The KCET Cutoff for 2026 is not available as it is expected that the KCET 2026 exam will be conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority(KEA) on 16-17th April, 2026. So it is expected that the KCET cutoff 2026 will be available after the exam and subsequent counselling.
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Top-tier engineering colleges like RVCE, BMSCE, PES University, and MSRIT are expected to have competitive closing ranks for CSE ranging from 1,000 and 4,500.
- While core streams like Mechanical and Civil Engineering can be expected to go up to 35,000–40,000 ranks.
CSE being the most popular and competitive branch, you should aim for a rank less than 2000 to get admission in one of the top colleges.
An analysis of the expected closing ranks for 2026 under CSE in the top colleges is given below:
| College Name | CSE (General) | CSE (OBC) | CSE (SC) | CSE (ST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RVCE | 593 | 315 | 7,102 | 3,308 |
| PES Univ | 2,154 | 763 | 13,626 | 10,879 |
| BMSCE | 2,156 | 925 | 10,068 | 4,795 |
Key Summary
In this Article, we have discussed the Expected Cutoff of KCET for 2026:
- The KCET Cutoff 2026 will be released by the Karnataka Examination Authority(KEA) once the exam and counselling are over for 2026.
- Engineering colleges like RVCE, BMSCE, PES University, and MSRIT are expected to have competitive closing ranks for CSE ranging from 1,000 and 4,500.
- While core streams like Mechanical and Civil Engineering can be expected to go up to 35,000–40,000 ranks.
- CSE being the most popular and competitive branch, you should aim for a rank less than 2000 to get admission in one of the top colleges.
Related Links:
- What is the KCET Cutoff 2026 (Expected)?
- KCET Cutoff 2026 Qualifying Cut Off vs Admission Cut Off
- The KCET Cutoff will release both the Qualifying and Admission cutoffs for the colleges in Karnataka. The Qualifying and Admission cutoffs for KCET 2026 vary in the following way:
- KCET Qualifying Cut Off 2026
- KCET Admission Cut Off 2026
- General category: 50%
- For Reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC): 40%–45%
- KCET Previous Years’ Cutoffs (2025-2023)
- KCET Expected Category-wise Cutoff 2026
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- KCET Expected Marks v/s Rank 2026
- KCET Expected Safe Score 2026
- Factors Determining KCET Cutoff 2026
- KCET Cutoff 2026 FAQs
What is the KCET Cutoff 2026 (Expected)?
KCET Cutoff Ranks and cutoff marks are the minimum marks required for you to score to get admission in a college in Karnataka. KEA will release the KCET Cutoff after the KCET exam and counselling are over for 2026, on its official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
Although the cutoff ranks for the top colleges and their competitive branches can be predicted based on past-year cutoffs.
- General Category: To get into the demanding streams of the top colleges, you need to be within the top 1500 candidates in KCET.
- Reserved Categories(SC/ST/OBC): Cutoffs are lower for reserved categories than General, and they may surge up to 30000 to 100000, depending on the college and demand of the stream.
- The qualifying cutoff for General is 50% of the score, while for reserved categories it is 40%.
A predicted rank analysis for different streams of the top colleges is given below.
| College Name | CSE | ECE | Mechanical | Civil |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RVCE | 593 | 1303 | 7801 | 22445 |
| PES University | 2154 | 3072 | 20398 | 8336 |
| BMSCE | 2156 | 3979 | 21621 | 37116 |
Check:
Ques. What are the expected cutoffs for PES University in the ECE stream?
Ans. An estimated rank for the PES University can be analysed based on the previous years’ cutoff ranks, as discussed below:
| College Name | CSE | ECE | Mechanical | Civil |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PES University | 2154 | 3072 | 20398 | 8336 |
Ques. Are the cutoffs the same for the General and Reserved categories?
Ans. No, the cutoffs for different categories are expected to be different for the KCET 2026 exam. They are discussed below:
- General category: 50% of the total score
- Reserved Categories(SC/ST/OBC): 40-45% of the total score.
