KEA Unveils Preliminary Special Category Additional Seat Matrix for KCET 2026; 23 New Seats Introduced

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has announced an update to its engineering seat allocation for the 2026 academic year, introducing 23 additional seats specifically designated for candidates under the Physically Handicapped (PH) and Supernumerary Quota (SNQ) categories. This provisional seat matrix, released on the KEA's official website, outlines the final allocations across various esteemed state institutions, with a focus on enhancing accessibility for these special categories of students.

Among the institutions benefiting from this allocation, Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering stands out, receiving the highest number of seats. The detailed breakdown reveals that the college has been allocated a total of 13 seats, comprising 4 for Computer Science and Engineering under the PH category and 9 under the SNQ category. Other institutions, such as Sir M V School of Architecture and CMR University, also received allocations, contributing to the overall goal of increasing educational opportunities for students with disabilities.

The overall distribution of the newly added seats includes 12 designated for Physically Handicapped candidates and 11 for those under the Supernumerary Quota, with no additional seats allocated for other categories such as NCC, Sports, or CAP. This targeted approach aims to ensure that students from these special categories have improved access to quality education in engineering disciplines.

Candidates registered under these special quotas can view the detailed institution-wise seat matrix on the official KEA counseling portal, where they can also modify their option entries. Currently, the KEA is in the process of conducting the second round of counseling, having released the KCET 2026 round 2 mock seat allotment on August 17, 2026. Students have until August 20, 2026, at 9 AM to rearrange their preferences before the provisional seat allotment is finalized.

As the counseling process progresses, students and stakeholders are encouraged to stay informed about the latest updates related to KCET 2026. This includes information on exam results, important dates, admit cards, and other educational news pertinent to admissions and courses. The KEA's efforts to enhance accessibility for special category candidates reflect a commitment to inclusivity in higher education.