Karnataka PGCET Counselling 2026: Round 1 Final Allotment Out, Direct Link at Manabadi

Karnataka PGCET Round 1 Final Seat Allotment

Karnataka PGCET Counselling 2026 Latest Update

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has issued the latest post-seat allotment schedule for Karnataka PGCET 2026 for candidates who have been allotted seats in the First Round for admission to MBA, MCA, M.E., M.Tech and M.Arch programmes. Candidates who have received a First-Round seat allotment must complete the fee payment, Seat Confirmation Slip download and college reporting within the prescribed deadlines.

Karnataka PGCET 2026 First Round Post-Allotment Schedule

Admission Process	Date / Deadline
Fee Payment	September 29 to October 3, 2026 during banking hours
Seat Confirmation Slip Download	Up to October 4, 2026
Reporting to Allotted College	By October 5, 2026, up to 6:00 PM

Fee Payment for Karnataka PGCET 2026

Candidates who have been allotted a seat in the First Round must pay the prescribed admission fee between September 29 and October 3, 2026, during banking hours. Candidates should complete the payment within the specified period to proceed with the remaining admission formalities.

Download Seat Confirmation Slip

After completing the required fee payment, candidates can download their Seat Confirmation Slip through the KEA portal. The confirmation slip can be downloaded up to October 4, 2026.

Candidates should keep the downloaded confirmation slip safely as it is required for the next stage of the admission process.

Karnataka PGCET 2026 College Reporting

Candidates who have been allotted a First Round seat must report in person to the allotted college by October 5, 2026, up to 6:00 PM.

At the time of reporting, candidates must carry their original required documents, proof of fee payment and the Seat Confirmation Slip. Candidates should complete the admission formalities within the specified reporting deadline.

Important Eligibility and Reservation Update

Candidates must satisfy the academic eligibility requirements prescribed by the respective university/competent authority for the programme to which they have been allotted a seat.

The SC, ST and OBC reservation benefits specified under the Karnataka PGCET admission process are applicable only to Karnataka candidates, as mentioned in the KEA notification.

Colleges to Remain Open During the Admission Period

KEA has directed the participating institutions and colleges to treat Saturdays, Sundays and Gazetted Holidays as working days during this admission period. This is intended to ensure that candidates can complete their admission and reporting formalities within the prescribed schedule.

What Karnataka PGCET 2026 Candidates Should Do Now

Candidates who have received a First Round seat allotment should complete the admission process in the following order:

Pay the prescribed fee → Download the Seat Confirmation Slip → Report to the allotted college with original documents by October 5, 2026, before 6:00 PM.

Candidates should ensure that all admission formalities are completed within the respective deadlines to avoid issues with their allotted seat.

Stay connected with Manabadi for more latest updates on Karnataka PGCET Counselling 2026, seat allotments, admission schedules and other education updates.

What is Karnataka PGCET?

The Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test (PGCET) is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for admission to specified postgraduate professional courses in Karnataka.

For 2026, the admission process covers:

• MBA
• MCA
• M.E.
• M.Tech
• M.Arch

KEA prepares separate merit lists for the relevant courses based on the prescribed admission process. For MBA, MCA and M.E./M.Tech, the PGCET merit is based on the entrance-test performance, while the qualifying examination marks are used for determining academic eligibility.

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Courses Offered

Candidates can seek admission through PGCET 2026 to the following broad programme categories:

Course	Programme
MBA	Master of Business Administration
MCA	Master of Computer Applications
M.E.	Master of Engineering
M.Tech	Master of Technology
M.Arch	Master of Architecture

The exact college-course combinations and specialisations available for counselling depend on the seat matrix notified by KEA.

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility varies according to the course selected. Candidates should not assume that qualifying for the PGCET examination automatically makes them eligible for every course.

Candidates must satisfy the prescribed educational qualification and minimum aggregate marks applicable to their programme.

MBA Eligibility Criteria

For full-time MBA admission, candidates should have passed a recognised Bachelor’s Degree of at least three years duration or an equivalent examination.

The minimum aggregate requirement is:

• General candidates: 50% aggregate marks
• SCA/SCB/SCC/ST and Category-I Karnataka candidates: 45% aggregate marks

The aggregate is calculated across the prescribed subjects/semesters of the degree, including languages where applicable. Rounding off of aggregate percentage is not permitted.

Candidates from any recognised bachelor’s degree discipline can generally be considered for full-time MBA, subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions.

