Frequently Asked Questions KCET (Karnataka Common Entrance Test)
What is this site?
This is an unofficial reference site for KCET (Karnataka UGCET) engineering cutoff ranks. All data is compiled from cutoff documents published by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. We are not affiliated with KEA; for admissions decisions, always confirm against KEA's own publications.
What does a 'cutoff' mean for KCET?
KEA publishes cutoff RANKS, not marks. The number shown for a college-branch-category is the closing rank: the KCET rank of the last candidate allotted a seat there in that round. If your rank number is smaller than (or equal to) the closing rank, a candidate with your rank got that seat that year.
What do the category codes like 1G, 2AG, 3BK mean?
Each code is a reservation category plus a suffix. The base categories are: 1 (Category-1), 2A and 2B (backward classes), 3A and 3B (backward classes), GM (General Merit), SC (Scheduled Caste), ST (Scheduled Tribe). The suffix G means the general pool of that category, K means Kannada-medium study claim, and R means rural study claim. So 2AG is Category-2A general, 2AK is Category-2A Kannada-medium, and 3BK is Category-3B Kannada-medium.
What is GM vs GMK vs GMR?
GM is General Merit, the open category anyone can compete in regardless of caste category. GMK is General Merit with the Kannada-medium claim and GMR is General Merit with the rural claim. Category candidates are also considered under GM first, so a 2A candidate can take a seat via GM if their rank is good enough.
What is the difference between GEN and HK cutoffs?
Karnataka reserves seats for candidates from the Hyderabad-Karnataka region (now called Kalyana Karnataka) under Article 371-J. KEA publishes two parallel cutoff lists: GEN for the general (non-regional) pool and HK for the Hyderabad-Karnataka regional pool. HK closing ranks are usually more relaxed, but only eligible candidates with a 371-J certificate can claim them. Our data carries both pools separately from 2014 onward.
What are the KCET counselling rounds?
KEA typically runs a mock allotment, then Round 1, Round 2, and an Extended (EXT) or casual-vacancy round; some years also have a second extended round. The mock round is only an indication based on initial option entry and is not a real allotment. The official 'cutoff' for a year is usually taken from the last completed round.
Do cutoff ranks change between rounds?
Yes. Closing ranks generally become more relaxed (numerically larger) in Round 2 and the extended round, because candidates who got seats elsewhere (for example through JEE or COMEDK) exit and free up seats. However, for the most sought-after college-branch combinations the movement can be tiny or zero. Where we have per-round files (2018 onward for most years), you can compare rounds directly.
Which years does this site cover?
We cover KCET engineering cutoffs from 2008 through 2026, sourced from KEA's cutoff archive. For most years the displayed cutoff is the final or last-published round; for 2018-2024 we also hold mock and intermediate round files. Coverage per year ranges from about 150 colleges (2008) to around 240-260 colleges and 120+ branch codes in recent years.
Are there any known gaps in the data?
Yes, a few. KEA publishes ranks only, so we have no marks-based cutoffs for any year. Some cells are blank because no seat was allotted (or the college did not participate) in that category, and older years occasionally include one-off codes such as SNQ (supernumerary quota), JK and DK that appear in only some years. For 2016 and 2017 the last available file is the extended round rather than a labelled final round.
What are the S1-S4 categories I see in 2026?
From 2026, KEA's cutoff files list new codes S1 through S4 (with the usual G/K/R suffixes) alongside SC. These reflect the sub-classification of Scheduled Caste reservation introduced in Karnataka, which splits the SC quota into internal groups. If you are an SC candidate for 2026 onwards, check your allotted internal group in your KEA verification slip and read the matching S-code column.
Can I use last year's closing rank to predict this year's?
It is a useful guide, not a guarantee. Closing ranks move with seat matrix changes, new colleges and branches, fee changes, and demand shifts (for example, CSE and AI branches have tightened sharply in recent years). Look at 2-3 years of trend for the same college-branch-category rather than a single year, and keep backup options across a range of ranks.
