Overview
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) released the Karnataka PGCET 2026 draft seat matrix for MBA, MCA and MTech admissions on September 9, 2026. The document provides institution-wise and course-wise seat availability for the counselling and allotment process; the consolidated number of seats is available in the detailed matrix rather than being announced as a single vacancy total.
Candidates who have qualified for Karnataka PGCET 2026 counselling should review the draft matrix carefully on the official portal before submitting their option preferences. As this is a draft, candidates must also check for any revised or final seat matrix published before allotment.
Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Organization | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Post Name | MBA, MCA and MTech Admissions 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | Course-wise and college-wise seats listed in the draft matrix PDF |
| Application Mode | Online counselling and option entry |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Application Start | TBA |
| Last Date | TBA |
| Exam Date | TBA |
| Result Date | TBA |
| Draft Seat Matrix Release | September 9, 2026 |
Candidates should note that the option-entry, mock-allotment and final-allotment schedules may be announced separately. They are advised to monitor the KEA portal regularly and not rely on unofficial counselling dates.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- MBA: Applicants should hold a recognised bachelor's degree of at least three years' duration with the minimum marks prescribed under Karnataka PGCET rules.
- MCA: Candidates should possess a relevant bachelor's degree, such as BCA or a degree in Computer Science, or another eligible degree with Mathematics at the qualifying level, as specified by KEA.
- MTech: Applicants must have a relevant BE, BTech or equivalent engineering degree from a recognised institution.
- The usual qualifying benchmark is 50% aggregate marks, with relaxation to 45% for eligible reserved-category candidates of Karnataka, subject to the applicable admission rules.
- Candidates must have qualified Karnataka PGCET 2026 or meet any permitted GATE-based eligibility conditions for the relevant postgraduate engineering programme.
- Programme-specific eligibility may differ. Applicants must verify the course code, qualifying discipline and college requirements before entering options.
Age Limit
- No general upper age limit is ordinarily prescribed for Karnataka PGCET postgraduate admissions.
- Candidates must satisfy the academic, domicile, category and document requirements notified by KEA.
- Any institution-specific condition will apply where mentioned in the admission rules.
Fees
- There is no fee to view or download the draft seat matrix.
- Counselling, seat-acceptance and admission fees will depend on the candidate's category, allotted institution and programme.
- Candidates should pay fees only through the payment methods enabled on the official portal.
- The detailed fee structure should be checked against the allotment order and official counselling instructions.
Selection Process
- Qualification and document verification: Candidates must qualify under the applicable PGCET or permitted GATE route and complete verification of academic, identity, category and eligibility documents.
- Option entry and allotment: Eligible candidates enter preferred colleges and courses based on the published seat matrix. KEA processes mock and subsequent allotments using rank, category, preferences and seat availability.
- Fee payment and reporting: Candidates accepting an allotted seat must complete the prescribed choice procedure, pay the admission fee, download the allotment order and report to the college within the deadline.
How to Apply
- Visit the Karnataka Examinations Authority portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
- Open the section for PGCET 2026 or postgraduate admissions and counselling.
- Select the link for the MBA, MCA and MTech draft seat matrix.
- Download the relevant PDF and check the college name, programme, course code, category-wise seats and total intake.
- Compare the matrix with your rank, eligibility and preferred location before preparing a priority list of options.
- Log in to the counselling portal using the required credentials when the option-entry window opens.
- Enter choices in genuine order of preference, save them and verify every course and college code before final submission.
- Check the mock-allotment result and modify preferences within the permitted period, if necessary.
- After final allotment, exercise the applicable choice, pay the required fee and download the admission or allotment order.
- Report to the allotted institution with original documents and payment receipts by the specified deadline.
Candidates should retain copies of the seat matrix, submitted options, verification slip, fee receipt and allotment order throughout the admission process.
Important Links
FAQs
1. When was the Karnataka PGCET 2026 draft seat matrix released?
The draft seat matrix for MBA, MCA and MTech counselling was released on September 9, 2026.
2. Where can candidates download the seat matrix PDF?
Candidates can download the course-wise and institution-wise matrix from the Karnataka Examinations Authority's official portal.
3. Is the draft seat matrix the final list of available seats?
No. Seat availability may change before or during counselling. Candidates should check the rev
