Karnataka PGCET 2027: The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducts the Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test (PGCET) for admission to MBA courses in Government, university, aided and unaided colleges in Karnataka, and also to MCA and M.E./M.Tech courses. Based on last year’s schedule, Karnataka PGCET 2027 is expected to be held in June 2027. KEA PGCET 2027 notification is expected in March 2027, followed by start of registration process. KEA PGCET 2026 MBA exam was held on Sunday, June 14, 2026, as a two-hour, pen-and-paper test of 100 multiple-choice questions. This page covers the Karnataka PGCET 2027 exam date, registration, eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, question papers, admit card, result and counselling. Download the Karnataka PGCET 2027 PDF, take the Karnataka PGCET Mock Test 2027 and read the Karnataka PGCET Preparation 2027 guide.
The full form of PGCET is Post Graduate Common Entrance Test. Karnataka PGCET is the state entrance test for MBA admissions through KEA, and candidates from Karnataka and from other states can apply, although Government seats need a Karnataka eligibility clause. Check details in the following table, and download Karnataka PGCET 2027 PDF from the link below.
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Full form | Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test (PGCET) |
Conducting body | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
Courses | MBA, MCA and M.E./M.Tech in Government, university, aided and unaided colleges in Karnataka |
Karnataka PGCET 2027 exam date | Expected in June 2027 |
Latest MBA exam | Sunday, June 14, 2026, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
Registration | Expected in March and April 2027 (2026: March 23 to April 20, 2026) |
Application fee | Rs 650 for General and OBC candidates; Rs 500 for SC, ST and Category-I candidates of Karnataka (2026) |
Eligibility | Recognised bachelor's degree of at least three years with 50% aggregate (45% for SC, ST and Category-I candidates of Karnataka) |
Mode | Pen and paper; answers marked on an OMR sheet |
Questions and marks | 100 multiple-choice questions; one mark each |
Duration | 120 minutes for answering |
Negative marking | None |
Official website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
Download Karnataka PGCET 2027 Exam Guide PDF
The Karnataka PGCET 2027 exam date is expected in June 2027. KEA will confirm it in the KEA PGCET 2027 notification. The latest PGCET 2026 MBA exam date was Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. KEA had first fixed the MBA and MCA papers for May 24, 2026, but was postponed to June 14, 2026. Check details in the following tables, and download KEA's PGCET 2026 exam reschedule notice PDF from the link below.
Event | Karnataka PGCET 2027 (expected) | Karnataka PGCET 2026 |
|---|---|---|
Notification published | March 2027 | March 20, 2026 |
Information Bulletin hosted | March 2027 | March 23, 2026 |
Registration start date | March 2027 | March 23, 2026, from 11:00 AM |
Application last date | April 2027 | April 20, 2026, 11:59 PM (extended from April 8) |
Last date to pay the fee | April 2027 | Before April 22, 2026 (extended from April 10) |
Admission ticket | After fee confirmation | After KEA confirmed the fee payment |
Ex-defence certificate submission | To be notified | At KEA, Bengaluru, on a date notified later |
MBA exam date | June 2027 | Sunday, June 14, 2026, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM (moved from May 24) |
Answer key | After the exam | June 15, 2026 |
Result release | After the exam | August 19, 2026 |
Download Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam Paper PDF (Official)
Karnataka PGCET Registration 2027 is expected to open in March 2027 on the KEA website, once the KEA PGCET 2027 notification is out. In 2026, the application ran from March 23 to April 20, after one extension, with the fee payable before April 22. The application fee in 2026 was Rs 650 for General and OBC candidates and Rs 500 for SC, ST and Category-I candidates of Karnataka. To fill the Karnataka PGCET application form 2027:
Register on the KEA website with your own mobile number, verified by OTP.
Log in with an OTP or a live photo.
Enter your SSLC register number and the RD numbers of your caste, income and Article 371(j) certificates, which KEA verifies online.
Pay the application fee online before the last date.
Print the final application, and download the admission ticket after KEA confirms your fee.
Read the step-by-step process, documents and mistakes to avoid on the Karnataka PGCET Registration 2027 page.
