KSET 2026 Notification PDF released by Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for the Karnataka State Eligibility Test. KSET 2026 online application starts from 10th August 2026 and the exam will be held on 11th October 2026. Check complete details from here.
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KSET 2026 – Summary
Candidates will be selected based on performance in two objective-type papers — Paper I (General Paper) and Paper II (Subject Paper) — conducted in a single session on the exam day. There is no interview or document verification stage at the eligibility-test level.
Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Exam Name | Karnataka State Eligibility Test (KSET) – 2026 |
| Purpose | Eligibility for Assistant Professor posts |
| Reference No. | ED/EA/01/KSET-26/2026-27 |
| Mode of Application | Online only |
| Application Start Date | 10th August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 5th September 2026 |
| Exam Date | 11th October 2026 (Sunday) |
| No. of Subjects | 37 |
| No. of Exam Centres | 11 |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
Also Read: GPCB Bank Clerk Recruitment 2026 Out, Apply Online for Clerical Posts @gpcb.bank.in
KSET 2026 – Important Dates
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 10.08.2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 05.09.2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 06.09.2026 |
| Hall Ticket Release Date | 01.10.2026 |
| Exam Date | 11.10.2026 |
KSET 2026 Notification Out
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the notification for the Karnataka State Eligibility Test (KSET) – 2026, conducted for determining eligibility for the post of Assistant Professor in universities, first-grade colleges, and recognized higher education institutions (government, aided, and unaided) across Karnataka. The test is being organised as per Government Order No. ED 57 TSS 2025 dated 19.05.2025 and UGC-NET Bureau guidelines dated 06.09.2023. Interested and eligible candidates must apply online through the official website cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea before the last date.
KSET-2026 Notification PDF – Click to Download
Karnataka SET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates willing to apply for KSET 2026 must check the eligibility conditions below before filling the application form.
Educational Qualification
- Candidates must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent from a recognised university/institution with a minimum of 55% marks for General, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B category candidates and other-state candidates.
- Candidates belonging to SC-A/SC-B/SC-C, ST, Category-1, PwD, and Transgender category require a minimum of 50% marks.
- Candidates in their final year of Master’s degree are also eligible to apply, but must produce proof of passing with the required percentage within two years from the date of the KSET result declaration; failing which their result stands cancelled.
- Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET/UGC-CSIR-NET/SLET in the same subject in the past are not eligible to reappear in the same subject.
Age Limit
There is no upper age limit for candidates applying for KSET-2026.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General, Category-2A, 2B, 3A, 3B and other-state candidates | Rs. 750/- |
| Category-1, SC-A, SC-B, SC-C, ST, PwD, and Transgender candidates | Rs. 500/- |
Fee payment can be made online only; offline modes such as Money Order, Demand Draft, or IPO Challan are not accepted. Fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances.
KSET 2026 Exam Pattern
| Paper | Marks | No. of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | 100 | 50 (compulsory) | Combined 3 hours (10:00 AM to 1:00 PM) |
| Paper II | 200 | 100 (compulsory) | — |
- Paper I is a general paper testing teaching/research aptitude, reasoning ability, comprehension, and general awareness, common to all candidates.
- Paper II covers the subject chosen by the candidate at the time of application and consists entirely of questions from that subject.
- Both papers are Objective-Type Multiple Choice Questions (OMR-based), and no negative marking is applicable.
- Candidates are not allowed entry to the exam centre after 1:00 PM.
Karnataka SET 2026 Qualifying Marks
| Category | Minimum Marks Required (Paper I + Paper II combined) |
|---|---|
| General (GM) | 40% |
| SC-A/SC-B/SC-C/ST/CAT-1/2A/2B/3A/3B/PwD/Transgender | 35% |
Only the top 6% of candidates appearing in both papers, subject-wise and category-wise, will be declared eligible, subject to meeting the minimum qualifying marks above.
KSET 2026 Subjects List (37 Subjects)
KSET 2026 will be conducted for 37 subjects, including Commerce, Kannada, Economics, English, Political Science, History, Sociology, Geography, Hindi, Management, Tourism Administration, Education, Library Science, Journalism & Mass Communication, Psychology, Social Work, Criminology, Law, Sanskrit, Physical Education, Folklore, Urdu, Public Administration, Computer Science & Applications, Physical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Home Science, Electronic Science, Earth Sciences, Philosophy, Women’s Studies, Performing Arts, Music, and Visual Arts.
Karnataka SET 2026 Exam Centres
Exams will be conducted at 11 centres across Karnataka:
- Bengaluru
- Belagavi
- Ballari
- Vijayapura
- Davanagere
- Dharwad
- Kalaburagi
- Mysuru
- Shivamogga
- Tumakuru
- Mangaluru
Note: Bengaluru is the mandatory centre for 19 specific subjects (Part-B subjects), while candidates opting for the remaining 18 subjects (Part-A) can choose any of the 11 centres.
KSET Online Application 2026 Link
The KEA has opened the online application portal for KSET 2026 at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea, and candidates must complete registration by 5th September 2026. Candidates are advised to fill the form carefully, as incorrect details or last-minute technical issues will not be the responsibility of KEA.
KSET 2026 Apply Online Link (Active) – Click to Apply
FAQs
Is the KSET 2026 Notification PDF released?
Yes, KEA has released the KSET-2026 notification PDF on the official website cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
When will the Karnataka SET 2026 exam be conducted?
The KSET-2026 exam will be conducted on 11th October 2026 (Sunday).
What is the last date to apply online for KSET 2026?
The last date to submit the online application for KSET-2026 is 5th September 2026.
Is there an age limit for Karnataka SET 2026?
No, there is no upper age limit prescribed for KSET-2026 candidates.
How many subjects are covered under KSET 2026?
KSET-2026 will be conducted for a total of 37 subjects across 11 exam centres in Karnataka.