KCET Expected Cutoff 2026: Overview
Based on the analysis of previous years’ cutoff data, an overview table for the KCET Expected Cutoff for 2026 is given below for you to follow:
| Particulars | Details (Expected for 2026) |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Total Number of Candidates Appearing | 2.3 to 2.5 lakh students |
| Total Number of Qualified Candidates | 2.0 to 2.2 lakh |
| Number of Engineering Seats (Approx.) | 2.0 lakh across Govt., Private, and Deemed colleges |
| Highest Cutoff Rank (CSE in Top Colleges) | Rank 1 – 150 (for RVCE, BMSCE, PESU) |
| Lowest Cutoff Rank (Across All Branches) | 1,50,000+ (for lower-demand branches/colleges) |
| Most Preferred Branches | Computer Science (CSE), Information Science (ISE), Electronics & Communication (ECE) |
| Colleges with Highest Closing Ranks (Top 3) | RV College of Engineering (RVCE) BMS College of Engineering (BMSCE)PES University (PESU) |
| Average Cutoff for Top Govt. Colleges (UVCE, SJCE, etc.) | 500 – 5,000 |
| Average Cutoff for Private Colleges | 5,000 – 25,000 |
| Difficulty Level (Expected) | Moderate to High |
| Result Declaration | Expected in June 2026 |
| Counselling Rounds | 3 Rounds (including extended & special rounds) |
Ques. Which is the best college in Karnataka for Engineering through KCET?
Ans. The rank of a college is determined by its infrastructure, placement records, and faculty. Although there is not one, but five colleges best for Engineering who have the most demand, namely:
- RV College of Engineering
- BMS College of Engineering
- PES University
- MSRIT
- JSSSTU
Ques. What is the passing percentage of students in the KCET exam?
Ans. The passing percentage of students in the KCET exam is as discussed below:
- Around 2.5 lakh candidates appear for the KCET exam.
- Only 2.3 lakh candidates pass the cutoff marks for the KCET exam.
- The passing percentage stands to be 90%, making it an easily moderate exam.
KCET Cutoff 2026 Qualifying Cut Off vs Admission Cut Off
The KCET Cutoff will release both the Qualifying and Admission cutoffs for the colleges in Karnataka. The Qualifying and Admission cutoffs for KCET 2026 vary in the following way:
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Also Read:
Ques. What is a “cutoff” in KCET?
Ans. “Cutoff” typically refers to the minimum criteria (marks or rank) that candidates must satisfy to be considered. The two kinds of cutoffs are discussed below:
- Qualifying cutoff / Eligibility cutoff: Qualify in the KCET exam (i.e., be eligible for counselling.
- Admission cutoff / Closing cutoff: Gain admission (i.e, get allotted seats in colleges) during the counselling rounds.
Ques. Why are admission cutoffs so much higher than qualifying cutoffs?
Ans. Admission cutoffs to colleges in Karnataka are usually higher than the qualifying cutoffs in KCET. This is because:
- Many students cross the qualifying cutoff, but only a limited seats are available.
- Popular branches & premier colleges attract more competition.
- Cutoffs are influenced by demand, number of applicants, exam difficulty, seat matrix, etc.
- As rounds progress, cutoffs can shift (tighten or relax) based on seats remaining.
KCET Previous Years’ Cutoffs (2025-2023)
An analysis of the previous years’ trends for the top branches in the top colleges and the expected cutoff for 2026 is given below:
- The cutoff for RV College of Engineering (RVCE), Bengaluru, in CSE has significantly increased year-on-year from 2023 to 2025 by 30%, while for PES Bengaluru, the cutoff has decreased by 52% in the last year.
- This suggests that the competition for CSE has been distributed throughout the emerging colleges.
- Also suggesting that other branches of Engineering have come into demand due to new job roles.
| COLLEGE | BRANCH | 2025 CLOSING RANK | 2024 CLOSING RANK | 2023 CLOSING RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RV College of Engineering (RVCE), Bengaluru | CSE | 781 | 593 | 242 |
| ECE | 1357 | 1240 | 1005 | |
| ME | 6325 | 4167 | 3257 | |
| M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT), Bengaluru | CSE | 2000 | 1254 | 1045 |
| ECE | 5000 | 2241 | 1769 | |
| Civil | 27081 | 16724 | 29018 | |
| BMS College of Engineering (BMSCE), Bengaluru | CSE | 2156 | 2500 | 2200 |
| ECE | 6000 | 4300 | 1200 | |
| EEE | 9500 | 2700 | 2500 | |
| PES University (Bengaluru) | CSE | 934 | 1800 | 1500 |
| AI/ML | 1459 | 3500 | - |
Check:
Also Read:
Ques. Has the competition in core CSE reduced?
