KCET 2027
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
Quick Actions
Overview
The Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) to rank candidates for Government-seat admission to first-year professional courses in Karnataka: engineering and technology, farm science, veterinary science, Naturopathy and Yoga, B.Sc. Nursing, B.Pharm and Pharm.D. KEA's 2026 information bulletin calls the test the Common Entrance Test (CET-2026) and its portal labels it UGCET; NEET candidates (medical, dental, AYUSH) and NATA candidates (architecture) must also register with KEA to join its counselling. About 3,15,713 candidates had registered for the 2026 test by 21 February 2026, before the application window closed on 27 February 2026.
KCET at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Level | State-level (Karnataka) entrance test for undergraduate professional courses |
| Purpose | Merit rank for Government seats in the courses above. B.Arch. seats use NATA scores and medical, dental and AYUSH seats use NEET scores. B.P.T., B.Sc. Allied Health Sciences, B.P.O. and D.Pharm are filled on Class 12 marks. All of these need CET registration for KEA counselling |
| Mode | Offline, OMR answer sheets filled with a ballpoint pen |
| Frequency | One sitting per cycle; CET-2026 was held on 23 and 24 April 2026 |
| Duration | 80 minutes per subject paper, four papers over two days |
| Exam centres | Candidates from Karnataka take the test at a KEA-assigned centre in the district where they studied 2nd PUC or Class 12 |
| Official website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
Important dates (KCET 2027)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Information bulletin and online application open | Not announced yet |
| Last date to apply | Not announced yet |
| Admit card | Not announced yet |
| Kannada language test | Not announced yet |
| Exam | Not announced yet |
| Answer key | Not announced yet |
| Result | Not announced yet |
2026 cycle (CET-2026), for reference: the information bulletin and online application opened on 17 January 2026. The last date to apply was 16 February 2026 in the bulletin and was finally extended to 27 February 2026, with fee payment until 3 March 2026. Admit cards were available from 10 April 2026, the Kannada language test was held on 22 April 2026 and the exam on 23 and 24 April 2026.
How CET marks are used
Engineering and technology ranks combine CET marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with Class 12 marks in the same subjects in equal proportions. Farm science ranks combine CET and Class 12 marks in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology in equal proportions. B.V.Sc. and A.H. ranks use CET marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. B.Pharm and Pharm.D ranks use the higher of the Physics-Chemistry-Mathematics or Physics-Chemistry-Biology CET score. No minimum CET marks are prescribed. In engineering colleges, 5% supernumerary seats with tuition fee waiver are open to candidates with family income below Rs 8 lakh.
Sources: KEA Information Bulletin-1, Common Entrance Test 2026; KEA press note, 21 February 2026; KEA notification, 16 January 2026; KEA UGCET 2026 page. Checked on 5 October 2026.
Conducting Body
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
Category
Engineering
Level
State
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
Eligibility for Government seats follows the Karnataka Selection of Candidates for Admission to Government Seats in Professional Educational Institutions Rules, 2006. The criteria below are from the 2026 information bulletin, as no 2027 bulletin has been issued.
| Criterion | Requirement (2026 bulletin) |
|---|---|
| Nationality and study in Karnataka (Clause a) | Indian citizen with at least 7 academic years of study in Karnataka institutions between 1st standard and 2nd PUC/Class 12, and SSLC/10th or 2nd PUC/Class 12 passed from Karnataka. Other clauses cover other groups |
| Engineering and technology | 2nd PUC/Class 12 with English; 45% aggregate in Physics and Mathematics with Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, Electronics or Computer (40% for SC, ST, Category-1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B) |
| Farm science | 2nd PUC/Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology as optional subjects |
| B.V.Sc. and A.H. | 50% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English (40% for reserved categories) |
| B.Pharm | 45% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry and Biology (40% for reserved categories), or a recognised Diploma in Pharmacy with 45% |
| B.Sc. Nursing | Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English passed; 45% aggregate in PCB (40% for SC, ST, OBC). Not open to non-Karnataka candidates for Government seats |
| Age | B.Pharm, Pharm.D and Naturopathy and Yoga: 17 years completed on 31 December of the exam year |
| Appearing candidates | May apply before the 2nd PUC/Class 12 result but must pass with the required percentage to be admitted |
Source: KEA Information Bulletin-1, Common Entrance Test 2026, chapters 1, 6 and 8 (2026 cycle).
Exam Pattern
Four subject papers, each with 60 multiple-choice questions for 60 marks. Candidates write the papers their course needs.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 60 | 60 | 80 minutes |
| Chemistry | 60 | 60 | 80 minutes |
| Mathematics | 60 | 60 | 80 minutes |
| Biology | 60 | 60 | 80 minutes |
- Papers by course: engineering and technology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics; farm science, all four; B.V.Sc. and A.H., Naturopathy and Yoga and B.Sc. Nursing, Physics, Chemistry and Biology; B.Pharm and Pharm.D, either Mathematics or Biology with Physics and Chemistry.
- 2026 schedule: Physics (10:30-11:50) and Chemistry (2:30-3:50) on 23 April; Mathematics and Biology at the same times on 24 April.
- One mark per question, four options, no negative marking. More than one answer marked for a question earns no mark.
- Syllabus: the 1st and 2nd PUC syllabi of the Department of Pre-University Education, Karnataka, published subject-wise on KEA's website.
- Kannada language test (50 marks, 4th-standard level, pass mark 12) for Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadiga candidates; practical test (200 marks, at least 50%) for the agriculturist quota.
Source: KEA Information Bulletin-1, Common Entrance Test 2026, chapters 3 to 5 and 9 (2026 cycle).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who conducts KCET 2027?
KCET 2027 is conducted by Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA).
What is the eligibility for KCET 2027?
Eligibility for Government seats follows the Karnataka Selection of Candidates for Admission to Government Seats in Professional Educational Institutions Rules, 2006. The criteria below are from the 2026 information bulletin, as no 2027 bulletin has been issued. Criterion Requirement (2026 bulletin) Nationality and study in Karnataka (Clause a) Indian citizen with at least 7 academic years of study in Karnataka institutions between 1st standard and 2nd PUC/Class 12, and SSLC/10th or 2nd…
What is the exam pattern of KCET 2027?
Four subject papers, each with 60 multiple-choice questions for 60 marks. Candidates write the papers their course needs. Subject Questions Marks Duration Physics 60 60 80 minutes Chemistry 60 60 80 minutes Mathematics 60 60 80 minutes Biology 60 60 80 minutes Papers by course: engineering and technology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics; farm science, all four; B.V.Sc. and A.H., Naturopathy and Yoga and B.Sc. Nursing, Physics, Chemistry and Biology; B.Pharm and Pharm.D, either Mathematics…
What is the official website of KCET 2027?
The official website is https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.