Karnataka PGCET 2026 Seat Allotment: Schedule, Process, Rounds and Key Details Explained

Staff Writer: Upasana Sen

Last Updated: February 24, 2026

Synopsis: Karnataka PGCET 2026 seat allotment will be conducted by KEA in multiple rounds starting September. Candidates can check results online and modify choices after mock allotment. The process includes course-wise allocation, reservation policies, and cutoff releases. Strategic option entry is crucial for securing desired MBA, MCA, or MTech seats.

The Karnataka PGCET 2026 seat allotment results will be released by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) as part of the centralized counselling process. Candidates appearing for the exam can check their allotment status through the official website once the results are announced. The authority conducts seat allotment in multiple rounds and also publishes cutoff ranks alongside the results.

Candidates who are allotted seats will be given options to either accept, upgrade, or reject the assigned seat. These choices play a crucial role in determining their participation in further counselling rounds.

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Seat Allotment Schedule

As per the tentative timeline, the counselling process will begin with option entry in August 2026. Candidates will be allowed to enter and modify their preferred colleges and courses during this period. A mock allotment result will also be released in August, enabling candidates to assess their chances and make necessary changes.

The first round provisional and final allotment results are expected in the first week of September 2026. Candidates who are allotted seats must exercise their choices and pay the required fees within the given timeline. Those selecting Choice-1 must report to their allotted institutes within the specified deadline.

Steps to Check Karnataka PGCET Seat Allotment Result

Candidates can follow these steps to access their allotment results:

Visit the official Karnataka PGCET website
Click on the seat allotment result link
Enter login credentials such as PGCET number
Submit details to view allotment status

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Seat Allotment Process

KEA publishes a detailed seat matrix, including course-wise, college-wise and category-wise seat distribution. The allotment is carried out based on:

Candidate’s rank
Preference of options entered
Availability of seats
Government reservation policies

The allotment is conducted in the following order:

ME/MTech/MArch courses
MCA course
MBA course

Course-wise Allotment Criteria

For ME/MTech/MArch:
Candidates with valid GATE scores are given preference, irrespective of domicile. However, reservation benefits apply only to Karnataka candidates. After allotting seats to GATE-qualified candidates, 90% of remaining general seats are reserved for Karnataka candidates, while 10% are allotted to non-Karnataka candidates.

For MCA Courses:
Seat allotment for MCA is done simultaneously across categories including General Merit and Ex-Defence. Eligible candidates, even those already allotted seats under other categories, are considered based on their MCA ranks.

For MBA Courses:
MBA seat allocation is conducted for all categories together. Candidates allotted seats in other streams such as MCA or ME/MTech can still be considered for MBA seats based on their PGCET MBA ranks.

Round-wise Seat Allotment

The Karnataka PGCET counselling process consists of two main allotment rounds, preceded by a mock allotment round.

Mock Allotment Round:
KEA releases a mock allotment based on initial choices filled by candidates. This helps candidates understand their potential seat allocation and modify preferences accordingly.

Importance of Mock Allotment:

Provides insight into probable seat allotment
Helps identify missed opportunities
Allows candidates to reorder, add, or delete options

However, changes made after mock allotment may affect final results, and candidates may not receive the same seat again.

Option Modification Process

After the mock allotment results, KEA opens an edit window where candidates can:

Modify preference order
Add new options
Delete existing choices

Candidates must ensure no duplication of college-course preferences. When an option is deleted, subsequent preferences are automatically adjusted.

First and Second Seat Allotment Rounds

The first round seat allotment result is released after the option modification window closes. Along with the results, KEA also publishes cutoff ranks, indicating the last rank at which seats were allotted across colleges and categories.

The second round is conducted to fill seats left vacant after the first round. Candidates can again modify their options before the final allotment. The process to check results remains the same for both rounds.

Final Note for Candidates

Candidates must carefully evaluate their choices during option entry and utilize the mock allotment phase effectively. Since allotment is based on merit and preferences, strategic selection of colleges and courses can significantly impact admission outcomes.

Also Read: Top CMAT Colleges in India 2026: Expected Cut-Offs, Fees and Admission Process After Results