Comprehensive Overview & Notification Background
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially issued a notification revising the schedule for the Karnataka UGCET 2026 Round 2 Counselling. Candidates seeking admission into undergraduate professional courses across Karnataka—including Engineering, Architecture, Agriculture, Veterinary, Pharmacy, and Naturopathy—must review the newly published dates to ensure timely completion of their option entry, choice exercises, fee payment, and final physical admission at allotted institutes.
This revised schedule brings essential updates for candidates participating in the second seat allotment process. The modifications aim to accommodate administrative requirements and streamline the reporting framework for prospective students across the state of Karnataka.
Vacancies Breakdown & Educational Eligibility Criteria
The seat availability under Karnataka UGCET 2026 Round 2 depends on the vacant seats remaining after the conclusion of Round 1 allotment and reporting. Candidates must hold a valid UGCET 2026 rank and meet the baseline eligibility standards set by KEA.
- Engineering & Technology Courses: Passed 10+2 / Higher Secondary Examination with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, along with Chemistry / Bio-Technology / Biology / Electronics / Computer Science, securing a minimum required percentage.
- Farm Science Courses (B.Sc. Agriculture, Sericulture, Horticulture, etc.): Passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology as core subjects.
- B.Pharm / Pharm.D Courses: Passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology, or completed a recognized Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm).
- Architecture (B.Arch): Qualified in NATA / JEE Main Paper 2 along with 10+2 qualification with Mathematics as a compulsory subject.
Age Limit, Age Relaxation Rules, & Reservation Policy
Candidate eligibility regarding age limits and reservation benefits strictly adheres to the official regulations laid down by the Government of Karnataka and KEA:
- Age Limit: Candidates must have attained the age of 17 years on or before December 31 of the admission year. There is no upper age limit for most undergraduate engineering and technology courses, subject to university norms.
- Reservation Policy: Reservation benefits under categories such as SC, ST, Category-1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, Rural, Kannada Medium, Special Categories (NCC, Sports, Defense, PwD), and Supernumerary Quota (SNQ) are applicable strictly to eligible Karnataka domicile candidates holding valid verification documents.
Fee Details & Payment Guidelines
Candidates allocated seats during the Karnataka UGCET 2026 Round 2 must clear the requisite tuition fees within the designated timeline published by KEA:
- Mode of Payment: E-Challan / Net Banking / Credit Card / Debit Card through the official KEA payment gateway.
- Choice 1 Candidates: Must pay the complete college/course admission fee specified in the allotment letter to download the admission order and report to the college.
- Choice 2 Candidates: Must pay the prescribed fee for the seat retained in Round 2 before moving to subsequent rounds, if applicable under KEA guidelines.
- Fee Concession: SC/ST/Cat-1 candidates eligible for fee exemption/concession must submit income certificates verified during the document verification stage.
Selection Process & Counselling Framework
The admission workflow for Karnataka UGCET 2026 is based purely on merit ranks obtained in UGCET 2026 and choices exercised by eligible applicants:
- Publication of Seat Matrix & Cutoff Marks: KEA displays available seats across institutions and course branches.
- Option Entry & Modification: Candidates modify, add, or re-order their preferred choices.
- Seat Allotment Result: Seats are assigned dynamically based on candidate rank, reservation category, seat availability, and preferred options.
- Exercise of Choices (Choice 1 to 4): Candidates select their preferred action based on their satisfaction level with the allotted seat.
- Fee Payment & Admission Order Download: Successful confirmation leads to official candidate fee settlement.
- Physical Reporting: Final candidate presence and document validation at the allotted institution.
Understanding Choice Selection Options (Choice 1 to Choice 4)
After the declaration of Round 2 seat allotment results, candidates must log into the KEA portal and select one of four standard choices within the prescribed deadline:
| Choice Option | Definition & Action Required | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Choice 1 | Satisfied with the allotted seat and does not wish to participate in further rounds. | Pay fees, download admission order, and report directly to the allotted college before the deadline. |
| Choice 2 | Satisfied with the allotted seat but wishes to participate in the next round for a higher option. | Pay fees for the current seat, retain the allotted seat, and wait for subsequent rounds. |
| Choice 3 | Not satisfied with the allotted seat, surrenders the current seat, but wants to participate in the next round. | No fee payment required for current seat; candidate enters subsequent rounds for fresh choices. |
| Choice 4 | Not satisfied with the allotted seat and exits the KEA UGCET 2026 counselling process completely. | Candidate leaves the counselling process and forfeits claims on allotted seats. |
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Proceed with UGCET Round 2
- Visit the official KEA web portal:
cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/. - Locate and click on the link titled 'UGCET 2026 Round 2 Revised Schedule / Option Entry'.
- Log in using your CET No., password, and security captcha code.
- Review the allotted seat status and download the allotment sheet.
- Select your preferred choice (Choice 1, Choice 2, Choice 3, or Choice 4) carefully.
- If selecting Choice 1 or Choice 2, proceed to the online payment link and complete the transaction.
- Download the official Admission Order and note the college reporting deadline.
- Visit the allotted institute in person along with original certificates and fee receipts to finalize admission.
Important Guidelines & Documents Required for Verification
Candidates reporting to the allocated colleges under Choice 1 must carry original copies and self-attested sets of the following documents:
- KEA UGCET 2026 Verification Slip
- UGCET 2026 Final Application Form Printout
- UGCET 2026 Admission Ticket (Hall Ticket)
- KEA Round 2 Seat Allotment Letter & Fee Receipt
- Class 10 / SSLC Marks Card (Proof of Date of Birth)
- Class 12 / 2nd PUC Marks Card
- Study Certificates (1st to 12th Standard signed by concerned BEO/DDPI)
- Rural / Kannada Medium / Caste / Income Certificates (if applicable)
- Transfer Certificate (TC) from the last attended institute
- Passport size photographs (4 to 6 copies)