Karnataka PGCET 2026: Registration (LIVE), Exam Dates (Revised), Pattern, Syllabus, Question Paper

Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test 2026 ( Karnataka PGCET )

DeskCalelnderRegistration - 23 Mar '26 - 8 Apr '26

Abhishek
Abhishek Dhawan
Assistant Manager – Editorial Content
Updated on Mar 24, 2026 08:41 IST
KEA conducts Karnataka PGCET exam every year for admission to MBA, MCA and MTech courses. Aspirants have to apply for Karnataka PGCET 2026 online on its official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. With the release of the exam notification, KEA will release the Karnataka PGCET syllabus PDF and information bulletin.

KEA has started Karnataka PGCET 2026 registration online on its official website. Last date to fill Karnataka PGCET application form is April 8. Candidates aspiring for admissions in Karnataka can find complete details on Karnataka PGCET 2026 here.

Karnataka PGCET 2026

All About Karnataka PGCET 2026

Karnataka PGCET 2026: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has starte3d PGCET 2026 registration online on the official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/pgcet2026. KEA will conduct Karnataka PGCET MBA/MCA exam on May 24. PGCET exam for ME/MTech courses will be held on May 23. Last date to complete Karnataka PGCET 2026 registration is April 8. Last date to complete Karnaraka PGCET application fee payment is April 10. Aspirants will have to apply for Karnataka PGCET 2026 online on its official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/pgcet2026.

KEA conducts Karnataka PGCET exam every year for admission to MBA, MCA and MTech courses. Candidates find a total of 100 MCQs in the Karnataka PGCET exam. Candidates have to answer all questions within 120 minutes. Scroll down for insights on the Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam, including result date, time, counselling process, top colleges, cutoff and more.

LIVE: Karnataka PGCET 2026 Application Form (Link OUT) LIVE; Fees, Process, Direct Link at kea.kar.nic.in

Table of contents
  • Karnataka PGCET 2026 Highlights
  • Karnataka PGCET 2026 Dates
  • Karnataka PGCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
  • Karnataka PGCET Registration 2026
  • Karnataka PGCET Hall Ticket 2026
  • Karnataka PGCET Exam Pattern 2026
  • Karnataka PGCET Syllabus 2026
  • Karnataka PGCET Preparation Tips 2026
  • Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam Centres
  • Karnataka PGCET Answer Keys 2026
  • Karnataka PGCET Results 2026
  • Karnataka PGCET Counselling 2026
  • Karnataka PGCET Participating Institutes 2026
View More

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Highlights

The following table provides an overview of the Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam:

Features

Details

Exam name

Karnataka PGCET

Karnataka PGCET fullform

Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test

Conducting body

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)

Exam level

State-level

Courses offered through PGCET exam

- MBA

- MCA

- ME

- MTech

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

52020 (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 2026 Dates

The following table outlines the Karnataka PGCET 2026 dates, including the timeline for the PGCET application process, admit card issuance, exam date, results declaration, counselling, among other events.

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Events

Karnataka PGCET Dates

Karnataka PGCET registration start date

23-Mar-2026

24-Mar-2026

Last date to fill Karnataka PGCET 2026 application form

08-Apr-2026

Last date to pay Karnataka PGCET registration fee

10-Apr-2026

Issuance of Karnataka PGCET 2026 hall ticket

First week of May 2026

Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam dates

24-May-2026 (MBA and MCA)

23-May-2026 (ME and MTech)

Release of Karnataka PGCET provisional answer key

Last week of May 2026

Karnataka PGCET answer key objection window

Last week of May 2026

Declaration of Karnataka PGCET 2026 result

First week of June 2026

Centralised counselling process begins

to be notified

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Karnataka PGCET exam is held for MBA admissions into full-time and part-time courses among other PG professional courses. The space below mentions the Karnataka PGCET eligibility criteria 2026 for MBA courses:

Karnataka PGCET Eligibility Criteria for Full-Time MBA

  • Academic Qualification: Minimum three-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognised institute.
  • Minimum Score in Qualifying Exam: Minimum aggregate of 50 per cent must be obtained by all UR category candidates. Reserved category candidates must obtain a minimum score of 45 per cent (aggregate).