To apply for Karnataka PGCET 2027 for MBA, you need a recognised bachelor's degree of at least three years with 50% aggregate marks, or 45% for SC, ST and Category-I candidates of Karnataka, without rounding off. Final-year students can apply. A part-time MBA also needs three years' work experience and a job within 40 km of the college. Candidates who meet none of KEA's Karnataka eligibility clauses can select only the seats surrendered by college managements. Check details in the following table. The Karnataka PGCET Eligibility Criteria 2027 page explains the eligibility clauses, reservation, aggregate calculation and documents.
Category | Minimum aggregate in the degree |
|---|---|
General Merit, including non-Karnataka candidates | 50% |
2A, 2B, 3A, 3B candidates of Karnataka | 50% |
SCA, SCB, SCC, ST and Category-I candidates of Karnataka | 45% |
The KEA PGCET 2027 exam pattern for MBA is expected to follow the 2026 paper: 100 multiple-choice questions of one mark each, answered in 120 minutes on an OMR sheet, with no negative marking. KEA fixes the total but not the number of questions in each section. The 2025 paper had 20 questions per section, while the 2026 paper had 30 General Knowledge and only 10 Reasoning questions. Check details in the following table. The Karnataka PGCET Exam Pattern 2027 page explains the marking scheme, how to fill the OMR sheet and the bell timings.
Feature | PGCET 2025 | PGCET 2026 |
|---|---|---|
Order of subjects | Computer, Reasoning, Quantitative, English, GK | Computer, Reasoning and Quantitative mixed, English, GK |
Computer Awareness | 20 (Q1–20) | 25 (Q1–25) |
Analytical Ability and Logical Reasoning | 20 (Q21–40) | 10 (within Q26–39) |
Quantitative Analysis | 20 (Q41–60) | 20 (within Q26–55) |
English Language | 20 (Q61–80) | 15 (Q56–70) |
General Knowledge | 20 (Q81–100) | 30 (Q71–100) |
Statistics and probability questions | 3 | 15 |
Reading passage in English | Yes, a fill-in-the-blanks passage | None |
Current affairs questions in GK | 5 | 3 |
Download Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam Paper PDF (Official)
The Karnataka PGCET syllabus 2027 for MBA has five sections, in the order of KEA's syllabus: Computer Awareness, Analytical Ability and Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Analysis, English and General Knowledge. In the 2026 paper, 15 of the 20 Quantitative questions came from statistics and probability, so that topic needs extra time. Check details in the following table, and download Karnataka PGCET Syllabus 2027 PDF from the link below. The Karnataka PGCET Syllabus 2027 page lists KEA's topics for each section and the topics asked in both papers.
Subject | Topics asked |
|---|---|
Computer Awareness | Computer basics, number systems, binary arithmetic, memory, operating systems |
Analytical Ability and Logical Reasoning | Series, direction sense, syllogisms, Venn diagrams, analogy, blood relations, statements and conclusions |
Quantitative Analysis | Arithmetic (ages, trains, area, percentages), statistics (mean, median, standard deviation, correlation, sampling) and probability |
English Language | Synonyms and antonyms, idioms, passive voice, error correction, one-word substitution, writers and their works |
General Knowledge | Business and management, art and culture, history and polity, environment, awards, Karnataka, recent current affairs |
Download Karnataka PGCET Syllabus 2027 PDF
Start your Karnataka PGCET 2027 preparation from KEA's actual papers rather than from a fixed section split. These five steps matter most:
Solve the 2026 and 2025 papers first, as they reflect the current pattern.
Give extra time to statistics and probability, which made up most of the 2026 Quantitative section.
Prepare Computer Awareness and static GK well, as together they carried 55 of the 100 questions in 2026.
Follow a six-month plan: basics, section practice, full papers and revision.
Take mock tests on an OMR sheet and attempt every question, as there is no negative marking.
The Karnataka PGCET Preparation 2027 guide has the section-wise strategy, books and study plan. Download Karnataka PGCET Preparation 2027 PDF from the link below.
Download Karnataka PGCET Preparation 2027 PDF
Practise with KEA's real papers and full-length tests before the exam. Take following practice tests on MBAUniverse.com from the links below:
5 Free Karnataka PGCET mock tests,
Karnataka PGCET previous year question papers from 2022 to 2026, including KEA's official 2024, 2025 and 2026 MBA papers.
Solve the 2026 paper first, under exam conditions. Download Karnataka PGCET mock test PDF from the link below.
