Karnataka PGCET 2026 — MBA, MCA and M.Tech Eligibility, Exam Pattern and Counselling
The Post Graduate Common Entrance Test fills government seats in MBA, MCA and M.E. / M.Tech courses in Karnataka. This page follows KEA's PGCET-2026 Information Bulletin (26 March 2026).
Courses and the 2026 calendar
PGCET-2026 decided merit for full-time and part-time MBA, MCA and M.E. / M.Tech seats in government, university, aided and unaided institutions in Karnataka for 2026-27. Non-Karnataka candidates can take only MBA / MCA seats surrendered by managements. [1]
PGCET-2026 calendar [1]
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification | 20 Mar 2026 |
| Online application | 23 Mar – 8 Apr 2026 (fee by 10 Apr) |
| M.E. / M.Tech test | 23 May 2026, 2.30–4.30 pm |
| MCA test | 24 May 2026, 10.30 am–12.30 pm |
| MBA test | 24 May 2026, 2.30–4.30 pm |
Provisional PGCET 2026 results for MBA, MCA and M.Tech were linked on 19 August 2026, and first-round seat allotment followed in September 2026. [2]
Who can apply
| Course | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| MBA (full time) | Recognised 3-year bachelor's degree with 50% aggregate in all subjects including languages (45% SC-A / SC-B / SC-C, ST, Cat-1) |
| MBA / M.Tech (part time) | Same degree marks + 3 years' work after the degree by 31 Jul 2026, working within 40 km of the institution |
| MCA | BCA / B.E. CSE or equivalent, or B.Sc / B.Com / B.A. with Maths at 10+2 or degree level (bridge courses as per university), 50% aggregate (45% reserved) |
| M.E. / M.Tech / M.Arch | Valid GATE score, or the prescribed degree with 50% aggregate (45% reserved) |
Source [1]
- Rounding off the aggregate is not allowed; the aggregate counts all subjects of all years / semesters.
- Final-year students may apply.
- There is no lateral entry to MCA.
- The M.E. / M.Tech test is held only in Civil, Computer Science, Mechanical Sciences and Electrical Sciences; Biotechnology, Chemical, Environmental, Polymer Science and Textile Technology admit on degree marks. [1]
One 100-mark OMR paper
- Each test: 100 objective questions, 100 marks, 2 hours, OMR sheet.
- Non-programmable calculators are allowed only in the M.E. / M.Tech test.
- No negative marking; more than one answer gets no marks.
- Merit lists are made separately for MBA, MCA and M.E. / M.Tech / M.Arch on PGCET marks alone; degree marks only decide eligibility.
- M.Arch needs PGETA-2026 of the Council of Architecture plus KEA registration. [1]
Fee exemption for reserved categories
| Candidate | Fee rule |
|---|---|
| SC / ST, income below ₹2.5 lakh | 100% exempt in government seats, and up to the government-college fee in private seats |
| SC / ST, income ₹2.5–10 lakh | 50% exempt |
| Category-1, income below ₹2.5 lakh | Exempt in government colleges; in private colleges pay the balance over the government-college fee |
Source [1]
The bulletin we read does not print the PGCET registration fee amount, so none is shown here.
SC internal reservation and Karnataka-only benefits
- From 2026 the bulletin applies internal reservation for Scheduled Castes in three groups — SC-A, SC-B and SC-C — following the government order of 25 August 2025.
- SC-A / SC-B / SC-C, ST and Category-I benefits apply only to Karnataka-origin candidates claiming government seats under the eligibility clauses.
- 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B reservation needs parents' gross annual income below ₹8 lakh (spouse's income included if married).
- Caste, income and Article 371(J) certificates are verified online through their RD numbers. [1]
What to keep ready
- Study certificates from the institutions where SSLC, PUC and the degree were passed.
- Degree marks cards for all years / semesters (CGPA holders must check the converted percentage).
- GATE scorecard (M.Tech) or PGETA result (M.Arch), if applicable.
- Employer NOC and experience proof for part-time courses.
- RD numbers of caste and income certificates; name exactly as on the SSLC marks card. [1]
Course fees
Course fees are notified each year by the government with the seat matrix; the PGCET bulletin gives only the fee-exemption rules above.
Counselling
KEA publishes the answer key for objections, then rank lists; eligible candidates verify documents and enter options for online seat allotment. A candidate who surrenders a first-round seat before second-round option entry gets the fee back minus ₹5,000; surrendering after the second round forfeits the entire fee. [1]
Where these facts come from
Every fact on this page is taken from the official files below, read on 14 October 2026. Boards change rules, fees and dates every cycle — open the current notification before you apply.
- KEA — PGCET-2026 Information Bulletin, MBA / MCA / M.E. / M.Tech / M.Arch (26 Mar 2026, English) (opens in a new tab) calendar, courses, eligibility, test pattern, merit, SC internal reservation, fee exemption, documents, counselling · Last checked 14 Oct 2026
- KEA — PGCET-2026 page (result and seat allotment notices) (opens in a new tab) provisional result link of 19 Aug 2026 and first-round schedule · Last checked 14 Oct 2026
Spotted something out of date? Email margdarshan07support10@gmail.com with the official link and we will update it.