Part-Time MBA Eligibility

Candidates seeking part-time MBA admission must satisfy the required bachelor’s degree and percentage criteria.

In addition, the candidate must have completed at least three years of work experience after obtaining the degree, as prescribed by KEA.

The candidate must also be working in an organisation located within the prescribed distance from the institution where admission is sought.

MCA Eligibility Criteria

For MCA admission, candidates must have one of the prescribed qualifying backgrounds, including:

• BCA
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science Engineering
• Equivalent recognised degree
• Prescribed B.Sc./B.Com./B.A. or equivalent degree with Mathematics at 10+2 or graduation level, subject to applicable university requirements/bridge-course provisions

The candidate should have:

• 50% aggregate marks for the general requirement
• 45% aggregate marks for SCA/SCB/SCC, ST and Category-I Karnataka candidates

Candidates should carefully verify the mathematics requirement because Mathematics at the prescribed level is an important eligibility condition for MCA.

KEA’s 2026 bulletin also states that there is no part-time MCA course under the specified PGCET admission process and there is no lateral-entry admission to MCA under the applicable provisions.

M.E. / M.Tech Eligibility Criteria

For M.E./M.Tech admission, candidates must possess the prescribed qualifying degree in the relevant discipline.

The general academic requirement is:

• 50% aggregate marks in the qualifying degree
• 45% for applicable Karnataka reserved categories

Candidates with a valid GATE score are also eligible under the applicable admission provisions.

The exact qualifying degree and branch requirements can differ according to the M.E./M.Tech specialisation. Therefore, candidates should check the course-wise eligibility and seat matrix before entering options.

M.E./M.Tech Part-Time Eligibility

Candidates applying for part-time M.E./M.Tech programmes must satisfy the prescribed educational qualification and percentage requirements.

In addition, the applicable rules require the candidate to have at least three years of work experience after obtaining the qualifying degree, along with the prescribed employment/location conditions.

M.Arch Eligibility

For admission to M.Arch, candidates must possess the prescribed architecture qualification and satisfy the applicable academic requirements.

For 2026, KEA has specified that candidates seeking admission to M.Arch should qualify in the PGETA-2026 conducted by the Council of Architecture. Candidates must also register for Karnataka PGCET and fulfil the KEA counselling requirements.

Important Eligibility Rule for Final-Year Candidates

Candidates who are appearing for the qualifying examination and expecting their results can apply for PGCET, subject to the conditions specified by KEA.

However, candidates must ultimately satisfy the prescribed qualifying-examination eligibility at the time of admission.

Candidates who do not pass the qualifying examination or do not satisfy the required academic eligibility will not be eligible for selection of seats.

Karnataka and Non-Karnataka Candidates

Karnataka PGCET counselling has specific rules concerning Karnataka eligibility, reservation and government seats.

Reservation benefits are applicable according to the Karnataka rules and are not automatically available to candidates from other states.

The 2026 KEA bulletin specifically states that non-Karnataka candidates are eligible to select only seats surrendered by the management, if any, for MBA/MCA admissions. Non-Karnataka candidates are not eligible for Karnataka reservation benefits.

Therefore, candidates from outside Karnataka should carefully check the eligibility clause and seat type before filling options.

Who Can Participate in Karnataka PGCET 2026 Counselling?

Candidates should participate in counselling only if they:

• Have appeared for the applicable PGCET examination or satisfy the relevant admission route
• Have obtained the required PGCET merit/rank
• Satisfy the academic eligibility
• Have completed the required KEA verification process
• Have the required claim slip/verification documentation
• Satisfy the course-specific requirements
• Are eligible to select the particular category/seat type

A candidate’s PGCET rank alone does not override the academic eligibility requirements.

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Participating Colleges

The actual list of colleges available to a candidate should be checked through the KEA 2026 seat matrix, because availability varies by course, category and seat type.

For MBA, the Karnataka PGCET admission ecosystem includes institutions such as:

• RV Institute of Management, Bengaluru
• PES University, Bengaluru
• Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bengaluru
• BMS College of Engineering, Bengaluru
• Bangalore University – Department/Centre for relevant management programmes
• Dayananda Sagar University, Bengaluru
• Dayananda Sagar College of Arts, Science and Commerce
• Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering
• Kristu Jayanti College, Bengaluru
• Presidency College, Bengaluru
• Acharya Institute of Management & Sciences
• Various other Government, University, Private Aided and Private Unaided institutions participating in the KEA process

Published college listings show a broad range of MBA institutions accepting Karnataka PGCET, while the KEA seat matrix should be treated as the final reference for 2026 availability.

