KCET Cutoff 2026 PDF Round 3 General: Closing Ranks, Counselling Process & Key Dates
KCET Cutoff 2026 refers to the opening and closing ranks at which candidates are allotted seats to engineering colleges and courses through Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) counselling. As of August 27, 2026, KCET 2026 Round 2 seat allotment and cutoff information are available, while the Round 3 counselling process is scheduled for September 2026.
Candidates can use the latest 2026 Round 1 and Round 2 cutoff data along with 2025 Round 3 closing ranks to assess admission chances. The final Round 3 cutoff will be known only after the third-round allotment is completed.
KCET 2026 Round 3 Expected Cutoff
The KCET 2026 cutoff is expected to follow a similar pattern, with top colleges likely remaining highly competitive for CSE and AI-related branches. Based on 2024 and 2025 trends, candidates aiming for premium Bengaluru colleges should target a rank below 5,000 for top computer branches and below 10,000 to 15,000 for strong ECE or ISE options.
KCET 2026 Round 3 cutoff is not available yet because the third counselling round is scheduled for September 2026. Until KEA releases the Round 3 allotment cutoff, candidates can use the latest Round 1 and Round 2 closing ranks and previous-year Round 3 data as benchmarks.
Expected KCET 2026 Round 3 Cutoff Trend by Branch
| Branch | Expected General Merit Rank Range 2026 | Admission Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Engineering (CSE) | Below 5,000 in top colleges; up to 20,000 in many private colleges | Very competitive |
| AI & Data Science / AI & ML | Below 8,000 in top colleges; up to 25,000 in good private colleges | High demand |
| Information Science & Engineering | Below 10,000 in top colleges; up to 30,000 in private colleges | Strong demand |
| ECE / ETE / EIE | 8,000 to 35,000 | Good balance of demand and seat availability |
| Mechanical Engineering | 20,000 to 70,000 | More flexible compared to CSE/ECE |
| Civil Engineering | 25,000 to 80,000+ | Generally more accessible |
| New-age branches in private universities | 15,000 to 60,000+ | Depends on institute and fee structure |
KCET 2026 Round 2 Cutoff: Latest Available
KEA has released KCET 2026 Round 2 cutoff and seat-allotment information, making Round 2 the latest completed counselling stage before Round 3. Candidates can use the Round 2 data as the strongest current benchmark for estimating the likely Round 3 closing ranks.
The Round 2 provisional allotment data showed highly competitive opening ranks for computer and electronics programmes, while closing ranks varied widely across participating colleges and courses. The final Round 2 allotment was subsequently released, after which candidates entered the choice-selection and fee-payment stage.
| Course | 2026 Round 2 Opening Rank | 2026 Round 2 Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| CSE | 285 | 2,82,226 |
| AI & ML | 424 | 2,82,477 |
| ECE | 584 | 2,82,306 |
| EEE | 961 | 2,82,075 |
| ISE | 2,761 | 2,82,548 |
What 2026 students should expect
For RVCE, BMSCE, MSRIT and other highly preferred Bengaluru colleges, computer-related branches continue to attract some of the most competitive ranks. The latest 2026 counselling data can now be used alongside 2025 Round 3 closing ranks to assess likely Round 3 movement. Candidates should remember that the final closing rank can vary by college, branch, category and seat availability.
KCET 2025 Round 3 Cutoff for Top KCET Colleges
Since the KCET 2026 Round 3 cutoff has not yet been released, the 2025 Round 3 closing ranks remain an important benchmark for estimating final-round admission chances. The comparison is particularly useful for highly competitive branches such as CSE, AI/ML, ISE and ECE.
| College | Strongest branches | 2025 Round 3 closing rank trend | Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru | CSE, CSE AI/ML, CSE Data Science | Around 1,000 to 4,000 for top branches | One of the most competitive colleges in Karnataka |
| BMS College of Engineering, Bengaluru | CSE, AI/DS, ECE | Roughly 3,000 to 8,000 | High demand, especially for computer branches |
| M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bengaluru | CSE, ISE, ECE | Roughly 3,500 to 10,000 | Strong preference among top merit students |
| Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bengaluru | CSE, AI/ML, ISE | Roughly 8,000 to 20,000 | Popular private option with broad branch choices |
| Bangalore Institute of Technology, Bengaluru | CSE, ISE, ECE | Roughly 10,000 to 25,000 | Stable mid-top tier option |
| Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumkur | CSE, ISE, ECE | Roughly 10,000 to 25,000 | Good value college with competitive branches |
| JSS Science and Technology University, Mysore | CSE, ECE, EIE | Roughly 12,000 to 30,000 | Strong branch-wise variation |
| PES University, Bengaluru | CSE, CSE AI/ML, ECE | Roughly 4,000 to 15,000 | Very competitive for computer branches |
| NIE Mysore | ECE, CSE, ME | Roughly 15,000 to 30,000 | Reliable choice for strong engineering aspirants |
| Alliance University / newer private colleges | CSE, AI/ML, ISE | Roughly 20,000 to 1,00,000+ | Wider closing range depending on branch and round |
KCET Round 3 Cutoff 2025 PDF
KCET 2026 Counselling Schedule: Latest Dates
KCET 2026 counselling has progressed through Round 1 and Round 2. KEA released the Round 1 final allotment in July, followed by Round 2 option entry and seat allotment in August. Round 3 is scheduled for September 2026.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Exam Window Opened | April 22 |
| Provisional Answer Key | April 26 |
| Revised Answer Key | May 10 |
| Document Verification | May 11–22 |
| Draft Engineering Seat Matrix | June 2 |
| Option Entry | June 15 |
| Mock and Round 1 Allotment | July 1 |
KCET 2024 Round 3 General Cutoff: Branch-wise Ranks
For the 2024 KCET Round 3, General Merit category closing ranks varied significantly across engineering branches at participating colleges in Karnataka.
