• Updated on 8 Apr, 2026 by Dina Bandhu
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Karnataka PGCET Eligibility Criteria 2026 is released by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) every year. To apply for PGCET, a student must have a Bachelor’s Degree (at least 3 years) from a recognised university. The eligibility criteria for this year remained the same as last year.
Karnataka PGCET exam for M.E./ M.Tech and M.Arch courses is expected to be held on May 24, 2026, while the exam for MBA and MCA courses is scheduled for May 23, 2026. The registration process for the Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam started on March 23, 2026. The last date to apply for the exam is April 08, 2026.
Karnataka PGCET is a state-level exam for admission to part-time or full-time MBA, MCA, M.E., M.Tech, and M.Arch courses. If a student does not meet the eligibility criteria, their Karnataka PGCET 2026 Application Process may be rejected. More details about Karnataka PGCET eligibility, course-wise requirements, and the registration process can be found in the article.
Karnataka PGCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has set specific eligibility criteria for students applying for the exam. These criteria are divided based on factors like domicile (whether the student is from Karnataka or not), academic qualifications, and other requirements. The details are listed below:
Karnataka PGCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: MBA Program
MBA admissions are offered as full-time or part-time programs. The eligibility for each type is as follows:
Full-Time MBA course
- Candidates must complete a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized college or university.
- The degree course should be for at least 3 years.
- Candidates must score at least 50% marks in total, including all subjects and languages, in all the years of their degree.
- For SC, ST, and Category-I students from Karnataka, 45% marks in total is required to be eligible.
Part Time MBA courses
Part-time admission under Karnataka PGCET 2026 follows the same basic eligibility criteria as regular courses with a few additional conditions.
- The rules for this type of admission are the same as mentioned earlier.
- Additionally, candidates must have at least 3 years of work experience after completing their degree.
- The organization where the candidate works must be within 40 km of the institution where they want to take admission.
Karnataka PGCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: MCA Program
Aspirants can take admission to full-time or part-time MCA Programs. Both Karnataka and Non-Karnataka candidates are also offered admissions to 2nd year lateral entry to MCA courses.
- A Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized institution or a similar examination is required.
- Any one of these subjects must have been studied in the degree:
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Computer Science
- Computer Applications
- Computer Programming
- Business Mathematics
- Business Statistics
- Minimum marks required:
- 50% marks overall in all years of the degree.
- 45% marks for SC/ST and Category-I candidates from Karnataka.
- Candidates who studied one of the above subjects in their Pre-University Course (PUC) and scored 50% in that subject can also apply.
Lateral Entry to 2nd year MCA
Candidates applying must meet specific academic requirements, including a relevant bachelor’s degree and a background in Mathematics. Minimum aggregate marks criteria apply, with relaxation provided for reserved category candidates as per norms.
- Bachelor’s Degree (3 years) in BCA, B.Sc. (IT / Computer Science) is required.
- Mathematics must have been studied either in Class 12 (10+2) or during the degree course.
- Minimum marks required:
- 50% marks overall in all years of the degree.
- 45% marks for SC/ ST and Category-I candidates from Karnataka.
Note: There are no Part-time courses offered for the MCA degree.
Karnataka PGCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: M.E./ M. Tech / M. Arch
Karnataka PGCET 2026 eligibility criteria cover various courses, including MBA, MCA, and M.E./M.Tech/M.Arch, with specific academic and work experience requirements. The table below provides a clear and compiled overview of all conditions to help candidates easily understand their eligibility.