Karnataka PGCET Eligibility Criteria for Part-Time MBA

  • Academic Qualification: Minimum three-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognised institute.
  • Minimum Score in Qualifying Exam: Minimum aggregate of 50 per cent must be obtained by all UR category candidates. Reserved category candidates must obtain a minimum score of 45 per cent (aggregate).
  • Work Experience Details:
    • Only employed aspirants are eligible for part-time MBA through PGCET 2026
    • A minimum of three years work experience in relevant field must be obtained on or before July 31 of the admission session.
    • The current employer must be located within a 40-kilometre radial distance from the desired MBA college.
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Karnataka PGCET Registration 2026

KEA facilitates the Karnataka PGCET registration online on its official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. Candidates can fill the Karnataka PGCET 2026 application form within a specified window. Candidates filling the online application form will have to pay an application fee to submit the form. The information bulletin hosts an exhaustive guide to filling the PGCET registration, including the steps to fill the application form, documents required, image upload specifications, and more.

Also Read: Karnataka PGCET Login for Registration

Karnataka PGCET Hall Ticket 2026

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) issues the Karnataka PGCET admit card for all candidates who completes the registration process before the deadline. It is mandatory to carry a printed copy of the admit card on the day of the exam. Applicants can download their Karnataka PGCET 2026 hall ticket by following the steps below:

  • Visit the official exam website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
  • Navigate to the ‘Admissions’ tab from the main menu, followed by clicking on PGCET-2026 from the drop-down menu.
  • Click on the Karnataka PGCET admit card 2026 download link
  • Enter the login credentials, such as date of birth, PGCET number, etc.
  • Click on the ‘Sign-in’ button.
  • Check all details in the Karnataka PGCET 2026 hall ticket and download the same

In case of any discrepancy in the PGCET admit card, candidates must contact KEA for quick redressal. Candidates may have to face difficulties on the exam day if their admit card has errors.

Karnataka PGCET Exam Pattern 2026

The table below mentions the Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam pattern for MBA:

Karnataka PGCET Test Pattern Features

Karnataka PGCET Test Structure

Exam mode

Offline using OMR marking system

Exam medium

English

Exam duration

120 minutes

Total questions

100

Total marks

100

Type of questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

Marking scheme

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

Number of sections in the question paper

Five

NOTE: KEA may conduct the Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam in an online mode. KEA had confirmed an online exam for PGCET in the past term; however, the exam for MBA and MCA courses was held in pen and paper mode only.

Also Read: Karnataka PGCET MCA Exam Pattern 2026

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Karnataka PGCET Syllabus 2026

KEA releases the Karnataka PGCET syllabus for all courses separately on the official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. Candidates can find the MBA, MCA, and MTech syllabus PDF files for download. The table below mentions the sections as per the Karnataka PGCET 2026 syllabus for MBA exam:

Karnataka PGCET MBA Sections

Number of Questions and Marks

Computer Awareness

20

Analytical Ability and Logical Reasoning

20

Quantitative Analysis

20

English Language

20

General Knowledge

20

Total

100

Karnataka PGCET Preparation Tips 2026

Candidates preparing for Karnataka PGCET 2026 can follow the preparation plan mentioned below. This would help candidates secure a good score in the PG entrance exam:

  • Understand the exam: Candidates must obtain the knowledge regarding the Karnataka PGCET exam pattern and syllabus before they start preparing. This would help them build a better prep plan.

  • Create a plan: Based on the strengths as well as weaknesses from Karnataka PGCET syllabus, candidates must create a schedule for PGCET preparation. Including both strong and weak topics in the preparation plan is qually important.

  • Complete the syllabus: After creating a plan, candidates must complete the entire syllabus as soon as possible to dedicate the remaining time for practice and revision.
  • Practice regularly: Candidates must use previous year question papers to analyse where they stand. Candidates can also use mock tests for preparation. Analysing the weak areas will help candidates plan the studies accordingly. 

  • Focus on important topics: Practising past question papers will help candidates conclude the important topics in Karnataka PGCET syllabus which have been repeating every year. Candidates must focus on these topics to get a notch above the competition.

Also Read: Karnataka PGCET 2026 Preparation

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Preparation in Specified Timeline

How to Prepare for Karnataka PGCET in Three Months? How to Prepare for Karnataka PGCET in One Month? Karnataka PGCET Last Week Preparation Tips

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam Centres

KEA conducts the Karnataka PGCET across multiple test centres in the state. The space below mentions the list of Karnataka PGCET exam cities as per the previous year’s information bulletin:

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

Also Read: Karnataka PGCET Exam Day Guidelines

Karnataka PGCET Answer Keys 2026

The Karnataka Exaimations Authority releases the PGCET 2026 answer keys in two phases. First, the test takers will find the provisional answer key, also known as Karnataka PGCET preliminary answer key. Candidates get an opportunity to submit objections to this provisional answer key. Taking into account the objections raised, KEA prepares a final answer key that facilitates the calculation of scores. Additionally, KEA publishes the Karnataka PGCET final answer key alongside the results on its official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.