Download Karnataka PGCET Mock Test 1 PDF with Answers
The Karnataka PGCET admit card, which KEA calls the Karnataka PGCET admission ticket and many candidates call the Karnataka PGCET hall ticket, can be downloaded only after KEA confirms your fee payment. Carry the printed admission ticket and a valid ID to the centre. The Karnataka PGCET admit card page explains how to download admit card.
Karnataka PGCET exam centres 2027 will be released soon. In 2026, Karnataka PGCET exam centres were spread across 29 districts of Karnataka, and candidates chose their preferred centre in the application form. Check details in the following table and check more details on Karnataka PGCET exam centres page.
On exam day, entry opens at 10:00 AM, and no one is allowed in after the exam starts at 10:30 AM. Read the Karnataka PGCET exam day guidelines that covers the dress code and the items not allowed.
| Exam Centers 2026 | Exam Centers 2026 | Exam Centers 2026 | Exam Centers 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bagalkot | Bangalore | Belgaum | Bellary |
| Bidar | Bijapur | Chamarajnagar | Chikkaballapur |
| Chikmagalur | Chitradurga | Davangere | Dharwad |
| Gadag | Gulbarga | Hassan | Haveri |
| Kodagu | Kolar | Koppal | Mandya |
| Mangalore | Mysore | Shimoga | Raichur |
| Ramanagara | Tumkur | Udupi | Uttara |
| Kannada | Yadgir |
KEA will publish the KEA PGCET 2027 answer key on its website after the exam; the 2026 MBA key is dated June 15, 2026, a day after the exam. Candidates can file objections online, with supporting documents and justification, by the date KEA fixes. An expert committee decides on the objections, and the approved key is used to calculate marks. KEA publishes the correct answer keys along with the results. Check your answers on the Karnataka PGCET answer key page.
KEA prepares the Karnataka PGCET merit list only on PGCET marks. Your degree marks decide eligibility, not rank. If two candidates have the same marks, the one with the higher degree aggregate ranks higher, then the elder candidate. KEA does not allow re-totalling or revaluation of OMR sheets.
Candidate should download result sheet as a PDF and keep it until admission is complete. Check the steps on the Karnataka PGCET result page.
After the result, eligible candidates go through KEA's counselling: document verification, online option entry and seat allotment. In option entry, you list colleges and courses in order of preference, with no limit on the number of options, and the options entered before the first round stay for all rounds. KEA allots seats in order of merit and as per the reservation policy. After each allotment, you pick one of four choices: accept and stop, accept but try for a higher option, surrender the seat and continue, or quit the process. Read the round-wise process on the Karnataka PGCET counselling page.
Government, university, aided and unaided MBA colleges across Karnataka admit students through Karnataka PGCET and KEA counselling. Top colleges that accept PGCET scores include RV Institute of Management, PES University, M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology, BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore University (CBSMS), Dayananda Sagar University, Kristu Jayanti College, Presidency College and Acharya AIMS, all in Bengaluru. See the full list on the MBA colleges accepting Karnataka PGCET page.
In addition to Karnataka PGCET, you should also prepare for these MBA entrance exams to expand your choice of colleges to apply.
CAT Exam: conducted by the IIMs, and the only route to IIM admission.
XAT Exam: conducted by XLRI on behalf of XAMI; the score is recognised by more than 300 institutes.
CMAT Exam: conducted by the government agency National Testing Agency and the score are accepted by almost all AICTE-approved institutions.
ATMA Exam: conducted by the Association of Indian Management Schools and accepted by 200+ MBA colleges, particularly in Mumbai and Pune.
MAT Exam: conducted by the AIMA and accepted by 300+ MBA colleges, particularly in North and East India.
KEA conducts Karnataka PGCET for MBA admissions in Karnataka, and the Karnataka PGCET 2027 exam date is expected in June 2027, with registration expected to open in March 2027. The latest exam, on June 14, 2026, had 100 multiple-choice questions in 120 minutes with no negative marking, and General Knowledge and Computer Awareness carried 55 of the 100 questions. To apply, you need a three-year degree with 50% aggregate marks, or 45% for SC, ST and Category-I candidates of Karnataka. Download the Karnataka PGCET 2027 PDF and take free Karnataka PGCET mock tests on MBAUniverse.com, India's No 1 MBA Portal.
