Karnataka PGCET 2026: Application Form (OUT), Exam Dates (May 23 & 24), Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern, Question Papers

Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test 2026 ( Karnataka PGCET )

DeskCalelnderRegistration - 23 Mar '26 - 8 Apr '26

This exam is conducted for courses given below:
Abhishek Dhawan
Updated on Mar 24, 2026 08:22 IST

By Abhishek Dhawan, Assistant Manager – Editorial Content

Karnataka PGCET 2026: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has started Karnataka PGCET 2026 registration. KEA PGCET 2026 registration link is available until April 8 at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/pgcet2026. Candidates are allowed to pay the Karnataka PGCET registration fee until April 10. Candidates will soon find a PDF file for Karnataka PGCET information bulletin. KEA has set the Karnataka PGCET exam date as May 23 and May 24. KEA will conduct the Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam for MTech courses on May 23, MBA and MCA exam are to be conducted on May 24.

Candidates who hold a relevant bachelor's degree are eligible to apply for Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam. Scroll down for complete details on Karnataka PGCET 2026, including exam dates, notification, pattern, syllabus, application process, and more.

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Table of contents
  • What is Karnataka PGCET?
  • Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
  • Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam Highlights
  • Karnataka PGCET Application Process 2026
  • Karnataka PGCET Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026
  • Karnataka PGCET 2026 Preparation Tips
  • Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam Centres
  • Karnataka PGCET Hall Ticket Download 2026
  • Karnataka PGCET Answer Keys 2026
  • Karnataka PGCET Results 2026
  • Karnataka PGCET 2026 Counselling
  • Karnataka PGCET 2026 Contact Information
  • FAQs on Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam
View More
Karnataka PGCET Logo

What is Karnataka PGCET?

Karnataka Examination Authority conducts Karnataka Post Graducate Common Entrance Test for admission to MBA, MCA, and MTech courses. Candidates aspiring for MArch admissions at state level must also fill the application form to participate in the centralised counselling process. Karnataka PGCET exam has a total of 100 MCQ-type questions. Candidates need to answer all MCQs from PGCET exam within 150 minutes. KEA conducts Karnataka PG CET exam offline at test centres situated in the state. Read on to know about Karnataka PGCET, its application process, eligibility criteria, pattern, syllabus and more.

Planning to appear for Karnataka PGCET 2026? Check the video below to know all about PGCET 2026

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates
23 Mar ' 26 - 08 Apr ' 26

Karnataka PGCET Registration

ONGOING
May ' 26

Karnataka PGCET admit card download (MBA/MCA)

TENTATIVE
23 May ' 26

Karnataka PGCET exam date (ME/MTech)

24 May ' 26

Karnataka PGCET exam date (MBA/MCA)

Jun ' 26

Release of Karnataka PGCET Provisional Answer Key

TENTATIVE
Aug ' 26

Release of Karnataka PGCET Result

TENTATIVE
Karnataka PGCET Logo

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam Highlights

Check the table below for Karnataka PGCET exam highlights:

Features

Details

Exam name

Karnataka PGCET

Karnataka PGCET fullform

Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test

Who conducts Karnataka PGCET?

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)

Exam level

State-level

Courses offered through PGCET exam

- MBA

- MCA

- ME

- MTech

- MArch (fill PGCET form to participate in centralised counselling; admissions are based on NATA PGETA)

Karnataka PGCET exam dates 2026

MBA/MCA exam on May 24

ME/MTech exam on May 23

Exam purpose

Admission into PG courses offered by more than 170 institutes in Karnataka

Total applications received in 2025

52,020 (MBA and MCA)

- 18,738 (MCA)

- 33,282 (MBA)

Exam mode

Offline (OMR-based exam)

Exam duration

120 minutes

Exam medium

English

Official website

cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea

Karnataka PGCET Logo

Karnataka PGCET Application Process 2026

DeskCalendarRegistration: 23 Mar ' 26 - 08 Apr ' 26

Candidates need to fill Karnataka PGCET application form 2026 before KEA closes the online registration window. Candidates have to provide some important details, like personal, academic and communication information while filling Karnataka PGCET 2026 application form. After filling the form, all the candidates who pay the Karnataka PGCET application fee will be considered for the further admission process.

