KEA Eliminates Secret Key System for Enhanced Security in Seat Allotment

Bengaluru, June 24, 2025 – The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has announced a significant overhaul in its seat allotment process for professional courses, scrapping the ‘secret key’ system in favor of a more secure method involving One-Time Passwords (OTPs) and Face ID verification. This decision comes in response to last year’s alleged seat-blocking scam, which raised concerns about the integrity of the previous system.

The new system, effective for the KCET 2025 counselling process, aims to enhance transparency and prevent impersonation during key stages such as option entry, seat allotment, and final reporting. Candidates will now authenticate their identity using OTPs sent to their registered mobile numbers and AI-driven biometric Face ID checks. This move is designed to eliminate risks associated with unauthorized access and ensure a fair allocation process for engineering, medical, agriculture, and other professional courses.

According to KEA officials, the decision was prompted by irregularities in the 2023 seat allotment, where over 1,600 students failed to report to their allotted colleges, raising suspicions of deliberate seat-blocking. To address this, KEA has withheld ranks of approximately 400 candidates pending further investigation, signaling a strong stance against malpractices.

The KCET 2025 Verification Slip, released on June 24, 2025, is now available for download on the official KEA website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. Candidates can access it by logging in with their registration details. This slip is crucial for participating in the upcoming counselling phases, which include document verification, choice filling, and seat allotment. KEA has also advised candidates to regularly check the website for updates on counselling schedules and correction windows.

The adoption of OTP and Face ID technologies has been lauded by educational authorities, with a delegation from the Maharashtra Government recently commending KEA’s reforms for their transparency and efficiency. The new system is expected to streamline the process and restore confidence among students and parents.

For more details, candidates are encouraged to visit the official KEA portal and prepare for the counselling process, which is set to commence in the coming weeks.