KCET 2026 seat matrix covers over 86,000 seats across government, government-aided, and private unaided colleges in Karnataka, spanning Engineering, Pharmacy, Architecture, Nursing, and Farm Science programmes. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) publishes the seat matrix before counselling begins each year and updates it between rounds. Round 1 final seat allotment for KCET 2026 was released on July 15, 2026; students now eligible for Round 2 option entry should check the KEA portal for the updated vacancy snapshot showing remaining seats per college and category.
- KCET 2026 total seats: 86,000+ across all streams; Engineering (BE/BTech) alone accounts for 66,000+ KCET quota seats.
- Over 200 colleges participate in KCET counselling, including government, government-aided, and private unaided institutions across Karnataka.
- 50% of KCET seats fall under General Merit (GM); 15% are reserved for SC students, 3% for ST, and 32% for OBC sub-categories (1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B).
- Government and government-aided colleges allocate 100% of their seats through the KEA KCET quota.
- Private unaided colleges allocate approximately 45% of seats through the Government Quota (KCET), with the remaining seats under management and NRI quotas.
- Approximately 5,458 supernumerary NRI/OCI/PIO seats are available over and above the regular KCET intake — they do not reduce domestic student seats.
- KCET 2026 Round 1 allotment was released on July 15, 2026. Round 2 option entry is underway; seats not accepted in Round 1 will be added to the Round 2 vacancy pool.
Key Summary
- KCET 2026 total seats: 86,000+ (all streams); 66,000+ for Engineering (BE/BTech)
- 200+ colleges participate in KEA counselling across Karnataka
- GM: 50% | SC: 15% | ST: 3% | OBC (all sub-categories combined): 32%
- Horizontal reservations: Women (30%), Rural (7.5%), PwD (3%), HKR (7.5%) — applied within each vertical category
- NRI/SNQ seats: ~5,458 supernumerary engineering seats (over and above regular intake)
- Round 1 allotment released July 15, 2026; Round 2 option entry ongoing as of July 17, 2026
- Full seat matrix PDF: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
KCET Seat Intake 2026: Overview
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) released the draft engineering seat matrix on June 2, 2026, followed by the final seat matrix before option entry opened on June 20, 2026. The seat matrix lists every participating college, branch, and category combination, showing the number of KCET Government Quota seats available for each combination.
Round 1 final seat allotment was declared on July 15, 2026, two days before today (July 17, 2026). Seats not accepted within the deadline or not reported at the allotted college are being pooled as vacancies for Round 2. Students who wish to upgrade their allotment or are participating fresh in Round 2 should monitor the KEA portal for the updated vacancy matrix before the Round 2 option entry window closes.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Exam Name | Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) |
| Total KCET Seats (All Streams) | 86,000+ |
| Total Engineering Seats (KCET Quota) | 66,000+ |
| Total Participating Colleges | 200+ |
| Draft Seat Matrix Release | June 2, 2026 |
| Final Seat Matrix Release | June 20, 2026 (before option entry) |
| Round 1 Final Allotment | July 15, 2026 (Released) |
| Round 2 Option Entry | Underway — July 2026 |
| Round 2 Allotment | August 2026 (exact date to be announced by KEA) |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
KCET 2026 Counselling Schedule
The table below lists all KCET 2026 counselling events. Upcoming events appear first in chronological order, followed by completed past events oldest-first.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Round 2 Option Entry / Registration | July 2026 (Ongoing) | Upcoming |
| Round 2 Seat Allotment | August 2026 (Exact date TBA) | Upcoming |
| Mop-up Round | September 2026 (Tentative) | Upcoming |
| Draft Engineering Seat Matrix Released | June 2, 2026 | Over |
| Final Seat Matrix Released / Option Entry Opens | June 20, 2026 | Over |
| Round 1 Mock Allotment | July 6, 2026 | Over |
| Round 1 Final Seat Allotment | July 15, 2026 | Over |
KCET 2026 Seat Sharing Pattern
Karnataka follows a defined seat sharing pattern that varies by college type. The split determines how many seats at each college flow through the KEA KCET counselling process versus being filled directly by college management.
| College Type | Govt. Quota via KCET | Management Quota | NRI / SNQ (Supernumerary) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Colleges | 100% | Nil | Nil |
| Government-Aided Colleges | 100% | Nil | Nil |
| Private Unaided (Non-Minority) | ~45% | ~35–40% | ~5% (over and above total intake) |
| Private Unaided (Minority) | ~40% | ~50% | ~5% (over and above total intake) |
Management quota seats are NOT part of the KCET seat matrix and are not filled through KEA counselling. Students interested in management quota seats must approach colleges directly.