| Category | Criteria | Requirement |
| M.E./M.Tech/M.Arch (Full-Time) | Qualification | Relevant Bachelor’s degree |
| GATE Score | Given preference | |
| Minimum Marks | 50% (45% for SC/ST/Category-I) | |
| Work Experience | Not required | |
| Note | No rounding off marks allowed | |
| M.E./M.Tech/M.Arch (Part-Time) | Qualification | Same as full-time |
| Minimum Marks | 50% (45% for SC/ST/Category-I) | |
| Work Experience | Minimum 3 years (by July 31, 2026) | |
| Job Location | Within 40 km of institution | |
| Employer NOC | Mandatory | |
| QIP (Part-Time M.Tech) | Qualification | B.E./B.Tech from recognized university |
| Minimum Marks | 50% (No relaxation) | |
| Work Experience | Minimum 1 year | |
| Job Location | Within 100 km of institution | |
| MBA / MCA Eligibility | Qualification | Relevant Bachelor’s degree |
| Mathematics | Required (for MCA) at 10+2 or degree level | |
| Minimum Marks | 50% (45% for SC/ST/Category-I) | |
| Karnataka Eligibility | Study Requirement | 7 years study in Karnataka |
| Schooling | Must pass 10th/12th from Karnataka-recognized school | |
| Parent Criteria | Parent studied/lived in Karnataka for 7 years | |
| Special Cases | Ex-servicemen children eligible (with certificate) | |
| Non-Karnataka | Only eligible for management quota | |
| General Rules | Final Year Students | Eligible to apply |
| Marks Rule | No rounding off allowed |
Karnataka PGCET 2026 Reservation for Karnataka Candidates
Some seats in Karnataka PGCET 2026 are set aside for students who belong to certain special groups. These groups include Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). The OBC group is further divided into Category 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B. This reservation is given according to government rules made on January 31, 1995. These reserved seats are only for students who are from Karnataka.
- Candidates must show a Caste Certificate or Caste Income Certificate from the local Tahsildar as proof of their caste and income.
- This rule is based on a government order made on March 30, 2002, and updated from time to time.
- SC, ST, and Category-1 students do not have to pay tuition fees if their family's yearly income is less than ₹2.5 lakhs.
- Candidates should read government rules to know more details.
- OBC students need to pay their fees first when they get a seat through CET.
- After getting admission, OBC students can ask for money back (reimbursement) from the Backward Class Department.
- SC, ST, and Category-1 students must show an Income Certificate from the Tahsildar in a specific format.
- The Income Certificate is needed to get a scholarship from the Government of India.
Also Check: Karnataka PGCET 2026 Application Process
Karnataka PGCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria FAQs
What is the eligibility criteria for Karnataka PGCET 2026?
The eligibility criteria for Karnataka PGCET 2026 require candidates to hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. Candidates must also meet minimum aggregate marks, usually 50% for general category and 45% for reserved categories. The criteria vary depending on the course such as MBA, MCA, or M.Tech.
What is the minimum qualification required for Karnataka PGCET 2026?
Candidates must have completed a Bachelor’s degree of at least three years duration or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. The degree must be relevant to the course applied for, such as engineering for M.Tech or any discipline for MBA, depending on program-specific requirements.
What are the minimum marks required for Karnataka PGCET 2026?
Candidates must secure at least 50% aggregate marks in their qualifying degree to be eligible for Karnataka PGCET 2026. Candidates belonging to reserved categories such as SC, ST, and Category-I of Karnataka receive relaxation and need around 45% aggregate marks in the qualifying examination.
Is there any age limit for Karnataka PGCET 2026?
There is no upper age limit for Karnataka PGCET 2026. Candidates who meet the academic and other eligibility requirements can apply regardless of their age. This allows both fresh graduates and working professionals to appear for the exam without age restrictions.
Are final-year students eligible for Karnataka PGCET 2026?
Yes, candidates who are in the final year or final semester of their qualifying degree are eligible to apply for Karnataka PGCET 2026. However, such candidates must complete their degree and meet the required marks criteria before the admission process begins.
Is domicile required for Karnataka PGCET 2026?
Domicile requirements apply mainly for candidates seeking admission under the Karnataka state quota. Candidates who have studied for a specified number of years in Karnataka or meet certain residency conditions are considered eligible for reserved state seats, while others can apply under different categories.
What are the eligibility criteria for MBA through Karnataka PGCET 2026?
For MBA admission through Karnataka PGCET 2026, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree of at least three years duration from a recognized university. Candidates must also secure a minimum of 50% aggregate marks, with relaxation for reserved categories, and fulfill any additional conditions set by the authority.
What are the eligibility criteria for MCA through Karnataka PGCET 2026?
Candidates applying for MCA through Karnataka PGCET 2026 must have a Bachelor’s degree with Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or related subjects. Candidates from other streams must have studied Mathematics at the 10+2 or graduation level to meet eligibility requirements.