Karnataka PGCET 2026 round 1 provisional seat matrix released: change options by 22 September

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) today, September 19, 2026, released the Karnataka PGCET 2026 Round 1 Provisional Seat Matrix and mock seat allotment results on its official portal, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. This release provides postgraduate aspirants with an official overview of college-wise and course-wise seat availability ahead of the centralised counselling process.

The provisional seat matrix is designed to allow candidates to review seat distribution and adjust their preferences before the final allotment. The PGCET 2026 results were declared on August 19, 2026, and the current phase marks a critical stage for candidates seeking admission to MBA, MCA, M.Tech, M.E., and M.Arch programmes across Karnataka.

Overview of Seat Availability and Programmes

The draft seat matrix, initially published around September 9, 2026, covers more than 58,000 seats across approximately 300 participating colleges and universities in Karnataka. This includes over 30,000 MBA seats alone, spread across more than 280 institutes. The document provides a detailed breakdown of seats available for each course at every participating college, categorised by reservation status.

The PGCET 2026 examinations were conducted on May 23, 2026, for M.Tech courses, and on June 14, 2026, for MBA/MCA courses in CBT mode. The current admission cycle for 2026-27 has seen a notable increase in applications, particularly for data-driven MCA courses and specialised M.Tech programmes, according to the KEA.

Counselling Process and Key Dates

The counselling process for Karnataka PGCET 2026 is being conducted through online option entry, complemented by document verification at designated Help Line Centres (HLCs). Following the release of the mock seat allotment results on September 19, 2026, candidates now have a window to modify their option entries. This provision to change, reorder, delete, or add choices is available from September 19 to September 22, 2026.

The KEA has outlined a clear schedule for the subsequent stages of Round 1. The final seat matrix may undergo revisions based on objections, seat confirmations, or updates from institutions. Candidates are advised to consult their ranks, previous year cutoff trends, and the current draft matrix to make informed counselling decisions.

Steps for Candidates Post-Allotment

Upon the release of the provisional seat allotment, candidates are required to log in to the official portal, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/pgcet2026, using their PGCET number and password to download their seat allotment result. The counselling fees are only payable after a seat has been allotted, with no separate registration fee for first-round participants who have already paid the PGCET application fee.

Candidates must exercise their choices based on the seat allotted to them, in consultation with their parents. Those designated as Choice 1 (accepting the allotted seat and not participating in further rounds) and Choice 2 (accepting the allotted seat but wishing to participate in subsequent rounds) must pay the prescribed fees and download the confirmation slip. Choice 1 candidates are then required to report to their allotted colleges by the last date specified on the downloaded confirmation slip, which is September 26, 2026 for Round 1.

Further reading

• Karnataka PGCET 2026 Counselling Schedule Released; Mock Allotment on Sept 17 at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
• Karnataka PGCET 2026 First Round Option Entry Closes Today, September 15, at kea.kar.nic.in
• Koshys Institute 2026: Apply for admission via CAT/XAT/MAT/KMAT/PGCET by Sep 17
• MBA Entrance Exams 2026-27: CAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP Registration and Dates Announced Today
• UPESEAT 2027 Registration Begins; BTech Admission Applications Open at upes.ac.in Applications open
• Karnataka PGCET: complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

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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