Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

Bachelor of Engineering [BE] {Lateral} (Artificial Intelligence) at KLE Dr. M.S.Sheshgiri College of Engineering & Technology, Belgaum is a 3-year full-time on-campus undergraduate program affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi. This lateral entry program is designed for diploma holders who wish to directly enter the second year (3rd semester) of the BE program, specializing in Artificial Intelligence. The curriculum covers subjects such as machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, data structures, and AI ethics. The total fees for the program is Rs. 7.37 Lakhs for the entire 3-year duration, and admission is through the DCET (Diploma Common Entrance Test) conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA). The course is offered in full-time on-campus mode and is increasingly popular among diploma holders in computer science, electronics, and IT streams seeking to specialize in the rapidly growing AI domain.

Admissions for the 2026 batch are upcoming. DCET 2026 is scheduled to be held on May 23, 2026, with registrations expected to open in April 2026. Counselling and seat allotment through KEA is expected in July 2026. Students are advised to monitor the official KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in for exact dates and notifications.

Key Points

Lateral entry program exclusively for diploma holders; students directly join the 2nd year (3rd semester) of the BE program.
Specialization in Artificial Intelligence, one of the most in-demand engineering disciplines globally.
Affiliated to VTU, Belagavi, and approved by AICTE, New Delhi; the college is ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Admission is through DCET (Karnataka state-level exam) conducted by KEA.
The college has dedicated computing infrastructure to support practical learning in AI and related subjects.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

KLEMSSCET BE Lateral AI Fees

The total fees for BE {Lateral} (Artificial Intelligence) at KLEMSSCET for the entire 3-year program is Rs. 7.37 Lakhs (General/Management quota). The tuition fee component is Rs. 7.09 Lakhs, and other charges (one-time) amount to Rs. 27,930. Government/CET quota students pay significantly lower fees as per Karnataka government fee fixation norms. The fee structure is uniform across all BE Lateral specializations at the college.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition Fees (3 Years)	Rs. 7,09,326
Other Charges (One-time)	Rs. 27,930
Total Fees	Rs. 7,37,256

Hostel Fees (Optional)

Hostel	Fees per Year (with Mess)
Boys Hostel	Rs. 62,000 - Rs. 72,000
Girls Hostel	Rs. 60,000 - Rs. 72,000

Hostel is optional and not included in the Total Fees above.
Fees are refundable as per college policy.
Government quota (CET) students are eligible for significantly reduced tuition fees as per Karnataka government fee fixation norms.
SC/ST and OBC students may be eligible for fee concessions and government scholarships (SSP).
Students are advised to contact the college admissions office for payment schedule options.

KLEMSSCET BE Lateral AI Admission 2026

Admissions to BE {Lateral} (Artificial Intelligence) at KLEMSSCET are conducted through the DCET (Diploma Common Entrance Test) by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA). The process involves appearing in DCET, followed by document verification and online option entry (choice filling) on the KEA portal. Seat allotment is done based on DCET rank, category, and choices filled. The 2026 admission season is upcoming, with DCET 2026 scheduled for May 23, 2026.

College Admission Dates

Event	Date (Tentative)
DCET 2026 Application Start	April 2026
DCET 2026 Application Last Date	May 2026
DCET 2026 Exam	May 23, 2026
DCET 2026 Result / Rank Card	June 2026
Document Verification (KEA)	July 2026
Option Entry (Choice Filling)	July 2026
Round 1 Seat Allotment	July 2026
College Reporting / Fee Payment	July - August 2026

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Conducting Body	Exam Date	Mode
DCET 2026 (Diploma Common Entrance Test)	Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA)	May 23, 2026	Offline (Pen & Paper)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed a Diploma or equivalent examination from a recognized institution with a minimum of 45% marks in the 5th and 6th semesters combined (40% for SC/ST candidates).
The diploma should be in Computer Science Engineering, Electronics & Communication, Information Technology, or a related stream as recognized by KEA for AI lateral entry.
Candidates must be Indian nationals; Karnataka domicile candidates are given preference in government quota seats.

