Karnataka PGCET 2026: Last Chance to Restore Eligibility by 6 PM Today; Fresh Option Entry Until November 4
Published 31 Oct 20268 min read
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has issued an important reminder for candidates participating in the Karnataka PGCET 2026 extended counselling round for MBA, MCA and MTech admissions. Candidates who were allotted seats between October 13 and October 15 but failed to complete fee payment or college reporting must take corrective action by 6 PM today, October 31, 2026, to restore their eligibility for the extended round. Such candidates have two options: pay the prescribed course fee and report to their allotted college to become eligible for an upgrade, or cancel their allotted seat online by paying a penalty of ₹10,000.
Meanwhile, eligible candidates must enter fresh college and course preferences for the extended counselling round by November 4, 2026, at 2 PM. KEA has clarified that options submitted during previous counselling rounds will not be carried forward. The caution deposit payment window is open from October 31 to November 3, 2026. General Merit candidates must pay ₹35,000, while SC/ST candidates are required to pay ₹10,000. Candidates who have already reported to their allotted colleges are exempt from paying the caution deposit. Candidates can access the official KEA website at https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/.
Karnataka PGCET 2026 Extended Round: Important Dates
Candidates should carefully check the revised counselling schedule before completing the required formalities.
| Counselling activity | Date and time |
|---|---|
| Deadline to pay fees and report or cancel seat | October 31, 2026, 6 PM |
| Caution deposit payment begins | October 31, 2026 |
| Fresh option entry begins | October 31, 2026, 2 PM |
| Last date for caution deposit payment | November 3, 2026 |
| Last date for fresh option entry | November 4, 2026, 2 PM |
| Provisional seat allotment result | November 5, 2026, after 1 PM |
Candidates should complete the required steps within the specified timelines to avoid losing eligibility.
Karnataka PGCET 2026: Who Must Restore Eligibility by 6 PM Today?
Candidates who received seat allotments during the October 13–15, 2026, counselling round but failed to pay the prescribed fees or report to their allotted colleges are required to take immediate action. KEA has provided these candidates with two options to become eligible for the extended counselling round.
Option 1: Pay the fee and report to the allotted college
Candidates who wish to retain their allotted seats while seeking an upgrade must complete the prescribed fee payment and report to the allotted college by 6 PM on October 31, 2026. After completing these formalities, they can participate in the extended round for seat upgradation.
Option 2: Cancel the allotted seat by paying ₹10,000
Candidates who do not wish to retain their allotted seats can cancel them online by paying the prescribed ₹10,000 penalty. For candidates who have already paid the course fee, the remaining amount will be refunded after deducting the cancellation penalty, as per KEA rules.
Both options must be completed before the October 31 deadline at 6 PM.
Who Is Eligible for Karnataka PGCET 2026 Extended Round?
The extended counselling round is open to the following categories of candidates:
- Unallotted candidates: Applicants who did not receive any seat in the earlier counselling rounds.
- Candidates seeking seat upgrades: Applicants who have already reported to their allotted colleges but want a better college or course.
- Candidates who cancelled their seats: Applicants who cancelled their previously allotted seats by paying the prescribed penalty.
Candidates who were allotted seats between October 13 and October 15 but did not pay the fee or report to the college must first restore their eligibility through one of the two permitted options.
Karnataka PGCET 2026 Caution Deposit: Category-Wise Fees
Eligible candidates participating in the extended round must pay the prescribed caution deposit, subject to the exemption for candidates who have already reported to their allotted colleges.
| Candidate category | Caution deposit |
|---|---|
| General Merit | ₹35,000 |
| SC/ST | ₹10,000 |
| Already-reported candidates | Exempt |
The caution deposit payment window runs from October 31 to November 3, 2026. The deposit will be adjusted against the course fee if a seat is allotted, subject to KEA's applicable rules. Candidates should carefully read the official notification regarding deposit forfeiture and penalties if they fail to complete admission formalities after allotment.
Fresh Option Entry Mandatory for Karnataka PGCET Extended Round
One of the most important instructions for the extended counselling round is that candidates must submit fresh options. KEA will not carry forward college and course preferences entered during previous counselling rounds. Candidates must log in to the official counselling portal and enter their preferred colleges and courses again in order of priority.
The fresh option entry window is scheduled as follows:
- Opening date: October 31, 2026, at 2 PM.
- Closing date: November 4, 2026, at 2 PM.
Candidates are advised to review the available seat matrix and arrange their preferences carefully before final submission.
How to Enter Fresh Options for Karnataka PGCET 2026?
Candidates can follow these general steps to complete the extended-round option entry process:
- Visit the official KEA website: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/.
- Open the Karnataka PGCET 2026 counselling section.
- Log in using the required candidate credentials.
- Check the eligibility status for the extended round.
- Review the available colleges, courses and seat matrix.
- Enter fresh college and course preferences in the desired order.
- Review the submitted preferences carefully.
- Complete the final submission before November 4, 2026, at 2 PM.
- Save or download the option-entry confirmation for future reference.
Candidates should not assume that previously submitted options will automatically be considered.
Karnataka PGCET 2026 Extended Round Seat Allotment Result
According to the announced schedule, the provisional seat allotment result for the extended round is expected on November 5, 2026, after 1 PM. Candidates should visit the official KEA website to check the allotment result and follow the subsequent fee payment and college reporting instructions issued by the authority.
Direct Link for Karnataka PGCET 2026 Counselling
Candidates can access the official Karnataka Examinations Authority portal through the following link:
- Official KEA Website: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/
Applicants should use the official portal for counselling notifications, candidate login, option entry, caution deposit payment and seat allotment updates.