The KCET 2026 seat matrix, released by Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) on June 30, 2026, lists over 86,000 KCET quota seats available in Round 1 across Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture, Architecture, and other streams.
KEA publishes the seat matrix before each counselling round so students can identify which colleges, branches, and categories have open seats before filling option entries. Round 1 of KCET 2026 counselling is ongoing, with mock allotment completed on July 6, 2026, and final allotment expected on July 15, 2026. The seat matrix is the key document students use to shortlist colleges where their KCET rank is competitive.
- KCET 2026 Round 1 seat matrix was released on June 30, 2026 at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in; a draft version was available from June 2, 2026.
- Engineering seats account for the largest share — CSE alone offers an estimated 18,000–21,000 seats (based on 2025 trends).
- Government and aided colleges route 100% of their seats through KEA; private unaided colleges split their intake as KEA 45%, COMEDK 30%, and Management 25%.
- Category-wise reservation applies across all government and aided seats: SC (15%), ST (3%), OBC sub-categories, and HKR (8% horizontal).
- Round 1 mock allotment was held on July 6, 2026; final Round 1 seat allotment is expected on July 15, 2026.
| Direct Link to KCET 2026 Round 1 Seat Matrix (OUT) — cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
KCET 2026 Round 1 Seat Matrix Overview
The KCET 2026 seat matrix is a college-and-branch-level document listing available KCET quota seats before each counselling round. It is distinct from total college intake — only the CET quota portion of seats in private colleges appears in the matrix. The table below summarises key parameters for Round 1.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Seat Matrix Released | June 30, 2026 (final); June 2, 2026 (draft) |
| Round 1 Mock Allotment | July 6, 2026 |
| Round 1 Final Allotment (Expected) | July 15, 2026 |
| Total KCET Quota Seats | 86,000+ |
| Streams Covered | Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture, B.Arch, Veterinary, BNYS |
| Participating Engineering Colleges | 200+ |
| Official Portal | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
KCET 2026 Seats by Stream
Engineering (B.E./B.Tech) accounts for the largest share of seats in the KCET 2026 Round 1 seat matrix, with over 66,000 KCET quota seats. Figures below are based on the 2026 draft seat matrix and 2025 trends; final Round 1 numbers are published on the KEA portal.
| Stream | Expected KCET Quota Seats (2026) | Approx. Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| B.E. / B.Tech (Engineering) | 66,000+ | 200+ |
| B.Pharm (Pharmacy) | 10,000–12,000 | 90+ |
| B.Sc Agriculture and Allied | 2,500–3,500 | 30+ |
| B.Arch (Architecture) | 800–1,200 | 20+ |
| B.V.Sc and A.H. (Veterinary) | 300–500 | 5+ |
| BNYS (Naturopathy and Yoga) | 200–400 | 5+ |
Pharmacy and Agriculture seats are especially sought after by students from rural Karnataka districts. Agriculture seats include streams like Horticulture and Forestry in addition to core B.Sc Agriculture, distributed across agricultural universities and their affiliated colleges under the KEA counselling process.
KCET 2026 Engineering Seats by Branch
Within engineering, Computer Science and its allied branches carry the highest seat count owing to sustained demand and AICTE-approved intake expansion. The figures below reflect expected KCET quota seats based on 2025 trends and the 2026 draft seat matrix.
| Branch | Expected KCET Quota Seats (2026) |
|---|---|
| Computer Science Engineering (CSE) | 18,000–21,000 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) | 8,000–9,500 |
| AI and Machine Learning (AIML) | 6,000–8,000 |
| Information Science Engineering (ISE) | 5,000–6,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 5,000–6,000 |
| Civil Engineering | 4,000–5,000 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) | 3,000–4,000 |
| Data Science and Specialisations | 3,000–4,500 |
| Biotechnology | 800–1,200 |
CSE, AIML, and ISE together make up roughly 40–45% of all KCET engineering seats. Students competing for top CSE colleges should note that high-demand branches in government and aided colleges close at significantly lower ranks than the same branch in private unaided colleges.
