Bengaluru, August 10, 2026: The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has begun the Round 2 counselling process for KCET/UGCET 2026, giving engineering and other eligible candidates another opportunity to secure admission to their preferred colleges and courses.
The Round 2 option-entry process began on August 7 and candidates have until August 13, 2026, at 9 am to enter, modify and reorder their choices. The provisional seat allotment result is scheduled to be announced on August 19 after 10 am.
Candidates urged to complete option entry carefully
KEA has advised candidates participating in the second round to review the available seat matrix and enter their college and course preferences carefully. The order in which options are entered is important, as seat allotment is based on the candidate’s merit/rank, reservation eligibility, availability of seats and the priority of options entered.
Candidates who participated in the earlier round should log in to the KEA counselling portal and review their existing choices. Eligible candidates can modify their preferences and add options based on the seats available in the updated seat matrix.
Students should not wait until the final hours to complete option entry, as the deadline is 9 am on August 13.
Engineering, pharmacy and other courses included
The second round is not limited to engineering admissions. The updated counselling process includes seats across several UGCET-linked programmes, including B.E./B.Tech, B.Pharm and D.Pharm, among others.
The counselling schedule also overlaps with Karnataka’s UG NEET 2026 counselling. Medical and dental seats are being processed separately under the NEET component of the KEA counselling exercise, with the first round of UG NEET allotment also scheduled alongside the UGCET Round 2 allotment timeline.
Important KCET 2026 Round 2 dates
| Counselling activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Round 2 option entry begins | August 7, 2026 |
| Last date for option entry | August 13, 2026, 9 am |
| Provisional seat allotment | August 19, 2026, after 10 am |
Candidates should check the latest instructions issued by KEA before making changes to their choices, particularly if they have already received a seat in an earlier round.
What candidates should do now
Students participating in KCET Round 2 should:
- Log in to the KEA counselling portal using their credentials.
- Check their eligibility and counselling status.
- Review the latest college and course seat matrix.
- Add colleges and courses they are genuinely willing to join.
- Arrange choices in the order of preference.
- Recheck the entire option list before submitting it.
- Save or print a copy of the final option-entry details for future reference.
Students who have received a seat in an earlier round but want to participate further should also carefully review the applicable KEA rules regarding their existing allotment before making changes.
Why Round 2 is important for students
The second round provides an important opportunity for candidates who did not receive their preferred course or college in Round 1. It can also benefit students who want to reconsider their options based on vacancies that have emerged following the earlier allotment and admission process.
However, students should avoid filling options simply because seats are available. Every option entered represents a preference, and candidates should include colleges and courses they would realistically consider joining.
Seat allotment expected on August 19
Once option entry closes, KEA will process the choices based on candidate merit, category and the availability of seats. The provisional Round 2 seat allotment is expected on August 19, 2026, after 10 am.
Candidates should keep checking the KEA website for the detailed allotment instructions and subsequent deadlines for fee payment, confirmation and reporting.
Don’t miss the deadline
With only a few days remaining, KCET 2026 candidates who intend to participate in Round 2 should complete their option entry well before the August 13, 9 am deadline.
The choice-filling stage is one of the most important parts of the counselling process. Candidates should therefore research colleges, compare courses and placements where relevant, and arrange their preferences carefully rather than making last-minute choices.
KCET 2026 Round 2 Counselling Underway: Option Entry Open Until August 13 added by admin on
View all posts by admin →