Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam Date Revised; Registration to Begin March 23

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially announced a revision in the examination schedule for the Post Graduate Common Entrance Test (PGCET) 2026. According to the latest notification released on the official portal, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea, the entrance test for MBA and MCA courses will now take place in late May. This adjustment gives candidates additional time to prepare for the state-level entrance exam. As of the current date, 22 March 2026, the online application window is set to open tomorrow, allowing thousands of aspirants to begin their registration process for various postgraduate professional programmes.

Revised Examination Schedule and Registration Timeline

The registration process for Karnataka PGCET 2026 is scheduled to commence at 11:00 AM on March 23, 2026. Candidates can access the application form through the KEA website and must complete the submission by April 8, 2026. The authority has set April 10, 2026, as the final deadline for the payment of the application fee. While the ME, MTech, and MArch exams remain scheduled for May 23, 2026, the MBA and MCA entrance tests have been moved to May 24, 2026. This year, the MBA exam will be held in the afternoon shift, while the MCA exam is scheduled for the morning session.

Eligibility Criteria for Postgraduate Admissions

Aspirants must meet specific academic requirements to qualify for the entrance test. For full-time MBA and MCA courses, candidates generally need a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% aggregate marks. However, candidates from SC, ST, and Category-I of Karnataka are eligible with 45% marks. Those applying for part-time courses must have a minimum of three years of work experience by July 31, 2026. It is also important to note that while non-Karnataka candidates can apply, they are typically considered for management quota seats rather than government-allotted seats.

Application Process and Fee Details

The application procedure is entirely online and involves creating a user account, filling in personal and academic details, and uploading necessary documents such as photographs and signatures. The application fee for the general category is approximately 650 to 700 rupees, while reserved category candidates from Karnataka pay a lower fee of 500 rupees. Candidates are advised to keep their login credentials safe for downloading the admit cards, which are expected to be released in the first week of May 2026.

The Karnataka PGCET remains a vital gateway for students seeking admission into over 170 institutes across the state. With the registration portal opening tomorrow, candidates should ensure they have all their scanned documents and certificates ready. The exam will follow an offline OMR-based pattern consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions. Since there is no negative marking, students can attempt all questions within the 120-minute duration. Regular updates regarding the hall ticket and counseling process will be available on the official KEA website.

Conclusion The revision of the Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam dates provides a clear timeline for all postgraduate aspirants. With registrations starting on March 23 and the exams set for May, students now have a confirmed schedule to plan their final rounds of preparation. Following the official guidelines and meeting the deadlines for fee payment will be essential for a successful application.