Karnataka Examination Authority releases the KCET 2025 eligibility criteria in the official notification. Applicants looking to be admitted to engineering courses are advised to check the KCET eligibility criteria before filling out the application form. The eligibility criteria for KCET 2025 include age limit, educational qualification, domicile criteria, and others. All candidates need to comply with the KCET eligibility criteria 2025. Any candidate ineligible at later stages of the admission process will be disqualified. KEA will release the KCET application form in 2025. Applicants can complete the KCET registration 2025 at kea.kar.nic.in. The last date to fill out the KCET application form will be notified later. Applicants are advised to prepare all documents per KCET eligibility criteria before completing the application form. Candidates can refer to the article below for more details about KCET eligibility criteria for 2025.
KCET Eligibility Criteria 2025
Candidates must meet the following KCET eligibility requirements to be considered for admission to courses offered through KCET 2025:
- Candidates must be Karnataka residents and Indian citizens.
- Candidates must have graduated from a recognized university listed under VTU (Visvesvaraya Technological University) with at least 50–60% of the possible points on the qualifying exam.
- Applicants cannot apply for KCET 2025 if they have already passed the qualifying test from Karnataka State Open University or a university not on the VTU list.
- Candidates can apply for KCET 2025 if they take the qualifying exam in 2025 (2nd PUC (Pre University Colleges)/12th boards); their results are still pending. However, they will not be allowed to enter if they fail the qualifying exam.
- Applicants must be eligible for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) to get admitted to medical, dental, or Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, and Homeopathy) programs.
- Applicants must take either JEE Main 2025 exam 2 or the National Aptitude Test for Architectural (NATA) to be admitted to architectural programs.
- The merit list for applicants under the agriculture quota will be created using 50% of the marks earned in the practical test and 25% in the relevant combinations in the second PUC and KCET.
KCET Eligibility Criteria 2025 - Academic Qualification
Candidates can refer to the table provided below to check course-wise eligibility criteria to appear for KCET 2025:
| Course | Eligibility Norms | Admission Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| BArch | Passed 2nd PUC / Class 12 with 50% (45% for SC / ST / OBC / PWD) marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics | NATA JEE Main Paper 2 |
| BE/BTech | Passed 2nd PUC / Class 12 board with English as one of the languages and obtained a minimum of 45% (40% for SC / ST / OBC / PwD) marks in Physics and Mathematics along with Chemistry / Biotechnology / Biology / Electronics / Computer. | Qualifying examination: KCET |
| Farm Science BSc (Hons) Agriculture / Sericulture / Horticulture / Forestry / Agriculture Marketing & Cooperation BTech Agriculture / Food Technology / Dairy Technology / Food Science BFSc Fisheries | Passed 2nd PUC / Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology | Qualifying examination: KCET |
| Bachelors of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (BVSc & AH) | Passed 2nd PUC / Class 12 with 50% (40% for SC / ST / OBC / PWD) marks in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English | KCET |
| BPharma | Passed 2nd PUC / Class 12 board with 45% (40% for SC / ST / OBC / PwD) marks in Physics, Chemistry & Biology. I passed the Diploma in Pharmacy (Pharma D) exam from an institute/university approved by the Pharmacy Council of India with a minimum of 45% (40% for SC / ST / OBC / PwD) marks. Qualifying Pharma D is also applicable in case of lateral entry to the second year of BPharma, | KCET |
| Pharma D | Passed 2nd PUC / Class 12 board in Physics, Chemistry & Biology. I passed the Diploma in Pharmacy (Pharma D) exam from an institute/university approved by the Pharmacy Council of India. | KCET |
KCET Eligibility Criteria 2025 - Domicile Norms
Other than the general and academic KCET eligibility norms set by KEA, there is a domicile eligibility criteria that states that a candidate applying to appear for KCET 2025 should be a resident of India and a domicile of Karnataka. KEA has set some conditions under the domicile norms for KCET. Each condition is specified as a clause and is individually referred to by a code. Take a look at the detailed domicile norms for KCET 2014.
