KCET 2026 Exam Date, Application Form & Syllabus

The KEA has opened the KCET registration 2026 on 17 January, 2026 on their official website. UG aspirants in Veterinary Science, Engineering, Pharmacy, and  Agriculture can start applying on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. The KCET 2026 exam registration link is active now. Students who meet the eligibility criteria set by KEA can apply till March 15 2026. Meanwhile, the KCET 2026 exam will be conducted on 23rd April and 24th April 2026. The KCET 2026 exam will be conducted in offline mode, including Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology subjects. The official KCET syllabus remains aligned with class 11th and 12th subjects.

The full form of KCET is the Karnataka Common Entrance Test, conducted by the KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority) for admission into agriculture, pharmacy, engineering, allied science, and other professional courses. The exam is conducted once a year for students seeking undergraduate admission in top colleges, excluding medical and dental courses. The KCET exam is conducted in offline mode, with MCQ-type questions, and candidates can check updates in January on the official website, https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/kahvs.

KCET 2026: Key Highlights

Here’s the quick highlights of the KCET exam 2026:

The KCET notification release is expected in January 2026, and here’s a complete guide for students on important dates and tentative schedules to help them plan their preparation accordingly:

Note: Last date to apply for KCET 2026 with late fee is 18th February 2026.

Before applying for the exam, candidates should check the KCET eligibility criteria to avoid missing admissions. These criteria define whether a student is eligible to appear for the exam, participate in counselling, and secure admission in a desired college for a particular course. However, eligibility may vary depending on the course applied for.

The following are the eligibility criteria required for KCET 2026:

• Students are required to pass 2nd PUC (class 12th) or equivalent in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or Mathematics with a minimum aggregate of 45% (40% for SC/ST/OBC categories).
• A minimum age of 17 years as of December 2026.
• Should be a Karnataka domicile. Even if not, they can still attempt the test, but will not be eligible for government seats.

KCET Application Form 2026: Step-by-Step Breakdown

The KCET application form 2026 will be released by KEA on the official website for UG admissions to courses, such as Pharmacy, Engineering, Architecture, and other professional courses. The following is a guide on how to fill out the KCET application form 2026:

Step 1: KCET 2026 Registration

• Visit the official website of KEA, https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/kahvs.
• Click on the ‘KCET 2026 New Registration’ tab and fill out the basic details, such as name, email ID, date of birth, and mobile number.
• After completing the registration, you will receive your login ID and password.

Step 2: Application Filling

• Log in to the KCET application form 2026 using your login ID and password.
• Enter your personal details, contact information, and academic details.

Step 3: Select Exam Centre

• Select the course you want to apply for.
• From the available list, select your preferred exam centres.
• Ensure to select the right exam centres, as they cannot be changed later.

Step 4: Documents Upload

• Upload all the required documents, including a passport-size photograph, candidate’s signature, 10th and 12th mark cards, and others.

Step 5: Application Fee

• Pay the KCET application fee via UPI, credit/debit card, or net banking.
• After successful payment, download the receipt.

Step 6: Submit the Application

• Submit the KCET application form 2026 after reviewing all details carefully.
• Finally, download the confirmation page.

The KCET 2026 exam consists of three subjects, including Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology. The exam is conducted in offline mode with no negative marketing. Here’s the exam pattern for your reference:

Each question carries 1 mark. Aspirants who choose Engineering must take Mathematics, while those applying for Agriculture, Veterinary, or Pharmacy must choose Biology.

KCET Syllabus 2026

The KCET 2026 syllabus includes 1st and 2nd PUC subjects, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, or Mathematics. It does not include beyond the board syllabus. 

Physics Syllabus for KCET 2026

Chemistry Syllabus for KCET 2026

Biology Syllabus for KCET 2026

Mathematics Syllabus for KCET 2026

The KCET syllabus is completely taken from 1st and 2nd PUC boards’ science curriculum, which is completely aligned with state textbooks and fundamentals.

The KCET exam offers admission to Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture & Allied Sciences, Veterinary Sciences, and other professional UG courses. 

To prepare for the KCET exam 2026, follow these basic steps:

• Know the KCET syllabus completely.
• Create a realistic study plan based on your difficulty level amongst Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or Mathematics.
• Practice all the previous year's question papers of atleast last 10 years.
• Identify frequently asked questions.
• Take regular mock tests to effectively manage time.

The KCET admit card 2026 will be released on 10th April 2026. Candidates can visit the official website regularly to view official notifications.

Steps to download the KCET admit card 2026:

• Visit the official website, https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/kahvs.
• Click on the KCET 2026 admit card.
• Enter your KCET application number.
• Enter your Date of Birth.
• Submit all the details.
• Download and print the admit card for future

Students can expect their KCET results in May 2026. Students can check their KCET results 2026 through:

• Visit the official website kea.kar.nic.in.
• Click on the KCET result 2026 link.
• On the login window, enter the KCET registration number and date of birth.
• Click on submit to check the result.
• Once opened, download the copy for your reference.

KCET cutoff will be released on the official website once the seat allotment results are declared. Meanwhile, a separate KCET cutoff will be released for each counselling round. Candidates appearing for KCET counselling can check the result on the official website kea.kar.nic.in.

KCET counselling is one of the crucial steps for the students who qualify for KCET. Counselling determines seat allotment for courses, such as Architecture, Engineering, Veterinary Science, Agriculture, and other UG professional courses across the colleges in Karnataka. 

To be eligible for KCET counselling, students must:

• Qualify KCET 2026
• Have a valid KCET rank
• Have course-specific eligibility criteria
• Complete document verification successfully

Note that only verified students can be allowed entry and seat allotment.