Major M.E./M.Tech Colleges

Depending on the 2026 seat matrix, course, branch and applicable admission route, candidates may encounter institutions such as:

• RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru
• BMS College of Engineering, Bengaluru
• Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bengaluru
• PES University, Bengaluru
• Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering
• BMS Institute of Technology
• Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology
• RNS Institute of Technology
• BNM Institute of Technology
• CMR Institute of Technology
• New Horizon College of Engineering
• Acharya Institute of Technology
• Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology
• Sir M. Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology
• MVJ College of Engineering
• Bangalore Institute of Technology
• Rajarajeswari College of Engineering
• JSS Academy of Technical Education
• NIE / National Institute of Engineering, Mysuru
• Siddaganga Institute of Technology
• SDM College of Engineering and Technology
• KLE Technological University
• Gogte Institute of Technology
• Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology
• University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering
• Various Government Engineering Colleges and other participating institutions

The exact availability of a particular M.E./M.Tech branch must be checked against the 2026 KEA seat matrix, rather than assuming that every programme is available at every institution.

M.E./M.Tech Specialisations Through Karnataka PGCET

The 2026 PGCET examination for M.E./M.Tech is organised around prescribed engineering disciplines.

Candidates can encounter specialisations related to areas such as:

• Computer Science and Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering / Mechanical Sciences
• Electrical Sciences
• Structural Engineering
• VLSI and Embedded Systems
• Computer Networks
• Artificial Intelligence / related computing areas
• Power and Electrical Engineering
• Manufacturing and Production
• Construction/Structural disciplines
• Other approved specialisations

However, not every specialisation is available through every college.

Candidates must therefore check the college + branch + seat type combination in the official seat matrix before entering options.

Important Change for Some M.E./M.Tech Subjects

According to the 2026 KEA information bulletin, PGCET entrance examinations are not being conducted for certain M.E./M.Tech subjects including Bio-Technology, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Polymer Science and Textile Technology.

For these subjects, admission is based on the applicable qualifying-degree marks, subject to the requirement that candidates must register for Karnataka PGCET 2026 and participate in the KEA counselling process.

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Seat Matrix

The seat matrix is one of the most important documents candidates should check before option entry.

It provides information regarding available seats according to:

• College
• Course
• Branch/specialisation
• Category
• Seat type
• Applicable eligibility

Candidates should not create their option list using only college names.

The correct approach is to prepare a list of college + course combinations.

How to Prepare Karnataka PGCET Option Entry

Candidates should ideally divide their choices into three groups.

Group 1 – High Preference

These should contain the colleges and courses that the candidate genuinely prefers most.

Group 2 – Realistic Options

These should include colleges/course combinations where the candidate has a reasonable possibility based on their rank and available seats.

Group 3 – Backup Options

These should include eligible colleges and courses that the candidate is genuinely willing to join.

A candidate should not fill an option merely because it increases the number of choices.

How Does Karnataka PGCET Mock Allotment Work?

KEA conducts a mock allotment after the initial option-entry period.

The mock allotment gives candidates an indication of the seat that may be considered based on the available options and applicable allotment rules.

The mock result is not the final seat allotment.

Candidates should use it to examine their preference list and make changes if necessary.

Karnataka PGCET Mock Allotment 2026 Date

The Round 1 mock allotment is scheduled for:

September 17, 2026, after 6:00 PM

Candidates should log in to the KEA portal and check the mock allotment after it is published.

What Should Candidates Do After Mock Allotment?

After checking the mock result, candidates should ask:

Is the allotted course actually my preferred course?

Have I placed my preferred colleges above it?

Have I entered enough realistic options?

Have I accidentally included a course or college that I would not join?

Should I reorder my preferences?

Candidates can then make changes during the prescribed modification period.

Karnataka PGCET Option Modification 2026

The option modification window is scheduled from September 17 to September 19, 2026.

Candidates can use the permitted facility to:

• Add options
• Delete options
• Reorder options
• Modify preferences
• Review their final preference list

The deadline for changes is scheduled for September 19, 2026, up to 11:00 AM.

Candidates should complete all changes well before the deadline.