KCET 2026 Institute-Wise Seat Intake
The KCET 2026 seat matrix covers 200+ colleges across Karnataka. The tables below list major participating colleges with their approximate KCET Government Quota seat allocations for the 2026 admission cycle. For the complete college-wise and branch-wise seat matrix — including post-Round-1 vacancy data for Round 2 — refer to the official KEA portal.
Following Round 1 allotment (July 15, 2026), seats that were not accepted or reported will appear as vacancies in the Round 2 matrix. KEA will publish the updated vacancy list on the official website before Round 2 option entry closes. Students eligible for Round 2 should check the portal for college-wise and category-wise vacancy data to plan their option order strategically.
Government Engineering Colleges — KCET 2026 Seat Intake
| College Name | Location | Approx. Total Intake | KCET Govt. Quota Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE) | Bangalore | ~820 | 820 (100%) |
| Sir Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (SJCE) | Mysuru | ~900 | 900 (100%) |
| UBDT College of Engineering (UBDTCE) | Davangere | ~480 | 480 (100%) |
| Government Engineering College (GEC) | Hassan | ~480 | 480 (100%) |
| Government Engineering College (GEC) | Raichur | ~360 | 360 (100%) |
| GSS Institute of Engineering and Technology for Women (GSSSIETW) | Mysuru | ~480 | 480 (100%) |
Government-Aided Engineering Colleges — KCET 2026 Seat Intake
| College Name | Location | Approx. Total Intake | KCET Govt. Quota Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| RV College of Engineering (RVCE) | Bangalore | ~1,560 | ~1,560 (100%) |
| MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT) | Bangalore | ~1,200 | ~1,200 (100%) |
| BMS College of Engineering (BMSCE) | Bangalore | ~1,080 | ~1,080 (100%) |
| BMS Institute of Technology and Management (BMSIT) | Bangalore | ~960 | ~960 (100%) |
| Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology (BIET) | Davangere | ~1,200 | ~1,200 (100%) |
| KLS Gogte Institute of Technology (KLSGIT) | Belagavi | ~780 | ~780 (100%) |
Private Unaided Engineering Colleges — KCET 2026 Seat Intake
| College Name | Location | Total Intake (All Quotas) | KCET Govt. Quota (~45%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PES University | Bangalore | ~1,200 | ~540 |
| Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering (DSCE) | Bangalore | ~1,080 | ~486 |
| CMR Institute of Technology (CMRIT) | Bangalore | ~900 | ~405 |
| Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology (NMIT) | Bangalore | ~900 | ~405 |
| New Horizon College of Engineering (NHCE) | Bangalore | ~1,080 | ~486 |
| Sir M. Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology (MVIT) | Bangalore | ~720 | ~324 |
| Presidency University | Bangalore | ~900 | ~405 |
| Jyothy Institute of Technology (JIT) | Bangalore | ~720 | ~324 |
Note: Seat counts above are approximate, based on KEA data and historical records. The exact and updated seat matrix — including Round 2 vacancy data — is available at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
How Many Seats Are in KCET 2026?
KCET 2026 provides admission to over 86,000 seats across multiple professional undergraduate programmes offered by colleges affiliated to universities recognised by the Government of Karnataka. Engineering is the largest stream, accounting for 66,000+ KCET quota seats across 30+ branches and 200+ colleges. The KEA seat matrix covers only Government Quota (GQ) seats — management quota seats filled directly by colleges are not included in the published matrix.
| Programme | Approx. KCET Quota Seats | Approx. No. of Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| B.E. / B.Tech (Engineering) | 66,000+ | 200+ |
| B.Sc (Nursing) | 5,000+ | 100+ |
| B.Pharma (Bachelor of Pharmacy) | 3,000+ | 80+ |
| B.Sc Agriculture / Farm Science | 2,000+ | 50+ |
| B.Arch (Architecture) | 600+ | 15+ |
| Pharm.D (Doctor of Pharmacy) | 500+ | 30+ |
| B.V.Sc & AH (Veterinary Science) | 600+ | 10+ |
| B.Sc Horticulture / Forestry / Allied Sciences | 700+ | 20+ |
| Total (All Streams) | 86,000+ | 500+ |
For exact programme-wise seat totals, download the official seat matrix PDF from cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. The portal publishes separate seat matrices for engineering and non-engineering programmes.
