The Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) 2026 is one of the most popular state-level entrance exams conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for admission into undergraduate professional courses across Karnataka. Students seeking admission to Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture, Veterinary, and other professional degree programs must fulfill the KCET 2026 eligibility criteria before applying for the exam.
The eligibility conditions include parameters such as educational qualification, age limit, nationality, subject combination, and domicile requirements. Candidates who do not meet the eligibility norms prescribed by KEA will not be allowed to appear for the KCET exam or participate in the counseling process.
This article provides a detailed overview of KCET 2026 eligibility criteria, including stream-wise qualification requirements, reservation rules, and category-wise guidelines.
Table of Contents
🧾 Overview of KCET 2026
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) |
| Conducting Body | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Exam Type | State-level Entrance Exam |
| Purpose | Admission to Engineering, Agriculture, Pharmacy, and other professional courses |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Official Website | https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
Before filling out the KCET 2026 application form, candidates are advised to thoroughly read the eligibility details released in the official information brochure by KEA.
🎓 KCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria – Detailed Breakdown
The eligibility criteria for KCET 2026 vary depending on the course applied and the candidate’s category (General, SC/ST/OBC, or reserved under Karnataka domicile). Below are the detailed eligibility conditions:
1️⃣ Nationality and Domicile Requirements
Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply for KCET 2026.
The candidate should be a resident of Karnataka or should have completed their education in Karnataka to claim state quota seats.
Candidates who are children of defense personnel posted in Karnataka or have Karnataka domicile parents but studied outside the state can also apply under specific eligibility clauses (explained below).
Candidates from other states can apply only for management quota or private university seats (not for government quota).
2️⃣ Educational Qualification for KCET 2026
The academic requirements depend on the course for which the student is applying.
A. Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech Courses)
Candidates must have passed Class 12 / 2nd PUC / equivalent examination with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
Along with these, the candidate must have studied Chemistry / Biology / Biotechnology / Computer Science / Electronics as optional subjects.
A minimum aggregate of 45% marks (40% for SC/ST/OBC) is required in Physics, Mathematics, and one optional subject combined.
Candidates appearing in Class 12 in 2026 can also apply provisionally.
B. B.Pharma (Pharmacy Courses)
Candidates must have passed 10+2 / 2nd PUC with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or Mathematics as subjects.
Minimum marks required: 45% (General) and 40% (SC/ST/OBC) in PCB/PCM.
Alternatively, students with a Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) with minimum 45% marks are also eligible.
C. Agriculture, Veterinary, Forestry, and Home Science Courses
Candidates should have completed 2nd PUC / 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics as mandatory subjects.
Admission will also require qualifying in the practical test conducted by the University of Agricultural Sciences.
D. B.Arch (Architecture)
Candidates must have passed 10+2 with 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (45% for reserved categories).
They must also qualify in the NATA 2026 or JEE Main Paper 2 examination for admission through KEA counseling.
No KCET paper is conducted for B.Arch admissions.
3️⃣ KCET 2026 Age Limit
The age limit criteria vary slightly based on the category and course:
Minimum Age: Candidate must be 17 years old as of December 31, 2026.
Maximum Age: There is no upper age limit for most courses, except for some special category seats (like NRI quota or defense quota) where the upper limit may apply.
For Agriculture and Veterinary Science, candidates must be at least 17 years old to be eligible for practical exams and counseling.
4️⃣ KCET 2026 Eligibility for Non-Karnataka Candidates
Non-Karnataka candidates cannot claim reservation benefits under any category or quota.
They can, however, apply for admission in private or deemed universities in Karnataka that accept KCET or COMEDK scores.
For B.Arch, non-Karnataka candidates can participate through NATA / JEE Main Paper 2 scores only.
5️⃣ KCET 2026 Reservation and Category Clauses
KEA has defined 15 eligibility clauses (Clauses A to O) that specify who can claim Karnataka domicile benefits. Candidates must carefully identify which clause applies to them while filling out the application form.
Some key clauses include:
Clause A: Students who studied for 7 years in Karnataka and passed either 10th or 12th in the state.
Clause B: Children of parents who studied for at least 7 years in Karnataka.
Clause C/D: Children of Karnataka state government employees or central government employees serving in the state.
Clause E/F: Children of defense personnel with Karnataka domicile.
Clause G–O: Cover other special categories, including Kannadiga students outside Karnataka, ex-servicemen’s children, and border region candidates.
Candidates must provide supporting documents such as study certificates, domicile proof, and parent employment certificates to validate eligibility.
6️⃣ KCET 2026 Eligibility for Repeaters
Candidates who appeared or passed the KCET or 2nd PUC in previous years can reapply in 2026 if they meet all other eligibility norms.
However, they must upload updated educational and category documents during application verification.
⚠️ Important Points to Remember
Incomplete or incorrect information about eligibility may lead to disqualification during document verification.
KEA reserves the right to cancel candidature if any document or certificate is found invalid.
Candidates must retain original mark sheets and certificates for verification during counseling.
Students applying under special categories (NCC, Sports, Ex-servicemen, etc.) should have valid supporting certificates.
🎯 Conclusion
Understanding the KCET 2026 eligibility criteria is the first step toward securing admission in Karnataka’s prestigious engineering, medical, and professional colleges. Candidates must ensure they meet the educational qualification, age, and domicile requirements before applying.
With the exam expected to be held in May 2026, aspirants should begin preparing early and gather all necessary documents.
For the latest updates, official notifications, and detailed eligibility clauses, visit the KEA official website — cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