The application fee for Karnataka PGCET is payable through a Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking. Details for the PGCET application fee for different categories are as follows.

  1. Unreserved category: INR 650
  2. Reserved category: INR 500

NOTE: The application fee can vary with the new exam session. KEA notifies the exam fees with the release of information brochure.

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Admission Process

Institutes in Karnataka offer MBA admissions based on the Karnataka PGCET exam. The first stage of the Karnataka PGCET requires the candidates to fill the application form. All the applicants are able to download the hall ticket (admission tickets) and appear for the exam. The examination score aids the counselling process for admission based on the Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam.

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

MBA admission based Karnataka PGCET exam is done for full-time and part-time programmes. Karnataka PGCET eligibility criteria for MBA admission is as follows.

Karnataka PGCET Eligibility Criteria for Full-Time MBA

  • Candidates must pass a three-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognised institute.
  • Qualifying marks in the bachelor’s degree examination is specified below based on the social category of the candidate
    • Unreserved Candidates: 50 per cent aggregate marks
    • SC, ST and Category-I of Karnataka Candidates: 45 per cent aggregate marks

Karnataka PGCET Eligibility Criteria for Part-Time MBA

  • In addition to the Karnataka PGCET eligibility for a full-time MBA course, candidates must have a work experience of not less than three years as on July 31, 2026.
  • The establishment or the workplace of the candidate must be within 40 KM radial distance from the institution he/she is seeking admission in.

Karnataka PGCET Eligibility Criteria for Government Seats

Candidates should have studied and passed from a government-recognised educational institution located in Karnataka for a minimum period of seven academic years commencing from 1st standard continuously or in broken period and must have passed class 10th or class 12th from a government-recognised institution located in Karnataka.

OR

The candidate should have passed the qualifying examination from Karnataka. In addition, either of the parents must have studied for a period of seven years in Karnataka

OR

Children of ex-servicemen who had declared a place in Karnataka as their home town at the time of joining the defence services. In addition, such candidates should have passed the qualifying exam from a University or Board located anywhere in India.

NOTE: Candidates are not permitted to round off the aggregate score.

Also Read: Karnataka PGCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Karnataka PGCET Logo

Karnataka PGCET Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026

Karnataka PGCET has four sections. The Karnataka PGCET question paper will have questions from the sections tabulated below.

Sections

Number of Questions and Marks

Computer Awareness

20

Proficiency in English Language

20

General Knowledge

20

Test of Reasoning and General Intelligence

20

Quantitative Analysis

20

Total

100

Also Check: Karnataka PGCET Syllabus 2026

Karnataka PGCET Exam Pattern 2026

KEA conducts the exam in an offline mode for admission into several PG level courses, including MBA and MCA. The Karnataka PGCET exam for MBA will have as many as 100 MCQs from five different sections including Proficiency in English Language, General Knowledge, Computer Awareness, Test of Reasoning and General Intelligence, and Quantitative Analysis.

The table below mentions the exam pattern for Karnataka PGCET MBA exam:

Karnataka PGCET Exam Pattern Features

Details

Mode of the exam

Offline (OMR Based)

Medium of the exam

English

Duration of the exam

120 minutes

Number of questions

100

Total Marks

100

Type of questions

MCQ

Marking scheme

One mark for every correct answer; No negative mark for incorrect responses

Number of sections in the question paper

Four

Number of answer options per question

Four

Also Read: Karnataka PGCET Exam Pattern 2026

Karnataka PGCET Exam Pattern

Karnataka PGCET Exam Pattern 2026

Practise Questions with Answers
DILR Question-Answers for Practice Quantitative Aptitude Question-Answers for Practice VARC Question-Answers for Practice
Karnataka PGCET Logo

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Preparation Tips

Candidates must prepare as per the Karnataka PGCET exam pattern and syllabus. Some Karnataka PGCET 2026 preparation tips are mentioned below:

  1. Know the Karnataka PGCET test structure and syllabus.
  2. Allocate time for all four sections of the Karnataka PGCET exam equally.
  3. Use recommended books to prepare for PGCET exam
  4. Practice with Karnataka PGCET mock tests and last year's question papers.
  5. Make short notes for help in Karnataka PGCET last-minute preparation.