Ans. Yes, there has been a significant reduction in the core CSE stream, with cutoffs increasing up to 1000-1500 for CSE top colleges. This is due to:
- New streams of AI/ML or IoT have come up, involving new job roles, which have reduced the competition from core CSE.
- Streams like ECE and ME are also offering attractive salary packages, which are leading students to go for those streams.
Ques. Which college is best for CSE in Karnataka?
Ans. According to the previous years’ trends, an analysis of the best colleges for CSE in Karnataka is given below:
- RV College of Engineering (RVCE), Bengaluru, has been consistently ranked with placement records and infrastructure.
- Although the above-mentioned college is considered good, it has been loosening its cutoff ranks since 2023, suggesting that it might not be the right choice in the upcoming years.
- PES University (Bengaluru) has been in more demand for CSE, with more tightening cutoff ranks below 1000, suggesting that it might be a better choice.
KCET Expected Category-wise Cutoff 2026
Although the KCET cutoff 2026 has not been released on the official website. It is expected that the category-wise cutoff will remain the same as of the year 2025, for the General and reserved categories in Karnataka.
The students can check the KCET Expected 2026 cutoff for various categories in the table below.
- The KCET expected cutoff 2026 for general category candidates is 50%.
- However, candidates belonging to the SC and ST categories have the KCET cutoff of 42% and 40%, respectively.
| Category | KCET Expected Cutoff 2026 |
|---|---|
| General | 50% |
| EWS | 48% |
| OBC | 45% |
| SC | 42% |
| ST | 40% |
Also Read:
Ques. How are the KCET Cutoffs different for each category?
Ans. The KCET Cutoff for 2026 is expected to be different for each category, based on the previous years’ trends. This is discussed as follows:
- General: 50% of the total score
- SC/ST/OBC: 40-45% of the total score.
Ques. Why is the KCET Cutoff 2026 expected to be different for different categories?
Ans. The KCET Cutoff for 2026 is expected to vary for different categories, according to the previous years’ trends. This is due to:
- To give opportunities to more backward classes like SC/ST/OBC.
- To help students financially for Economically Weaker students(EWS).
Expected KCET Cutoff for Top 5 Colleges
An expected KCET Cutoff analysis for 2026 is given for you to follow:
- CSE is expected to remain competitive. Top Bengaluru colleges (RVCE, PES, MSRIT, BMSCE) show CSE closing ranks in the low hundreds to low thousands, so a very small window for admission under general merit.
- Although with the new streams of AI/ML and IoT coming up, a reduction of competition for core CSE can be expected.
- ECE/EEE is expected to be middle-tier competitive. Expected closing ranks widen (hundreds to a few thousand), but are still selective in the top colleges.
- Mechanical/Civil will be less tight overall. Closing ranks will stretch into the thousands–tens of thousands, especially outside the top 3-4 colleges.
| COLLEGE | BRANCH | 2026 EXPECTED CLOSING RANK (Round 1) |
|---|---|---|
| RV College of Engineering (RVCE), Bengaluru | CSE | 1 – 500 |
| ECE | 300 – 1500 | |
| ME | 1500 – 5000 | |
| BMS College of Engineering (BMSCE), Bengaluru | CSE | 300 – 800 |
| ECE | 800 – 1500 | |
| ME | 2000 – 4000 | |
| PES University (Bengaluru) | CSE | 100 – 700 |
| ECE | 700 – 1200 | |
| ME | 2500 – 5000 | |
| MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT), Bengaluru | CSE | 200 – 900 |
| ECE | 900 – 1500 | |
| ME | 2500 – 4500 | |
| University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE), Bengaluru | CSE | 800 – 1600 |
| ECE | 1600 – 2500 | |
| ME | 3500 – 6000 |
Check:
Ques. Which branch is the most easy to get into through KCET?
Ans. While CSE and its allied streams may be a tough nut to crack, some of the less demanding streams are given below. Although less in demand, they have very high placement records and good labs to work in.
- Mechanical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Information Technology
Ques. Which college in Karnataka has the most relaxation towards the KCET cutoff?
