The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has announced the dates for the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) 2026. The KCET 2026 examination will happen on April 23 and 24, 2026 . Students who want to join undergraduate courses like Engineering, Architecture, Pharmacy, Veterinary Science, and Agriculture in Karnataka need to take this exam.
Registration for KCET 2026 will begin on January 17, 2026 . Students can apply online through the official KEA website. It is important for all interested candidates to complete their registration on time to be eligible for the exam.
KCET 2026 Exam Schedule
The KCET 2026 exam will be held over two days, with different subjects scheduled for morning and evening sessions. Each session will be 1 hour and 20 minutes long.
| Exam Date | Morning Session (10:30 AM to 11:50 AM) | Evening Session (2:30 PM to 3:50 PM) |
| April 23, 2026 | Physics | Chemistry |
| April 24, 2026 | Maths | Biology |
Apart from the main subjects, a special Kannada language exam will be held for Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannada candidates. This exam is scheduled for April 22, 2026 , from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM . This specific test is for candidates who belong to certain regions as per KEA rules.
Application Fees for KCET 2026
Students must pay an application fee when they register for KCET 2026. The fee varies based on the candidate's category and where they completed their education.
- For General Category students: Rs 500
- For SC/ST Category students: Rs 250
- For students who completed their education outside Karnataka: Rs 750
- For students applying from outside India: Rs 5,000
These fees must be paid online during the registration process. Students should check their category carefully before paying the fee.
How to Register for KCET 2026
The registration process starts on January 17, 2026 . Candidates must follow these steps to apply for the KCET 2026 exam:
- Step 1: Visit the official KEA website at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in .
- Step 2: Look for and click on the 'Click Here To Register' link on the homepage.
- Step 3: From the list, select 'CET 2026'.
- Step 4: Click on the 'CET 2026 Online Registration Link' to start your application.
- Step 5: Choose your nationality and fill in all the required personal and academic details accurately.
- Step 6: Upload your recent photograph and other necessary documents. Make sure they are in the correct size and format as mentioned on the website.
- Step 7: Pay the KCET 2026 application fee using the available online payment methods.
- Step 8: Review your entire application form once to check for any errors. After confirming all details are correct, submit the form.
- Step 9: Download the final submitted KCET 2026 application form and save the fee payment receipt for your records.
Completing these steps correctly is crucial. Students should keep a copy of their application and payment receipt safe. They should also start preparing for the exam based on the announced schedule. All official updates will be available on the KEA website.
