The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has announced the dates for the Common Entrance Test (CET) 2026, confirming that the state-level entrance examination for professional courses will take place on 23 and 24 April. Online applications open on 17 January, KEA said, and the authority has issued a range of support measures to simplify the application process for candidates.
CET 2026 Karnataka exam schedule and subjects
KEA’s timetable places Physics and Chemistry on Thursday 23 April, with Physics scheduled from 10:30am to 11:50am and Chemistry from 2:30pm to 3:50pm. Mathematics and Biology will be held on Friday 24 April, with Mathematics from 10:30am to 11:50am and Biology from 2:30pm to 3:50pm. A Class 4th level Kannada examination for Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannada candidates will be conducted on Wednesday 22 April from 10:30am to 11:30am at centres in Bengaluru, Belagavi, Mangaluru and Vijayapura.
Speaking at the KEA headquarters, M. C. Sudhakar, Minister for Higher Education, said the authority has published a CET Guide in both Kannada and English to assist students and institutions in filling forms correctly. The guide, supplied to all pre-university colleges including those affiliated to other boards, provides step-by-step instructions on application submission, required documents, verification procedures and seat allotment.
How the application process will work
KEA will open a Candidate Portal this year through which applicants can download copies of the application form, admission ticket and verification slip. The authority has introduced tighter identity checks: names, dates of birth and addresses will be verified against Aadhaar or DigiLocker records to reduce errors resulting from incorrect entries.
Registration will be OTP-based. After successful registration and login, candidates must verify their identity using an OTP or a live photo before completing application details. KEA has stated that face identification will be required at subsequent stages to ensure the real candidate is present.
Retention of practical-exam questions
KEA will continue to include questions derived from practical examinations in the CET question paper, a measure introduced in 2025. Dr Sudhakar said the inclusion aims to encourage students to attend and engage in practical classes as well as theory, ensuring laboratory skills remain a component of assessment.
The combined release of timetables this year also covers other state examinations such as PGCET, DCET and KSET, allowing educational institutions and candidates to plan ahead. KEA has urged students to consult the CET Guide and use the Candidate Portal for the most up-to-date information and downloadable documents.
Students are advised to check the official KEA website when the portal opens, prepare required documents in advance and follow the identity verification steps carefully to avoid last-minute difficulties. With these measures, KEA aims to streamline the application experience and reduce administrative errors on admission forms.
Key Takeaways:
- CET 2026 in Karnataka will be held on 23–24 April, with a Kannada paper for Horanadu/Gadinadu candidates on 22 April.
- Online applications open 17 January; KEA has released a CET Guide and will operate a Candidate Portal for documents and tickets.
- New identity verification using Aadhaar or DigiLocker, OTP-based registration and live photo checks aim to reduce errors and impersonation.
- Practical exam questions from the II PU curriculum will continue in CET to encourage attention to lab work.
