
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.
LATEST:
- Karnataka PGCET 2026 Registration Begins at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/pgcet2026
- KEA Releases Karnataka PGCET 2026 Syllabus; Activates New Official Website
- 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
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
| Dates | Upcoming 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 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 Application Process 2026
Registration: 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.
- Unreserved category: INR 650
- 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 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 |
| 20 |
|
| General Knowledge |
20 |
| 20 |
|
| 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
| Practise Questions with Answers | ||
|---|---|---|
| DILR Question-Answers for Practice | Quantitative Aptitude Question-Answers for Practice | VARC Question-Answers for Practice |
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:
- Know the Karnataka PGCET test structure and syllabus.
- Allocate time for all four sections of the Karnataka PGCET exam equally.
- Use recommended books to prepare for PGCET exam
- Practice with Karnataka PGCET mock tests and last year's question papers.
- Make short notes for help in Karnataka PGCET last-minute preparation.
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 Hall Ticket Download 2026
Admit 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 Answer Keys 2026
Answer Key: Jun ' 26
Karnataka PGCET Results 2026
Result: Aug ' 26
Karnataka PGCET 2026 Counselling
Sampige Road, 18th Cross,
Malleshwaram, Bangalore – 560012
Fax: 080 - 23461576
e-mail: keauthority-ka@nic.in
FAQs on Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam
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.
The Karnataka PGCET MBA question paper consists of five equal sections: Computer Awareness, English Language, General Knowledge, Reasoning and General Intelligence, and Quantitative Analysis.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Important GK topics from Karnataka PGCET syllabus include
- Indian Business Environment
- Global Environment, Economics
- Management
- Current Affairs
- Sports
- Awards
- Historical Events
- Science and Technology
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.
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.
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.
No, offline submissions of Karnataka PGCET application form is not allowed. The Karnataka Examinations Authority accepts applications submitted through their official online portal.
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
Mysore • Public
- ₹ 47,356
- 2 years
- |
- Full Time
Mysore Road, Bangalore • Public
- ₹ 60,000
- 2 years
- |
- Full Time
Visvesvaraya Technological University
Belgaum • Public
- ₹ 24,620
- 2 years
- |
- Full Time
Hosur Road, Bangalore • Private