KCET 2026 Seat Matrix: Category-Wise Distribution
Karnataka follows a multi-tier reservation system for KCET admissions. Reservations are divided into vertical reservations (dedicated seat pools per category) and horizontal reservations (cross-cutting sub-quotas applied within each vertical pool). Every seat in the KCET seat matrix carries a category tag that determines which student group can be allotted that seat.
Vertical Reservation Categories
| Category | Reservation % | Approx. Seats (of 86,000 Total) | Eligibility Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | 50% | ~43,000 | Open to all eligible students; includes EWS sub-quota of 10% |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% | ~12,900 | Valid Karnataka SC caste certificate required |
| OBC Category 2A | 15% | ~12,900 | Category 2A OBC certificate (Karnataka) required |
| OBC Category 3B | 5% | ~4,300 | Category 3B OBC certificate required (includes Vokkaligas) |
| OBC Category 1 | 4% | ~3,440 | Category 1 OBC certificate required |
| OBC Category 2B | 4% | ~3,440 | Category 2B OBC certificate required (Muslims — backward class) |
| OBC Category 3A | 4% | ~3,440 | Category 3A OBC certificate required (Lingayats and associated communities) |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 3% | ~2,580 | Valid Karnataka ST caste certificate required |
EWS (Economically Weaker Section) reservation of 10% is carved out of the General Merit (GM) category pool, per the Constitutional (103rd Amendment) Act and applicable Karnataka government orders. Students with a valid EWS certificate issued by the Karnataka government compete within this dedicated sub-quota under the GM pool — EWS is not a separate vertical category but a sub-division within GM.
Horizontal Reservations (Applied Within Each Vertical Category)
Horizontal reservations are not additional seats over and above the vertical quota — they are sub-quotas within each vertical pool. If a horizontal quota goes unfilled in any category, those seats revert to the parent vertical category pool.
| Horizontal Category | Reservation % | Applied Within |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 30% | Each vertical category |
| Hyderabad-Karnataka Region (HKR) | 7.5% | Each vertical category; applicable only for students from HKR districts |
| Rural (Karnataka Rural Area) | 7.5% | Each vertical category |
| Persons with Disability (PwD) | 3% | Each vertical category |
The Hyderabad-Karnataka Region (HKR) reservation covers six districts: Bidar, Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, and Ballari. Students domiciled in these six HKR districts are eligible for 7.5% reservation within their respective vertical category at all KCET-participating colleges across Karnataka.
KCET 2026 Seats for NRI / OCI / Foreign Nationals
KCET 2026 includes a Supernumerary Quota (SNQ) for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), along with their children and wards. Approximately 5,458 supernumerary engineering seats are available under the SNQ for KCET 2026.
SNQ seats are over and above the regular KCET seat intake — they do not reduce the number of seats available to domestic students under the Government Quota. A separate KEA NRI counselling round manages these seats, distinct from the main KCET option entry process that is currently underway for Round 2.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Total SNQ (NRI/OCI/PIO) Engineering Seats | ~5,458 (supernumerary — over and above regular intake) |
| Eligible Students | NRIs, OCIs (Overseas Citizens of India), PIOs and their children / wards |
| Admitting Process | Separate KEA NRI counselling (not the main KCET option entry) |
| Applicable Colleges | Private unaided engineering colleges participating in KCET |
| Fee Structure | Higher than Government Quota fees; set per KEA NRI guidelines |
| Documents Required | Valid passport, NRI certificate / OCI card / PIO card, and supporting proof |
Foreign nationals who are not NRIs, OCIs, or PIOs are generally not eligible for regular KCET or SNQ counselling. Students in the NRI/OCI/PIO category must submit valid documentation at the time of document verification as part of the KEA NRI counselling process. For the latest SNQ seat count and updated eligibility norms, visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
How the KCET Seat Matrix Affects Cutoff
The KCET seat matrix is one of the strongest predictors of where the cutoff rank will land for any given college-branch-category combination. When the number of seats in a branch is small relative to the number of students competing for it, the closing rank number drops — meaning you need a lower (better) rank to secure admission.