Also Read: MBA Preparations - 8 Tips to Score Well in GK

Karnataka PGCET Logo

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam Centres

  • Bagalkot
  • Bangalore
  • Belgaum
  • Bellary
  • Bidar
  • Bijapur
  • Chamarajnagar
  • Chikkaballapur
  • Chikmagalur
  • Chitradurga
  • Davangere
  • Dharwad
  • Gadag
  • Gulbarga
  • Hassan
  • Haveri
  • Kodagu
  • Kolar
  • Koppal
  • Mandya
  • Mangalore
  • Mysore
  • Shimoga
  • Raichur
  • Ramanagara
  • Tumkur
  • Udupi
  • Uttara Kannada
  • Yadgir
Karnataka PGCET Logo

Karnataka PGCET Hall Ticket Download 2026

DeskCalendarAdmit Card: May ' 26

KEA releases Karnataka PGCET admit card for all candidates who complete the online registration on or before the last date. KEA PGCET hall ticket is released online on the official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. A hard copy of the Karnataka PGCET 2026 admit card will be required on the exam day. Karnataka PGCET admit card will mention details like exam date, exam day guidelines, reporting time, test centre address, and more. Candidates will be allowed to download Karnataka PGCET hall ticket until the exam day.

Karnataka PGCET Logo

Karnataka PGCET Answer Keys 2026

DeskCalendarAnswer Key: Jun ' 26

KEA releases Karnataka PGCET answer keys soon after the exam date. Candidates can check Karnataka PGCET answer key, question paper and marking scheme to calclate their exam scores. Karnataka PGCET answer key indicates correct answers for all questions that appeared in the exam.

Candidates are allowed to file objections against the PGCET preliminary answer keys. Based on the objections received, KEA releases Karnataka PGCET revised answer keys. 

Also Read: Karnataka PGCET 2026 Answer Key PDF

Read more
Karnataka PGCET Logo

Karnataka PGCET Results 2026

DeskCalendarResult: Aug ' 26

Karnataka Examinations Authority releases the Karnataka PGCET 2026 result online. Candidates can view the scorecards by entering their registration number at the official login portal available at kea.kar.nic.in. Karnataka PGCET 2026 scorecard hosts the qualifying status along with other relevant information. Candidates passing the Karnataka PGCET exam will be marked eligible to participate in the counselling process.

Also Read: Karnataka PGCET Result 2026

How to Check Karnataka PGCET Results?

Candidates must follow the steps below to check the PGCET Karnataka result 2026:

  1. Visit the official KEA website, that is cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea

  2. Click on the 'Admissions' tab from the main menu.

  3. From the drop-down menu, choose 'PGCET-2026'

  4. From the appearing window, click on the link for Karnataka PGCET results

  5. Enter the login credentials, including the PGCET number, followed by hitting the 'Submit' button.

Karnataka PGCET Inter-se-Merit Preparation

KEA allocates merit position or rank to each candidate based on their score in the PGCET exam. Candidates with a higher score will get a better rank in the inter-se merit list. In case two or more candidates have an equal score in the Karnataka PGCET exam, KEA will resolve the tie using Karnataka PGCET tie-breaking criteria mentioned below:

  • If there's a tie in merit for Karnataka PGCET, combined aggregate marks from the qualifying exam are considered.
  • If marks are still equal, older candidates are preferred when allocating a rank.
Read more
Karnataka PGCET Logo

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Counselling

Soon after the declaration of the Karnataka PGCET results, candidates are able to participate in the Karnataka PGCET counselling 2026. According to the Karnataka PGCET counselling process, KEA allocates seats based on the options exercised, cutoff ranks, etc. The counselling process for admissions via PGCET ranks is hosted on the official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/pgcet2026. After the document verification, candidates can exercise options. KEA releases PGCET seat allotment results based on the options exercised by the eligible candidates.

More than 250 colleges in India accept Karnataka PGCET scores for MBA admissions. Some of the top colleges accepting Karnataka PGCET scores are as follows.

