KCET is a single state-level exam conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for engineering, agriculture, pharmacy, B.Sc Nursing and allied science seats in Karnataka government and private (non-deemed) colleges. Pharmacy aspirants write the PCB papers (Physics + Chemistry + Biology) - separate from the PCM combination engineering aspirants take. The same KCET result feeds B.Pharm and Pharm.D admissions through KEA counselling under RGUHS. (Deemed universities - Manipal, JSS, KLEU, Nitte, SDM - admit through their own entrance tests and are NOT in KCET counselling.)
Exam Pattern
Mode:Pen & paper (OMR sheet)
Duration:80 minutes per subject (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
Total Marks:180 (across all 3 PCB subjects)
Marking Scheme:+1 for a correct answer; no negative marking. Final rank uses 50% KCET + 50% Class 12 PCB marks (verify the latest weightage in the KEA brochure).
Passed or appearing Class 12 / 2nd PUC with Physics, Chemistry and Biology
Minimum 45% aggregate in PCB for General category (40% for SC/ST/OBC)
Karnataka domicile / OCI / PIO / NRI / Jammu & Kashmir migrants per the latest KEA notification
Both Karnataka and certain non-Karnataka candidates are eligible - check eligibility article in the brochure
Important Dates
Notification & registration
February 2027
Last date to apply
March 2027
Admit card release
April 2027
Exam dates (tentative)
22-24 April 2027
Result declaration
May-June 2027
KEA Counselling (B.Pharm / Pharm.D)
July-August 2027
Application Process
Register online on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea during the notification window
Choose PCB (Pharmacy / Agriculture / Nursing) stream at registration
Upload required documents and pay the application fee
Download the admit card before the exam
KEA counselling for B.Pharm / Pharm.D opens after the result
💡 Preparation Tips
Biology is the highest-impact subject after Class 12 marks - master NCERT and Karnataka PUC textbooks
Solve past 5-10 years of KCET past papers - pattern is very stable
No negative marking - attempt every question
Strong Class 12 PCB marks matter (50% of final rank weightage) - do not neglect the board exam
❓ FAQs
Is the Pharmacy stream a separate exam from Engineering?
No - KCET is one exam, but Pharmacy aspirants write the PCB combination (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) while Engineering aspirants write PCM. You can write both PCM and PCB if you want both options.
Do deemed universities (Manipal, JSS, KLEU, Nitte) use KCET?
No. Deemed universities run their own admission tests (MET, JSS Entrance, KLEU Entrance, NITTE entrance). KCET only counsels government and private non-deemed pharmacy colleges in Karnataka.
Do I need NEET for B.Pharm in Karnataka?
No. B.Pharm admission in Karnataka is via KCET (PCB stream), not NEET.