KCET 2026 Registration Begins January 17; Exam Scheduled on April 23 & 24

Published: Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 13:31 [IST]

The Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) 2026 registration process will begin on January 17, 2026, as announced by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA).

KCET 2026 Registration Begins Jan 17 Exam Schedule — PTI Images

KCET 2026 Registration Begins on January 17: Exam on April 23 & 24

KCET is a crucial state-level entrance examination conducted every year for candidates seeking admission to engineering, pharmacy, agriculture, veterinary, and other professional undergraduate courses in Karnataka. Lakhs of students from Karnataka appear for KCET to secure seats in government, aided, and private colleges across the state.

As per the official schedule, the KCET 2026 examination will be held on April 23 and April 24, 2026, in offline (pen-and-paper) mode. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria must complete the registration process within the prescribed timeline through the official KEA website.

KCET 2026 - Important Dates:

Events	Date
Registration Start Date	January 17, 2026
Last Date to Apply	To Be Announced
Kannada Language Exam	April 22, 2026
KCET 2026 Exam Date	April 23 & 24, 2026
Mode of Examination	Offline
Official Website	kea.kar.nic.in

Courses Offered Through KCET 2026

KCET serves as the primary gateway for admission to a wide range of professional courses in Karnataka, including:

Engineering: BE / BTech
Pharmacy: BPharm, Pharm D
Agriculture Courses: BSc Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry
Veterinary & Allied Sciences: BVSc & AH, Fisheries, Sericulture
Other Professional Courses: Offered by state universities and affiliated colleges

Admissions are granted based on KCET ranks, eligibility conditions, and counselling conducted by KEA.

KCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

To apply for KCET 2026, candidates must:

Be an Indian citizen

Have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (PUC/10+2) with required subjects

Fulfil Karnataka domicile or study requirements, as KCET seats are primarily reserved for Karnataka students

Detailed eligibility norms vary depending on the course applied for and will be specified in the official information bulletin.

KCET 2026 Exam Pattern

The KCET 2026 exam will consist of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) from the following subjects:

Physics
Chemistry
Mathematics (for Engineering aspirants)
Biology (for Medical/Agriculture courses)

Each paper will be of 60 questions, carrying one mark each. There is no negative marking, making accuracy and time management crucial for scoring well.

Application Process for KCET 2026

Candidates must apply online by:

1. Visiting the official KEA website

2. Completing registration with basic details

3. Filling the application form carefully

4. Uploading required documents and photograph

5. Paying the application fee online

6. Downloading and printing the confirmation page

Counselling and Admission Process

After the declaration of KCET 2026 results, qualified candidates will be invited for document verification and centralized counselling. Seat allotment will be based on rank, category, preferences, and seat availability.

Conclusion

With KCET 2026 registration starting from January 17, 2026, aspirants should begin their preparation and application process without delay. KCET remains one of the most competitive state-level entrance exams, and early preparation along with timely application will improve chances of securing admission to top colleges in Karnataka. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official KEA website for updates and detailed notifications.