KCET 2026 expected closing ranks for OBC categories 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B range from approximately 3,000 to 55,000 across top Karnataka engineering colleges, based on 2024 and 2025 trends.
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) publishes KCET cutoffs as closing ranks at the end of each counselling round. OBC students in categories 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B are allotted seats from reserved pools. Their closing ranks are therefore higher than those in the General Merit category. Knowing previous year closing ranks helps you plan your college preferences before KCET 2026 counselling begins.
- KCET 2026 is conducted for 180 total marks across Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or Biology.
- OBC sub-categories — 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B — each have a distinct reservation percentage and separate seat pools in government-aided colleges.
- At top Bangalore colleges like RVCE and BMSCE, CSE branch closing ranks for OBC categories are expected within 5,000–16,000 based on past data.
- KCET 2026 counselling and official cutoff publication is expected in July–August 2026 on the KEA official website.
| Direct Link to KCET 2026 Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
KCET OBC Category Details: 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B
The Government of Karnataka classifies Other Backward Classes into four sub-categories for KCET seat allotment. Each category carries a distinct reservation percentage in government and government-aided engineering colleges.
| Category | Description | Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2A | Other Backward Classes (non-Muslim communities) | 15% |
| 2B | Other Backward Classes (Muslim communities) | 4% |
| 3A | Backward Classes — Vokkaliga and allied communities | 4% |
| 3B | Backward Classes — Lingayat and allied communities | 5% |
Students must submit a valid caste certificate issued by a competent Karnataka authority to claim OBC reservation during KCET counselling. The 2A pool is the largest by seat percentage. This generally results in more relaxed closing ranks for 2A students compared to 3A and 3B, whose pools are smaller relative to the aspirant base in those communities.
KCET 2026 Expected OBC Cutoff for Top Colleges
The table below presents expected closing ranks for OBC categories 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B at top Karnataka engineering colleges for KCET 2026. All figures are projections based on 2024 and 2025 closing rank trends and are not confirmed by KEA.
| College | Branch | 2A (Expected) | 2B (Expected) | 3A (Expected) | 3B (Expected) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RVCE, Bangalore | CSE | 3,000–5,000 | 5,500–9,000 | 6,000–10,000 | 6,000–10,000 |
| RVCE, Bangalore | ECE | 5,000–8,000 | 9,000–14,000 | 10,000–15,000 | 10,000–15,000 |
| BMSCE, Bangalore | CSE | 5,000–8,000 | 9,000–14,000 | 10,000–16,000 | 10,000–16,000 |
| BMSCE, Bangalore | ECE | 7,000–11,000 | 13,000–19,000 | 14,000–21,000 | 14,000–21,000 |
| MSRIT, Bangalore | CSE | 7,000–10,000 | 13,000–19,000 | 15,000–21,000 | 15,000–21,000 |
| MSRIT, Bangalore | ECE | 9,000–13,000 | 17,000–24,000 | 19,000–26,000 | 19,000–26,000 |
| UVCE, Bangalore | CSE | 6,000–9,000 | 11,000–16,000 | 12,000–18,000 | 12,000–18,000 |
| SJCE, Mysuru | CSE | 8,000–12,000 | 15,000–22,000 | 17,000–24,000 | 17,000–24,000 |
| SJCE, Mysuru | Mechanical Engineering | 20,000–28,000 | 38,000–50,000 | 42,000–55,000 | 42,000–55,000 |
| NIE, Mysuru | CSE | 10,000–14,000 | 18,000–25,000 | 20,000–28,000 | 20,000–28,000 |
All rank ranges above are expected figures based on 2024 and 2025 trends. Actual KCET 2026 cutoffs will be published on the official KEA website after each counselling round concludes.
KCET 2024 OBC Cutoff: Previous Year Closing Ranks
KCET 2024 closing ranks for OBC categories at top Karnataka colleges serve as the most reliable benchmark for 2026 projections. The table below lists category-wise closing ranks based on KCET 2024 data.
| College | Branch | 2A | 2B | 3A | 3B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RVCE, Bangalore | CSE | 4,621 | 8,230 | 9,145 | 9,078 |
| RVCE, Bangalore | ECE | 7,345 | 13,210 | 14,580 | 14,390 |
| BMSCE, Bangalore | CSE | 7,112 | 12,875 | 14,330 | 14,215 |
| BMSCE, Bangalore | ECE | 9,887 | 17,654 | 19,230 | 19,410 |
| MSRIT, Bangalore | CSE | 9,215 | 17,430 | 19,210 | 19,075 |
| UVCE, Bangalore | CSE | 8,124 | 14,670 | 16,340 | 16,210 |
| SJCE, Mysuru | CSE | 11,230 | 20,450 | 22,610 | 22,480 |
| NIE, Mysuru | CSE | 12,890 | 23,160 | 25,430 | 25,270 |
Key insight from 2024 data: Category 2A students with ranks up to 13,000 secured CSE admission at a top Bangalore college. Category 2B, 3A and 3B students needed ranks within 25,000 for similar options. Students in 3A or 3B with ranks above 25,000 should shortlist Tier-2 colleges or consider less-competitive branches in their preference list.
Factors Affecting KCET 2026 OBC Cutoff
Several variables can shift KCET 2026 OBC cutoffs higher or lower relative to previous years:
- Applicant pool size: A larger number of KCET 2026 qualifiers competing for OBC seats tightens closing ranks across all four categories.
- Seat intake changes: New AICTE approvals or increases in intake at government-aided colleges ease cutoffs. Seat reduction does the opposite.
- Exam difficulty: An easier KCET 2026 paper compresses the rank distribution. This makes upper-rank-band cutoffs more competitive than in tougher years.
- Branch demand: CSE, AI and Data Science continue to see high demand. Their OBC cutoffs stay tighter than Mechanical or Civil Engineering.
- Counselling rounds: Vacated seats from Round 1 are redistributed in subsequent rounds. This can open options for students in higher rank brackets during Round 2 or the mop-up round.
KCET 2026 OBC Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected KCET 2026 closing rank for category 2A in CSE at RVCE?
Ans. Based on 2024 and 2025 trends, the expected closing rank for RVCE CSE under category 2A is approximately 3,000–5,000. The confirmed cutoff will be published by KEA after KCET 2026 counselling concludes on the official KEA website.
Ques. What is the difference between OBC categories 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B in KCET?
Ans. Category 2A covers non-Muslim Other Backward Class communities with 15% reservation. Category 2B covers Muslim OBC communities with 4% reservation. Categories 3A and 3B cover Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities respectively with 4% and 5% reservation. Different seat pools mean closing ranks vary across these categories for the same college and branch.
Ques. Does OBC reservation apply to all colleges participating in KCET counselling?
Ans. OBC reservation under categories 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B applies only to government-funded and government-aided colleges. Private unaided colleges have a separate management or NRI quota through KCET counselling where OBC reservation rules do not apply.
Ques. When will KCET 2026 OBC category cutoffs be officially released?
Ans. KEA publishes closing ranks after each counselling round, typically in July–August 2026. Students can check official cutoff data on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea after each allotment round is announced.
Ques. What KCET rank is needed for CSE admission under category 3A or 3B?
Ans. Based on 2024 data, students in category 3A or 3B needed a rank within approximately 9,000–16,000 for CSE at top Bangalore colleges like RVCE or BMSCE. For Mysuru colleges like SJCE, ranks up to 24,000 secured CSE admission under these categories in 2024.
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