Karnataka DCET 2027
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
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Overview
Karnataka DCET is the KEA entrance test for diploma holders seeking lateral entry to 2nd-year B.E. courses. Dates for the 2027 cycle are not announced yet. The Diploma Common Entrance Test (DCET) is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) to decide eligibility and merit for admission of Karnataka candidates to the second year or third semester of engineering courses in government, private aided and private unaided institutions. Working professionals with a diploma also take it, and Regular and Working Professional candidates apply through separate links on the KEA site. DCET-2026 was held on 23 May 2026, and seat allotment for 2026-27 ran through August and September 2026. The facts below are from the 2026 notification, information bulletin 1 and syllabus.
Karnataka DCET at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Level | Lateral entry to the second year (third semester) of B.E. courses after a diploma |
| Purpose | Eligibility and merit for admission of Karnataka candidates, including working professionals with a diploma, to government seats and to private aided and unaided engineering institutions in Karnataka |
| Mode | Written test on an OMR answer sheet (per the KEA exam bell-timing circular) |
| Frequency | Once a year; one day in 2026 (23 May 2026) |
| Duration | 3 hours (2:00 to 5:00 pm); 100 marks |
| Subjects | Five subjects of 20 marks each, common to all engineering diploma programmes |
| Kannada language test | For Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadiga candidates: 50 marks, 10:30 to 11:30 am, Bengaluru centre only |
| Official website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
Important dates (Karnataka DCET 2027)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification | Not announced yet |
| Online applications open | Not announced yet |
| Last date to apply and pay the fee | Not announced yet |
| Correction window | Not announced yet |
| Admission ticket download | Not announced yet |
| DCET | Not announced yet |
| Key answers | Not announced yet |
| Results and rank list | Not announced yet |
| Seat allotment rounds | Not announced yet |
Previous cycle: DCET 2026 schedule
| Event | Date (2026 cycle) |
|---|---|
| KEA notification | 16 March 2026 (published 17 March) |
| Online applications opened | 17 March 2026 (from 12:00 noon) |
| Last date to apply online | 3 April 2026, extended to 10 April 2026 (11:59 pm); KEA said it would not be extended again |
| Last date to pay the fee | 4 April 2026 (6:00 pm); fee payable until 10 April 2026 (11:59 pm) under the extension |
| Admission ticket | After 7 May 2026 |
| Correction of application details | 5 to 20 May 2026 |
| DCET | 23 May 2026 (Saturday), 2:00 to 5:00 pm; Kannada language test 10:30 to 11:30 am |
| Revised key answers | 2 June 2026 |
| First-round seat allotment (diploma candidates) | 12 August 2026 |
| Second-round final result | 5 September 2026 |
How scores are used
KEA allots seats online in order of merit and the priority of the options each candidate enters; candidates must report to the college and course finally allotted. In 2026 the seat matrix, first-round allotment on 12 August 2026 and second-round results on 5 September 2026 were published on the KEA DCET page. Applying for, appearing in or qualifying in DCET does not by itself confer any right to a seat.
Sources: KEA notification of 16 March 2026; press note of 2 April 2026; notice of 4 May 2026; exam bell-timing circular; DCET-2026 information bulletin; DCET 2026 page. Checked on 5 October 2026.
Conducting Body
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
Category
Design
Level
National
Important Dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Application opens | Not announced yet | Awaiting official notice |
| Application closes | Not announced yet | Awaiting official notice |
| Exam date | Not announced yet | Awaiting official notice |
Eligibility Criteria
The criteria below are from the DCET-2026 information bulletin 1; the 2027 notification may change them.
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Qualifying examination | A three-year engineering or technology diploma, or an equivalent examination |
| Marks (regular candidates) | At least 45% aggregate in all subjects of the final year (fifth and sixth semester) of the diploma; 40% for SC, ST and Backward Classes of Karnataka candidates |
| Appearing candidates | Candidates appearing for the final diploma examination and expecting results may apply |
| Working professionals | The same marks, plus at least two years of full-time work experience (one year as per the AICTE circular of 24 August 2023) as on 1 September 2026, in a registered firm, company, industry or educational or government autonomous organisation |
| Karnataka candidates | Government seats go to Karnataka candidates who meet one of the bulletin's eligibility clauses, for example seven years of study in Karnataka |
| Kannada test | Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadigas must score at least 12 of 50 in the KEA Kannada language test to get a rank; those who studied in Kannada medium from Class 1 to 10 outside Karnataka are exempt |
Source: DCET-2026 information bulletin and KEA notification (2026 cycle).
Exam Pattern
DCET 2026 was a single 100-mark paper in five subjects, common to all engineering diploma programmes, with a separate Kannada test for some candidates.
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Engineering Mathematics | 20 |
| Statistics and Analytics | 20 |
| IT Skills | 20 |
| Fundamentals of Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 20 |
| Project Management Skills | 20 |
| Total | 100 |
- Date and time: 23 May 2026, Saturday, 2:00 to 5:00 pm (3 hours).
