Karnataka PGCET 2026 choice entry begins: submit options by October 13

In short

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) announced the choice-entry schedule for Karnataka PGCET 2026 on October 9, 2026.
Candidates must complete choice entry by October 13, 2026, up to 10:00 AM.
Option rearrangement will be available from October 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM until October 15, 2026, up to 10:00 AM.
A non-refundable option entry fee of Rs 750 is required before accessing the choice entry facility.
The draft seat matrix includes over 35,460 MBA seats and 17,203 MCA seats.

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) on October 9, 2026, released the choice-entry schedule for Karnataka PGCET 2026 admissions. This schedule applies to MBA, MCA, ME, MTech, and MArch programs, providing qualified candidates with specific timelines for their next steps in the postgraduate admission process.

Official notification screenshot — Screenshot of the official page at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in

The announcement, made via an official notice on the KEA website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/, addresses previous lack of specific timelines for the choice entry round. The PGCET 2026 results were released on August 19, 2026, with the claim slip available for download until September 15, 2026.

PGCET 2026 Choice Entry and Option Rearrangement Schedule

The KEA has specified the timelines for candidates to enter their choices and later rearrange their options. The choice entry facility will be accessible directly through a dedicated online portal for admissions, not through the website’s physical verification section. Candidates must ensure payment of the option entry fee prior proceeding.

The option rearrangement window will open shortly after the initial choice entry closes. This allows candidates to modify their preferences based on their initial submissions and any subsequent information.

Activity	Start Date and Time	End Date and Time
Choice Entry	As per official activation	October 13, 2026, up to 10:00 AM
Option Rearrangement	October 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM	October 15, 2026, up to 10:00 AM

Option Entry Fee and Seat Matrix Details

Candidates are required to pay a non-refundable option entry fee of Rs 750 to access the choice entry facility. The facility becomes available only after this payment is confirmed. This fee structure was detailed in the official notice issued by the KEA.

The draft seat matrix for PGCET 2026 indicates a substantial number of seats available across MBA and MCA programs. The combined total for these two courses exceeds 52,663 seats, offering numerous opportunities for postgraduate aspirants.

Fee Detail	Amount/Status
Option entry fee	Rs 750
Refundable?	No
Payment needed before choices?	Yes
Option link after payment	Enabled after confirmation

Course	Seats in Draft Matrix
MBA	35,460+
MCA	17,203
MBA + MCA	52,663+

Eligibility Criteria for MBA Programs

The KEA has outlined specific eligibility criteria for candidates seeking admission to MBA programs through PGCET 2026. For a full-time MBA program, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree of at least three years duration from a recognized institute. General category candidates are required to have a minimum aggregate score of 50% in all subjects.

Reserved category candidates, including SC, ST, and Category 1 of Karnataka, need a minimum aggregate score of 45% in all subjects for MBA admissions. For those applying to a part-time MBA course, a post-qualification work experience of not less than three years as of July 31, 2026, is mandatory.

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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