KCET 2026 seat matrix lists over 86,000 seats across 200+ colleges in Karnataka for BE, B.Pharma, Pharm.D and B.VSc and AH courses, distributed by college, branch and category.
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) releases the KCET seat matrix as part of the KCET counselling process before Round 1 option entry begins. The seat matrix tells you exactly how many seats are available at each institute, in each branch and under each reservation category — helping you build a strong college-choice list. Based on 2025 seat data, KCET 2026 is expected to offer seats across government, aided and unaided private colleges throughout Karnataka.
- Total seats expected in 2026: ~86,000+ across engineering, pharmacy and allied courses.
- Over 200 engineering colleges are expected to participate in KCET 2026 counselling.
- Seats are distributed across GM, SC, ST, OBC (Cat 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B), Hyderabad-Karnataka and Rural categories.
- The seat matrix is published by KEA on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea before option entry opens each round.
- Computer Science and ISE together account for the largest share — roughly 25,000+ seats based on 2025 trends.
| Direct Link to KCET 2026 Official Seat Matrix (Check Official Portal) cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
KCET 2026 Seat Matrix Overview
The KCET 2026 seat matrix is a college-and-branch-level listing of all available seats, released by KEA before counselling option entry opens. It is one of the most important documents for KCET-qualified students because it directly shapes your option entry strategy. The seat matrix is refreshed before each counselling round — seats that go unfilled or are surrendered after Round 1 carry forward to Round 2 and later rounds.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Courses Covered | BE/B.Tech, B.Pharma, Pharm.D, B.VSc and AH |
| Total Seats (Expected 2026) | ~86,000+ (based on 2025 trends) |
| Participating Colleges (Expected) | 200+ engineering and pharmacy colleges |
| College Types | Government (1A), Aided (2A), Unaided Private (B) |
| Official Portal | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
| Seat Matrix Release (Expected) | Before Round 1 option entry — June to July 2026 |
Total Seats by Course
KCET 2026 covers admissions to engineering, pharmacy and veterinary-allied programmes. BE/B.Tech engineering accounts for the overwhelming majority of total seats. The figures below are expected based on 2025 seat matrix data and will be confirmed once KEA publishes the official KCET 2026 seat matrix.
| Course | Expected Total Seats (2026) | Approx. Participating Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| BE / B.Tech (Engineering) | ~82,000 | 200+ |
| B.Pharma | ~3,500 | 60+ |
| Pharm.D | ~600 | 20+ |
| B.VSc and AH | ~300 | 4–5 |
Within engineering, seats fall under three management categories: 1A (Government colleges), 2A (Aided colleges) and B (Unaided private colleges). Government college seats are limited but carry significantly lower fee structures, making them the most competitive segment of the seat matrix.
Category-Wise Seat Distribution
Karnataka follows a defined reservation policy for KCET admissions. Every college-branch combination splits its seats into category buckets. Understanding this split is critical because your KCET category rank — not just your overall rank — determines which seats you can compete for.
| Category | Reservation Percentage | Who Qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | 50% | All Karnataka domicile students |
| Category 1 (OBC) | 4% | OBC — Category 1 |
| Category 2A (OBC) | 15% | OBC — Category 2A |
| Category 2B (OBC) | 3.5% | OBC Muslim — Category 2B |
| Category 3A (OBC) | 3.5% | OBC — Category 3A |
| Category 3B (OBC) | 2% | OBC — Category 3B |
| SC | 15% | Scheduled Caste students |
| ST | 3% | Scheduled Tribe students |
In addition to vertical reservations, Hyderabad-Karnataka (HK) region students are eligible for an 8% horizontal reservation in HK-region colleges across all categories. A 5% Rural quota applies for students from rural Karnataka. These horizontal reservations are applied within each vertical category, not on top of the total.