| CODES | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| CODE A | A candidate who has studied and is passed in one or more Government educational institutions located in the State of Karnataka for a minimum period of 7 academic years commencing from 1st standard to 2nd PUC to 12th standard as of July 1 of the year in which KCET is being held. The candidate must also have appeared and passed either the SSLC / Class 10 or 2nd PUC / Class 12 examination from Karnataka. For candidates who have taken more than one year to pass a class or standard, the years of academic study are counted as one year only. |
| CODE B | Candidate has studied and passed either 1st or 2nd year Pre-University Examination or 1+ 2 examinations within Karnataka from an Educational Institution recognized by the State Government. Either of the parents should have studied in Karnataka for 7 years |
| CODE C | Either candidate or one of the parent’s mother tongues should be Kannada, Tulu or Kodava, and either of the parents should be domiciled in the State of Karnataka. Such a candidate should have passed the qualifying examination from a University or Board or any other Institution outside Karnataka and should be residing outside the State of Karnataka as of May 1, 2019. |
| CODE D | A candidate whose mother tongue is Kannada, Tulu or Kodava who also resides and studied for a period of 7 years between 1st and 12th standards in disputed Kannada speaking area of South Sholapur or Akkalkot or jath or Gadhinglaj taluks of Maharashtra State or Kasargod or Hosadurga Taluks of Kerala State. The candidate shall undergo a Kannada Language test conducted by KEA. |
| CODE E | In the case of a candidate who is a son or daughter of defence personnel who has worked continuously in Karnataka for a minimum period of one year during the two-year period of study of candidates in PUC/Class 11 or Class 12. The candidate should have studied and passed the qualifying examination from any government-recognised educational institution located in the State. |
| CODE F | Son or daughter of serving Defence personnel from Karnataka who had declared his/her hometown a place in the State at the time of joining the Defence service. Proof of such domicile should be obtained and produced by obtaining the extract from the AG’S branch (Army HQs,) respective branch of integrated HQ of MoD for Officers and respective Record Offices for JCOs/OR. Further, the candidate should have passed the Q.E. from a University, board, or any other institution in India. |
| CODE G | In case a candidate is the son or daughter of a defence personnel who has served in Karnataka for at least one year, The officer is also posted on duty in Field/Active service and whose family is permitted by Defense Authorities to continue to stay in Karnataka. Such a candidate should have studied and passed the qualifying examination from any government-recognised educational institution in Karnataka. |
| CODE H | Son or daughter of ex-servicemen who at the time of joining the defence service had declared a place in Karnataka as their hometown proof of such domicile should be obtained and produced from the “Deputy Director, Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement” of that district and the same should be countersigned by the Director, Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement. Further, the candidate should have passed the qualifying examination from a university, board, or any other institution in India. |
| CODE I | In the case of a candidate being a son or daughter of an employee of the Union Government of the Karnataka State Government Undertaking or Joint Sector Undertaking, who is liable to be transferred anywhere in India as per the terms and conditions of his employment and has worked in Karnataka for a minimum period of one year during the two year period of study of candidate in PUC/Class 11 or Class 12 standards course and, such candidate has studied and passed the qualifying examination from any government or government recognized educational institution located in the state of Karnataka. |
| CODE J | Son or daughter of working or retired employee of the Union Government or employee of Union or Karnataka State Government undertaking or Joint Sector undertaking where such employee (a) had declared to the employer at the time of joining service any place in Karnataka to be their hometown; (b) had studied in any government or government-recognized educational institutions or institutions located in Karnataka for a minimum period of seven years and was or is liable to be transferred anywhere in India as per the terms and conditions of his employment. The candidate should also have passed the qualifying examination from a university, board, or any other institution located in India. |
| CODE K | Son or daughter of Members of Parliament elected from Karnataka. Further, the candidate should have passed the qualifying examination from a university, board, or any other institution in India. |
| CODE L | Son or father of serving or retired employee: (a) belonging to All India Service of Karnataka cadre; (b) of the Karnataka State Government, who has served or is serving outside the State of Karnataka during the period corresponding to the candidate’s study outside the state from 1st standard to 2nd PUC or Class 12 examination can be added to make up for seven years within Karnataka. |
| CODE M | For the son or daughter of Jammu and Kashmir migrants, proof of migration must be produced from the jurisdictional “District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner” of any state in India. |
| CODE N | Candidates who have studied for 10 years in Kannada medium from Class 1 to 12 in places outside of Karnataka need not appear for the Kannada Language test conducted by KEA. |
| CODE O | Son/daughter of a working or retired employee in the Central Armed Police Force service, who at the time of joining the CAPF service had declared the hometown as a place in the state of Karnataka, proof of such domicile having been produced by obtaining the extract from the Record Office of the CAPF unit where the parents’ service record is maintained. Further, the candidate should have passed the Q.E. from a University, board, or any other institution in India. |
KCET Eligibility Criteria 2025 - Documents Required Candidates
As mentioned earlier, the domicile norms for KCET have certain eligibility clauses categorized as Codes, based on which candidates will be required to produce the relevant documents. Documents to be produced during verification to support the claim for each clause are mentioned below.