My category cell is blank for a college. Does that mean I can't get a seat there?
No. A blank usually means no seat in that specific category was allotted (or existed) at that college in that round, often because the reserved seat was converted or filled via General Merit. You may still get the seat through GM if your rank qualifies, since every candidate competes in GM first.
Does this site cover medical, dental, agriculture or architecture cutoffs?
No, our dataset is the engineering stream of KCET only (the KEA UGCET engineering cutoff files). Medical and dental admissions in Karnataka go through NEET-based counselling, and other streams have separate KEA cutoff documents that we do not currently index.
How reliable is this data, and what should I double-check?
Every number is parsed from KEA's own published cutoff files, but parsing errors and mid-season corrections by KEA are possible, and KEA occasionally re-issues files. Before locking your option entry or paying fees, verify the specific college-branch-category figure in the official PDF on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea and follow KEA's notifications. This site is a research aid, not an official source.
What does GM category mean in KCET?
GM stands for General Merit — the open category. Seats in the GM pool are allotted purely by KCET rank, with no reservation, and any candidate can be considered under GM regardless of caste. Your own reserved category (if any) is considered separately and in addition, so being in a reserved category never removes your GM eligibility. A GM closing rank is the last rank admitted in the open pool for that college and branch. Always confirm category rules on the official KEA site.
What do the suffixes G, K and R mean in KCET categories (like GMK, GMR, 2AK)?
KCET splits each category into pools by medium and background, shown by the suffix. K = Kannada-medium candidates (who studied in Kannada for the qualifying years), R = Rural candidates (who studied in a rural area), and the general/open pool has no such restriction. So GMK = General Merit, Kannada-medium pool; GMR = General Merit, Rural pool; 2AK = Category 2A, Kannada-medium; 3BK = Category 3B, Kannada-medium. These pools have their own closing ranks, which are often more relaxed than the open pool. Verify your eligibility with KEA.
What is the difference between GM, GMK and GMR in KCET?
All three are General Merit (open category), but for different pools: GM is the general/open pool, GMK is for Kannada-medium candidates, and GMR for rural candidates. If you qualify for GMK or GMR you are considered in that pool in addition to GM — which can help, because those pools sometimes close at a lower (easier) rank. Check all pools you are eligible for.
What does GMK category mean in Karnataka KCET?
GMK = General Merit, Kannada-medium. It is reserved for General-Merit candidates who studied in Kannada as the medium of instruction for the qualifying years (as defined by KEA). If you are eligible, you compete in the GMK pool as well as the open GM pool, and take whichever closing rank gives you the seat. Confirm the exact eligibility conditions on the official KEA website.
What do KCET category codes like 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, SC and ST mean?
These are Karnataka's reservation categories as defined by the state government: Category 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, plus SC (Scheduled Caste) and ST (Scheduled Tribe). Your category decides which reserved pool you compete in, in addition to the open GM pool. In the cutoff tables each appears with a pool suffix (G general, K Kannada-medium, R rural). Your caste/income certificate determines your category — confirm with KEA.
What is the HK or Kalyana-Karnataka (371J) quota in KCET?
It is a regional reservation for candidates from the Kalyana-Karnataka region (formerly Hyderabad-Karnataka), under Article 371J of the Constitution. Eligible candidates get reserved seats in colleges of that region, shown separately from the general (GEN) seats in cutoff data. You need the required eligibility certificate — check KEA's rules.
Which KCET category should I look at in the cutoff tables?
Look at every pool you are eligible for. All candidates can use GM (open). If you also qualify for a reserved category (1/2A/2B/3A/3B/SC/ST) and/or a pool (Kannada-medium K, Rural R, or HK/371J), check those closing ranks too — you get whichever gives you the best chance. Our free College Finder lets you pick your category so you see the right numbers for you.
Still unsure? Try the College Finder — enter your rank and see every option you are eligible for.