Karnataka PGCET 2026: Extended Round Option Entry Begins Today

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially commenced the extended round of option entry for the Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test (PGCET) 2026. Starting today, October 31, 2026, at 2:00 PM, eligible candidates can log in to the official KEA portal to submit their college and course preferences for admission into MBA, MCA, and MTech programmes.

This phase is critical for students seeking admission, as the KEA has specified that all previous choices submitted during earlier counselling rounds are no longer valid. Consequently, every participant is required to enter fresh options to be considered for the seat allocation process in this extended round.

Key Deadlines and Participation Requirements

The window for submitting these preferences will remain open until November 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM. Candidates are advised to consult the latest seat matrix available on the official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea, before finalising their selections. It is essential to arrange these preferences in order of priority, as the final allotment will be based on these newly submitted choices and the candidate's merit rank.

Participation in this round is subject to specific eligibility criteria. Candidates who do not currently hold a reported admission are required to pay a caution deposit to qualify for the option entry process. This deposit is set at INR 35,000 for General Merit candidates and INR 10,000 for those belonging to SC/ST categories. Furthermore, individuals who were allotted seats in previous rounds but did not complete the fee payment or reporting process must either report to their allotted institute or formally cancel their seat, which incurs a penalty of INR 10,000, before they are permitted to participate in this extended round.

Provisional Seat Allotment Schedule

Following the closure of the option entry window on November 4, the KEA will process the submitted preferences. The authority has scheduled the release of the provisional seat allotment results for November 5, 2026, after 1:00 PM. Candidates should monitor the official KEA website regularly for the publication of these results and subsequent instructions regarding the post-allotment reporting procedure.