| Code | List of Documents |
|---|---|
| CODE A | SSLC / Class 10 mark sheet 2nd PUC/ Class 12 mark sheet Rural Study Certificate for complete 10 years from Class 1 to Class 10 (if claiming rural quota) Kannada Medium Study Certificate for complete 10 years from Class 1 to Class 10 (if claiming rural quota) Caste/Caste Income Certificate issued by Concerned Tehsildar- For SC/ST in Form-D, Category-I in Form E and 2A, 2B, 3 and 3B in Form F, if claiming reservation benefits |
| CODE B | SSLC / Class 10 mark sheet 2nd PUC/ Class 12 mark sheet Caste/Caste Income Certificate issued by Concerned Tehsildar- For SC/ST in Form-D, Category-I in Form E and 2A, 2B, 3 and 3B in Form F, if claiming reservation benefits A study certificate is required for either of the parents who have studied for at least 7 years in Karnataka from the head of the educational institution where they studied. The head of the educational institution issued the candidate’s certificate for having studied both 1st & 2nd PUC or Class 11 & 12 standard in Karnataka. |
| CODE C | SSLC / Class 10 mark sheet Class 12 mark sheet of the candidate Domicile certificate issued by the concerned Revenue or Municipal Authorities certifying that the candidate and either of the parents have resided outside the state of Karnataka as on 01-5-2019. The place of the issuing authority should correspond to the place of domicile of the candidate/father/mother. A domicile certificate was issued by concerned revenue authorities of the state of Karnataka regarding the previous domicile of the father/mother of the candidate as a place in the state of Karnataka. The place of issuing authority should correspond to the place of domicile of the father/mother. Candidate’s Study certificate, Transfer Certificate. Father/Mother 10th standard marks card/ cumulative record in original in support of mother tongue as Kannada/Tulu/Kodava. A duly sworn declaration regarding the candidate's mother tongue. |
| CODE D | SSLC/Class 10 Marks Card and 2nd PUC/Class 12 Marks Card Residential certificate from the concerned Tahsildar of the respective disputed Taluk. The head of the institution issues the candidate’s study certificate, which the Taluk Education Officer should countersign. A duly sworn declaration regarding the candidate's mother tongue. |
| CODE E | SSLC/Class 10 Marks Cards 2nd PUC/Class 12 Marks Card Candidate’s study certificate for 2nd PUC or equivalent examination in Karnataka issued by the head of the educational institution Employment certificate of the parents issued by the Controlling Office where the parent’s working period is indicated. |
| CODE F | SSLC/Class 10 Marks Card 2nd PUC/Class 12 Marks Card of the candidate Caste/Caste Income certificate issued by Concerned Tahsildar Parent’s hometown declaration certificate while joining the service issued by the respective branch of integrated HQ of MoD for Officers and respective record offices for JCOs |
| CODE G | SSLC/Class 10 Marks Cards 2nd PUC/Class 12 Marks Card of the candidate The candidate’s study certificate for the 2nd PUC or equivalent examination in Karnataka issued by the head of the educational institution A service certificate of the parent issued by the Controlling Office indicates the period during which the parent worked in Karnataka, and a certificate showing the present place of posting indicates that his family is permitted to stay in Karnataka. The present working place of the parent should be indicated in name and not by code numbers |
