Karnataka PGCET Counselling 2026: Mock Allotment, Option Entry Change and Round 1 Dates

Karnataka PGCET Counselling 2026 is being conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority for admission to postgraduate programmes, including MBA, MCA, M.E./M.Tech and M.Arch courses across Karnataka. The counselling process includes document verification, option entry, choice modification, mock allotment, seat allotment, fee payment and reporting at the allotted institute. As per the latest counselling schedule from KEA, the PGCET option-entry process is being conducted from September 11 to 17, 2026, followed by the mock allotment result on September 17, 2026. Candidates can modify or reorder their options from September 17 to 19, 2026. Thereafter, the provisional and final Round 1 seat allotments are scheduled for September 19 and 21, 2026, respectively.

Karnataka PGCET Counselling 2026 Important Dates

Karnataka PGCET 2026 counselling is currently underway, with the option-entry process concluding on September 17, 2026. The mock allotment result is scheduled to be released after 6:00 PM on September 17, 2026. Candidates must follow the KEA counselling schedule, complete option entry, and make any required changes within the specified deadlines to participate in the seat allotment process.

Read: Karnataka PGCET 2026 Results

Karnataka PGCET Counselling 2026 Seat Allotment Result Checking Process

Candidates can follow the steps below to check their Karnataka PGCET seat allotment results in the following manner:

• Visit the official KEA website, kea.kar.nic.in.
• Click on the link for Karnataka PGCET Seat Allotment Results on the homepage
• Enter the PGCET number in the required field
• Complete the captcha verification process
• Click on the ‘Submit’ button to view the seat allotment status on the screen

Karnataka PGCET Counselling 2026 Allotment Order Download Process

After the Karnataka PGCET Round 1 final seat allotment result is released on September 21, 2026, allotted candidates can exercise their choices from September 22 to 24, 2026, followed by fee payment and confirmation slip download from September 22 to 25, 2026. After the Karnataka PGCET seat allotment results are announced, candidates can proceed to exercise their allotted choices and pay the admission fee. Once the payment is successfully made, they must download the Karnataka PGCET confirmation slip, which serves as a crucial document during reporting at the allotted college. Aspirants can follow the steps below to download their allotment order and complete the fee payment process:

• Visit the official Karnataka PGCET website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/pgcet
• Click on the link for “Download Seat Allotment Order and Pay Admission Fee”
• Enter the PGCET number and the case-sensitive captcha code
• Click on the ‘Submit’ button to view the seat allotment order
• From the login dashboard, download and print the allotment order for reference
• Use the payment option available on the dashboard to pay the admission fee and complete the process

Also Check: Karnataka PGCET 2026 Cutoff

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Option Entry

The Karnataka PGCET 2026 Option Entry process allows eligible candidates to list their preferred colleges and courses in order of priority from September 11 to 17, 2026, up to 9:00 AM. The PGCET Option Entry 2026 process allows candidates to choose their preferred colleges and courses in order of priority during counselling. Through this feature, aspirants can list as many preferences as they wish, giving them flexibility in securing admission to their desired programme and institution. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) enables candidates to fill in and modify their options before the final submission to ensure accuracy and satisfaction with their selections. Candidates can follow the steps below to complete the Karnataka PGCET 2026 option entry process:

• Visit the official KEA website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
• Click on the “Admission” tab and select “PGCET” from the drop-down menu
• On the new page, click on the link titled “PGCET First Round Option Entry Link”
• Enter the PGCET number and the case-sensitive captcha code displayed on the screen
• Click on the ‘Submit’ button to proceed with entering college and course preferences

Karnataka PGCET Detailed Counselling Process 2026

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Counselling, conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), is designed to help candidates secure admission into postgraduate programmes such as MBA, MCA, and MTech. The process involves several important stages, including the display of seat matrix, option entry, mock allotment, final seat allotment, fee payment, and reporting to the allotted college. Below is a detailed overview of each stage of the Karnataka PGCET 2026 counselling process.

• Document Verification and Counselling Mode: In previous sessions, KEA conducted a physical document verification round at designated helpline centres as part of the centralised counselling process. However, for the 2026 session, KEA introduced an online-only process, eliminating the need for physical verification. After the verification phase, candidates must directly proceed with the option entry process. Based on the options entered, KEA releases mock allotment results, after which candidates are given the opportunity to edit and finalise their preferences for the first round of seat allotment
• Display of Seat Matrix: Before the commencement of the first round of seat allotment, KEA publishes the seat matrix on its official website. This matrix provides comprehensive details of the available seats across colleges, courses, and categories. Once the seat matrix is made available, the option entry process begins. Seat allotment during each round is carried out strictly based on the seat matrix and the preferences submitted by candidates
• Option Entry Process: Candidates who have completed the verification step are eligible to participate in the option entry process. During this stage, aspirants can select their preferred colleges and courses from among the available seats. There is no limit to the number of preferences that can be entered. Candidates should carefully fill in their options across all disciplines at once. The options saved on the server on the last day will be automatically frozen, and only these frozen choices will be considered for seat allotment. It is advisable for candidates to take a printout of their entered options for future reference
• Mock Allotment Result: To help candidates understand how the seat allotment process works, KEA releases a mock allotment result before the actual seat allocation begins. This mock round allows candidates to get a preview of the likely course and college they might be allotted based on their rank and preferences. After checking the mock allotment result, candidates are given the opportunity to revise or reorder their options before the final round
• Final Seat Allotment: The final seat allotment is conducted based on candidates’ merit, rank, and the preferences they have entered during the option entry stage. KEA uses the verified data and seat matrix to assign seats fairly and transparently. Once the allotment results are declared, candidates can view their status by logging into the KEA portal
• Payment of Admission Fee and Reporting to College: Candidates who are satisfied with their allotted seat must proceed to pay the admission fee through the designated banks. The fee challan can be downloaded from the official KEA website. After payment, the bank will provide copies of the challan for both the candidate and the college. About an hour after the transaction, candidates can download the admission order from the KEA portal.

Finally, candidates must report to the allotted college within the specified dates, carrying the college copy of the challan, admission order, and original documents. They must also log in to the KEA portal to confirm that they have joined the allotted institution.

Also Check: Karnataka PGCET 2026 Admit Card

Karnataka PGCET Counselling 2026 Documents Required

To complete the Karnataka PGCET 2026 Counselling process, candidates must carry a set of essential documents for verification and admission formalities. Here is the list of documents required for Karnataka PGCET 2026 counselling:

• Final printout of the Karnataka PGCET 2026 application form
• Fee receipt issued after registration or counselling payment
• Karnataka PGCET 2026 hall ticket/admit card
• SSLC / Class 10 mark sheet
• Class 12 mark sheet
• Qualifying degree mark sheets of all semesters/years
• Degree certificate or provisional degree certificate
• Study certificate countersigned by the Block Education Officer (BEO), applicable only to Karnataka candidates
• Work experience certificate (for candidates applying under the working category)
• Sponsored certificate (if applicable)
• Caste certificate (for candidates claiming reservation)
• Income certificate (if applicable for fee concession or scholarship)

Karnataka PGCET Counselling 2026 FAQs