Most state-level CET exams in 2026 are expected between April and June 2026. KCET 2026 is tentatively scheduled for April 2026 and COMEDK UGET 2026 for May 2026, based on historical KEA and COMEDK scheduling. No official 2026 dates have been confirmed yet. Check kea.kar.nic.in and comedk.org from January 2026 onward.
Every year, thousands of Karnataka and state-level engineering aspirants track three separate exam calendars at once. Getting the dates wrong by even a week can mean a missed application window, which is why we have mapped each exam’s expected schedule below, clearly marked as tentative where no official notification exists.
The term “CET 2026” covers multiple state-level tests. If you are asking when is the CET exam 2026, the answer depends on your state. Karnataka’s own CET, administered by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), has historically been held in late April. For 2025, KCET was conducted on 16 and 17 April, according to the KEA official notification. Expect a similar window in 2026, though KEA has not confirmed dates at the time of writing.
Other states run their own CETs on separate schedules. Maharashtra’s MHT CET, for instance, has historically run across May. Always verify against the specific state authority’s portal rather than relying on aggregator sites.
KCET 2026 is tentatively expected in April 2026, based on the past three years of scheduling. KEA published the 2025 KCET notification in January 2025 and opened applications in February 2025. If that pattern holds, students should watch the KEA portal at kea.kar.nic.in from January 2026 onward for the official notification.
KCET covers Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology, and is the gateway to engineering, pharmacy and other professional programmes at Karnataka’s government and private colleges. Over 2.1 lakh candidates appeared for KCET in 2024, according to KEA’s published result data. To be eligible, candidates generally need Karnataka domicile, a minimum of 45% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or Biology in Class 12, and must be under 21 years of age (relaxed for reserved categories).
COMEDK UGET 2026 is tentatively expected in May 2026. The Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) conducted UGET 2025 on 11 May 2025, as per the official COMEDK notification. Registration for 2025 opened in February. Students targeting the COMEDK UGET 2026 exam date should expect a similar February or March application window.
COMEDK is a computer-based test covering Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. It gives access to over 190 member engineering colleges across Karnataka, per COMEDK’s official member college list. The application fee for COMEDK UGET 2025 was Rs. 1,800, and a similar fee is expected for 2026.
The table below maps each exam’s expected 2026 timeline alongside confirmed 2025 dates for reference. All 2026 dates are tentative until official notifications are published.
| Exam | Authority | 2025 Actual Exam Date | Expected 2026 Exam Date | Expected Application Open (2026) | Approx. Colleges / Seats | Official Portal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KCET 2026 | KEA | 16-17 April 2025 | April 2026 (tentative) | February 2026 (tentative) | 200+ colleges; 60,000+ seats | kea.kar.nic.in |
| COMEDK UGET 2026 | COMEDK | 11 May 2025 | May 2026 (tentative) | February-March 2026 (tentative) | 190+ member colleges | comedk.org |
| MHT CET 2026 | State CET Cell, Maharashtra | May 2025 (multiple slots) | May 2026 (tentative) | February 2026 (tentative) | 300+ colleges; 1.5 lakh+ seats | cetcell.mahacet.org |
| AP EAMCET 2026 | JNTU Kakinada / APSCHE | May 2025 | May 2026 (tentative) | February-March 2026 (tentative) | 700+ colleges across AP | sche.ap.gov.in |
Admit cards for all these exams are typically released one to two weeks before the exam date. You download them directly from the official portal using your application number and date of birth. Keep a printout ready because most centres do not accept digital copies on phones.
Each exam authority publishes its own schedule independently. There is no single government portal that aggregates all state CET exam 2026 dates. The authoritative sources are:
The NTA handles JEE Main at the national level, while state-level CETs remain with their respective state authorities. CBSE board results, which many states use as an eligibility benchmark, are published separately at cbse.gov.in. Always cross-check the official portal before paying any application fee.
Based on 2023-2025 patterns, application windows for KCET and COMEDK typically open in January or February, about 10-12 weeks before the exam. MHT CET and AP EAMCET follow a similar rhythm. Missing the application deadline means waiting a full year, so set a calendar reminder for the first week of January 2026 and check the respective portals weekly.
Late fee windows do exist for most state CETs, usually adding an extra 7-10 days after the regular deadline closes. But do not count on that buffer as part of your plan.
Here is a quick summary of what students tracking the CET exam 2026 schedule need to keep in mind right now:
If you are a Class 12 student deciding which stream to pursue after these exams, the guide on IIT, IISER and IIM courses after 12th covers the broader academic pathways available after your results. For a wider view of career options, the best career paths after 12th in 2026 is worth reading alongside your exam prep.
Students who want to go beyond engineering and explore high-growth fields like cybersecurity should check the cybersecurity course eligibility guide to understand what qualifications you need. If you are interested in space technology and government-backed learning, explore ISRO free online courses with certificate as a way to build domain knowledge while you prepare. And if you are weighing income potential across professions, the breakdown of highest-paid professions in India gives you data-backed context for your decision.
Whatever score you get in KCET or COMEDK, your career trajectory does not stop at your college admission. Practical, industry-recognised skills in areas like Ethical Hacking, AI, Blockchain and Web3 can differentiate you from thousands of graduates with similar degrees. Explore the 3.0 University certification courses and the career planning guide for Class 12 and college students to start building that edge now.
Most state-level CET exams in 2026 are expected between April and June, based on historical patterns. Karnataka’s KCET is tentatively expected in April 2026, while exams like MHT CET and COMEDK UGET are expected in May 2026. No official 2026 dates have been confirmed by any authority yet. Check the respective official portals for announcements from January 2026 onward.
KCET 2026 is tentatively expected in April 2026, based on the 2024 and 2025 scheduling by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). In 2025, KCET was held on 16 and 17 April. KEA has not published the 2026 notification yet. Monitor kea.kar.nic.in from January 2026 for the official exam date and application schedule.
COMEDK UGET 2026 is tentatively expected in May 2026. In 2025, the exam was held on 11 May. COMEDK typically opens registration in February or March. The official schedule will be published on comedk.org. Students targeting COMEDK should begin their Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics preparation well before the registration window opens.
Each authority publishes its own schedule independently. KCET dates appear on kea.kar.nic.in, COMEDK dates on comedk.org, and MHT CET dates on cetcell.mahacet.org. JEE Main, administered nationally by NTA, is published at jeemain.nta.nic.in. There is no single central portal for all state CET dates, so bookmark each authority’s site separately.
Based on 2023-2025 patterns, both KCET and COMEDK application windows typically open in February, roughly 10-12 weeks before the exam. Missing the deadline means waiting until 2027, so set calendar reminders for January 2026. A late-fee window usually adds 7-10 extra days, but that should not be treated as part of your planning timeline.
Last updated: July 2025. Reviewed by the 3University editorial team.
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