Karnataka CET 2026 Dates Announced: Exam on April 23–24, Applications Open January 17

The Karnataka Examination Authority has fixed the Karnataka CET 2026 dates, giving clear timelines to aspirants. The Common Entrance Test will be held on April 23 and 24, with a Kannada language test on April 22. Online applications open on January 17, affecting lakhs of students seeking professional courses.

The official Karnataka CET 2026 information bulletin was released around 12.30 pm at the KEA office. Higher Education Minister Dr. MC Sudhakar and Medical Education Minister Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil jointly unveiled the direction booklet. The document explains exam rules, applications and counselling steps for engineering, medical and other professional admissions.

Karnataka CET 2026 exam schedule and pattern

For Karnataka CET 2026, KEA has kept a two-day test format in April. On April 23, candidates will write Physics and Chemistry papers. Mathematics and Biology exams are scheduled on April 24. Each subject carries 60 marks, which will be important for merit ranking and allotment of seats.

Karnataka CET 2026 applications and student support

The Karnataka CET 2026 application window will start on January 17 through the KEA online portal. Dr. MC Sudhakar said the new direction booklet will help applicants avoid errors during registration and later counselling. Many students, especially from rural areas, were earlier making mistakes despite social media awareness drives.

To reduce such confusion, KEA has printed 3.75 lakh copies of the CET direction booklet for distribution to students who need offline guidance. Dr. MC Sudhakar also mentioned that KEA office modernisation is underway. New conference halls are being inaugurated as part of efforts to improve the authority’s daily functioning and coordination.

Students from outside Karnataka and from border regions must take a Kannada language test on April 22. This paper comes one day before the main CET papers. Along with Karnataka CET 2026, KEA has also published a full calendar of other entrance examinations that it will manage during the year.

The Karnataka CET 2026 bulletin and the extended KEA exam calendar give students a clear year-long roadmap. With fixed dates for school, professional and postgraduate entrance tests, candidates can plan preparation better and use the printed booklet or online resources to handle applications and counselling stages more confidently.