DCET 2025: Exam Date, Registration, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation Tips

Candidates can check the exam highlights of DCET 2025 from the table given below.

What is DCET exam?

DCET is the Diploma Common Entrance Test which is conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA). The entrance test is a gateway for admissions to 2nd-year undergraduate engineering programmes and 1st-year undergraduate architecture programmes offered under the lateral entry scheme. These programmes are offered at day and evening engineering colleges located in Karnataka. 

The authorities will release the DCET application form 2025 online for all eligible candidates. During the application process, the candidates will have to provide their personal, academic and contact details. All of the provided details have to be valid in nature. The required documents have to be scanned and uploaded as per the required specifications and the preferred exam centres have to be selected. Candidates will have to pay the application fee through e-challan.

DCET 2025 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates appearing for DCET 2025 entrance test will have to fulfil certain eligibility criteria as mentioned by the exam conducting authorities. Below are the detailed criteria to apply for the exam:

Eligibility for BE Courses (Day Engineering Institutions)

• Candidates must have passed a diploma or equivalent exam 
•  Candidates with a minimum of 45% marks in the 5th and 6th semesters combined are eligible to fill out the applications respectively
•  The minimum percentage mark for SC/ST candidates is 40%

Eligibility for BE Courses (Evening Engineering Institutions)

•  Candidates must have passed a diploma or equivalent exam
•  Candidates with a minimum of 45% marks in the 5th and 6th semesters combined are eligible to fill out the applications respectively
•   The minimum percentage mark for SC/ST candidates is 40%

Note: In addition to the above criteria, a candidate after qualifying for the diploma, must also possess a minimum of Two Years of Full-Time Work experience as of the due date, of the year of admission, is a registered firm / Company / Industry / Educational and / Government Autonomous Organizations in the branch of Engineering / Technology, in which the candidates possess a diploma and in which admission is sought by the candidates. 

Eligibility for BArch First Year (Only in Day Engineering College)

• Candidates must have passed a diploma or equivalent exam from a recognized institute
• Candidates with a 50% aggregate score in all the subjects of the final year along with 40% marks in NATA 2025.

Reservation Quota

•  Admissions under the reserved category will be made in favour of the candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes of citizens under categories 1, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B in accordance with the Government Order No.

Other Reserved Category

• (I) Candidates who have participated in Republic Day Camp conducted by the Director-General of NCC, New Delhi from Karnataka and who possess ‘B’ Certificate obtained during the five-year period of study in Karnataka between 8th and 12th standards;

         or

• (ii) The candidates who have participated in the following camps conducted by the Director-General of NCC, New Delhi from Karnataka and who possess ‘B’ Certificate obtained during the five-year period of study in Karnataka between 8th and 12th standards namely;
• (a)  All India Thal Sainik Camp (Boys) - TSC(B)
• (b)All India Thal Sainik Camp (Girls) - TSC (G)
• (c)  All India Nau Sainik Camp – NSC
• (d)All India Vayu Sainik Camp – VSC
• (e)  Cadets who have been finally selected as a part of DG NCC team to participate in All India Movalankar Shooting Championship at the National Level AND Youth Exchange Programmes and Foreign Naval Cruise organized by DG, NCC.

The candidates will be able to check the DCET exam pattern 2025 online. Information related to the exam mode, duration, type of questions, marking scheme, and more is available in the DCET exam pattern. Through the exam pattern, the candidates will be able to know how the exam will be held and prepare for it accordingly.

The authorities will release the syllabus of DCET 2025 online. Candidates will be able to check the subjects, topics, and units through the DCET syllabus 2025. Candidates are advised to check the syllabus beforehand to know what has to be studied for the examination. By knowing the syllabus, the candidates will have higher chances of scoring well in the exam. 

Some of the preparation tips for DCET 2025 can be checked below. 

• Know Exam Pattern and Syllabus - Candidates can check the official exam pattern and syllabus of DCET 2025 to prepare for the examination. Through the syllabus and exam pattern, the candidates will be able to know how they have to study to score higher in the exam. 
• Mock Tests - The candidates are advised to solve mock tests regularly to know their preparation progress. This will also allow the candidates to identify their commonly made mistakes so that the same is not made during the exam.
• Timetable - Candidates are advised to prepare a personalized timetable to help them prepare for the exam. The timetable should be created as per the aptitude of the candidate.
• Revision - Candidates should revise daily so that they do not forget what they have studied earlier. 

Registered candidates can access the DCET admit card 2025 online. To access the DCET admit card, the candidates will have to log into their accounts using the required credentials. While reporting to the exam centre, the candidates will have to present their admit card otherwise they will be disqualified. Along with the DCET 2025 admit card, the candidates will also have to present their valid identity proof.

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) will release the provisional answer key for DCET 2025 soon after the exam. The candidates who have appeared in the DCET 2025 exam can check and download the final answer key on the official website- cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. To download the DCET 2023 answer key, the candidates need to enter their Login ID/Registration number and date of birth.

The authorities will announce the DCET result 2025 a few days after the exam is conducted. The obtained scores, ranks and other information will be present in the DCET result. Candidates can check their results in online mode. Based on the performance of the candidates in DCET 2025, admissions will be conducted. 

KEA will conduct the DCET counselling 2025 for qualified candidates. During the counselling process, the candidates will have to register and fill in their preferred college and course options. Allotment of seats will be done based on the candidate's rank, preference and availability of seats. Confirmation of admission has to be done by document verification and payment of tuition fees.

Candidates can check DCET 2025 FAQs from below.