Karnataka PGCET Round 1 Seat Allotment 2026

The Round 1 provisional seat allotment is scheduled to be published on:

September 19, 2026, after 5:00 PM

The final Round 1 allotment is scheduled for:

September 21, 2026

Candidates should log in using their KEA credentials and check:

• Allotted college
• Allotted course
• Seat category
• Admission instructions
• Fee/payment requirements
• Choice/exercise instructions
• Reporting requirements

What After Karnataka PGCET Seat Allotment?

Getting a seat allotment does not mean that the admission process is automatically complete.

Candidates must carefully follow the choice-exercise, fee-payment and reporting instructions issued by KEA.

The scheduled period for exercising choices by allotted candidates is:

September 22 to September 24, 2026

Candidates should not miss the prescribed deadline because failure to complete the required step may affect the allotted seat.

Karnataka PGCET Counselling Documents

Candidates should keep the following documents ready, wherever applicable:

• Karnataka PGCET application details
• PGCET rank/result
• Claim slip
• SSLC/10th marks card
• PUC/12th marks card
• Degree marks cards
• Degree/provisional degree certificate
• Study certificates
• Transfer Certificate
• Migration certificate, wherever applicable
• Karnataka domicile/study documents, wherever applicable
• Caste certificate
• Income certificate
• Category-I certificate, wherever applicable
• Hyderabad-Karnataka/Kalyana Karnataka eligibility documents, where applicable
• PwD certificate, wherever applicable
• GATE scorecard for applicable M.E./M.Tech admissions
• PGETA qualification details for M.Arch candidates
• Valid identity proof
• Recent photographs
• Other documents specified by KEA

Candidates should check the KEA notification for their particular course and eligibility clause because the required documents can vary.

How to Check Karnataka PGCET 2026 Seat Allotment

Candidates can generally follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official KEA website.

Step 2: Open the PGCET 2026 section.

Step 3: Select the relevant seat allotment/result link.

Step 4: Enter the required login credentials.

Step 5: Submit the details.

Step 6: Check the allotted college and course.

Step 7: Download/print the allotment details for future reference.

Important Points About Karnataka PGCET Counselling

Do not confuse mock allotment with final allotment.

The mock result is only an indication and candidates can modify their options during the permitted window.

Check the seat matrix before option entry.

A college may offer multiple programmes, but the specific course you want may not have seats available.

Check your eligibility for every option.

Candidates should not enter courses for which they do not satisfy the qualifying requirements.

Enter preferences in genuine order.

Do not place a course above another merely because it appears popular.

Non-Karnataka candidates should carefully check seat eligibility.

Reservation and seat-selection rules applicable to Karnataka candidates may not apply to candidates from other states.

Do not wait until the deadline.

Complete option entry and modifications early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Counselling: Step-by-Step Process

The overall counselling process can be understood as:

PGCET Result/Rank

↓

Document Verification / Eligibility

↓

Claim Slip

↓

Seat Matrix

↓

Option Entry

↓

Mock Allotment

↓

Option Modification

↓

Round 1 Provisional Allotment

↓

Final Allotment

↓

Choice Exercise

↓

Fee Payment / Admission Formalities

↓

College Reporting

Karnataka PGCET 2026 MBA Admission: What Candidates Should Check

MBA candidates should compare colleges based on:

• Course structure
• Specialisation availability
• Total fees
• Location
• Accreditation/affiliation
• Infrastructure
• Faculty
• Internship opportunities
• Placement information
• Batch size
• Previous admission trends
• College-specific eligibility
• PGCET seat availability

Candidates should not select a college only because it has a low or high previous-year closing rank.

Karnataka PGCET 2026 MCA Admission: What Candidates Should Check

MCA candidates should particularly check:

• Mathematics eligibility
• Computer-related background requirements
• Course duration
• Curriculum
• Specialisations
• Software/technical facilities
• Internship opportunities
• Placement opportunities
• Fees
• College location
• Available seat category

Karnataka PGCET 2026 M.E./M.Tech Admission: What Candidates Should Check

Engineering candidates should check:

• Relevant qualifying branch
• M.E./M.Tech specialisation
• PGCET/GATE eligibility
• Full-time or part-time programme
• College affiliation
• Laboratory facilities
• Research opportunities
• Faculty
• Fees
• Seat category
• Course-specific eligibility

Karnataka PGCET 2026 M.Arch Admission: What Candidates Should Check

Architecture candidates should verify:

• B.Arch eligibility
• PGETA qualification requirement
• Course specialisation
• Institution
• Seat availability
• Category eligibility
• Fees
• Admission requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Karnataka PGCET 2026 Round 1 option entry begin?

