The KCET 2026 seat matrix covers over 80,000 seats across engineering, pharmacy, and other streams available through KEA Round 1 counselling starting July 12, 2026.
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) releases the seat matrix before every round of KCET counselling, giving students a complete picture of available seats by college, branch, and reservation category. The matrix covers government, government-aided, and private unaided colleges across Karnataka. Based on 2025 seat matrix trends, a similar seat distribution is expected for KCET 2026 Round 1 counselling.
- Round 1 counselling begins: July 12, 2026 as per the KCET 2026 schedule.
- The seat matrix is published at the official KEA portal: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- Engineering seats make up the largest share, spread across 200+ colleges in Karnataka.
- Seats are allocated across GM, SC, ST, OBC (Cat 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B), Horanadu Kannadiga, and Gadinadu Kannadiga categories.
- Reviewing the seat matrix before option entry helps you set realistic preferences and avoid wasted choices.
| Direct Link to KCET 2026 Seat Matrix (OUT) |
KCET 2026 Seat Matrix Overview
The KCET 2026 seat matrix is a document published by KEA listing all available seats for every participating college, branch, and reservation category. You must check it before submitting option entry for Round 1. Based on 2025 seat matrix trends, the following is expected for KCET 2026:
| Parameter | Details (Expected Based on 2025 Trends) |
|---|---|
| Total Seats (All Streams) | Approx. 80,000+ |
| Engineering Seats (BE/BTech) | Approx. 60,000+ |
| B.Pharma Seats | Approx. 8,000+ |
| Pharm D Seats | Approx. 1,000+ |
| Total Participating Colleges | 200+ colleges |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment Date | July 12, 2026 |
| Official KEA Portal | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
KCET 2026 Category-Wise Seat Distribution
The Karnataka government applies a fixed reservation policy to all KEA-governed seats. The KCET 2026 seat matrix shows the number of seats available in each category for every college and branch. The table below reflects the standard state reservation percentages:
| Category | Reservation Percentage | Description |
|---|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | ~50% | Open to all students based on KCET rank |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% | Reserved for SC category students |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 3% | Reserved for ST category students |
| OBC Category 1 | 4% | Other Backward Classes Category 1 |
| OBC Category 2A | 15% | Other Backward Classes Category 2A |
| OBC Category 2B | 4% | Other Backward Classes Category 2B |
| OBC Category 3A | 4% | Other Backward Classes Category 3A |
| OBC Category 3B | 5% | Other Backward Classes Category 3B |
| Horanadu Kannadiga (HK) | Specified per college | Kannadigas settled outside Karnataka |
| Gadinadu Kannadiga (GK) | Specified per college | Kannadigas residing outside Karnataka |
You can filter the KCET 2026 seat matrix by category on the KEA portal to view only the seats you are eligible for. This saves time during option entry and helps you set accurate college preferences.
KCET 2026 Government College Seat Availability
Government engineering colleges under KEA are the most sought-after due to affordable fees and strong placement records. Expected seat availability at top government colleges for KCET 2026, based on 2025 seat matrix data, is shown below:
| College Name | Location | Approx. Total Seats (Expected) | Popular Branches |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE) | Bengaluru | 480 | CSE, ECE, ME, Civil |
| Bangalore Institute of Technology (BIT) | Bengaluru | 480 | CSE, ISE, ECE, ME |
| Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (SJCE) | Mysuru | 420 | CSE, ECE, ME, Civil |
| University BDT College of Engineering (UBDTCE) | Davangere | 360 | CSE, ECE, ME, Civil |
| Government Engineering College | Hassan | 360 | CSE, ECE, Civil, ME |
| Government Engineering College | Raichur | 360 | CSE, ECE, Civil, ME |
| Government Engineering College | Haveri | 300 | CSE, ECE, Civil, ME |
| Government Engineering College | Bidar | 300 | CSE, ECE, Civil, ME |
All figures above are based on 2025 seat matrix data and are expected to be similar in KCET 2026. KEA will publish confirmed seat counts at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea ahead of Round 1 counselling.
