KCET 2027
Karnataka Common Entrance Test (UGCET)
KCET (also called UGCET) is the Karnataka state entrance test conducted by KEA for Government-share seats in engineering, pharmacy, agriculture and allied courses. The engineering rank combines KCET marks and 2nd PUC marks in equal proportion.
- Conducted by
- Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
- Mode
- Offline, OMR-based pen-and-paper test (multiple choice)
- Frequency
- Once a year
- Duration
- 80 minutes per subject paper, over two days in four sessions
KCET 2027: Exam Date, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern
Updated on 18 October 2026 · Compiled from official Karnataka Examinations Authority notices
KCET is the gateway to Government-share seats in Karnataka professional colleges. This page covers the upcoming 2027 cycle, using the 2026 cycle as the verified reference.
About KCET
The Karnataka Common Entrance Test, also called UGCET, is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority for Government-share seats in Karnataka professional colleges. It suits Karnataka candidates who want B.E./B.Tech, B.Pharm, agriculture, veterinary and allied courses, and the same application also feeds NEET-based medical counselling and architecture admissions through NATA. For engineering, the rank combines KCET marks and 2nd PUC marks in equal proportion, and seats are allotted through KEA online option entry rounds. For 2027, no official notification has been published yet. KEA usually notifies around January and holds the exam in April, so watch the official website for confirmed dates.
KCET 2027 at a glance
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | Karnataka Common Entrance Test (UGCET) |
| Conducted by | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Mode | Offline, OMR-based pen-and-paper test (multiple choice) |
| Duration | 80 minutes per subject paper, over two days in four sessions |
| Language | English and Kannada |
| Courses | B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch (through NATA), B.Pharm, Pharm.D, B.Sc Agriculture and allied farm science courses, B.V.Sc & A.H., BNYS (Naturopathy and Yoga); common application also covers B.Sc Nursing, BPT and Allied Health Science |
| Accepted by | Government, private aided and private unaided professional colleges in Karnataka for Government-share seats, through KEA counselling |
| Official website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ |
Key dates
KCET 2027 notification and application
Expected December 2026 to February 2027
KCET 2027 exam
Expected April 2027
KCET 2027 result
Expected May to June 2027
KCET 2027 counselling
Expected June to September 2027
What KCET is
The Karnataka Common Entrance Test is held by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) under the Karnataka Selection of Candidates for Admission to Government Seats in Professional Educational Institutions Rules, 2006. KEA files one common application for engineering, architecture, pharmacy, agriculture and allied courses. The same application also feeds NEET-based medical and AYUSH counselling and the merit-based courses that need no entrance test.
The exam is also written as UGCET in KEA notifications. The 2026 information bulletin is titled Common Entrance Test 2026 and states that it determines eligibility and merit for Karnataka candidates and wards of Jammu and Kashmiri migrants for Government seats.
Why it matters
Most Government-share engineering seats in Karnataka are filled only through KEA counselling. A KCET rank is also the basis for seats under horizontal reservations such as Rural, Kannada medium and Article 371(J) Kalyana Karnataka.
Unlike many state exams, the engineering merit list is not the entrance score alone. It gives equal weight to KCET marks and the marks obtained in the Qualifying Examination (2nd PUC or equivalent) in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
KCET at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Exam pattern | Four papers (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology), 60 one-mark MCQs each |
| Time per paper | 80 minutes |
| Negative marking | None, but multiple answers to one question earn no mark |
| Engineering rank | KCET PCM marks and 2nd PUC PCM marks in equal proportion |
| Architecture | NATA score as per the 2026 bulletin |
| Medical, dental, AYUSH | NEET-UG score, but registration with KEA is compulsory |
| Kannada Language Test | Only for Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadiga candidates |
Source: KEA CET-2026 Information Bulletin 1 (dated 16 January 2026). The 2027 bulletin will replace it.
How admission works
- Register on the KEA portal and submit the online application with the claim details and RD numbers.
- Write KCET (for the courses that need it) and get the 2nd PUC marks linked.
- KEA publishes the result and rank lists course-wise.
- Verify documents, then enter course-college options online.
- KEA allots seats in rounds, and you pay the fee and report to the college.
Explore KCET 2027
- KCET DatesRegistration, exam and result timeline
- KCET Application FormSteps, fee, documents and photo rules
- KCET EligibilityWho can apply, attempts and age
- KCET Exam PatternSections, marks and marking scheme
- KCET SyllabusSubject-wise units and topics
- KCET Admit CardDownload steps and exam-day carry list
- KCET ResultScorecard, rank and what comes next
- KCET CutoffQualifying marks and admission cutoffs
- KCET CounsellingRounds, choice filling and documents
- KCET PreparationStudy plan, strategy and mistakes
- KCET All GuidesEvery guide, predictor and article
Frequently asked questions
Is KCET the same as UGCET?
Yes. KEA runs the test as the Common Entrance Test and also uses the name UGCET on its portal. Students and coaching sites call it KCET.
Does KCET accept JEE Main scores?
No. KEA ranks for Government seats come from KCET and 2nd PUC marks. JEE Main is used for JoSAA and other counselling, not for KEA seats.
Is the 2027 notification out?
No official 2027 KCET notification has been published as of 18 October 2026. Watch the KEA website for it.
Who conducts KCET?
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducts KCET and also runs the seat allotment counselling.
What is the weightage of Class 12 marks in KCET rank?
For engineering, the CET-2026 bulletin says merit is based on PCM marks in KCET and the qualifying exam, taken in equal proportions, so 50 percent each. Farm science courses use PCMB in the same way.
Is there negative marking in KCET?
No. Each paper has 60 one-mark questions and wrong answers carry no penalty, but marking multiple answers earns no mark.
How many subjects must an engineering aspirant write?
Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, each 60 marks and 80 minutes. Biology is for other courses.
Is there a 7.5 percent government school quota in KCET?
Not in the 2026 KEA bulletin we checked. The 7.5 percent government school reservation belongs to Tamil Nadu (TNEA).
What is the Hyderabad-Karnataka (Kalyana Karnataka) quota?
Under Article 371(J), 70 percent of seats in regional institutions and 8 percent in statewide institutions are reserved for local candidates of Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal and Ballari-Vijayanagara. Annexure-A from the Assistant Commissioner is required.
Is the Kannada Language Test compulsory?
Only for Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadiga candidates claiming Government seats. They must score at least 12 marks in it.
When will KCET 2027 happen?
KEA has not announced it. Based on 2026 the notification may come near January and the exam in April 2027, but this is only an estimate.
Do I need KCET for medical courses?
No, medical, dental and AYUSH seats use NEET-UG, but you must register with KEA by filling the common application and paying the fee.
Can non-Karnataka students apply?
They can register for NEET-based medical courses (clause y). For Government engineering seats they must satisfy a Karnataka origin or study clause.
Can I challenge the key answers?
KEA publishes provisional key answers and an objection facility. In 2026 the key answers came on 26 April and revised keys on 10 May.
What is the Supernumerary Quota?
An extra 5 percent of seats in each engineering college, with tuition fee waived, for candidates with annual family income below Rs 8 lakh.