Karnataka DCET 2026- the application form opens in the Month of April 2026.
DCET 2026 is the Diploma Common Entrance Test by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for lateral entry into the second year of B.Tech/BE programs and first year of B.Arch in state colleges.
You will know all the details here tentative date of application form, Eligibility, Application fees, and selection criteria and what percentage is good for a reputed college. The passing percentage to get admission in the state
Karnataka DCET 2026 Tentative Schedule
Looking at the past trend, generally the notification releases on April , 2026, with applications starting April last week and closing first week of May 2026 corrections from May 25-27. Admit cards issue May 26, exam on May 31 (2-5 PM), provisional key June 4, and results June 24.
Exam Details
It’s an offline pen-paper test in English, 180 marks for BE (1 mark per correct answer, no negative marking), covering applied math, physics/chemistry, and diploma subjects.
Architecture uses NATA scores alongside.
Karnataka DCET 2026 Application Process
Apply online at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea with fees of ₹500-650 by category; diploma holders need 45% aggregate (40% SC/ST). Counseling follows in July-August.
Karnataka DCET eligibility requires candidates to hold a 3-year diploma in engineering/technology or equivalent, with at least 45% aggregate marks in the final year (5th and 6th semesters combined),
It is relxable to 40% for SC/ST/OBC candidates from Karnataka.
B.Tech Lateral Entry
Applicants must be Indian citizens, with Karnataka domicile preferred but not mandatory for all seats. No upper age limit or attempt restrictions apply,
Eligibility for working professionals they should have a 2 years of full-time relevant work experience.
B.Arch Entry
Candidates need a 10+3 diploma in architecture or equivalent with 50% aggregate in the final year, plus qualification in NATA (at least 40% marks).
Diploma must be from institutions by AICTE or state boards
Karnataka DCET selection process involves a single offline exam followed by merit-based counseling through Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA).
Candidates qualify via DCET scores (50% weightage) combined with diploma final-year marks (50% weightage) for B.Tech lateral entry; B.Arch uses NATA alongside.
Karnataka DCET 2026 Application Fee
Fees are ₹650 for General/2A/2B/3A/3B categories, ₹500 for SC/ST/Cat-1/PWD (Karnataka only), and ₹3,000 for non-Karnataka candidates (including exam fee). Payments occur online during application at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
Karnataka D CET 2026 Selection Steps
Appear for the 3-hour MCQ exam (180 marks, no negative marking).
Download provisional answer key, raise objections if needed.
View results and merit list; participate in multiple counseling rounds with option entry, seat allotment, and document verification
Karnataka DCET admission cutoffs vary by college, branch, category, and round, with no fixed qualifying marks—seats will be on the basis of merit rank from combined DCET score (50%) and diploma final-year marks (50%).
So what is a good score, the expected good scores for top government colleges like RVCE or PESCE range from 120-150/180 for general category in popular branches like CSE; closing ranks often fall under 500-2000 for merit seats.
Previous Year Cutoffs (2025 Reference)
Government seats: CSE closed at ~85-95 marks (rank <1000 general), Mechanical/EC ~70-85 marks.
Private aided: ~60-80 marks for competitive branches.
SC/ST: Relaxed to ~40-60 marks due to reservation quotas (15-32% seats).
Factors Affecting Admission
Higher scores secure better colleges during counseling; use KEA’s mock allotment tool post-results. Check official cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea for 2026 cutoff PDFs after each round, as they fluctuate yearly based on seat matrix (~10,000 B.Tech lateral seats).
Karnataka DCET 2026 How to apply?
Candidates can apply online only and have following documents ready with them. The applying link is kea.kar.nic.in
Documents Required
1) SSLC / 10th standard Marks Card,
2) Diploma (All Semesters / Years) Marks Cards of the candidate,
3) Candidate’s STUDY CERTIFICATE obtained from the head of the institution which should have countersigned by concerned Block Educational Officer (BEO) / DDPU (7 years of study in Karnataka including 10th or Diploma) (Refer formats in the following pages)
4) If claiming Rural quota: – Rural Study Certificate from 1st to 10th std for Ten Complete Years and should be countersigned by BEO. Further, General Merit students should also produce NCLC obtained from the concerned Tahasildar. (Refer formats in the following pages)
5) If claiming Kannada Medium quota: Kannada Medium Study Certificate from 1st to 10th std for Ten Complete Years and should be countersigned by BEO; as per the format.
6) If claiming reservation benefits: Caste / Caste Income Certificate issued by Concerned Tahsildar- For SC / ST in Form-‘D’, Category-I in Form ‘E’ and 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B in Form ‘F’. Caste Certificate or Caste Income Certificate or Income Certificate should be in the name of the candidate only. Income certificate to be produced by SC / ST / Cat-1 to claim fee exemption.
Karnataka DCET 2026 FAQs
The application form opens in April 2026 for admission to the Lateral entry
KEA gives one month time to fill the application form and some time date is extended.
The exam is held for entry to Second year of Engineering course. You are in the 6 or 7 semester of Diploma engineering courses
After the result candidates will appear in the counselling process for availing the seats