| CODE H | SSLC/Class 10 mark sheet 2nd PUC/Class 12 mark sheet Caste/Caste Income Certificate issued by Concerned Tehsildar- For SC/ST in Form-D, Category-I in Form E and 2A, 2B, 3 and 3B in Form F, if claiming reservation benefits Parent’s hometown declaration certificate while joining the service issued by the Joint Director/Deputy Director of the concerned district and countersigned by the Director, Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement, Bangalore |
| CODE I | SSLC/ Class 10 Marks Cards 2nd PUC/Class 12 Marks Card of the candidate Candidate’s study certificate for 2nd PUC or equivalent examination in Karnataka issued by the head of the educational institution Certificate from the employer indicating the parent’s period of employment in the state of Karnataka and also showing that they are transferable anywhere in India Certificate from the employer indicating parents as an employee of Union or Karnataka State Government Undertaking or Joint Sector Undertaking |
| CODE J | SSLC/Class 10 mark sheet 2nd PUC/Class 12 mark sheet Caste/Caste Income Certificate issued by Concerned Tehsildar- For SC/ST in Form-D, Category-I in Form E and 2A, 2B, 3 and 3B in Form F, if claiming reservation benefits along with: A study certificate of the parent employee for having studied for at least 7 years in Karnataka from the Head of the educational institution where they had studied. Hometown declaration certificate of the parent employee while joining the service and showing that he is transferable anywhere in India issued by the employer. |
| CODE K | SSLC / Class 10 mark sheet 2nd PUC/ Class 12 mark sheet Caste/Caste Income Certificate issued by Concerned Tehsildar- For SC/ST in Form-D, Category-I in Form E and 2A, 2B, 3 and 3B in Form F, if claiming reservation benefits Certificate showing that the parent is/was a Member of Parliament elected from Karnataka issued by the Parliament Secretariat |
| CODE L | SSLC / Class 10 mark sheet 2nd PUC/ Class 12 mark sheet Caste/Caste Income Certificate issued by Concerned Tehsildar- For SC/ST in Form-D, Category-I in Form E and 2A, 2B, 3 and 3B in Form F, if claiming reservation benefits Certificate from the Principal Secretary/Deputy Secretary/Under Secretary, DPAR, Government of Karnataka, Bangalore, where the parent belongs to All India Service of Karnataka cadre stating that the parent is a member of such All India cadre. Certificate to state the period for which they have served or are serving outside Karnataka and if they are a state government employee, a certificate certifying the same from the concerned head of the office/department. |
| CODE M | SSLC / Class 10 mark sheet 2nd PUC/ Class 12 mark sheet As proof of migration, an original certificate was issued by the Jurisdictional District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner of any state in India. Under the clause, candidates can claim eligibility for the seats earmarked by the government. |
| CODE N | SSLC / Class 10 mark sheet 2nd PUC/ Class 12 mark sheet A domicile certificate issued by the concerned Revenue or Municipal Authorities certifying that the candidates and their parents have resided outside Karnataka as of May 1, 2014. The place of issuing authority should correspond to the place of domicile of the candidate/father/mother Study certificate issued by the head of the institution for having studied n Kannada medium from 1st standard to 10th standard |
| CODE O | SSLC / Class 10 mark sheet 2nd PUC/ Class 12 mark sheet Caste/Caste Income Certificate issued by Concerned Tehsildar- For SC/ST in Form-D, Category-I in Form E and 2A, 2B, 3 and 3B in Form F, if claiming reservation benefits Parent’s hometown declaration certificate while joining the service issued by the Record Office of the CAPF unit, where the parents' service records are maintained. |