KCET candidature category guide
Answer two quick questions to see which candidature category likely applies to you. This is a guide to help you understand the framework, not an official determination. KEA makes the final call during document verification, based on your certificates.
This tool only covers candidature category (Karnataka / 371(J) / Horanadu / Gadinadu / outside-Karnataka). It does not determine your social reservation category (GM, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, SC, ST, Category-1), which depends on your caste certificate. See the glossary for what each term means.
Guided questions
Where did you complete your 10th & 12th / 2nd PUC schooling?
Is your permanent home region one of the 7 Kalyana-Karnataka districts (Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichur, Yadgir, Koppal, Ballari, Vijayanagara)?
Is your mother tongue Kannada, Tulu, or Kodava?
Is your mother tongue Kannada, Tulu, or Kodava?
Are you an Indian citizen, NRI ward, or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)?
Likely category: Karnataka Candidate · Article 371(J) Kalyana-Karnataka Quota
You qualify as a Karnataka Candidate with special reservation under Article 371(J). You are entitled to 70% reservation in local region colleges and 8% state-wide reservation across all other institutions (including top Bangalore engineering and medical colleges). You will need an Annexure-A Eligibility Certificate from the Assistant Commissioner.
Likely category: Karnataka Candidate (Clause A – General State Quota)
You qualify under the general Karnataka state quota (Clause A), giving you access to subsidized government-quota seats across all Karnataka government, aided, and unaided engineering colleges. You must provide 7 years of study certificates counter-signed by your school's BEO / DDPU.
Likely category: Gadinadu Kannadiga (Clause N)
You qualify under the Gadinadu Kannadiga category for candidates whose mother tongue is Kannada, Tulu, or Kodava residing in notified border regions adjoining Karnataka. You will be required to pass KEA's 50-mark Kannada Language Test (minimum 12 marks to qualify).
Likely category: Horanadu Kannadiga (Clause M)
You qualify under the Horanadu Kannadiga category for candidates of Kannada, Tulu, or Kodava mother tongue residing in other Indian states outside Karnataka. You must appear for and pass KEA's 50-mark Kannada Language Test in Bengaluru (minimum 12 marks to qualify).
Likely category: NRI / OCI Candidate Quota
You are eligible under the NRI / OCI institutional quota seats in private autonomous and unaided engineering and medical colleges. Seat allotment is conducted through KEA with verified passport and parent embassy certificates.
Likely category: All-India / Non-Karnataka Candidate
You fall under the open All-India pool. You are eligible for open seats in private unaided engineering institutions across Karnataka through KEA, with an application fee of ₹750 (domestic).