KCET (UGCET) 2026 — Eligibility, Clauses, Exam Pattern, Rural & Kannada Quotas, Fees

KCET 2026 determined merit for the government share of seats in engineering, technology, architecture (on NATA), BNYS, B.Sc Nursing, B.V.Sc & A.H., farm science courses (B.Sc Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, Forestry and others), B.Pharm, Pharm-D and 2nd-year B.Pharm lateral entry, in government, university, aided and unaided colleges for 2026-27. Admissions follow the CET-2006 Admission Rules. [1]

CET-2026 calendar [1]

Which CET papers to take [1]

Academic eligibility (Rule 3 of the CET-2006 Admission Rules) [1]

• Clause (a), the common route: studied in Karnataka for at least seven academic years between Class 1 and II PUC / Class 12, and passed SSLC / Class 10 or II PUC / Class 12 from Karnataka, with a study certificate countersigned by the BEO / DDPU.
• Clause (b): passed both I and II PUC (or Classes 11 and 12) in Karnataka and one parent studied in Karnataka for at least seven years.
• Reservation is for Karnataka candidates only: SC, ST, Category 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, rural and Kannada-medium benefits apply only to candidates eligible under clauses (a), (b), (f), (h), (j), (k), (l) and (o), not under (c), (d), (e), (g), (i), (m), (n) or (y).
• Candidates from KSOU or from boards not on the VTU-notified list are not eligible; candidates awaiting results may apply. [1]

Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadiga candidates must pass a 4th-standard-level Kannada test (12 of 50 marks) unless they studied ten years in Kannada medium outside Karnataka. [1]

• Four papers over two days — Physics and Chemistry on day 1, Mathematics and Biology on day 2 — each 60 one-mark MCQs in 80 minutes (10 minutes to fill OMR details, 70 to answer).
• Syllabus: Karnataka I and II PUC syllabus of the Department of School Education (Pre-University).
• No negative marking, but no marks for more than one answer.
• You keep a carbon replica of each OMR sheet; preserve it for a year after admission. [1]

How ranks are made (Rule 4) [1]

Agriculturist quota: a 200-mark practical test (50% minimum); merit = 25% PUC PCMB + 25% CET + 50% practical (B.V.Sc: 50% CET + 50% practical). Practical-test fee ₹500 (₹250 SC, ST, Cat-1). [1]

Annual fee for government-quota engineering seats (KEA, 10 Jul 2026) [2]

Architecture costs ₹750 more. The bulletin itself does not print the CET application fee amount, so none is shown here — check the KEA application page. [2]

• SNQ (tuition fee waiver) quota: supernumerary engineering seats (not architecture) for meritorious students whose family income is below ₹8 lakh a year; the tuition fee is waived and only other fees are paid.
• SC / ST fee exemption: 100% exemption for family income up to ₹10 lakh. [1]

Reservations under Rule 9 of the CET-2006 Admission Rules [1]

Special categories (NCC, sports, defence, ex-defence, CAPF, scouts & guides, persons with disabilities) need separate certificates checked at KEA. Caste, income and Article 371(J) certificates must be in the candidate's own name, and category and income entered in the form cannot be changed later. [1]

• SSLC / Class 10 and II PUC / Class 12 marks cards.
• Study certificate for the clause claimed (for clause (a): seven years in Karnataka, countersigned by the BEO / DDPU).
• RD numbers of caste, income, NCLC and Article 371(J) certificates — KEA checks them online through the Revenue Department.
• Rural and Kannada-medium study certificates for Class 1 to 10, if claimed.
• Your name must match the SSLC marks card exactly in every certificate. [1]

Students admitted through KEA to engineering, architecture, medical, dental, AYUSH, B.Sc (Agri), B.V.Sc and similar courses can take an education loan of up to ₹5 lakh at 6% interest from nationalised banks in the state. [1]

Seats are allotted online round by round in order of CET / NEET / NATA rank against the government seat matrix; only candidates holding a verification slip can enter options. Surrendering or not reporting after a later round can forfeit the fee and attract a penalty of five times the annual course fee. [1]

1. KEA — UGCET-2026 e-Information Bulletin-1 (17 Jan 2026, English) (opens in a new tab) calendar, courses, CET papers, Kannada test, eligibility clauses, academic eligibility, method of CET, ranking, reservation, fee exemption, SNQ, loans, documents · Last checked 14 Oct 2026
2. KEA — Provisional fee structure UGCET 2026-27, Engineering / Architecture (10 Jul 2026) (opens in a new tab) engineering fees by college type and category · Last checked 14 Oct 2026

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