The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), 18th Cross, Sampige Road, Malleshwaram, Bengaluru, has officially released the post-seat allotment schedule and guidelines for exercising choices following the declaration of Karnataka PGCET 2026 Round 1 Seat Allotment for admission to MBA, MCA, M.Tech, and M.Arch programmes. Candidates who were allotted seats or seeking upgradation in higher preference colleges can access the choice entry portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. The portal for exercising choices remains active through 05 October 2026.
Karnataka PGCET 2026: Post-Allotment Timeline and Key Dates
Candidates must adhere strictly to the schedule to safeguard their admission status:
| Particulars | Official Examination Specifications |
|---|---|
| Admissions Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA Bengaluru) |
| Programmes Covered | MBA, MCA, M.Tech, M.Arch (Post Graduate Common Entrance Test) |
| Choice Exercise Window | Active until 05 October 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Fee Payment Window | 03 October 2026 to 07 October 2026 (Banking Hours) |
| Last Date for College Reporting | 08 October 2026 (Up to 5:30 PM) |
| Official Portals | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in / keaonline.karnataka.gov.in |
Selection Process and Four Choice Options in KEA Counselling
Candidates must carefully review the four legal choices before submitting their decision:
- Choice 1 (Accept & Freeze): Candidate is completely satisfied with the allotted seat and does not wish to participate in further rounds. The candidate must pay the prescribed tuition fee, download the admission order, and report to the allotted college before 08 October 2026.
- Choice 2 (Accept & Upgrade): Candidate is satisfied with the allotted seat but wishes to participate in Round 2 for higher preference options. The candidate must pay the prescribed tuition fee. If a higher option is allotted in Round 2, the Round 1 seat is automatically cancelled. If no higher seat is allotted, the Round 1 seat is retained.
- Choice 3 (Reject & Upgrade): Candidate is not satisfied with the allotted seat, rejects it, and participates in Round 2 for higher options without paying tuition fees. The Round 1 seat is surrendered back to the pool.
- Choice 4 (Reject & Exit): Candidate is not satisfied with the allotted seat and exits completely from Karnataka PGCET 2026 counselling.
Challan Generation and College Admission Protocol
For candidates selecting Choice 1, the following sequence must be fulfilled:
- Log in to the KEA portal using your PGCET Number and Password.
- Select Choice 1 and generate the bank e-challan or make payment via online NEFT / RTGS / Payment Gateway.
- After payment confirmation, download the official KEA Admission Order bearing your photo and bar-coded security seal.
- Report physically to the allotted college along with original PGCET Hall Ticket, Rank Card, 10th and 12th marksheets, Degree marks cards (all semesters), Karnataka Domicile Certificate, and Caste/Income Certificate before 08 October 2026 (5:30 PM).
Previous Year Cutoff Marks and Category Standards
In the previous PGCET admission round, top government and university departments like BMS College of Engineering and UVCE Bengaluru closed MBA cutoffs within Rank 450 for General Merit and Rank 1200 for Category 1. MCA cutoffs in premiere institutes closed around Rank 650.
Aspirant Suggestions and High-Yield Preparation Strategy
- Timely Choice Submission: Do not wait until the final hours of 05 October 2026 to exercise your choice, as failure to exercise a choice results in automatic cancellation of the allotted seat.
- Choice 2 Fee Obligation: Remember that choosing Choice 2 requires full fee payment to hold the seat; failure to pay fee by 07 October 2026 forfeits the seat.
- College Confirmation Slip: Upon reporting to your institution under Choice 1, obtain the counter-signed admission acknowledgment slip from the principal office.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the last date to exercise choices for Karnataka PGCET Round 1?
Candidates must exercise their choice online through cetonline.karnataka.gov.in before 05 October 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Does a candidate selecting Choice 2 need to pay the college fee?
Yes. Candidates selecting Choice 2 must pay the prescribed tuition fee online or via bank challan to retain the allotted seat while seeking upgradation.
What happens if a Choice 1 candidate fails to report to the college?
Failure to report to the college by 08 October 2026 (5:30 PM) results in immediate forfeiture of the seat and admission fee.
What is Choice 3 in Karnataka PGCET counselling?
Choice 3 means the candidate rejects the current allotment and moves to Round 2 without holding any seat and without paying tuition fees.
Where can candidates download the PGCET admission order?
The official admission order can be downloaded directly from the KEA candidate portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in after successful fee payment.