KCET Exam 2026 - The official KCET 2026 notification (application form release) is expected in the second or third week of January 2026, with application form filling likely starting soon after. The notification is expected to be released on the official Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, and will be accompanied by details on the application process, syllabus, and eligibility criteria.
The KCET application form 2026 is expected to close in February 2026 tentatively. Along with the release of the official notification, KEA will also announce the KCET exam dates 2026.
KCET Exam 2026 Official Notice
Candidates can click on the direct link provided below to download the Karnataka CET 2026 official notice.
KCET Exam Date 2026
Candidates can check the detailed exam schedule (tentative) for KCET 2026 in the table mentioned below.
| Dates |
Timings |
Subjects |
Marks |
| April 2026 |
10.30 am to 11.50 am
2.30 pm to 3.50 pm
|
Physics
Chemistry
|
60
60
|
| April 2026 |
10.30 am to 11.50 am
2.30 pm to 3.50 pm
|
Mathematics
Biology
|
60
60
|
Note - The Kannada Language Test for Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadiga candidates at Bengaluru, Belagavi, Bijapura and Mangalore Districts only will be conducted in April, 2026 (tentative) from 10.30 am to 11.30 am with a total of 50 marks.
KCET Exam 2026 Highlights
Candidates appearing for the KCET exam 2026 can go through the important exam highlights in the table below:
|
Particulars
|
Details
|
|
Name of Examination
|
Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET)
|
|
Exam Conducting Body
|
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
|
|
Frequency of Examination
|
Once a Year
|
|
KCET 2026 registration start
|
January 2026 (Tentative)
|
|
Last date to register for KCET exam 2026
|
February 2026 (Tentative)
|
|
KCET exam date 2026
|
April 2026 (Tentative)
Kannada Language Test - April 2026 (Tentative)
|
|
KCET result 2026 release date
|
June 2026 (Expected)
|
|
Type of Examination
|
Entrance Examination
(For admission into various engineering, agriculture & pharmacy courses/colleges)
|
|
Level of Examination
|
State (Karnataka)
|
|
Mode of Examination
|
Offline (Pen and Paper Format)
|
|
Medium of Examination
|
English & Kannada
|
|
Type of Questions
|
Multiple Choice Questions (Objective Type)
|
|
Subjects to be Prepared
|
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Maths
- Biology
- Kannada Language Test (Only for Kannadiga Candidates)
|
|
Marking Scheme
|
- 1 mark is awarded for every correct answer
- No negative marking for wrong answers
|
What is KCET Exam 2026?
The Karnataka Common Entrance Test is a state-level entrance examination conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). Through the KCET exam, eligible candidates are given admission into various engineering, agriculture, and pharmacy courses/colleges in the state of Karnataka.
Candidates preparing for the KCET exam must carefully go through the exam pattern and the latest exam syllabus. They are advised to practise as many previous years’ KCET question papers as possible in order to prepare more effectively for the KCET exam.
KCET Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates who wish to appear for the KCET exam must ensure that they fulfil the KCET eligibility criteria. In order to appear for the KCET exam, candidates must have passed the class 12th examination/ 2nd PUC (Pre-Univeristy Course) or equivalent examination. It must be noted that the academic eligibility criteria for admission into various professional courses like engineering, pharmacy etc. will be different.
As per the KCET age limit criteria, the candidate must have acquired the age of 17 years in order to appear for the exam. However, there is no upper age limit for appearing in the KCET entrance examination. Candidates are advised to carefully read the KCET eligibility criteria for the particular course they seek admission.
How to apply for KCET exam 2026?
Candidates who fulfil the KCET eligibility criteria can fill out the KCET application form through the official KEA website. The steps to fill out the KCET application form 2026 are as follows:
- Go to the official KEA website & click on the “UGCET - 2026 Online Application Link”
- Register yourself by entering your required personal details
- You will then receive an application number and user ID at your registered mobile number
- Next, log into the KEA website using your application number and user ID
- Enter the required details in the online KCET application form
- Preview your application form
- Pay the requisite fees via an appropriate payment gateway
- Submit your KCET application form and take its printout
| Note - Candidates must ensure that they complete all the steps involved in the application process in order to successfully register for the KCET exam. |
KCET Admit Card 2026
After successful completion of the KCET 2026 registration process, candidates will receive their KCET admit card. The admit cards will be made available on the official KEA website. The steps to download the KCET admit card are as follows:
- Go to the official KEA website
- Then, click on the “UG CET 2026 Download Admission Ticket” link
- You will then have to enter your registration number and date of birth in the given fields
- Click on the “Submit” button
- Your KCET admit card 2026 will appear on the screen
| Note - Candidates must carry their KCET admit card to the exam centre on all exam days. |
KCET Exam Pattern 2026
Candidates must familiarise themselves with the latest KCET exam pattern and marking scheme. This will help the candidates to efficiently prepare for the KCET entrance exam. Students will be awarded with 1 mark for every correct answer and there will be no negative marking for wrong answers.
Karnataka CET Syllabus 2026
Along with the latest exam pattern, candidates must also carefully go through the KCET syllabus 2026. Candidates must note that the questions that will be asked in the KCET exam will be based on the 1st & 2nd PUC syllabi prescribed by the Department of Pre-University Education of Karnataka. Candidates are advised to prepare for the KCET exam in a structured manner. This will help them to improve their performance in the entrance examination.
KCET 2026 Question Papers
Candidates are advised to solve the previous years’ KCET question papers while preparing for the exam. By solving past year papers, candidates can identify the topics and questions that are important and recurring. With the help of such insights, candidates can focus on preparing important topics and avoid wasting their time.
KCET Answer Key 2026
KEA will be releasing a provisional KCET answer key a few days after the completion of the KCET exam. Candidates can use the provisional answer key for KCET marks calculation. They can also raise objections against the provisional KCET answer key (if any). The subject expert committee will then review the objections sent in by the candidates and then release the final KCET answer key. It must be noted that no challenges will be accepted against the final answer key. The KCET results will be prepared on the basis of the final KCET answer key.
KEA KCET Result 2026
The KCET result 2026 will be released in the form of the scores obtained by the candidates in the KCET examination. Candidates can check their KCET result with the help of the following steps:
Step 1: Visit the official KEA website and click on the “KCET Result 2026” link
Step 2: Then, enter your KCET registration number and the first four characters of your name in the given fields
Step 3: Next, click on the “Submit” tab
Step 4: The KCET 2026 result will appear on the screen
KCET Counselling 2026
After the declaration of the KCET results, KEA will release separate KCET merit lists/rank lists for admission into various professional courses. Candidates whose names will be included in the KCET rank list will be eligible to participate in the KCET Counselling 2026 process. Through the counselling process, eligible candidates will be given admission into the various professional institutes in the state of Karnataka.
KCET Cut Off 2026
The KCET cutoff will be released after the completion of each round of the KCET counselling process. Candidates who score marks equal to or more than the KCET Cut Off 2026 will be eligible for admission into the various professional colleges in Karnataka. A separate KCET cut-off will be released for different streams like engineering, pharmacy, agriculture, architecture etc.
