KCET 2026 Registration Concludes Today as Correction Window Opens: What Candidates Must Know

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) will close the registration process for the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) 2026 on 27 February 2026, marking a crucial administrative milestone for thousands of aspirants across the state. Candidates seeking admission to undergraduate professional courses in engineering, pharmacy, agriculture and allied disciplines must complete their applications via the official portal before the deadline lapses.

While fresh registrations will cease today, the fee payment window remains open until 3 March 2026, offering applicants a brief extension to regularise pending transactions. Simultaneously, KEA has activated the correction window, allowing registered candidates to edit their application details until 30 March 2026. Importantly, this facility is limited to modifications in existing forms; no new applications will be accepted once the registration deadline has passed.

A Critical Deadline in Karnataka’s Academic Calendar

KCET occupies a central position within Karnataka’s higher education framework. It serves as the gateway to state-funded and private professional institutions, shaping academic trajectories for an entire cohort of students each year. The closure of the registration window therefore represents more than a procedural endpoint, it is a decisive juncture in the admission cycle.

Candidates who have yet to complete their online application must act with urgency. The KEA portal, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, provides direct access to the UGCET 2026 registration link. Given the predictable surge in last-minute submissions, applicants are advised not to defer action until the final hours.

Fee Payment Window: A Limited Extension

Although registration closes today, KEA has extended the deadline for fee payment until 3 March 2026. This provision is particularly significant for candidates who have completed the form submission but encountered transactional delays.

However, applicants should not misconstrue this as an extension of the registration period. Only those who have already filled in and submitted their application forms may avail themselves of the extended payment timeline. Failure to remit the requisite fee within the stipulated period will render the application incomplete and invalid.

Correction Window: Scope and Significance

The opening of the correction window introduces a secondary but equally vital phase in the application process. Registered candidates may edit their application details until 30 March 2026, well beyond the registration deadline.

This flexibility acknowledges that errors whether typographical or informational can occur during online submissions. The ability to rectify inaccuracies safeguards candidates from avoidable disqualification at later verification stages.

It is essential to note, however, that the correction window does not permit the submission of new applications. It is solely intended for modifying existing entries. Candidates must therefore ensure that their original registration was successfully completed before relying on this facility.

Special Advisory for Scheduled Caste Applicants

KEA has issued a specific directive for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates applying for KCET 2026. Applicants belonging to this category must obtain a caste certificate bearing internal reservation details, specifically Category A, Category B, or Category C from the concerned Tahsildar.

Crucially, candidates are required to enter the RD number printed on the certificate within their online application. This measure seeks to strengthen verification processes and ensure accurate implementation of reservation policies.

The directive underscores the growing emphasis on documentation integrity within entrance examination systems. Reservation benefits are subject to stringent scrutiny, and incomplete or improperly documented claims may lead to rejection during counselling. SC candidates are therefore advised to secure and verify their certificates well before the final stages of the admission process.

Step-by-Step Application Procedure

For candidates completing their registration today, the process is structured yet straightforward:

1. Visit the official KEA website at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
2. Select the UGCET 2026 link displayed on the homepage.
3. Access the online application portal.
4. Enter registration details and submit preliminary information.
5. Complete the full application form with accurate academic and personal data.
6. Pay the application fee through the prescribed online modes.
7. Submit the form and download the confirmation page.
8. Retain a printed copy for future reference.

The confirmation page functions as a vital record of submission. Candidates should preserve both digital and physical copies, as these may be required during document verification or counselling.

Examination Dates and Structure

The KCET 2026 examination will be conducted on 23 and 24 April 2026. The examination will take place in two shifts each day:

• Morning shift: 10.30 am to 11.50 am
• Afternoon shift: 2.30 pm to 3.50 pm

The staggered scheduling enables the Authority to manage large candidate volumes efficiently while maintaining examination integrity. Hall tickets will be available for download from 10 April 2026 onwards. Candidates must ensure that they retrieve and print their admit cards within the specified period. Entry to examination centres will not be permitted without a valid hall ticket and appropriate identification documents.

The Broader Context of KCET

KCET’s relevance extends beyond mere seat allocation. For many students within Karnataka, it represents a critical pathway to affordable professional education. Unlike certain national-level examinations that operate on an all-India merit list, KCET primarily serves the state’s resident population, incorporating domicile-based eligibility criteria and reservation frameworks. As such, administrative precision is indispensable. Errors in category declaration, academic qualification entries or personal details may have lasting implications. The correction window therefore assumes heightened importance, allowing candidates to safeguard their candidature against inadvertent mistakes.

Documentation and Verification: Preparing for the Next Phase

While attention currently centres on registration and correction, aspirants must simultaneously prepare for the documentation phase that follows the examination. Verification processes typically require original certificates relating to academic qualifications, caste category, income status and domicile.

Candidates are encouraged to begin collating and organising these documents in advance. Proactive preparation mitigates last-minute anxiety and ensures smoother participation in counselling procedures.

For SC candidates, in particular, the RD number requirement introduces an additional layer of administrative diligence. Ensuring that the caste certificate is correctly formatted and internally classified is not merely advisable but mandatory.

Managing Last-Minute Submissions

The final day of registration often witnesses heightened portal traffic, which can slow processing times. Applicants attempting to submit forms today should allocate sufficient time for each stage of the procedure, including fee payment confirmation.

It is prudent to avoid reliance on unstable internet connections or mobile browsers for such critical submissions. Where possible, candidates should use a secure desktop or laptop connection to minimise technical disruptions.

Moreover, careful review of each field before final submission is essential. Once the registration window closes, only limited modifications will be permissible under the correction facility.

A Moment of Administrative Vigilance

The closure of KCET 2026 registration signals a shift from administrative formalities to examination readiness. For aspirants, this is the moment to ensure that procedural foundations are secure.

The correction window, open until 30 March, offers a valuable yet finite opportunity to amend discrepancies. It should be approached not as a casual addendum but as a structured review phase. Thoughtful verification today may prevent complications during result declaration or counselling.

Looking Ahead

With the examination scheduled for late April and hall tickets available from 10 April, candidates now enter the final stretch of preparation. Academic revision, mock tests and performance analysis will dominate the coming weeks.

Yet administrative compliance remains equally significant. Registration confirmation, fee payment validation and documentation accuracy collectively underpin examination eligibility.

As Karnataka’s aspirants prepare to compete for coveted seats across professional disciplines, the immediate priority is clear: complete registration before the deadline, verify details meticulously, and utilise the correction window judiciously.

In competitive entrance examinations, success is shaped not only by academic proficiency but also by procedural discipline. KCET 2026 is no exception.