KCET Third Round Cutoff 2026: Engineering Admissions, Key Ranks & Counselling Process
Around rank 1,500, the KCET Third Round Cutoff 2025 closed for highly sought-after Computer Science Engineering (CSE) programs in top-tier colleges across Karnataka, reflecting intense competition. The KCET Third Round Cutoff 2026 is the final rank threshold for admissions to various professional courses, with the 2026 cutoff expected to be updated post-release of official results and counselling rounds. This year’s trends are anticipated to follow similar patterns to 2025, where branches like ECE and ISE also saw competitive closing ranks, often within the top 50,000 for General Merit candidates.
KCET 2025 Counselling Schedule at a Glance (Latest — 2026 awaited)
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducted the KCET 2025 counselling in multiple rounds, with key dates for each stage detailed below.
| Event | Date (2025) |
|---|---|
| KCET Exam | April 15-17 |
| KCET Result Declaration | May 24 |
| Document Verification | June 27 – July 15 |
| Option Entry Begins | July 8 |
| Round 1 Final Allotment | August 2 |
| Round 2 Final Allotment | August 30 |
| Round 3 Provisional Allotment | September 11 |
| Last Date to Report (Round 3) | September 13 |
Top KCET Branches by Closing Rank, 2025 (Latest — 2026 awaited)
Understanding the branch-wise KCET cutoff trends from 2025 provides insight into the most competitive engineering disciplines.
| Branch | Typical Closing Rank (GM) | Demand Level |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Engineering (CSE) | 500 – 10,000 | High |
| Artificial Intelligence (AI) | 1,000 – 12,000 | High |
| Electronics & Communication Engg. (ECE) | 5,000 – 50,000 | Medium |
| Information Science Engg. (ISE) | 5,000 – 50,000 | Medium |
| Mechanical Engineering | 20,000 – 1,00,000+ | Moderate |
| Civil Engineering | 30,000 – 1,00,000+ | Moderate |
How KCET Cutoffs Differ Across Categories, 2025 (Latest — 2026 awaited)
KCET cutoffs vary significantly based on the candidate’s reservation category, offering different admission thresholds for various groups in 2025.
| Category | Typical Closing Rank Range (for CSE in Top Colleges, 2025) |
|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | Below 1,000 – 5,000 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 2,000 – 10,000 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 5,000 – 20,000 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 10,000 – 30,000+ |
KCET Counselling Round Cutoffs, 2025 (Latest — 2026 awaited)
The closing ranks for KCET admissions typically show movement across different counselling rounds, reflecting seat availability and candidate preferences.
| Round | Typical Closing Rank (for a Competitive Branch, GM, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | 800 – 5,000 |
| Round 2 | 1,200 – 8,000 |
| Round 3 | 1,500 – 12,000 |
FAQs
Q. What is considered a good rank in KCET for CSE?
A. A rank below 3,000 in KCET is generally considered good for securing admission to top colleges for Computer Science Engineering (CSE) in Karnataka.
Q. How is the KCET rank calculated?
A. The KCET rank is determined by giving a 50% weightage to the marks obtained in the KCET exam and 50% weightage to the marks secured in the second PUC (Pre-University Course) or Class 12 PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) board exams.
Q. When will the KCET 2026 cutoff be officially released?
A. The KCET 2026 cutoff ranks are expected to be released by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) after each round of counselling, following the declaration of the KCET 2026 results, likely in late May 2026.
Q. Which factors influence the KCET cutoff ranks each year?
A. Several factors influence KCET cutoff ranks, including the total number of candidates appearing for the exam, the difficulty level of the KCET paper, the overall performance of students, the total number of seats available in various engineering colleges, and previous years’ cutoff trends.
Q. What is the difference between KCET qualifying cutoff and admission cutoff?
A. The KCET qualifying cutoff is the minimum percentage or marks a candidate must secure to be eligible for counselling, while the admission cutoff represents the minimum rank required for admission into specific courses and colleges during the counselling process.
Q. Can I get a good college with a KCET rank between 10,000 and 20,000?
A. With a KCET rank between 10,000 and 20,000, you can secure admission to several mid-tier and regional engineering colleges in Karnataka, particularly for branches like ECE, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering.
