The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has announced the official exam dates for the Karnataka PGCET 2026. This important exam helps students get admission to postgraduate courses like MBA, MCA, ME, and MTech in various colleges across Karnataka. Knowing these dates early helps students prepare better for their future studies.
According to the KEA announcement, the Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam for MBA (Master of Business Administration) and MCA (Master of Computer Applications) courses will be held on May 14, 2026. For students looking to join ME (Master of Engineering) and MTech (Master of Technology) courses, the exam will take place on May 23, 2026.
These dates show a change from the previous year. In 2025, the ME/MTech exam was on May 31, and the MBA/MCA exams were on June 22. This means students applying for MBA and MCA courses in 2026 will take their exam earlier than last year.
PGCET 2026 Exam Dates at a Glance
| Course Name | Exam Date |
| MBA (Master of Business Administration) | May 14, 2026 |
| MCA (Master of Computer Applications) | May 14, 2026 |
| ME (Master of Engineering) | May 23, 2026 |
| MTech (Master of Technology) | May 23, 2026 |
Application Details Coming Soon
KEA has announced the exam dates first. The detailed schedule for applying online for Karnataka PGCET 2026 will be released soon. Students should keep checking the official KEA website for updates on registration dates and other important information. The official website for Karnataka PGCET 2026 will launch in a short time, and all new details will be posted there.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the Karnataka PGCET exam, students must generally hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized university. This exam is for those who wish to pursue higher education after their undergraduate studies.
- For MBA and MCA courses, a bachelor's degree in any field is usually required. These courses help students learn advanced business management or computer application skills.
- For ME and MTech courses, a bachelor's degree in engineering or technology (like BE or BTech) is typically needed. These courses offer deeper knowledge in specific engineering fields.
- For MArch (Master of Architecture) admissions, students need to have a valid NATA PGETA score. Even with this score, they still need to fill the PGCET application form to take part in the official counselling process for admissions in Karnataka.
Exam Format and Shifts
The Karnataka PGCET exam is a traditional offline test. This means students will take the exam using pen and paper. They will mark their answers on an OMR sheet at their assigned exam center.
On May 14, for MBA and MCA courses, KEA will conduct two separate exam shifts. One shift will be dedicated to MBA applicants, and the other will be for MCA applicants. Specific timings for these shifts will be announced along with the admit card details.
What Happens After the Exam?
After the exams are over, KEA will manage the centralized counselling process. In counselling, students get to choose their preferred colleges and courses based on their PGCET scores and the availability of seats. It is important to attend all counselling rounds as per the schedule released by KEA.
Important Documents to Keep Safe
Students must keep all documents related to their application safe. The challan copy, which is proof of paying the exam fees, is a very important document to keep. If a student loses it, they should contact the bank or KEA for help.
Also, after the exam, students can download a PGCET verification slip from the official website. This slip is needed during the counselling process. Only students with this verification slip will be allowed to participate in the 'option entry' process, where they choose their colleges and courses.
This early announcement of exam dates gives students enough time to plan their studies. Students are advised to start their preparation and stay updated with all official announcements from KEA.
