The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the Karnataka PGCET 2026 Round 1 final seat allotment result for postgraduate admissions to MBA, MCA, MTech, ME and MArch programmes. As per figures being reported around the allotment, 23,164 seats have been filled in this round, while 13,590 seats remain vacant and are expected to be carried forward into the next round of counselling.

Karnataka PGCET Round 1 Result 2026: Latest Update

KEA first published the provisional Round 1 seat allotment on September 23, 2026, giving candidates a window until 4 PM on September 24 to raise objections. Following the objection process, the final Round 1 allotment result was released, and candidates can now log in to the official KEA portal using their PGCET number and password to check their allotted institute, course, and category status.

Background: The Round 1 Seat Matrix

The Round 1 provisional seat matrix notified by KEA listed a total of 33,809 postgraduate seats across participating institutions, with MBA accounting for the largest share at 19,934 seats, including 2,130 Hyderabad-Karnataka (HK) seats and 17,804 general/regular (RK) seats, and MCA accounting for 9,729 seats, with the remainder distributed among MTech, ME and MArch programmes. Allotment in Round 1 was carried out based on candidates' PGCET or GATE rank, category, seat availability, and the preferences submitted during option entry, following an earlier mock allotment stage held on September 19.

The specific figures of 23,164 seats filled and 13,590 seats vacant are being widely reported around this round of allotment, but have not been located in an official KEA statement at the time of writing; readers are advised to cross-check against the official seat matrix and allotment statistics published on the KEA portal.— Editorial Note

Steps to Check Karnataka PGCET Round 1 Seat Allotment Result 2026

  1. Visit the official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
  2. Open the Karnataka PGCET 2026 admission/counselling section
  3. Click on the Round 1 final seat allotment result link
  4. Enter your PGCET number and password to log in
  5. Check the allotted college, course, quota, and category details
  6. Download and print the provisional allotment letter for document verification

Freeze or Float: Choices for Allotted Candidates

Candidates allotted a seat in Round 1 can choose Choice 1 (Freeze) to accept the allotment as final, pay the fee, and report to the college, exiting further rounds of counselling. Alternatively, Choice 2 (Float) allows candidates to provisionally accept the current seat while remaining in the pool for a possible upgrade in the next round; if a higher-preference option becomes available, KEA allots it automatically, and if not, the candidate retains the current seat.

Documents Required for Verification

  • Karnataka PGCET Round 1 provisional allotment letter
  • PGCET 2026 admit card and rank/scorecard, or valid GATE 2026 scorecard
  • Qualifying degree mark sheets and provisional/degree certificate
  • Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/Category-1/2A/2B/3A/3B), where applicable
  • Hyderabad-Karnataka (Article 371J) eligibility certificate, where applicable
  • Passport-size photographs and a valid photo ID proof
  • Seat acceptance fee payment receipt

Impact on Students

With a sizeable share of seats still vacant after Round 1, candidates who were not allotted a seat, or who opted to float, will have another opportunity in the next round to secure admission to MBA, MCA, MTech, ME or MArch programmes. Candidates satisfied with their current allotment need to move quickly on fee payment and document verification to confirm their seat, while those seeking a better option should track the choice-modification and upgrade process closely.

What Happens Next

Based on the pattern followed in previous cycles, KEA is expected to announce the schedule for Round 2 counselling shortly, covering the seats that remain vacant after Round 1, along with any additional seats reported by participating institutions. Candidates should continue to monitor the official KEA portal, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, for the Round 2 notification and revised seat matrix.

Conclusion

The Karnataka PGCET 2026 Round 1 seat allotment result marks the first major milestone in this year's postgraduate admission cycle in the state. Candidates should verify their allotment status on the KEA portal without delay, decide between freezing or floating their seat, and complete document verification and fee payment within the notified timeline to secure their admission.

Related Resources

Official References