Admission Process

Register and appear for DCET 2026 on the official KEA portal (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in).
Download DCET rank card after result declaration.
Attend document verification at designated KEA helpline centers.
Complete online option entry (choice filling) on the KEA portal within the stipulated dates.
Receive seat allotment based on DCET rank, category, and choices.
Report to KLEMSSCET with original documents and pay the first-year fee to confirm admission.

KLEMSSCET BE Lateral AI Scholarships 2026

KLEMSSCET students, including those in the BE Lateral (AI) program, can avail of several scholarships from both government and institutional sources. Karnataka state government scholarships are particularly beneficial for local students, while central government schemes are open to all eligible students. Students from economically weaker sections and reserved categories have access to significant fee waivers.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
NSP (PM-USP) Yojana	80% in Diploma, AICTE-recognized course, parental income up to Rs. 4.5 Lakhs	Up to Rs. 82,000 per annum
SSP (State Scholarship Portal) - Karnataka	SC/ST/OBC/EWS students from Karnataka	Tuition fee reimbursement (varies by category)
KLE Merit Scholarship	Top-ranking DCET students	Rs. 10,000 - Rs. 50,000
Vidyashree Scholarship	Economically weaker students (based on interview)	50% - 100% fee waiver

SSP scholarship covers a significant portion of tuition fees for SC/ST students; OBC students may receive partial reimbursement.
NSP scholarship requires maintaining 50% marks and 75% attendance each year.
KLE Merit and Vidyashree scholarships are institution-specific; students must apply through the college scholarship office.
Application deadlines for government scholarships are typically in October-November each academic year; students should apply early.

KLE Dr. M.S.Sheshgiri College of Engineering & Technology Belgaum BE {Lateral} Artificial Intelligence Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#339 out of 500 in India 2025

#48th in Karnataka

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KLEMSSCET BE Lateral AI FAQs

Ques. Is BE {Lateral} (Artificial Intelligence) a new course at KLEMSSCET, and is it recognized?

Ans. Yes, BE Lateral in Artificial Intelligence is a relatively new specialization at KLEMSSCET, offered under VTU affiliation and AICTE approval. The degree is fully recognized for employment and higher studies, equivalent to a regular BE degree.

Ques. Which diploma streams are eligible for lateral entry into BE (Artificial Intelligence) at KLEMSSCET?

Ans. Diploma holders in Computer Science Engineering, Electronics & Communication, Information Technology, and related streams recognized by KEA are typically eligible. The exact list of eligible diploma streams is published in the DCET notification each year on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.

Ques. How competitive is admission to BE Lateral (AI) at KLEMSSCET through DCET?

Ans. AI is one of the most sought-after specializations, so competition for DCET seats in AI-related branches is relatively higher compared to traditional branches. However, since this is a lateral entry program with limited seats, students with a good DCET rank and relevant diploma background have a reasonable chance of securing admission.

Ques. What is the scope of Artificial Intelligence as a career after completing BE Lateral from KLEMSSCET?

Ans. AI graduates are in high demand across industries including IT, healthcare, finance, automotive, and manufacturing. Common job roles include AI/ML Engineer, Data Scientist, Computer Vision Engineer, NLP Engineer, and AI Research Associate. The AI job market is growing rapidly, making this one of the most future-proof engineering specializations.

Ques. Does KLEMSSCET have dedicated AI labs and infrastructure for this program?

Ans. KLEMSSCET has computing infrastructure and labs to support AI and data science coursework. The college is affiliated to VTU, which mandates standard lab facilities for AI programs. Students are advised to visit the campus or check the official website (kletech.ac.in) for the latest infrastructure details.

Ques. Can I apply for M.Tech in AI or related fields after completing BE Lateral (AI) from KLEMSSCET?

Ans. Yes, after completing BE Lateral, students are eligible to apply for M.Tech programs in AI, Machine Learning, Computer Science, or related fields through GATE or Karnataka PGCET. A good GATE score opens doors to NITs, IITs, and other premier institutions for postgraduate studies.