KCET Category Wise Cutoff 2026: Exam Dates, Branch Ranks & Counselling Process
KCET 2026 cutoffs are expected to stay very competitive, especially for CSE, AI/ML, and Data Science in top colleges. In 2025, RV College of Engineering closed CSE for General Merit at rank 949, while other top colleges like MS Ramaiah and BMS closed much later. For most top branches, GM cutoffs are likely to remain in the 4,000 to 15,000 range, while mid-tier colleges may stretch to 60,000 or more. Reserved categories will continue to see higher closing ranks, with many branches opening more widely in later counselling rounds.
KCET 2026 Category Wise Cutoff (Expected)
The KCET 2026 category-wise cutoff is expected to stay highly competitive for top engineering branches, especially in CSE, AI/ML, and Data Science, while branches like Mechanical and Civil will likely remain comparatively more accessible. Based on the 2025 Round 1 and Round 3 category-wise data, the opening ranks are usually much lower than the closing ranks in top colleges, and the final Round 3 cutoffs tend to relax significantly in many private institutions.
| Category | Top Branches Expected Opening Rank | Top Branches Expected Closing Rank | Mid-tier College Closing Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GM (General Merit) | 1 to 5,000 | 4,000 to 15,000 | 15,000 to 60,000 | Most competitive category, especially for CSE and AI/ML. |
| GMK ( General Merit Kannada Medium) | 1 to 6,000 | 5,000 to 18,000 | 18,000 to 65,000 | Slightly flexible in some colleges, still highly competitive. |
| GMR (General Merit Rural) | 1 to 6,500 | 6,000 to 20,000 | 20,000 to 70,000 | Strong chances in Round 2 and Round 3 for non-top branches. |
| 1G (Category 1 General) | 1 to 8,000 | 7,000 to 25,000 | 25,000 to 80,000 | Usually closes later than GM in many colleges. |
| 1K (Category 1 Kannada Medium) | 1 to 10,000 | 8,000 to 30,000 | 30,000 to 90,000 | Cutoffs vary heavily by college and branch demand. |
| 1R (Category 1 Rural) | 1 to 10,000 | 8,000 to 28,000 | 28,000 to 85,000 | Often competitive for top private colleges. |
| 2AG (Category 2A General) | 1 to 12,000 | 10,000 to 35,000 | 35,000 to 1,00,000 | Better chances in later rounds for mid-tier colleges. |
| 2AK (Category 2A Kannada Medium) | 1 to 12,000 | 10,000 to 35,000 | 35,000 to 1,00,000 | Similar to 2AG with college-specific differences. |
| 2AR (Category 2A Rural) | 1 to 12,000 | 10,000 to 35,000 | 35,000 to 1,00,000 | Reservation benefit may improve chances in non-top colleges. |
| 2BG (Category 2B General) | 1 to 15,000 | 12,000 to 40,000 | 40,000 to 1,10,000 | Often opens better in private and affiliated colleges. |
| 3AG (Category 3A General) | 1 to 15,000 | 12,000 to 45,000 | 45,000 to 1,20,000 | More relaxed in later rounds. |
| 3AK (Category 3A Kannada Medium) | 1 to 15,000 | 12,000 to 45,000 | 45,000 to 1,20,000 | Category-specific movement can be significant. |
| 3AR (Category 3A Rural) | 1 to 15,000 | 12,000 to 45,000 | 45,000 to 1,20,000 | Final round cutoffs are usually broader. |
| 3BG (Category 3B General) | 1 to 18,000 | 15,000 to 50,000 | 50,000 to 1,25,000 | Can be useful for mid-tier and lower-demand branches. |
| SCG (Scheduled Caste General) | 1 to 20,000 | 15,000 to 55,000 | 55,000 to 1,40,000 | Relaxation is usually stronger in Round 3. |
| SCK (Scheduled Caste Kannada Medium) | 1 to 20,000 | 15,000 to 55,000 | 55,000 to 1,40,000 | College and branch preference matters a lot. |
| SCR (Scheduled Caste Rural) | 1 to 20,000 | 15,000 to 55,000 | 55,000 to 1,40,000 | Higher-ranked branches still remain competitive. |
| STG (Scheduled Tribe General) | 1 to 25,000 | 18,000 to 70,000 | 70,000 to 1,60,000 | More chances in non-premier colleges. |
| STK (Scheduled Tribe Kannada Medium) | 1 to 25,000 | 18,000 to 70,000 | 70,000 to 1,60,000 | Strong variation across institutions. |
| STR (Scheduled Tribe Rural) | 1 to 25,000 | 18,000 to 70,000 | 70,000 to 1,60,000 | Final round openings may be much broader. |
KCET 2026 Branch-wise expected trend
How KCET Cutoffs Differ Across Categories 2025 (Latest- 2026 awaited)
The category-wise KCET cutoff ranks for 2025 demonstrate significant variations, with reserved categories typically having higher closing ranks compared to the General Merit category for popular branches like Computer Science Engineering.
