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Karnataka DCET 2026 Round 1 Option Entry Begins Today at KEA Portal
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has started the Round 1 Option Entry process for Karnataka Diploma Common Entrance Test (DCET) 2026 counselling today, July 21, 2026, from 11:00 AM.
Candidates who qualified in the DCET examination, including eligible diploma holders and working professionals, can now submit their preferred colleges and courses through the official KEA counselling portal.
The option entry process is a crucial stage of the counselling procedure, allowing candidates to prioritize colleges and engineering or architecture programmes for lateral entry admissions. Before filling their choices, candidates are advised to carefully review the official seat matrix, which was released by KEA on July 20, 2026.
Karnataka DCET 2026 Round 1 Option Entry Begins
The Round 1 option entry window enables candidates to select and arrange their preferred institutions and branches in order of priority. KEA allows applicants to enter multiple choices, improving their chances of securing admission based on merit, seat availability, reservation policy, and the order of preferences submitted.
Candidates should carefully arrange their options because the final seat allotment will be processed according to the sequence of choices entered during counselling.
Karnataka DCET 2026 Counselling Schedule
KEA has announced the complete Round 1 counselling timeline:
| Event | Date |
| Round 1 Option Entry | July 21 to July 24, 2026 |
| Mock Seat Allotment Result | July 24, 2026 (after 6:00 PM) |
| Option Modification Window | July 24 to July 27, 2026 |
| Final Round 1 Seat Allotment | July 27, 2026 (after 6:00 PM) |
| Choice Selection | July 28 to July 31, 2026 |
| Challan Download (Choice 1 & 2) | July 28 to August 1, 2026 |
| Fee Payment | July 28 to August 3, 2026 |
| Reporting to Allotted College | On or before August 4, 2026 |
Candidates should adhere to the schedule to avoid missing any important counselling activity.
Expected Cut-Off Trends
Although the official Round 1 cut-offs will be released after seat allotment, candidates can estimate their admission chances based on previous years' closing ranks. Popular engineering branches such as Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Electronics and Communication, Information Science, and Mechanical Engineering are expected to witness higher competition.
| Institution | Expected General Category Rank |
| UVCE Bengaluru - CSE | 1-150 |
| UVCE Bengaluru - ISE | 151-280 |
| UVCE Bengaluru - ECE | 285-420 |
| BMS College of Engineering - CSE | 200-480 |
| BMS College of Engineering - ISE / AI | 450-620 |
| Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering - CSE | 300-460 |
| Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering - ISE | 320-520 |
| Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering - ECE | 690-1,100 |
| VVCE Mysuru - CSE | 800-1,100 |
| BIET Davangere - CSE / ISE | 1,500-3,000 |
Candidates are encouraged to include a balanced mix of high-demand, mid-range, and safe college options while filling their preferences.
How to Complete Karnataka DCET 2026 Option Entry
Candidates can follow these steps:
1. Visit the official KEA counselling portal.
2. Click on the Karnataka DCET 2026 counselling link.
3. Log in using the DCET application number and password.
4. View the available colleges and courses.
5. Select and prioritize preferred colleges and branches.
6. Save and lock the choices before the deadline.
7. Download a copy of the filled options for future reference.
Documents Required After Seat Allotment
Candidates allotted seats during Round 1 should keep the following documents ready for verification:
- DCET 2026 Admit Card
- DCET Rank Card
- Diploma Marks Cards
- Qualifying Certificate
- Transfer Certificate
- Study Certificate
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Income Certificate (if applicable)
- Aadhaar Card or Valid Photo ID
- Passport-size Photographs
Conclusion
The commencement of the Karnataka DCET 2026 Round 1 Option Entry marks an important phase in the lateral entry admission process for diploma holders seeking admission to engineering and architecture programmes in Karnataka. Candidates should carefully study the seat matrix, arrange their preferences strategically, and complete the option entry before July 24, 2026. They should also stay updated with the mock allotment, option modification, and final seat allotment schedule announced by KEA to ensure a smooth admission process.
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