KCET 1st Round Cutoff 2024: Branch-Wise Ranks, Counselling & Latest Trends
From 225 (CSE General) at RV College of Engineering to 12,609 (CSE General) at KLE Technological University, the KCET 1st Round Cutoff 2025 (Latest — 2026 awaited) provided a clear picture of admission trends across engineering branches. This cutoff is the closing rank for various B.Tech programs, reflecting the minimum rank required for admission in the first round of counselling. The 2026 cutoff will be updated post-release, following the completion of the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) counselling process.
KCET 2026 Counselling Schedule at a Glance
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has outlined the key dates for the KCET 2026 counselling process, with several stages already completed and further allotments anticipated.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Exam Window Opened | April 22, 2026 |
| Provisional Key Released | April 26, 2026 |
| Document Verification | May 4, 2026 |
| Revised Key Released | May 10, 2026 |
| Special Category List | May 29, 2026 |
| Draft Engineering Seat Matrix | June 2, 2026 |
| Option Entry | June 15, 2026 (Pending) |
| Mock and Round 1 Allotment | July 1, 2026 (Pending) |
KCET 1st Round Cutoff 2025: Top Engineering Branches (General Merit)
The 1st round KCET cutoff 2025 for General Merit candidates varied significantly across top engineering branches and institutions, with Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) consistently showing the lowest closing ranks.
| College Name | Branch | Closing Rank (2025 Mock Round) |
|---|---|---|
| R V College of Engineering, Bangalore | Computer Science Engineering (CSE) | 225 |
| PES University (Ring Road Campus), Bangalore | Computer Science Engineering (CSE) | 958 |
| M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore | Computer Science Engineering (CSE) | 3,000 |
| B M S College of Engineering, Bangalore | Computer Science Engineering (CSE) | 2,500 |
| University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore | Computer Science Engineering (CSE) | 3,473 |
| KLE Technological University | Computer Science Engineering (CSE) | 12,609 |
KCET 1st Round Cutoff 2025: Category-wise Overview
KCET cutoffs demonstrate notable differences across various reservation categories, with General Merit (GM) typically having the most competitive ranks, while reserved categories like OBC, SC, and ST see more relaxed closing ranks.
| Category | Typical Closing Rank Range (Top Colleges, CSE/High Demand Branches, 2025) |
|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | Under 500 to 5,000 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 2,000 to 3,000 (for top CSE) |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | Up to 9,000 (for top CSE) |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | Beyond 15,000 (for top CSE) |
Year-on-Year KCET Cutoff Trends: 2024 vs 2025 (General Merit, CSE)
Comparing the KCET 1st round cutoff for 2024 and 2025 reveals shifts in competitiveness for Computer Science Engineering (CSE) across prominent institutions.
| College Name | Branch | Closing Rank (2025 Mock Round GM) | Closing Rank (2024 Round 1 GM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| R V College of Engineering, Bangalore | Computer Science Engineering (CSE) | 225 | 290 |
| PES University (Ring Road Campus), Bangalore | Computer Science Engineering (CSE) | 958 | 1,247 |
| KLE Technological University | Computer Science Engineering (CSE) | 12,609 | 6,368 |
| National Institute of Engineering, Mysuru | Computer Science Engineering (CSE) | 7,919 | 6,186 |
FAQs
Q: What is considered a good rank in KCET?
A: A KCET rank under 5,000 is generally considered very good, offering strong chances for top branches like CSE in mid-tier Bengaluru colleges or ECE in top institutions. Ranks between 10,000-20,000 can still secure CSE in several good colleges outside Bengaluru.
Q: How is the KCET cutoff determined?
A: The KCET cutoff is determined by several factors including the difficulty level of the exam, the total number of candidates who appeared, the number of seats available in various courses and colleges, and the reservation policies.
Q: Do KCET cutoffs differ for various categories?
A: Yes, KCET cutoffs vary significantly across different categories such as General Merit (GM), OBC, SC, and ST due to reservation policies. Reserved category candidates typically secure admissions at higher (numerically less competitive) ranks compared to General Merit candidates for the same branch and college.
Q: When will the KCET 2026 cutoffs be officially released?
A: The official KCET 2026 cutoffs will be released by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) after the declaration of seat allotment results for each counselling round. The first round allotment is tentatively scheduled for July 1, 2026.
Q: What is the difference between opening and closing ranks in KCET?
A: The opening rank is the highest rank (numerically lowest) at which a seat was allotted in a particular college and branch, while the closing rank is the lowest rank (numerically highest) at which a seat was allotted. The closing rank is the benchmark for admission eligibility.
Q: Where can I find the KCET 1st round cutoff 2024 PDF?
A: The KCET 1st round cutoff 2024 PDF was released by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) on its official website. Various educational portals also provide downloadable PDFs of previous years’ cutoffs for reference.
