KCET 2026 exam date announced; registration begins on January 17

The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has announced the exam dates for the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET 2026). As per the schedule, the CET 2026 exam will be held on April 23 and 24, in dual shifts. The registration process for KCET 2026 will begin on January 17.

Candidates can fill the KCET application form on the official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. The KEA will conduct the exam over two sessions each day, with session 1 from 10.30 am to 11:50 am and session 2 from 2:30 pm to 3.50 pm. The duration of the exam will be 1 hour and 20 minutes.

The authority will conduct the KCET 2026 Kannada language exam for Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadiga candidates on April 22. The exam will be held only at centres in Bengaluru, Belagavi, Vijayapura, and Mangaluru districts.

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The KCET 2026 exam for physics and chemistry subjects will be held on April 23, whereas the test for mathematics and biology subjects will take place on April 24, as per the official notice.

KEA also announced the exam dates for KRIES, PGCET, DCET, KSET, and other medical entrance exams. As per the other CET exam dates, KRIES 2026 is scheduled for March 1; PGCET for MBA and MCA on May 14; ME and MTech on May 23; MSc Nursing, MPT, and MSc-AHM on July 18; KSET on October 11; and MPharma and Pharma-D on November 21.

KCET Registration 2026: How to apply?

Check the step-by-step process for filling out the KCET application form 2026 below.

• Go to the official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
• Click on the "Admissions or select ‘New User? Click here to register" link.
• In the drop-down menu, click on the CET 2026 link.
• Click on the CET 2026 online application registration link.
• Choose the ‘Nationality’ and fill in the required details.
• Upload the photo and documents in a prescribed format and size.
• Pay the KCET 2026 application fee and submit the form.

The KCET application fee is Rs 500 for General category candidates and Rs 250 for SC/ST candidates. Applicants who studied outside Karnataka are required to pay Rs 750, while candidates applying from outside India must pay Rs 5,000.