| Seat Matrix Scenario | Effect on Closing Rank (Cutoff) |
|---|---|
| Fewer seats in a high-demand branch (e.g. CSE at RVCE or MSRIT) | Tighter cutoff — closing rank number is lower (more competitive) |
| More seats in a lower-demand branch (e.g. Civil Engineering at a tier-3 college) | Relaxed cutoff — closing rank number is higher (less competitive) |
| Seat count increases (new intake approved for a branch or college) | Cutoff relaxes — more students can be admitted, closing rank rises |
| Seat count decreases (intake reduced or college exits counselling) | Cutoff tightens — fewer seats available, closing rank falls |
| Round 1 vacancy seats added to Round 2 pool | Round 2 cutoffs at colleges with vacancies tend to be slightly higher (less competitive) than Round 1 closing ranks for those colleges |
In KCET, a lower rank number indicates a stronger performance. CSE, AI/ML, and Data Science branches at top government-aided colleges — RVCE, MSRIT, and BMSCE — typically have GM-category closing ranks below 1,000. Less competitive branches like Mechanical, Civil, and Chemical Engineering at private colleges often see closing ranks extending beyond 50,000 in the GM category.
For Round 2, the effective seat matrix and cutoffs will differ from Round 1 because vacancy seats from non-reported or surrendered Round 1 allotments are added to the pool. Students should use the updated KEA vacancy snapshot — published on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea before Round 2 option entry closes — to identify which colleges have vacancies and plan their option order strategically. Colleges with large Round 1 vacancies may offer slightly relaxed cutoffs in Round 2.
List of Courses and Seats Under KCET 2026
KCET 2026 covers a wide range of professional undergraduate programmes across engineering and non-engineering streams. Engineering is the dominant stream with 30+ branches and 66,000+ KCET quota seats. Within engineering, branch-wise seat availability varies significantly — from around 18,000–20,000 seats for CSE to under 2,000 for Chemical Engineering. The seat matrix for each programme is published separately on the KEA portal.
Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech) — Branch-Wise Seat Distribution
| Branch | Approx. KCET Seats | Demand Level |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Engineering (CSE) | ~18,000–20,000 | Very High |
| CSE (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning) | ~5,000–6,000 | Very High |
| CSE (Data Science) | ~3,000–4,000 | Very High |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) | ~12,000–14,000 | High |
| Information Science Engineering (ISE) | ~5,000–6,000 | High |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) | ~4,000–5,000 | Moderate |
| Mechanical Engineering | ~8,000–10,000 | Moderate |
| Civil Engineering | ~5,000–6,000 | Low |
| Chemical Engineering | ~1,500–2,000 | Low |
| Other Branches (Biotechnology, Aerospace, Industrial Engineering, etc.) | ~4,000–6,000 | Variable |
Non-Engineering KCET Programmes — Seats Overview
| Programme | Duration | Approx. KCET Seats |
|---|---|---|
| B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) | 5 Years | ~600+ |
| B.Pharma (Bachelor of Pharmacy) | 4 Years | ~3,000+ |
| Pharm.D (Doctor of Pharmacy) | 6 Years | ~500+ |
| B.Sc Nursing | 4 Years | ~5,000+ |
| B.Sc Agriculture | 4 Years | ~2,000+ |
| B.V.Sc & AH (Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry) | 5 Years | ~600+ |
| B.Sc Horticulture | 4 Years | ~500+ |
| B.Sc Forestry | 4 Years | ~200+ |
Note: All seat counts are approximate, based on KEA data and historical records. For the exact and current programme-wise seat matrix, visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea and download the official seat matrix PDF for your programme.