Ans. University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE), Bengaluru, gives the most relaxation in cutoffs for the KCET, and the same is expected to occur for 2026. The expected Round 1 cutoffs for the branches in this college are:
- CSE: 800 – 1600
- ECE: 1600 – 2500
- ME: 3500 – 6000
KCET Expected Marks v/s Rank 2026
The KCET 2026 expected Marks vs Rank shows the relationship between the marks scored and the rank ranges.
- A score between 175-180 can place the candidate in the top 20, providing the opportunity to the top engineering colleges with highly competitive branches like CSE and ECE.
- A score of 95-104 ranks can place the student in the rank range of 40,001-50,000, and get admission into the low-tier colleges with less competitive branches.
- The KCET ranks are influenced by both the 2nd PUC/Board marks and the KCET scores; the higher the KCET score, the higher the rank range.
| Marks Band | Rank Behavior | Admission Implication |
|---|---|---|
| 175–180 | Top 20 ranks – almost perfect score range | Assured admission to any college/branch (CSE, AI, DS) |
| 160–174 | 20 – 100 | Ideal for top CS/ECE branches at Tier 1 colleges |
| 160 – 169 | 100 – 500 | Eligible for core or allied branches at Tier 1/2 colleges |
| 150 – 159 | 500 – 1,200 | Core branches in mid-tier colleges or ECE in smaller colleges |
| 140 – 149 | 1,200 – 3,500 | Core or niche branches in Tier 2/3 colleges |
| 130 – 139 | 3,500 – 8,000 | Can fetch core branches or decent colleges |
| 120 – 129 | 8,000 – 15,000 | Safe for many branches in mid colleges |
| 110 – 119 | 15,000 – 30,000 | Likely to get non-top branches/colleges |
| Less than 100 | 50,000+ | Low probability for engineering under general merit |
Ques. Is 40000 a good rank in KCET?
Ans. A KCET 2025 rank of 40,000 is considered a moderate score, as it can secure admission.
- Less competitive branches like Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Electrical Engineering.
- Admission to Mechanical or Civil streams in mid-tier colleges like:
- Acharya Institute of Technology
- Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology
- AMC Engineering College
- SJB Institute of Technology
Ques. What marks should I bring to get a rank below 100?
Ans. To be placed in a rank below 100 in the KCET 2026 exam, you need to:
- Score marks between 175-180
- Practice intensive MCQs and PYQs
- Read and understand the syllabus thoroughly.
- Rank 100 can fetch you any top Engineering college that you want for any preferred stream.
KCET Expected Safe Score 2026
Based on the available information and previous trends, here's a consolidated table outlining the KCET 2026 Expected Safe Scores for various engineering branches. These scores are considered safe for securing admission in reputable colleges under the General Merit category:
| BRANCH | SAFE SCORE | EXPECTED RANK |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Engineering (CSE) | 160–170 | 1–1,000 |
| Information Technology (IT) | 150–160 | 1,000–2,500 |
| Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE) | 140–150 | 2,500–5,000 |
| Electrical & Electronics Engineering (EEE) | 130–140 | 5,000–8,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 120–130 | 8,000–12,000 |
| Civil Engineering | 110–120 | 12,000–15,000 |
| Biotechnology | 100–110 | 15,000–20,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | 90–100 | 20,000–25,000 |
Ques. What is meant by “Safe Score” in KCET 2026?
Ans. A “Safe Score” refers to the marks that a candidate needs to secure to have a high probability of admission into a given engineering branch under the General Merit category.
- Achieving this score generally ensures that you are within the closing rank for most reputed colleges.
- It helps candidates set realistic score targets during preparation.
- Safe Scores vary by branch because demand and competition differ (e.g., CSE is more competitive than Civil).
Ques. Do these safe scores apply to reserved categories?
Ans. The scores listed in the KCET 2026 safe score table are for General Merit (GM) or Open Category students only.
- Reserved category candidates usually have lower closing ranks for the same branch because of seat reservation policies.
- This means that the marks required for admission are generally lower than the safe scores for GM.
- For example, if the safe score for GM in CSE is 160–170, a reserved category candidate may get admission with around 140–155 marks, depending on the category and college.
