Karnataka PGCET 2027 is the state entrance test that the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) holds for admission to MBA, MCA and M.E./M.Tech courses in Karnataka colleges. Applications are expected in March and April 2027, with the exams in May and June 2027. KEA then fills seats through online counselling.
Karnataka PGCET 2027
Expected dates, application steps, eligibility, exam pattern and official notices for PGCET 2027.
| Full name | Post Graduate Common Entrance Test (PGCET), Karnataka |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Exam level | State level (Karnataka) |
| Courses / Purpose | Admission to MBA, MCA and M.E./M.Tech/M.Arch courses in Karnataka colleges |
| Exam date | Expected May 2027 (M.E./M.Tech) and June 2027 (MBA, MCA) |
| Application | Expected March to April 2027, online only |
| Eligibility | Bachelor's degree with 50% aggregate (45% for SC, ST and Category-I of Karnataka) |
| Mode | Offline, pen and paper (OMR answer sheet) |
| Questions and marks | 100 MCQs, 100 marks (1 mark each) |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Negative marking | None |
| Official website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
Karnataka PGCET 2027 Important Dates
KEA has not announced the PGCET 2027 schedule yet, so the dates below are expected months based on 2026, when the M.Tech exam was held on 23 May and the MBA and MCA exams on 14 June.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| PGCET 2027 notification | March 2027 Expected |
| Online application | March 2027 Expected |
| Admission ticket | May 2027 Expected |
| ME/M.Tech exam | May 2027 Expected |
| MBA and MCA exams (MBA/MCA) | May 2027 Expected |
| Provisional answer keys | May 2027 Expected |
| Result | August 2027 Expected |
| Counselling and seat allotment | September 2027 Expected |
How to Apply for Karnataka PGCET 2027
You apply online on the KEA website once the PGCET 2027 notification is out, expected in March 2027. Candidates who want M.Tech seats through a GATE score, and M.Arch candidates with PGETA, must also register and pay the fee here to join KEA counselling.
Apply Online for Karnataka PGCET 2027
Applications for Karnataka PGCET 2027 are expected in March 2027.
- Open the PGCET 2027 page on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea and click the online application link.
- Register with your own mobile number. KEA verifies it by OTP, and one number can be used by only one candidate.
- Capture your live photo when asked. KEA uses face recognition to verify you at later stages.
- Fill in your personal, academic and course details. Your name must match your SSLC marks card and Aadhaar.
- Enter the RD numbers of your caste and income certificates if you claim reservation or fee benefits.
- Choose the correct course or subject code. You get the question paper of the code you select.
- Pay the application fee online and print the final application form.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Application fee | Announced in the PGCET 2027 notification |
| Payment mode | Online, after filling the form |
| Fee deadline in 2026 | 5 May 2026 (after extensions) |
| Admission ticket | Issued only after KEA confirms your fee payment |
How to log in to the Karnataka PGCET 2027 application portal?
The PGCET login on the KEA website is where you complete and edit your online application, choose your course, pay the fee and print the form. It opens with PGCET 2027 registration, expected in March 2027, so until then use the official KEA website.
- Open the official KEA website, go to Admissions and select the PGCET 2027 link once registration opens.
- Click Login for Registered Users. New candidates register first and receive their application number by email.
- Enter your registration (application) number, your password and the captcha. In 2026 KEA also offered a Login with Face option.
- Choose SMS, email or WhatsApp and enter the 6-digit OTP that KEA sends. The OTP is valid for 5 minutes.
- Your application opens: continue the form, set your course priority, pay the fee and print the application.
Forgot your password? Use the Forgot Password link on the PGCET login page. The admission ticket comes from a separate KEA exam portal, where you enter your application number, the first 4 letters of your name and a captcha.
Who can apply for Karnataka PGCET 2027?
You need a recognised bachelor’s degree with at least 50% aggregate marks in all subjects of all years (45% for SC, ST and Category-I candidates of Karnataka). Final-year students waiting for results can also apply.
- MBA: any bachelor’s degree of at least 3 years with 50% aggregate, including languages.
- MCA: BCA, a B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science or equivalent, or B.Sc., B.Com. or B.A. with Mathematics at 10+2 or degree level, with 50% aggregate.
- M.E./M.Tech: a B.E./B.Tech in the relevant branch with 50% aggregate. Candidates with a valid GATE score get first preference and do not need to write PGCET.
- Part-time MBA and M.Tech: the same degree rule plus at least 3 years of work experience, and a job within 40 km of the college.
- M.Arch: admission is through PGETA of the Council of Architecture, but you must still register for PGCET.
- Non-Karnataka candidates can take only MBA and MCA seats surrendered by managements. Reservation applies only to Karnataka candidates.
- Rounding off the aggregate percentage is not allowed.
What is the Karnataka PGCET 2027 exam pattern?
PGCET has a separate 100-question objective paper for MBA, MCA and each M.E./M.Tech stream, answered on an OMR sheet. The table follows the 2026 pattern, which KEA is expected to keep for 2027.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Pen and paper, OMR answer sheet |
| Papers | MBA, MCA, and M.E./M.Tech in Civil, Computer Science, Mechanical Sciences and Electrical Sciences |
| Questions | 100 multiple choice questions, 4 options each |
| Marks | 100 (1 mark per question) |
| Negative marking | None; multiple answers get no marks |
| Exam slot | 2 hours (in 2026: MBA 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, MCA and M.Tech 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM) |
| Calculator | Non-programmable calculator allowed only in the M.E./M.Tech paper |
| Language | English |
Since 2026, KEA does not hold a PGCET paper for Bio-Technology, Chemical, Environmental, Polymer Science and Textile Technology. Admission to these M.Tech courses is based on degree marks, but you must still register. See the PGCET syllabus for the topics in each paper.
How are PGCET seats allotted after the result?
KEA prepares separate rank lists for MBA, MCA and M.E./M.Tech based only on PGCET marks, and then allots seats through online counselling. Degree marks decide eligibility and break ties.
- Ties are broken by aggregate marks in the qualifying degree, then by age (the older candidate first), then by draw of lots.
- For M.E./M.Tech, GATE candidates are ranked first on their valid GATE score; PGCET rank lists are used for the remaining seats.
- Counselling has option entry, a mock allotment, then round-wise allotment, fee payment and college reporting.
- Your options from round 1 carry over to later rounds, so enter them carefully.
Karnataka PGCET 2027 Official Notices and Downloads
- PDFPGCET 2026 Information Bulletin (latest) (26 March 2026)Official site · cetonline.karnataka.gov.inOpen
- LINKKEA PGCET page: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/keaOfficial site · cetonline.karnataka.gov.inOpen