Karnataka PGCET question paper and answer keys help candidates to prepare for upcoming entrance exam.

Also Read: Karnataka PGCET Marks vs Rank

Karnataka PGCET Results 2026

KEA releases the Karnataka PGCET 2026 results on the official exam website (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea). All test takers can access the Karnataka PGCET login to check results as soon as it is released online. KEA releases the result in the form of Karnataka PGCET scorecard. Candidates have to use the Karnataka PGCET 2026 scorecard for the document verification process and MBA admissions in Karnataka. Karnataka PGCET document verification is the first stage of the admission process.

Also Read: What After Karnataka PGCET 2026 Results?

Karnataka PGCET Counselling 2026

Soon after the PGCET results are declared, KEA administers a centralised counselling process for admissions through Karnataka PGCET scores. Candidates having a valid score in Karnataka PGCET 2026 are eligible to participate in the Karnataka PGCET counselling process. The Karnataka PGCET 2026 counselling process includes the following stages:

  • Document verification
  • Release of claim slip
  • Display of provisional seat matrix on website
  • PGCET option entry
  • Declaration of Karnataka PGCET allotment results (mock)
  • Declaration of provisional seat allotment results
  • Exercising choices (accepting/rejecting allotment)
  • Payment of admission fees & reporting to the allotted college

Along with the allotment results, KEA releases the Karnataka PGCET cutoff list. The PGCET cutoff lists mentions the PGCET last ranks for admissions.

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Karnataka PGCET Participating Institutes 2026

More than 250 colleges accept Karnataka PGCET scores for MBA admissions. All the colleges accepting PGCET scores are categorised under the following three types:

  • Unaided courses in private universities/deemed universities
  • Courses in private unaided colleges and unaided courses in aided colleges
  • Courses offered by engineering colleges/ public universities/ VTU constituent colleges

KEA releases the complete list of Karnataka PGCET colleges along with the seat matrix published during the counselling process.

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About the Author
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Abhishek Dhawan
Assistant Manager – Editorial Content

Abhishek is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He completed his graduation from University of Delhi with a BA Degree. At Shiksha.com, he handles content for MBA, BBA, an

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Write here...

Answered 3 weeks ago

Presidency College Bangalore accepts the Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam scores. The exam is conducted in mid-May. Registration for this state-level test usually opens in April, and it serves as a gateway for many top colleges in the region. The entrance test includes entrance exam scores followed by GD/P

...Read more

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 3 weeks ago

No, Karnataka PGCET is not a mandatory entrance exam to be qualified for Jain College, Jayanagar MA courses. The institute decides the selection of candidates based on merit of last qualifying exam score of a candidate.

Thus, candidates who have appeared for the aforementioned entrance exam will not

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Candidates must upload their passport-sized photograph, signature, and left thumb impression strictly in JPEG or JPG format. The file size must remain between 5 KB and 40 KB.

D

Dhanya Shekhar

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) releases and manages the Karnataka PGCET application process on its official web portal.

R

Rupali Shukla

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

No, Karnataka PGCET application fee is non-refundable. Refunds are only initiated by KEA if an online transaction fails but the amount is successfully deducted from your bank account.

S

Shruti Shukla

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

Yes, the application form of KEA PGCET is available in an online mode. The conducting authority does not provide printed forms or entertain any physical applications sent by post.

B

Bhumika Sharma

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

Yes, final-year graduation students are eligible to apply and sit for the Karnataka PGCET exam. However, they must fulfill the minimum percentage criteria during the document verification stage.

J

Jaya Katariya

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

Candidates with a 3-year bachelor's degree are eligible for PGCET exam. However, candidates must have obtained at least 50 per cent aggregate marks (45% for reserved categories).

For Part-time MBA candidates must additionally have three years of work experience.

78471244
Abhishek Dhawan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Candidates can apply for PGCET exam by following the process below

  • Vist the official KEA website
  • Click 'New User' to register
  • Generate login credentials
  • Log in to fill details
  • Upload the required scanned documents
  • Pay the fee

A

Akansha Goyal

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

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

V

Vikram Tyagi

Contributor-Level 7