KCET 2025 Question Paper with Answer Key PDF
| KCET 2025 Paper | Download PDF | Solutions PDF |
|---|---|---|
| KCET 2025 Kannada Question Paper with Answer Key | Download | Check Solution |
| KCET 2025 Physics Question Paper | Download | Check Solution |
| KCET 2025 Chemistry Question Paper | Download | Check Solution |
| KCET 2025 Biology Question Paper | Download | Check Solution |
| KCET 2025 Mathematics Question Paper | Download | Check Solution |
Factors Determining KCET Cutoff 2026
KCET 2026 cutoffs are determined based on various factors. You can check the factors determining KCET 2026 cutoffs listed below:
- Number of candidates participating in KCET 2026.
- KCET 2026 question paper difficulty level.
- Availability of seats or KCET 2026 seat matrix.
- Performance of candidates in KCET 2026 and average marks scored by them.
- KCET 2026 reservation criteria.
- Class 12 or equivalent results
- Previous years’ cutoff trends.
KCET Cutoff 2026 FAQs
Ques. What is the anticipated cut-off for the KCET 2026 this year?
Ans. The qualifying marks for the general category will be 50%; you can make estimates for the cutoffs in accordance with that. Although cutoffs for different categories are different and discussed below:
| Category | KCET Cutoff 2026 |
|---|---|
| General | 50% |
| EWS | 48% |
| OBC | 45% |
| SC | 42% |
| ST | 40% |
Ques. What distinguishes the KCET Cut Off Marks from the Minimum Qualifying Marks?
Ans. The KCET Cut Off Marks from the Minimum Qualifying Marks are differentiated as follows:
- Minimum qualifying marks are the minimum marks required for admission to engineering programmes
- Cut-off marks are the marks over which students are permitted to sit for the First and Second Rounds of Counselling.
Ques. How important is my KCET rank for getting into a top engineering college?
Ans. Your KCET rank directly determines your seat allotment chances.
- To get into top branches like CSE in leading colleges, your rank must fall within the KCET engineering cutoff 2025 range for that course and institute.
- Here is a list of how many marks can get you, and what rank:
| KCET Score Range | Expected Rank Range |
|---|---|
| 175 – 180 | 1 – 100 |
| 165 – 174 | 101 – 500 |
| 155 – 164 | 501 – 1,000 |
| 145 – 154 | 1,001 – 2,000 |
| 135 – 144 | 2,001 – 4,000 |
| 125 – 134 | 4,001 – 8,000 |
| 115 – 124 | 8,001 – 12,000 |
| 105 – 114 | 12,001 – 20,000 |
| 95 – 104 | 20,001 – 30,000 |
Ques. Does KCET release cutoffs for other courses besides engineering?
Ans. Yes, KEA also releases cutoffs for Pharmacy, Agriculture, Architecture, and other allied health science courses based on the KCET cutoff 2025.
Here is a list of the top Colleges in Karnataka and their Expected Rank for admission:
| Course / College / Category | Expected Cutoff Rank / Range (2026) |
|---|---|
| Engineering – PES Institute of Technology, Bangalore |
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| Engineering – Dayanand Sagar College of Engineering, Bangalore |
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| Engineering – BIT Bangalore (GM category) |
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| Pharmacy – Govt / Top Colleges (GM category) |
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| Agriculture – College of Agriculture, GKVK, Bangalore |
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Ques. Is 50 out of 180 marks enough for KCET engineering admission?
Ans. No, you must have a much better score to obtain the engineering seats in the top colleges under KCET.
- Although a score of 50 can get you into a private engineering college.
- Given below is a table of what your score can get you in which college:
| KCET Score (out of 180) | Expected Rank Range | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 160 – 180 | 1 – 500 | Excellent – Eligible for CSE in RVCE, BMSCE |
| 140 – 159 | 500 – 3,000 | Very Good – Top branches in Tier-1 colleges |
| 120 – 139 | 3,000 – 8,000 | Good – Core branches in top colleges |
| 100 – 119 | 8,000 – 15,000 | Decent – Non-core branches or Tier-2 colleges |
| 80 – 99 | 15,000 – 30,000 | Average – Entry to private engineering colleges |
Ques. Why did the 2025 KCET first round cutoff decrease drastically compared to last year, and was the same trend continued in 2nd round?
Ans. Several factors have led to the decrease in the cutoff of the KCET admission process. These factors include:
- Difficulty of the exam
- Performance of students
- Number of candidates registered v/s appeared
- Internal factors released by the colleges
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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