KCET 2026 Top Private College Seat Availability
Private colleges participating in KCET counselling contribute a large share of total seats and are strong options when government college cutoffs are out of reach. The KEA seat matrix covers only the KEA quota seats at these institutions. Expected seat availability at top private colleges, based on 2025 trends:
| College Name | Location | Approx. Total Seats (Expected) | Popular Branches |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology | Bengaluru | 960 | CSE, ECE, ME, ISE, Civil |
| RV College of Engineering | Bengaluru | 900 | CSE, ECE, ME, EEE, Civil |
| BMS College of Engineering | Bengaluru | 960 | CSE, ECE, ISE, ME |
| Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering | Bengaluru | 900 | CSE, ECE, ME, ISE |
| JSS Academy of Technical Education | Bengaluru | 840 | CSE, ECE, ME, Civil |
| Siddaganga Institute of Technology | Tumkur | 960 | CSE, ECE, ME, Civil, EEE |
| NMAM Institute of Technology | Nitte, Udupi | 720 | CSE, ECE, ME, Civil |
| KLE Technological University | Hubballi | 840 | CSE, ECE, ME, Civil, EEE |
Management quota seats at private colleges are filled by the institution directly and are not part of the KCET counselling process. The KEA seat matrix shows only the KEA quota portion for each college.
How to Check KCET 2026 Seat Matrix Online
The KCET 2026 seat matrix is available on the KEA portal ahead of Round 1 counselling on July 12, 2026. Follow these steps to access it:
- Visit the official KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- Navigate to the KCET 2026 Counselling section on the homepage.
- Find the Seat Matrix or Seat Availability link under the counselling documents tab.
- Click the link to open or download the seat matrix PDF.
- Use Ctrl+F to search by college name, branch code, or district to find your options quickly.
- Note your preferred colleges and branches before filling in the option entry form for Round 1.
The seat matrix is revised after every counselling round to reflect filled seats and remaining vacancies. If you are participating in Round 2, check the updated matrix on the KEA portal for current availability.
KCET 2026 Seat Matrix FAQs
Ques. How many total seats are available in KCET 2026 counselling?
Ans. Based on 2025 seat matrix trends, KCET 2026 is expected to have over 80,000 seats across engineering, B.Pharma, Pharm D, and other streams. KEA will publish the confirmed seat count at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea before Round 1 counselling on July 12, 2026.
Ques. Where can I find the KCET 2026 seat matrix?
Ans. The KCET 2026 seat matrix is available on the official KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea under the KCET 2026 counselling section. You can download it as a PDF and search by college or branch.
Ques. Does the KCET 2026 seat matrix show category-wise seats?
Ans. Yes. The KCET 2026 seat matrix shows seats separately for GM, SC, ST, and all OBC categories (Cat 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B), along with Horanadu Kannadiga and Gadinadu Kannadiga quotas for each college and branch.
Ques. Is the seat matrix updated after Round 1 allotment?
Ans. Yes. KEA updates the seat matrix after every counselling round to show remaining available seats. You can check the revised matrix on the KEA portal before Round 2 if you want to reconsider your preferences or upgrade your allotment.
Ques. Are NRI quota seats included in the KCET 2026 seat matrix?
Ans. NRI quota seats in private colleges are managed by individual institutions and are generally not included in the main KEA seat matrix. Contact the specific college directly for NRI quota availability and the admission process.
Ques. Which colleges offer the most seats through KCET 2026 counselling?
Ans. Based on 2025 trends, large private colleges such as MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology, BMS College of Engineering, and Siddaganga Institute of Technology each offer around 960 seats. Government colleges like UVCE and BIT Bengaluru offer approximately 480 seats each. The KCET 2026 seat matrix will confirm exact numbers.
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