Karnataka DCET 2027 (Diploma Common Entrance Test) is the entrance exam the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) holds for diploma holders who want lateral entry to the 2nd year (3rd semester) of BE/B.Tech in Karnataka. The online form is expected in March 2027 and the offline OMR exam in May 2027.
Karnataka DCET 2027
This page covers DCET 2027 dates, how to apply, who is eligible, the exam pattern and the official KEA downloads.
| Full name | Diploma Common Entrance Test (DCET), Karnataka |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Exam level | State (Karnataka) |
| Courses / Purpose | Lateral entry to the 2nd year (3rd semester) of BE/B.Tech for diploma holders |
| Exam date | Expected May 2027 (23 May in 2026) |
| Application | Expected March to April 2027, online only |
| Eligibility | Engineering diploma with 45% in the final year (40% for SC, ST and Backward Classes of Karnataka) |
| Mode | Offline, pen and paper (OMR) |
| Questions and marks | 100 MCQs, 100 marks, 3 hours |
| Negative marking | None |
| Official website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
Karnataka DCET 2027 Important Dates
KEA has not announced the DCET 2027 dates yet. In 2026 the form was open from 17 March to 10 April and the exam was held on 23 May, so 2027 is expected on a similar timeline.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application | March 2027 Expected |
| Admission ticket | May 2027 Expected |
| Exam | May 2027 Expected |
| Provisional key | May 2027 Expected |
| Result | July 2027 Expected |
| Seat allotment rounds | August 2027 Expected |
How to Apply for Karnataka DCET 2027
You apply online on the KEA website, registering through your DigiLocker account. The form is an application-cum-verification module, so there is no physical document check: KEA verifies your study, caste, income and Kalyana Karnataka details online through SATS and Revenue Department records.
Apply Online for Karnataka DCET 2027
Applications for Karnataka DCET 2027 are expected in March 2027.
- Open cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea and go to the DCET 2027 application link once it is live.
- Register through your DigiLocker account. Your name, date of birth, photo and gender are fetched from it.
- Fill in your diploma details, SSLC register number, category, the eligibility clause you claim and any rural or Kannada medium claim.
- Enter the correct RD numbers of your caste or income and 371(J) certificates. KEA reads your category from these, and it cannot be changed later.
- Submit the declaration and pay the fee online or through the bank challan generated after registration.
- Take the final printout of the application. Your application counts as complete only after payment and this printout.
| Fee item | Details |
|---|---|
| Application fee | Category-wise amount shown on the KEA portal at the payment step; confirm it in the DCET 2027 bulletin |
| How to pay | Online, or by bank challan downloaded after registration |
| 2026 deadlines | Form originally by 3 April 2026 and fee by 4 April 2026 (6:00 PM); the form deadline was later extended to 10 April 2026 |
Fill in only those claims you can back with certificates. A reservation or quota you do not claim in the online form cannot be claimed later.
Who can apply for Karnataka DCET 2027?
You can apply if you have passed, or are in the final year of, a diploma in engineering or an equivalent course with the minimum marks below.
- At least 45% aggregate in all subjects of the final year (5th and 6th semesters) taken together; 40% for SC, ST and Backward Classes candidates of Karnataka.
- Students in the final diploma year who are waiting for results can apply.
- Since a 2022 government order, eligible diploma holders can choose any engineering branch for lateral entry, not only their own.
- Working professionals can apply for the seats set aside for them if they meet the same marks rule and have full-time work experience after the diploma (the 2026 bulletin cites the AICTE norm of one year, counted to 1 September of the admission year) in the branch they seek.
- For Government seats you must meet a Karnataka eligibility clause, for example at least seven years of study in Karnataka between Class 1 and the final diploma year, including SSLC or the diploma.
- Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadiga candidates must also pass a Kannada language test (at least 12 out of 50), held only in Bengaluru on the exam day.
Diploma in Architecture holders do not use DCET for BE. They apply to KEA for 1st year B.Arch with a valid NATA score, and their merit uses diploma marks and NATA in equal weight.
What is the Karnataka DCET 2027 exam pattern?
DCET is one 3-hour offline paper of 100 multiple-choice questions for 100 marks, common to all engineering diploma branches. It follows the syllabus in use since 2023.
| Section | Marks |
|---|---|
| Engineering Mathematics | 20 |
| Statistics and Analytics | 20 |
| IT Skills | 20 |
| Fundamentals of Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 20 |
| Project Management Skills | 20 |
| Total | 100 |
- Mode: pen and paper; you shade answers on an OMR sheet with a blue or black ballpoint pen.
- Each question has four options and carries 1 mark. There is no negative marking, but a question with more than one answer shaded gets no marks.
- You get 10 minutes before the paper to fill in your details on the OMR sheet.
- In 2026 the paper ran from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
See the DCET 2027 syllabus for the unit-wise topics and marks.
Karnataka DCET Official Notices and Downloads
- PDFDCET 2026 Information Bulletin (latest) (17 March 2026)Official site · cetonline.karnataka.gov.inOpen
- PDFDCET 2026 Syllabus and marks distribution (latest, common to all diploma branches) (13 March 2026)Official site · cetonline.karnataka.gov.inOpen
- LINKKEA official website (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea)Official site · cetonline.karnataka.gov.inOpen