is only through the official portal (cee.kerala.gov.in)
• Eligibility and process differ slightly from KMAT Karnataka

KMAT 2 2025

KMAT 2 refers to the second session of the KMAT Kerala exam conducted in the same year. It allows candidates who missed or underperformed in Session 1 to reappear.

KMAT Kerala is typically held in two sessions every year.

• Session 1 is conducted in the first half of the year
• Session 2 is conducted in the second half of the year
• Both sessions follow the same eligibility and exam pattern
• Scores are valid for MBA admissions in Kerala-based colleges

KMAT Passing Score

KMAT does not have a fixed national cut-off. Each participating college in Karnataka sets its own KMAT score requirement for MBA/PGDM or MCA admissions.

No uniform passing score is declared by KPPGCA. Colleges decide their own cut-off scores for shortlisting.

• Candidates typically need a balanced score in all sections to be competitive
• Category (General/SC/ST) and college ranking influence cut-offs
• Always check the specific college's admission criteria for KMAT score