Karnataka PGCET Choice Entry Closes as KEA Sets Option Rearrangement Dates

The Karnataka Examinations Authority closed the initial choice-entry window for the Post Graduate Common Entrance Test 2026 on Monday morning, marking a critical transition in the state's professional postgraduate admissions. Aspirants seeking seats in management, engineering, and computer application streams completed their primary submissions as per the administrative timetable released earlier this month.

The process dictates how qualified candidates record their acceptance or refusal of allotted professional seats, directly influencing subsequent seat matrices and institutional vacancies. With thousands of aspirants vying for seats across management and technical disciplines, precision in exercising choices determines eligibility for upgrade rounds or fee surrenders.

According to the notification issued by the examination authority, the choice-entry portal shut down at 10:00 am on October 13. Candidates were required to log into the official web portal using their credentials to submit one of four designated choices governing their admission status. The framework applies across Master of Business Administration, Master of Computer Applications, Master of Engineering, Master of Technology, and Master of Architecture programs.

Immediately following the conclusion of the choice-entry window, the authority scheduled the option rearrangement phase to begin on Monday afternoon at 2:00 pm. Registered candidates wanting to modify their previously submitted college preferences are permitted to do so until 10:00 am on October 15. Officials emphasized that this modification window gives students a structured timeframe to adjust their priority lists based on preliminary allotment results and seat availability.

To access the portal, candidates must clear a non-refundable option entry fee of ₹750 prior to submitting their preferences. The authority has reiterated that candidates must complete all modifications within the stipulated deadlines, warning that extensions will not be granted.

The current counselling cycle incorporates a draft seat matrix featuring over 35,460 MBA seats and 17,203 MCA seats across participating institutions in Karnataka. The large volume of aspirants has necessitated strict adherence to the operational calendar to prevent technical congestion on the server.

Following the close of the option rearrangement window on October 15, the authority will process the modified preferences to prepare subsequent seat allocation lists. Candidates are advised to monitor the official portal regularly for announcements regarding subsequent counselling phases and reporting dates.