- Marking: one mark per question; no negative marking.
- Mode: question booklet and OMR answer sheet; calculators, mathematical tables, slide rules, mobile phones and other electronic devices are not allowed in the hall.
- Syllabus: Department of Collegiate and Technical Education syllabus (C-20 diploma curriculum) in force from 2023, with a revised syllabus as per the Department letter of 28 January 2026.
- Kannada language test (Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadigas only): 50 marks, descriptive, Class 4 level, 10:30 to 11:30 am, Bengaluru centre only.
Source: KEA notification, exam bell-timing circular and information bulletin (2026 cycle).
Syllabus
Engineering Mathematics (20 marks)
- Matrices and determinants; straight lines; trigonometry
- Differential calculus and applications; integral calculus and applications
Statistics and Analytics (20 marks)
- Statistical data collection and types; summarisation of data
- Measures of location and dispersion; introduction to Python programming
IT Skills (20 marks)
- Basics of coding; designing and developing web pages
- Business process automation and ERP; cloud and IoT concepts; cyber security and safety
Fundamentals of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (20 marks)
- Electrical safety; electrical fundamentals; protective devices and wiring circuits
- Electrical machines, batteries and UPS; electronic devices and digital electronics
Project Management Skills (20 marks)
- Introduction; project administration; project life cycle
- Project planning, scheduling and monitoring; project control, review and audit
Source: DCET syllabus and marks distribution (Department of Collegiate and Technical Education; 2026 cycle).
How to Apply for Karnataka DCET 2027
- Apply online only, on the KEA website (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea), using the Regular or the Working Professional link.
- Register through a DigiLocker account (name, date of birth, photo and gender are taken after verification) and verify the mobile number with an OTP; one mobile number can be used by one candidate only.
- Fill in the application-cum-verification module. Caste, income and 371(J) details are fetched from the RD numbers of the certificates, so enter them correctly; enter the SSLC register number if the SSLC was passed in Karnataka.
- Select a bank from the list, pay the prescribed fee and submit the application; the application is complete only after submission, fee payment and taking the print-out.
- Download the admission ticket and keep it until admission; keep three print-outs of the application, the proof of fee payment and 2 to 3 copies of the uploaded photograph.
- Documents and claims: RD numbers of caste and income certificates (SC, ST, Category-1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B); study certificate where needed; rural study certificate, with a Non-Creamy Layer Certificate for general-merit rural claims; Article 371(J) certificate for Kalyana Karnataka claims; diploma and SSLC marks cards.
- Details can be corrected in a window after the last date (5 to 20 May 2026 in 2026).
Source: DCET-2026 information bulletin, press note of 2 April 2026 and notice of 4 May 2026 (2026 cycle).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who conducts Karnataka DCET 2027?
Karnataka DCET 2027 is conducted by Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA).
What is the eligibility for Karnataka DCET 2027?
The criteria below are from the DCET-2026 information bulletin 1; the 2027 notification may change them. Criterion Requirement Qualifying examination A three-year engineering or technology diploma, or an equivalent examination Marks (regular candidates) At least 45% aggregate in all subjects of the final year (fifth and sixth semester) of the diploma; 40% for SC, ST and Backward Classes of Karnataka candidates Appearing candidates Candidates appearing for the final diploma examination and…
What is the exam pattern of Karnataka DCET 2027?
DCET 2026 was a single 100-mark paper in five subjects, common to all engineering diploma programmes, with a separate Kannada test for some candidates. Subject Marks Engineering Mathematics 20 Statistics and Analytics 20 IT Skills 20 Fundamentals of Electrical and Electronics Engineering 20 Project Management Skills 20 Total 100 Date and time: 23 May 2026, Saturday, 2:00 to 5:00 pm (3 hours). Marking: one mark per question; no negative marking. Mode: question booklet and OMR answer sheet…
What is the syllabus of Karnataka DCET 2027?
Engineering Mathematics (20 marks) Matrices and determinants; straight lines; trigonometry Differential calculus and applications; integral calculus and applications Statistics and Analytics (20 marks) Statistical data collection and types; summarisation of data Measures of location and dispersion; introduction to Python programming IT Skills (20 marks) Basics of coding; designing and developing web pages Business process automation and ERP; cloud and IoT concepts; cyber security and safety…
How do I apply for Karnataka DCET 2027?
Apply online only, on the KEA website (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea), using the Regular or the Working Professional link. Register through a DigiLocker account (name, date of birth, photo and gender are taken after verification) and verify the mobile number with an OTP; one mobile number can be used by one candidate only. Fill in the application-cum-verification module. Caste, income and 371(J) details are fetched from the RD numbers of the certificates, so enter them correctly; enter the…
What is the official website of Karnataka DCET 2027?
The official website is https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/.