Top Colleges and Seat Intake
Seat intake at each college is determined by AICTE approval and Karnataka government norms. Government and aided colleges attract the highest competition because of lower fees and strong placement records. The table below lists expected seat intake at prominent KCET colleges based on 2025 data — KEA will publish official 2026 figures on its portal.
| College Name | Location | Type | Approx. Total Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE) | Bengaluru | Government | ~540 |
| BMS College of Engineering | Bengaluru | Aided | ~960 |
| RV College of Engineering | Bengaluru | Aided | ~720 |
| M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology | Bengaluru | Aided | ~840 |
| Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering | Bengaluru | Unaided | ~900 |
| The National Institute of Engineering (NIE) | Mysuru | Aided | ~720 |
| BIT – Bangalore Institute of Technology | Bengaluru | Aided | ~660 |
| Siddaganga Institute of Technology | Tumakuru | Aided | ~960 |
| JSS Science and Technology University | Mysuru | Unaided | ~840 |
| KLS Gogte Institute of Technology | Belagavi | Aided | ~600 |
Branch-Wise Seat Availability
Computer Science and Information Science together dominate the total seat count, reflecting strong industry demand. New specialisations such as AIML and Data Science have been adding seats steadily since 2022 as colleges receive fresh AICTE approvals. The branch-wise figures below are expected based on 2025 KCET seat data.
| Branch / Specialisation | Expected Seats (2026) | Competition Level |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Engineering (CSE) | ~18,000–20,000 | Very High |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) | ~12,000–14,000 | High |
| Information Science and Engineering (ISE) | ~7,000–8,000 | High |
| Mechanical Engineering | ~8,000–10,000 | Moderate |
| Civil Engineering | ~5,000–6,000 | Moderate |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) | ~4,000–5,000 | Moderate |
| Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AIML) | ~4,000–5,000 | High |
| Data Science | ~2,500–3,500 | High |
| Chemical Engineering | ~1,000–1,500 | Low to Moderate |
| Aerospace Engineering | ~500–700 | Moderate |
Branches like CSE, AIML and Data Science see closing ranks well below 5,000 for top aided and government colleges in the GM category, based on 2025 KCET counselling data. Branches such as Civil and Chemical Engineering have higher closing ranks and comparatively lower seat competition, which can work in your favour if your rank falls in that band.
How to Check KCET 2026 Seat Matrix
KEA publishes the seat matrix on its official counselling portal before option entry opens. Follow these steps to access it once it goes live:
- Visit the official KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- Click on the UGCET 2026 Counselling link on the homepage.
- Log in using your KCET 2026 application number and date of birth.
- Navigate to the Seat Matrix or College and Course Availability section.
- Use the filter options to sort by college name, branch, district or college type.
- Note the available seats under your category for your preferred college-branch combinations.
- Use this data to finalise your option entry choices during the counselling window.
KEA also typically provides a public-facing seat matrix PDF on its portal that you can browse without logging in. This is useful for early planning before your scheduled option entry date. The matrix is updated after each round to reflect remaining vacancies.
KCET 2026 Seat Matrix FAQs
Ques. When will the KCET 2026 seat matrix be released?
Ans. KEA is expected to release the KCET 2026 seat matrix before Round 1 option entry, likely in June to July 2026. The exact date will be announced on the official portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea once the counselling schedule is published.
Ques. How many total seats are available through KCET 2026?
Ans. Based on 2025 seat data, KCET 2026 is expected to offer approximately 86,000+ seats across BE, B.Pharma, Pharm.D and B.VSc and AH programmes. Engineering seats account for the largest share at around 82,000.
Ques. Does the KCET seat matrix change between counselling rounds?
Ans. Yes. The seat matrix is updated before each counselling round. Seats that remain unfilled or are surrendered after Round 1 are carried forward and listed as available in Round 2 and subsequent rounds.
Ques. Is the seat matrix different for each reservation category?
Ans. Yes. Total seats at each college-branch combination are divided among multiple categories — GM, OBC (Cat 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B), SC and ST — along with horizontal quotas for Hyderabad-Karnataka and Rural students. The KEA portal shows seat counts per category so you can check availability under your specific quota.
Ques. Which branch has the most seats in KCET 2026?
Ans. Computer Science Engineering (CSE) is expected to have the highest number of seats — approximately 18,000 to 20,000 — across participating colleges, based on 2025 trends. Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) follows with around 12,000 to 14,000 seats.
Ques. Can I check the KCET seat matrix without logging in?
Ans. Yes. KEA typically provides a public-facing seat matrix PDF or a searchable tool on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea that you can access without logging in. This helps you plan your option entry choices well before the counselling window opens.
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