AIMS Institute

PES University Bangalore

Presidency College, Bangalore

KLS Institute of Management Education and Research

Global Business School

AIT-Acharya Institute of Technology

Check Cut offs of top MBA entrance exams and predict calls from IIMs and other Top MBA Colleges. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and eligibility of all MBA Colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict IIM & Non IIM Calls
Read more

Sampige Road, 18th Cross,

Malleshwaram, Bangalore – 560012

Fax: 080 - 23461576

e-mail: keauthority-ka@nic.in

Karnataka PGCET Logo

FAQs on Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam

Find important FAQs related to Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam

Q:   What is the best study material for Reasoning preparation in Karnataka PGCET exam?
A: 

Good resources for PGCET Reasoning preparation include Logical Reasoning by Arihant, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal, and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Arun Sharma for building strong logical skills.

Q:   How many sections are there in Karnataka PGCET exam?
A: 

The Karnataka PGCET MBA question paper consists of five equal sections: Computer Awareness, English Language, General Knowledge, Reasoning and General Intelligence, and Quantitative Analysis.

Q:   Who conducts Karnataka PGCET counselling process?
A: 

The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) conducts the counselling online on its official website. It covers admissions to PG courses like MBA, MCA, MArch, and M.Tech for candidates who have passed the exam

Q:   Is Karnataka PGCET syllabus lengthy?
A: 

Yes, the syllabus is extensive as it covers a vast range of graduation-level topics across five sections. However, a daily structured study plan helps candidates cover the syllabus easily.

Q:   What is the mode of the Karnataka PGCET application process?
A: 

The application process is conducted completely in online mode. Candidates must visit the official KEA website to register, submit their academic details, and pay the fee digitally.

Q:   What is the purpose of the Karnataka PGCET mock allotment?
A: 

Karnataka PGCET mock allotment familiarises candidates with potential course and college allocations based on ranks. It does not grant an actual seat but allows candidates to change their options before the real allotment.

Q:   When should I start studying for Karnataka PGCET exam?
A: 

Candidates should start their preparation at least three to six months in advance. Covering the vast graduation-level syllabus and taking regular mock tests requires consistent, early, and dedicated effort.

Q:   Is the syllabus for Karnataka PGCET and CAT same?
A: 

While both share core subjects like English, Reasoning, and Quantitative Analysis, the PGCET syllabus additionally includes General Knowledge and Computer Awareness, and features an easier difficulty standard.

Q:   Which are the important topics for Karnataka PGCET General Knowledge section?
A: 

Important GK topics from Karnataka PGCET syllabus include

  • Indian Business Environment
  • Global Environment, Economics
  • Management
  • Current Affairs
  • Sports
  • Awards
  • Historical Events
  • Science and Technology
Q:   Are 6 months enough to cover the Karnataka PGCET syllabus?
A: 

Yes, dedicating six months is ample time. It allows candidates to completely cover all topics, extensively practice mock tests, and thoroughly revise formulas without any exam-day stress.

Q:   What is the best study material for General Knowledge preparation in Karnataka PGCET exam?
A: 

The best study materials include Lucent's General Knowledge, Manorama Year Book, The Hindu Year Book, and consistently reading daily newspapers to stay updated on current affairs.

Q:   What is the best study material for English Language preparation in Karnataka PGCET exam?
A: 

Recommended books include Basic English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin, Objective English by M.G. Kulkarni, and Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis.

Q:   Can I fill the Karnataka PGCET application form offline?
A: 

No, offline submissions of Karnataka PGCET application form is not allowed. The Karnataka Examinations Authority accepts applications submitted through their official online portal.

Q:   What is the official website to apply for Karnataka PGCET?
A: 

The official website to register for the Karnataka PGCET exam is available via the KEA website landing page. Candidates need to visit this website to start the registration process.

389 Institutes accepting Karnataka PGCET

University of Mysore

Mysore Public

University
  • 47,356
  • 2 years
  • |
  • Full Time

Bangalore University

Mysore Road, Bangalore Public

Bangalore
  • 60,000
  • 2 years
  • |
  • Full Time
    • 24,620
    • 2 years
    • |
    • Full Time

    Christ University

    Hosur Road, Bangalore Private

    Christ Uni
      • 2 years
      • |
      • Full Time

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