The Round 1 option-entry process begins on September 11, 2026.

What is the last date for Karnataka PGCET option entry?

The initial option-entry deadline is September 17, 2026, up to 9:00 AM.

When will Karnataka PGCET 2026 mock allotment be released?

The Round 1 mock allotment is scheduled for September 17, 2026, after 6:00 PM.

Can I change my options after the mock allotment?

Yes. Candidates can modify their options during the prescribed window after mock allotment. The scheduled deadline for modification is September 19, 2026, up to 11:00 AM.

When will Karnataka PGCET Round 1 seat allotment be released?

The provisional Round 1 seat allotment is scheduled for September 19, 2026, after 5:00 PM. The final Round 1 allotment is scheduled for September 21, 2026.

Which courses are offered through Karnataka PGCET?

The major courses covered are MBA, MCA, M.E., M.Tech and M.Arch.

What is the minimum percentage required for Karnataka PGCET MBA?

Generally, candidates require 50% aggregate marks in the qualifying bachelor’s degree. The requirement is 45% for the applicable Karnataka reserved categories specified by KEA.

Can final-year students apply for Karnataka PGCET?

Candidates appearing for the qualifying examination can apply, subject to the applicable conditions. However, they must satisfy the required academic eligibility before admission.

Can non-Karnataka students participate in Karnataka PGCET counselling?

Yes, subject to the applicable eligibility and seat rules. However, non-Karnataka candidates have specific restrictions on the seats they can select and are not eligible for Karnataka reservation benefits.

Is the mock allotment the final seat allotment?

No. Mock allotment is only an indicative allotment. Candidates can modify their options before the final allotment.

How many options can I enter?

Candidates should use the option-entry facility to enter as many eligible and genuinely preferred college-course combinations as appropriate rather than limiting themselves unnecessarily. The exact option-entry interface and permitted options are governed by KEA.

Where can I check the Karnataka PGCET 2026 seat matrix?

Candidates should check the official KEA PGCET 2026 counselling portal for the latest seat matrix because course-wise and category-wise availability can change.

Where can I check Karnataka PGCET 2026 counselling updates?

Candidates should regularly check the official Karnataka Examinations Authority website for counselling notifications, option entry, mock allotment, seat allotment and further instructions.

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Counselling: Candidate Checklist

Before submitting the final options, candidates should make sure they have:

• Checked their PGCET rank
• Verified course eligibility
• Checked the 2026 seat matrix
• Checked college-course combinations
• Prepared a preference list
• Included realistic backup options
• Checked category eligibility
• Checked Karnataka/non-Karnataka rules
• Completed option entry
• Checked the mock allotment
• Revised options if required
• Checked the final allotment
• Completed the prescribed choice exercise
• Paid the applicable fees within the deadline
• Reported to the allotted institution as instructed

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Counselling: Important Dates at a Glance

Date	Event
September 11, 2026	Round 1 Option Entry Begins
September 17, 2026, 9:00 AM	Initial Option Entry Deadline
September 17, 2026, after 6:00 PM	Mock Allotment
September 17–19, 2026	Option Modification
September 19, 2026, 11:00 AM	Final Option Modification Deadline
September 19, 2026, after 5:00 PM	Provisional Round 1 Seat Allotment
September 21, 2026	Final Round 1 Seat Allotment
September 22–24, 2026	Exercise of Choices

Final Words

The Karnataka PGCET 2026 Round 1 counselling process is now at the crucial option-entry and mock-allotment stage. Candidates should avoid filling choices randomly and should instead prepare a course-wise and college-wise preference list after checking their rank, eligibility, seat availability and personal preferences.

The September 17 mock allotment provides an important opportunity to review the preference list before the final Round 1 allotment. Candidates should carefully use the modification window and ensure that their final options accurately reflect the colleges and courses they are willing to join.

Candidates should also remember that eligibility, seat availability and category rules are as important as PGCET rank. In particular, candidates applying for MCA, M.E./M.Tech and M.Arch should verify the specific academic requirements applicable to their programme.

Stay Updated with Manabadi for more latest Karnataka PGCET 2026 counselling updates, option entry, mock allotment, seat allotment results and admission notifications.