| Branch | Closing Rank Range (General Merit, 2024) |
|---|---|
| Computer Science Engineering (CSE) | Under 1,000 – 2,500 |
| Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE) | 2,000 – 5,000 |
| Information Science & Engineering (ISE) | 2,500 – 6,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 5,000 – 15,000 |
| Civil Engineering | 8,000 – 20,000 |
KCET 2024 General Category Cutoff Trends
The KCET 2024 General category cutoff highlights the rank ranges for admission into various government and private colleges, with top institutions seeing competitive closing ranks.
| College Type | General Merit Closing Rank Range (2024) |
|---|---|
| Top Government/Private Colleges (e.g., RVCE, SJCE) | 3,213 – 5,540 |
| Mid-tier Colleges | 5,541 – 20,000 |
| Other Participating Colleges | 20,001 – 42,415 |
How KCET Cutoffs Moved Round by Round (General Merit, 2024)
KCET counselling involves multiple rounds, with closing ranks typically showing a trend of relaxation in later stages for the General Merit category.
| Counselling Round | General Merit Closing Rank Trend (2024) |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | Most competitive ranks |
| Round 2 | Slightly higher ranks than Round 1 |
| Round 3 | Generally, higher ranks than Round 2, offering more opportunities |
FAQs
What is considered a good rank in KCET for the General category?
A rank under 1,000 in the KCET General Merit category is generally considered excellent for securing admission to top Computer Science Engineering (CSE) programs at premier colleges like RV College of Engineering (Bengaluru). Ranks below 5,000 also offer strong chances for other sought-after branches in good institutions.
How does the KCET cutoff for Round 3 compare to earlier rounds?
KCET Round 3 cutoffs for the General category are typically more relaxed (i.e., higher closing ranks) compared to Round 1 and Round 2. This is because many top-ranked candidates secure seats in earlier rounds, leading to more available seats and slightly less competition in the final stages.
Are there separate cutoffs for different types of colleges in KCET?
Yes, KCET cutoffs vary significantly between government, aided, and private colleges. Government colleges and highly reputed private institutions generally have lower (more competitive) closing ranks, especially for popular branches like CSE and ECE.
What factors influence the KCET General category cutoff ranks each year?
Several factors determine the KCET General category cutoff ranks, including the overall difficulty level of the exam, the total number of candidates who appeared, the number of seats available in various courses and colleges, and the preferences of candidates during the option entry process.
Where can I find the official KCET cutoff PDF for previous years?
Official KCET cutoff PDFs for previous years, including round-wise and college-wise data, are typically released by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) on their official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. These documents are valuable for understanding admission trends.
How can I check the KCET Cutoff 2026 PDF for Round 3 General Merit candidates?
To check the KCET Cutoff 2026 PDF, navigate to the homepage of the official portal. On the left side, select the ‘KCET Cut Off 2026 Rank’ button, specifically looking for options like ‘KCET Engineering Cutoff 2026 PDF 3rd Round.’ Click on this button to access the details.
When will the KCET 2026 Round 3 cutoff ranks be released?
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has outlined a tentative schedule for KCET 2026 counselling, with key activities expected to commence post-results. KCET 2026 cutoff ranks will be released after each counselling round, determining seat allocation for top engineering colleges.
How do the KCET Cutoff 2026 Round 3 closing ranks impact General Merit candidates?
The KCET Cutoff 2026 Round 3 closing ranks present the final ranks for General Merit candidates in prominent engineering colleges across Karnataka after the extended round. These cutoffs are crucial for determining seat allocation in various professional courses, and they can change in each counselling round.
Is there a tool available to predict colleges based on my KCET 2026 rank?
Yes, you can use a college predictor tool to determine which college you will get with your KCET rank. This tool helps ascertain college possibilities based on your specific KCET rank.
Which authority is responsible for releasing the KCET 2026 cutoffs?
The KCET 2026 cutoffs will be released by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). They publish these cutoffs after the counselling of students for admissions to various professional courses, such as Engineering/Technology.
