Overview
The seat matrix KCET 2026 is one of the most important documents for engineering aspirants in Karnataka. Released by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), it lists the total number of seats available across all participating colleges, courses, and categories. Understanding the seat matrix KCET 2026 helps students make informed choices during counselling and plan their finances well in advance.
KCET applies to Karnataka-domicile candidates and the wards of Jammu and Kashmir migrants, seeking government-share seats in Government, University, Private Aided, and Private Un-Aided professional educational institutions in Karnataka.The official website for all KEA activities is cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
KCET 2026: Key Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application process began | January 17, 2026 |
| Last date to apply | February 27, 2026 |
| Fee payment deadline (extended) | March 7, 2026 |
| Application correction window closed | March 30, 2026 |
| Admit card released | April 11, 2026 |
| KCET Exam (Kannada Language Test) | April 22, 2026 |
| KCET Main Exam | April 23–24, 2026 |
| Results expected | May 2026 |
| Counselling begins | June–July 2026 |
| Option entry deadline (Round 1) | July 29, 2026 |
| Mock seat allotment result | Late July 2026 |
| Provisional seat allotment (Round 1) | Early August 2026 |
Seat Matrix KCET 2026: How Seats Are Divided
| Quota | Seat Share |
|---|---|
| KCET (Government quota) | 45% |
| COMEDK UGET | 30% |
| Management quota | 25% |
In Government and Aided colleges, 100% of seats fall under the Government/KCET quota.
Under the current 2026 consensus agreement between the Karnataka Government and Private College Associations, seat sharing is strictly monitored.
Seat Matrix KCET 2026: Engineering College Category-Wise Breakdown
The table below shows the full seat matrix KCET 2026 across all categories of engineering colleges in Karnataka. The KCET fee structure is released separately for all colleges and courses by the Karnataka Examinations Authority.
| College Type | CET Seat % | No. of Colleges | Total CET Seats | Govt. Fee (per year) | SNQ Seats | SNQ Fee (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government Colleges | 100% | 16 | 4,030 | ₹44,311 | 202 | ₹21,360 |
| UVCE (Govt. University) | 100% | 1 | 760 | — | — | ₹21,360 |
| Aided Private Colleges | 100% | 6 | 2,260 | ₹44,311 | 113 | ₹21,360 |
| Minority Aided Colleges | 95% | 8 | 2,803 | ₹44,311 | 148 | ₹21,360 |
| Private Unaided Colleges | 45% | 145 | 40,499 | ₹1,13,205 or ₹1,22,300 | 4,500 | ₹31,360 |
| Minority Religious Colleges | 40% | 16 | 3,960 | ₹1,13,205 or ₹1,22,300 | 495 | ₹31,360 |
| Minority Linguistic Colleges | 45% | 28 | 718 + diploma quota | ₹1,13,205 or ₹1,22,300 | — | — |
| Minority Medical Colleges | 40% | 28 | 11,736 | ₹1,13,205 | — | — |
SNQ = Supernumerary Quota (5% over and above the sanctioned intake in each course)
The fee structure for Karnataka engineering colleges varies significantly across different categories, ranging from ₹21,360 per year at UVCE to ₹1,22,300 at private colleges. Government and aided colleges offer the most affordable options, while private colleges provide more seat availability at higher costs.
Fee Structure in the Seat Matrix KCET 2026: Category-Wise
Fees in the seat matrix KCET 2026 vary not just by college type, but also by the student’s reservation category and annual family income:
| Category | Description | Fee Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | No caste-based concession | Full fees as listed |
| 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B | Backward classes | Partial concession if income < ₹10 lakh/year |
| SC/ST | Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe | Reduced or nil tuition fees per KEA rules |
| Category-1 | Economically backward | Concession if income < ₹2.5 lakh/year |
| SNQ (Supernumerary Quota) | Meritorious students in extra seats | Tuition fee waived; pay other charges only |
Additional Charges
Tuition fees already include other mandatory charges: ₹10,000 for Government or Aided colleges, and ₹20,000 for Private or Unaided colleges. For Architecture courses, an additional fee of ₹650 applies. The exact amount to be paid is shown in the allotment order during counselling.
Application / Registration Fee
| Category | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | ₹500 |
| SC / ST | ₹250 |
| NRI candidates | ₹5,000 |
Supernumerary Quota (SNQ) in the Seat Matrix KCET 2026
5% of the seats in every college and in each course are reserved under the supernumerary quota. For instance, if there are 120 seats in Computer Science in a specific college, the supernumerary quota for that branch will be 6 seats, making the total intake 126. Students allotted SNQ seats do not have to pay the government-prescribed tuition fee — it is waived. They pay only the other applicable charges.
KCET 2026 Counselling Process: How to Use the Seat Matrix
Knowing how to read the seat matrix KCET 2026 is only useful if you understand how the counselling process works. The KCET counselling process includes registration, document verification, web option entry (choosing courses and colleges), mock seat allotment, an option to modify entries post-mock, three rounds of allotment, and final admission. Candidates have the choice of waiting for the next round for better colleges, holding their current seat, or exiting the process.
After each round, candidates choose one of the following options:
| Choice | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Accept and Freeze | Satisfied with allotted seat; stop participating in further rounds |
| Accept and Float | Satisfied, but willing to upgrade if a better seat is available next round |
| Accept and Slide | Want a seat in the same college but a different (preferred) branch |
| Withdraw | Not satisfied; exit the process entirely (fee forfeited under certain conditions) |
Seat Cancellation and Refund Rules
Candidates allotted a seat in the first or second round who surrender their seat can receive a fee refund after deduction of a processing fee of ₹5,000. However, if a candidate surrenders a seat after the second extended round, the complete fee is forfeited. Surrender or cancellation is not allowed if the candidate has not returned original documents such as the admission order, bank challan, green card, and verification slip.
KCET vs. COMEDK 2026: Seat and Fee Comparison
The seat matrix KCET 2026 should also be viewed alongside COMEDK, as both are relevant to Karnataka engineering admissions:
| Feature | KCET | COMEDK UGET |
|---|---|---|
| Conducted by | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) | COMEDK consortium |
| Eligibility | Karnataka domicile (with exceptions) | Open to all Indian students |
| Participating colleges | Govt + Aided + Private (~200+) | ~190 private colleges |
| Exam date 2026 | April 23–24, 2026 | May 9, 2026 |
| Fee (Govt. college seat) | ₹44,311/year | Not applicable |
| Fee (Private college seat) | ₹1,13,205–₹1,22,300/year | Higher (college-determined) |
If you are from outside Karnataka, COMEDK 2026 is your only merit-based gateway to prestigious institutes like RVCE, MSRIT, and BMSCE.
Important Notes for Using the Seat Matrix KCET 2026
- The official seat matrix KCET 2026 and final fee structure will be published on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea before counselling begins.
- The exact KCET fees depend on your college type, course, category, and any additional charges as defined by KEA. Always refer to the official KEA website for the latest and authentic fee details before counselling.
- Hostel fees are separate and must be paid directly to the college hostel section.
- The application process now acts as a verification module — SATS ID and RD numbers are auto-verified against Government databases during registration.
This article is based on information available as of April 2026. Since the seat matrix KCET 2026 and finalized fee structure are typically published alongside the counselling schedule (expected June–July 2026), candidates should always verify the latest details at the official KEA portal: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
