KCET 2026 Registration Starts Jan 17; Exam Dates Announced

Students seeking admission to undergraduate courses in Karnataka can mark their calendars. Registration for the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) 2026 will start from January 17, 2026 . The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) will conduct the registration process online.

KCET is an important exam for students who want to join courses like Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture, and Veterinary Science in colleges across Karnataka. Interested students must apply online by visiting the official website: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea .

Important Dates for KCET 2026

Here are the key dates students need to know:

Who Can Apply for KCET 2026?

The KEA will release the full eligibility rules along with the detailed notification. However, based on previous years, here are the main requirements:

For BE/BTech Courses:

• Students must have passed Karnataka 2nd PUC / Class 12 or an equivalent exam.
• English must be one of the subjects studied.
• Students need a minimum of 45% marks in total in Physics and Mathematics, along with any one of these subjects: Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, Electronics, or Computer Science.

For BArch Courses:

• Students must have passed Karnataka 2nd PUC / Class 12 or an equivalent exam.
• English must be one of the subjects studied.
• Students need 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) taken together.
• They also need 50% marks in total in their 2nd PUC / Class 12 or equivalent exam across all subjects.

Relaxation for Reserved Categories:

• Students belonging to reserved categories will get a 5% relaxation in the minimum marks required.

About the KCET Exam

The KCET 2026 exam will be held offline. The question paper will have a total of 180 questions . Besides the main exam, a special Kannada Language Test will be held for Gadinadu and Horanadu candidates on April 22, 2026 .

How to Apply for KCET 2026

Students must apply online through the official KEA website. Here are the steps to apply:

• Step 1: Go to the official website: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea .
• Step 2: Look for the 'Admission' tab on the homepage.
• Step 3: Click on 'UGCET 2026'.
• Step 4: Find and click on the 'Apply Online' link.
• Step 5: Complete the KCET registration by providing your basic details.
• Step 6: Log in using your new details and fill out the KCET application form.
• Step 7: Upload all the necessary documents and pay the application fees.
• Step 8: Submit your application form. It is important to save and print the confirmation page for your records.

Detailed Notification

The Karnataka Examinations Authority will release a detailed official notification PDF tomorrow, along with the application link. This document will contain important information such as:

• The last date to apply for KCET 2026.
• The application fees.
• A list of documents needed for the application.
• The complete eligibility rules.
• The syllabus for the exam.
• The exam pattern and how marks will be given.

Students are advised to check the official website regularly for the latest updates and to read the full notification carefully once it is released.