KCET 2026 Seats by College Type
The KCET 2026 seat matrix covers seats across six major college categories. Government colleges are the most competitive because all their seats fall under the CET quota with full category reservation and the lowest fee structure. The table below shows the expected seat distribution by college type.
| College Type | Colleges (Approx.) | KCET Quota Seats (Approx.) | Quota Split |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Engineering Colleges | 16 | 4,030 | 100% KEA |
| VTU Constituent Colleges | 5 | 700–800 | 100% KEA |
| Government Aided Colleges | 10–12 | 2,200–2,500 | 100% KEA |
| Private Unaided Colleges | 145+ | 40,000–42,000 | KEA 45% / COMEDK 30% / Management 25% |
| Private Universities (KEA Quota) | 20+ | 10,000–12,000 | Varies by university |
| Minority Colleges (Non-minority KEA Quota) | 15+ | 4,000–5,000 | KEA Quota for non-minority students |
In private unaided colleges, COMEDK UGET 2026 rank is used to fill 30% of seats separately — those seats do not appear in the KCET seat matrix. Only the 45% KEA CET quota seats from these colleges are counted in the KCET Round 1 seat matrix. Students with both KCET and COMEDK ranks should check both seat matrices when comparing options.
KCET 2026 Category-wise Seat Reservation
Karnataka’s structured category reservation applies to all KCET seats in government and aided colleges. The seat matrix lists available seats under each category for every participating college and branch. You must select the correct category during option entry to be considered for reserved seats.
| Category | Reservation | Applicable Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | Open to all eligible students | All participating colleges |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% | Government and aided colleges |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 3% | Government and aided colleges |
| OBC — Category I | 4% | Government and aided colleges |
| OBC — Category II-A | 15% | Government and aided colleges |
| OBC — Category II-B | 4% | Government and aided colleges |
| OBC — Category III-A | 4% | Government and aided colleges |
| OBC — Category III-B | 4% | Government and aided colleges |
| HKR (Hyderabad-Karnataka Region) | 8% (horizontal reservation) | Government and aided colleges |
| SNQ (Special Category) | 1% | Government and aided colleges |
The HKR reservation is horizontal — it is carved from within each category’s existing seats rather than creating additional seats. Students domiciled in Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir, Koppal, Ballari, or Vijayanagara district with a valid HKR certificate compete for the 8% sub-quota within their own category (GM, SC, ST, or OBC). A student can claim HKR benefit only if they satisfy both domicile and category eligibility.
How to Check the KCET 2026 Round 1 Seat Matrix
KEA has published the Round 1 seat matrix on its official portal. Follow these steps to access category-wise and college-wise seat details before filling option entries.
- Visit the official KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- Click on the UGCET 2026 or CET counselling section on the homepage.
- Select Seat Matrix from the navigation or download links section.
- Choose your stream — Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture, or others.
- Use the available filters (district, college type, branch, category) to narrow down results.
- Download the PDF or note the seat counts for your shortlisted colleges and branches before submitting your option entry preferences.
The seat matrix is updated before every counselling round. Students who do not receive an allotment in Round 1 should re-check the revised seat matrix before Round 2 option entry, as surrendered or vacated seats are added back in subsequent rounds.
KCET 2026 Seat Matrix FAQs
Ques. How many total seats are available in KCET 2026 Round 1?
Ans. The KCET 2026 Round 1 seat matrix lists over 86,000 KCET quota seats across all streams including Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture, B.Arch, Veterinary, and BNYS. Engineering alone accounts for 66,000+ KCET quota seats across more than 200 colleges in Karnataka.
Ques. When was the KCET 2026 Round 1 seat matrix released?
Ans. KEA released the final KCET 2026 seat matrix on June 30, 2026 on the official portal cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. A draft seat matrix was made available from June 2, 2026, so students could review seats before option entry opened.
Ques. What is the KCET quota percentage in private unaided engineering colleges?
Ans. In private unaided engineering colleges, 45% of total seats fall under the KEA CET quota, 30% are filled through COMEDK UGET rank, and 25% are management quota seats filled by the college directly. Only the 45% KCET quota seats appear in the KEA seat matrix and are allotted through the KCET counselling process.
Ques. What is the HKR reservation in KCET 2026 and which districts qualify?
Ans. The Hyderabad-Karnataka Region (HKR) reservation provides an 8% horizontal quota for students domiciled in seven notified districts: Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir, Koppal, Ballari, and Vijayanagara. The 8% is carved from within each category’s existing seat allocation — not added on top — and students must hold a valid HKR domicile certificate to claim this benefit.
Ques. Does the KCET 2026 seat matrix change between counselling rounds?
Ans. Yes. KEA updates the seat matrix before each round to reflect seats that were surrendered, cancelled, or not reported after the previous round’s allotment. Students who miss out in Round 1 should always download the revised seat matrix from cetonline.karnataka.gov.in before submitting preferences for Round 2 or Round 3.
Ques. Which engineering branch has the most seats in KCET 2026?
Ans. Computer Science Engineering (CSE) is expected to have the highest seat count in KCET 2026, with an estimated 18,000–21,000 KCET quota seats across participating colleges based on 2025 trends. AI and Machine Learning (AIML) and Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) follow with 6,000–9,500 seats each.
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