Disclaimer: The seat matrix data provided here is based on official sources and past year records. Actual seat counts may vary. Always verify with the official exam authority before making decisions.
KCET 2026 Seat Matrix FAQs
Ques. How many total seats are available through KCET 2026?
Ans. KCET 2026 offers over 86,000 seats across all streams. Engineering (BE/BTech) accounts for more than 66,000 KCET quota seats across 200+ colleges and 30+ branches. The remaining seats are in B.Pharma, B.Arch, Nursing, and Farm Science programmes. These are Government Quota seats managed by KEA; management quota seats at private colleges are not included in this count.
Ques. What is the difference between Government Quota and Management Quota seats in KCET?
Ans. Government Quota (GQ) seats are filled through KEA KCET counselling. Management Quota (MQ) seats are filled directly by the college at higher fees and are not part of the KCET seat matrix. Government and government-aided colleges allocate 100% of seats under GQ; private unaided colleges typically allocate about 45% under GQ and 35–40% under MQ, with the remainder going to NRI / management sub-quotas.
Ques. What percentage of KCET seats are reserved for OBC students in Karnataka?
Ans. 32% of KCET seats are reserved for OBC students, split across five sub-categories:
- Category 1: 4%
- Category 2A: 15%
- Category 2B: 4%
- Category 3A: 4%
- Category 3B: 5%
Ques. Are there any seats reserved for students from the Hyderabad-Karnataka region?
Ans. Yes. 7.5% of seats within each vertical category are reserved under the Hyderabad-Karnataka Region (HKR) horizontal reservation. This applies to students domiciled in six HKR districts: Bidar, Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, and Ballari. HKR is a horizontal reservation, meaning it applies within your existing vertical category rather than as a separate additional pool of seats.
Ques. How many NRI / OCI seats are available in KCET 2026?
Ans. Approximately 5,458 supernumerary engineering seats are available for NRI, OCI, and PIO students in KCET 2026. These seats are entirely over and above the regular KCET intake and do not reduce the seats available to domestic students. They are filled through a separate KEA NRI counselling round at private unaided colleges.
Ques. What are vacancy seats and how do they affect Round 2 of KCET counselling?
Ans. Vacancy seats are seats left unfilled after a counselling round — because students did not accept their allotment, did not report to the college, or surrendered the seat. After Round 1 allotment (July 15, 2026), KEA is compiling these vacancies and will add them to the Round 2 seat pool. Students in Round 2 can choose from both the original seat matrix and the vacancy seats. The updated vacancy snapshot will be published on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea before Round 2 option entry closes.
Ques. How does the KCET seat matrix influence cutoff ranks?
Ans. The seat matrix directly determines how competitive each college-branch-category combination will be. When seats are few and demand is high — like CSE at RVCE or MSRIT — the closing rank number is very low, meaning you need a strong rank to get in. When seats are many and demand is low — like Civil Engineering at newer private colleges — closing ranks can be very high. Reviewing the seat matrix before option entry helps you set realistic expectations and plan your option order accurately.
Ques. How is EWS reservation applied in KCET 2026?
Ans. EWS (Economically Weaker Section) reservation of 10% is carved out of the General Merit (GM) category pool in Karnataka. EWS students compete within this dedicated 10% sub-quota of GM seats. A valid EWS certificate issued by the Karnataka government is mandatory to avail this benefit. EWS is a sub-division of the GM pool — it is not a separate vertical category and does not add to the total seat count.
Ques. Is the KCET seat matrix the same for all counselling rounds?
Ans. No. The seat matrix changes between rounds. Round 1 uses the original seat matrix published by KEA. From Round 2 onwards, KEA adds vacancy seats from Round 1 (surrendered or unreported seats) to the pool, so the total available seats in Round 2 depends on how many students accepted and reported after Round 1. Always refer to the updated vacancy matrix for the current round — not the original Round 1 seat matrix — to get accurate availability data.
Ques. Where can I find the complete KCET 2026 seat matrix PDF?
Ans. The complete KCET 2026 seat matrix PDF — listing every college, every branch, and every category — is available on the KEA official website. Visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea and look for the "Seat Matrix" link under the KCET 2026 counselling section. Separate PDFs are published for engineering and non-engineering programmes.
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