| Category | RV College of Engineering (CSE) | M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology (CSE) | BMS College of Engineering (CSE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | Below 500 | Below 3000 | Below 3870 |
| OBC | 2,000 – 3,000 | Around 30,000 (indicative) | Around 28,000 (indicative) |
| SC | Up to 9,000 | Up to 30,000 (indicative) | Up to 28,000 (indicative) |
| ST | Beyond 15,000 | Beyond 30,000 (indicative) | Beyond 28,000 (indicative) |
KCET Branch-wise Cutoff Trends 2025 (Latest — 2026 awaited)
Understanding the branch-wise cutoff trends for KCET 2025 provides insight into the demand and competitiveness of various engineering disciplines across participating colleges.
| Branch Category | Typical Closing Rank Range | Demand Level |
|---|---|---|
| CSE / AI / ML / Data Science | Under 10,000 | High |
| ECE / ISE | 10,000 – 50,000 | Medium |
| Mechanical / Civil / Core Branches | 50,000 – 2,00,000+ | Moderate to Lower |
KCET Category Wise Cutoff 2025 PDF
KCET 2026 Important Dates at a Glance
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has announced the key dates for KCET 2026, including application and examination schedules.
| Event | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | January 2 |
| Application Form Availability | January 16 |
| Last Date for Application Submission | February 27 |
| Admit Card Release | April 10 |
| Kannada Language Test | April 22 |
| KCET Exam Dates | April 23 & 24 |
| Final Answer Key Release | May 10 |
| Result Declaration | First week of June (Expected) |
KCET 2025 Counselling Timeline (Latest — 2026 awaited)
The KCET 2025 counselling process involved several stages, from document verification to seat allotment, with multiple rounds conducted by the KEA.
| Event | Date (2025) |
|---|---|
| Document Verification at KEA Centres | June 27 to July 15 |
| Option Entry (Choice Filling) Begins | July 8 |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment (Provisional) | First Week of September |
| Round 2 Payment for Choice-1 & 2 | By September 3 |
| Round 3 Option Entry Concluded | September 9 |
| Round 3 Seat Allotment (Provisional) | September 10 |
| Last Date to Report to Allotted College (Round 3) | September 13 |
FAQs
Q: What is considered a good KCET rank for top colleges?
A: A KCET rank below 3,000 is generally considered strong for securing admission to top-tier colleges, while ranks up to 20,000 can still lead to decent options in mid-tier institutions.
Q: How does the KCET cutoff vary across different reservation categories?
A: KCET cutoffs vary significantly across categories; for instance, General Merit candidates typically require much lower ranks than OBC, SC, or ST candidates for the same branch and college, reflecting reservation policies.
Q: Which engineering branches usually have the highest KCET cutoffs?
A: Computer Science Engineering (CSE), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Data Science specializations consistently have the highest KCET cutoffs due to their high demand among students.
Q: What factors influence the KCET cutoff ranks each year?
A: Several factors influence KCET cutoffs, including the total number of candidates appearing, the difficulty level of the exam, the availability of seats in colleges and branches, reservation policies, and previous year admission trends.
Q: What are the minimum qualifying marks for KCET?
A: The minimum qualifying marks for KCET are typically 50% for the General category and 40% for reserved categories like SC, ST, and OBC, to be eligible for the counselling process.
Q: When is the KCET 2026 result expected to be declared?
A: The KCET 2026 results are expected to be declared in the first week of June 2026 by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA).
Where can I check the KCET 2026 Category-Wise Cutoff?
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) will release the KCET 2026 cutoff on its official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. The cutoff will be released after each round of counselling.
What information does the KCET 2026 Cutoff provide?
The KCET 2026 cutoff details category-wise, college-wise, and course-wise opening and closing ranks. It also includes previous year cutoff trends and reservation details to help predict admission chances.
Which categories are covered in the KCET 2026 Category-Wise Cutoff?
The KCET 2026 Category-Wise Cutoff provides details for General, OBC, SC, and ST categories. This allows students to check expected closing ranks specific to their reservation status.
When will the KCET 2026 Cutoff be released?
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) will release the KCET 2026 cutoff soon. It will be published after each round of counselling.
How are previous year KCET cutoffs useful for 2026 admissions?
Previous year cutoff trends help students understand expected closing ranks and admission chances in top Karnataka engineering colleges. For example, based on past trends, the expected KCET cutoff 2026 for CSE in top colleges is likely to remain within 500-2000 ranks.
How is the KCET 2026 counselling process related to the cutoffs?
The counselling for KCET 2026 will be conducted based on the cutoff marks. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) will release the cutoff after each round of counselling.
