Karnataka PGCET 2026 Counselling Schedule Announced: Key Dates and Deadlines

The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has officially released the counselling schedule for the Karnataka PGCET 2026, marking the start of the admission process for MBA and MCA programmes. Eligible candidates are now required to participate in the option entry process, which is a critical step in securing a seat at participating institutions across the state.

According to the official notification, the window for submitting priority options opened on September 11 and is scheduled to close on September 17, 2026, at 9:00 am. Following this initial phase, candidates will be granted a period to modify their preferences, starting from 6:00 pm on September 17 until 11:00 am on September 19, 2026.

Key Dates for Karnataka PGCET 2026 Round 1 Counselling

Following the conclusion of the option entry phase, the KEA will publish the provisional results for the first round of seat allotment after 5:00 pm on September 19, 2026. This will be followed by the release of the final seat allotment results on September 21, 2026, after 4:00 pm.

Candidates who are successfully allotted a seat must exercise their choices in consultation with their parents between September 22 and September 24, 2026, with the deadline set for 5:30 pm on the final day. The payment of fees for those selecting Choice 1 and Choice 2 is scheduled to take place from September 22 to September 25, 2026. For candidates selecting Choice 1, the deadline to report to their allotted colleges with all required original documents is September 26, 2026, before 5:30 pm.

Important Context for the Admission Process

The KEA has structured the PGCET counselling process into distinct rounds, with each round featuring its own specific windows for option entry, seat allotment, and fee payment. The second round of counselling will be initiated once the first round of admissions is complete, specifically to address any remaining vacant seats.

Prior to the release of this schedule, the KEA had already completed preliminary administrative steps, including the publication of the draft seat matrix on September 8 and the issuance of the claim slips on September 10. Candidates are advised to monitor the official KEA portal for any further updates regarding the subsequent rounds of the counselling process.