The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially commenced the option entry process for the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET/UGCET) 2026 counselling. Eligible candidates can now begin selecting their preferred colleges and courses for admission across a wide range of professional programmes.
With the counselling window now active, authorities are urging candidates to proceed with caution, as the choices submitted during option entry will play a decisive role in determining their admission prospects in the upcoming allotment rounds.
Verification Slip: A Mandatory Document
Alongside option entry, KEA has enabled the download of verification slips — a mandatory document for participation in the counselling and seat allotment process. The authority has made it clear that candidates without a valid verification slip will not be permitted to exercise web options or participate in seat allotment rounds.
The verification slip serves as official confirmation that a candidate’s documents and eligibility details have been successfully verified by the authority. Students who encounter issues while downloading the document have been advised to contact KEA immediately and resolve discrepancies at the earliest.
Expert Advice for Candidates
Education experts recommend that students:
- Study previous years’ cut-offs to gauge competitive trends
- Review available seat intake for each course and institution
- Analyse fee structures before finalising preferences
- Enter a broad range of preferences rather than limiting themselves to a handful of institutions, thereby increasing their chances of securing admission
Candidates are advised to use the option entry period wisely, as the order in which courses and institutions are selected can significantly influence allotment outcomes.
How to Complete KCET 2026 Option Entry
Candidates can follow these steps to submit their preferences:
- Visit the official KEA counselling portal: keaonline.karnataka.gov.in
- Log in using your CET number and required credentials
- Click on the Option Entry link available on the dashboard
- Browse the list of available colleges and courses
- Select and arrange colleges and programmes in order of preference
- Add as many options as possible to improve chances of seat allotment
- Carefully review all entered choices before final submission
- Save and lock preferences before the deadline
- Download and keep a copy of submitted options for future reference
- Check mock allotment results and modify preferences during the option modification window, if required
Important Guidelines
KEA has advised candidates to thoroughly study the:
- Seat matrix
- Fee structure
- Eligibility conditions
- Counselling guidelines
before finalising their options.
Since preference locking is a crucial stage of the admission process, students should carefully verify every entry to avoid errors that could affect their chances of securing a desired seat.
Login Process
The option entry login requires candidates to complete three steps:
- Login with credentials
- Verify OTP received via SMS, WhatsApp, or Email
- Face Verify using QR code scanning
The QR Code, Application No., and CET No. are available on the verification slip. Candidates can scan the QR code using the portal’s scanner feature or manually enter their CET number.
