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 Counselling
Updated on 18 October 2026 · Compiled from official Karnataka Examinations Authority notices
KEA runs counselling for Government-share seats. The 2026 process had an online application, document verification, option entry and three main rounds.
Counselling steps
- 1
Document verification
Original documents are verified as per the claim certificate, at colleges or at KEA depending on the clause.
- 2
Result and ranks
Get your rank card and verification slip.
- 3
Option entry
Enter courses and colleges in order of preference on the KEA portal. Round 1 choice entry opened on 20 June 2026 per KEA.
- 4
Mock allotment
A mock allotment is reported before the real one. Use it to adjust choices.
- 5
Allotment and choice selection
After allotment you choose one of the options offered for your seat, then pay the fee.
- 6
Report to college
Collect the admission order and report to the college with documents.
2026 round timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Round 1 choice entry opens | 20 June 2026 |
| Round 1 cut-off | 15 July 2026 |
| Round 2 final results | 24 August 2026 |
| Round 3 cut-off | 4 September 2026 |
| Round 3 seat allotment | 7 September 2026 |
As listed on the KEA UGCET 2026 page. Later extended and casual vacancy rounds followed.
Reservations used in counselling
The Kalyana Karnataka region covers Bidar, Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal and Ballari-Vijayanagara.
| Reservation | Rule (2026 bulletin) |
|---|---|
| SC, ST, Cat-1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B | Vertical reservation as per Government Order, caste certificate with RD number |
| Rural | 15% of Government seats, horizontal; 10 years of study from 1st to 10th in rural areas |
| Kannada medium | 5% of Government seats, horizontal; 10 years Kannada medium, 1st to 10th |
| Kalyana Karnataka (Article 371(J)) | 70% of seats in regional universities and institutions in the region; 8% in statewide institutions; Annexure-A required |
| Supernumerary Quota | 5% extra seats per college in engineering for income under Rs 8 lakh; tuition fee waived |
Engineering fee structure 2026-27 (provisional)
| College type | GM, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B (and SC/ST or Cat-1 above Rs 10 lakh or 2.5 lakh income) | Category-1, income up to Rs 2.5 lakh | SC/ST, income up to Rs 10 lakh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government colleges (other courses) | Rs 47,100 | Rs 22,950 | Rs 0 |
| Government colleges: Mechanical, Textile, Silk Technology, Civil, Automobile | Rs 29,985 | Rs 17,910 | Rs 0 |
| Aided courses in aided colleges | Rs 47,100 | Rs 22,950 | Rs 0 |
| UVCE | Rs 56,500 | Rs 22,900 | Rs 0 |
| Un-aided Type-1 (including minority) | Rs 1,20,320 | Rs 96,170 | Rs 0 |
| Un-aided Type-2 (including minority) | Rs 1,30,320 | Rs 1,06,170 | Rs 0 |
| Private and deemed universities | Rs 1,20,320 | Rs 96,170 | Rs 0 |
Source: KEA provisional fee structure for Engineering and Architecture, 2026-27 (note dated 10 July 2026). Architecture carries Rs 750 extra. Fees include university and other fees; the Supernumerary Quota column and VTU constituent college rows are in the PDF.
About the 7.5 percent reservation
The 7.5 percent reservation for government school students is a Tamil Nadu policy under TNEA, not part of the KCET 2026 reservation list in the bulletin. KCET has no such quota that we could verify. Karnataka uses the Rural, Kannada medium and category reservations above.
Fees and seat rules
- KEA posted the provisional 2026-27 engineering and architecture fee structure (note dated 10 July 2026, an earlier version dated 1 July 2026). The first-year engineering fee table is given below, and the fee notices for agriculture, veterinary, pharmacy, B.Sc Nursing, BPT and AHS were posted as separate PDFs.
- Seats surrendered after the third round or in the casual vacancy round forfeit the fee and attract a penalty of five times the annual course fee, per the bulletin.
- Educational loan up to Rs 5 lakh at 6 percent interest is advertised in the bulletin for KEA candidates.
More KCET counselling guides
- KCET 2026 Choice Filling Guide – Strategy, Tips & OrderComplete KCET 2026 choice filling guide: how to fill choices on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, rank-wise strategy, how many choices to fill, Upgrade vs Freeze, and...Read guide
- KCET 2026 Counselling – Dates, Process & Top CollegesKCET 2026 counselling is complete. Round 1 (July 14), Round 2 (Aug 25), and final Round 3/Mop-up (Sept 4, 2026). Complete guide for Karnataka engineering admissions.Read guide
- KCET 2026 Document Checklist – Documents for CounsellingComplete KCET 2026 document checklist: Karnataka domicile proof, Horanadu/Gadinadu Kannadiga certificate, caste certificate, KCET scorecard, Class 10/12 marksheets,...Read guide
- KCET 2026 Extended Round – Dates, Eligibility & ProcessKCET 2026 Extended Round (Round 3/Mop-Up) was KEA's final counselling round, with allotment declared September 4, 2026. Eligibility, process, and what happens next.Read guide
- KCET 2026 Round 1 Seat Allotment – Result & Next StepsKCET 2026 Round 1 seat allotment: how to check result on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, seat acceptance process, Upgrade vs Freeze options, fee payment, and what to do...Read guide
- KCET 2026 Round 2 Seat Allotment – Upgrades & Final AdmissionKCET 2026 Round 2 allotment guide: who is eligible, how the upgrade mechanism works, extended round details, final admission steps, and what to do after Round 2...Read guide
- KCET 2026 Round 3 Mop-Up Allotment – KEA Final Round GuideKCET 2026 Round 3/Mop-up (final round) allotment was declared September 4, 2026. KEA eligibility, rural & Kannada-medium quota rules, and final college reporting steps.Read guide
- KCET 2026 Seat Matrix – College & Category-wise SeatsKCET 2026 seat matrix: 85,000+ engineering seats in Karnataka. Category-wise reservation (GM, OBC, SC, ST, Cat-1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B), top college seats (RV, BMSCE, PES,...Read guide
Frequently asked questions
Is KEA counselling separate from COMEDK?
Yes. COMEDK handles its own seats for private colleges. KEA covers Government-share seats and its own share of private college seats.
Can I join a private college with a KEA seat?
Yes, KEA also allots Government-share seats in private colleges, at the fee fixed by the Government for that college.