The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has announced the official notification for the KSET 2026, released on 10 August 2026 at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. Candidates may submit their applications online from 10 August to 05 September 2026. KSET 2026 exam is set to take place on 11 October 2026.
Apply Online For KSET 2026 (Link Active)
The KEA has released KSET 2026 notification and invited applications from eligible candidates. The application process started on 10 August, KSET 2026 exam will be conducted for 37 subjects on 11 October 2026. Qualified candidates will be eligible for assistant professor positions in higher education institutions across Karnataka.
KSET 2026 application process has started on August 10, 2026. Candidates can submit the KSET 2026 application form online till September 5, 2026, while the last date to pay the application fee is September 6, 2026. Candidates should enter their details carefully and complete the fee payment within the prescribed dates.
KSET 2026, also known as Karnataka State Eligibility Test, is an important qualifying exam for candidates aspiring to work as Assistant Professors in universities, colleges, and institutions across Karnataka. KSET is mandatory for those who wish to take up teaching as a career in Karnataka’s universities and colleges. The exam covers 33 different subjects, including Commerce, Kannada, English, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, and more. Candidates who qualify in KSET 2026 will be governed by the recruitment rules and regulations of the concerned institutions (government, aided, or private) in the state.
The table below provides a quick overview of the key details of KSET 2026:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Karnataka State Eligibility Test (KSET) 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Purpose | Eligibility for Assistant Professor in Karnataka universities and colleges |
| Exam Level | State-level |
| Recognition | Approved by UGC, New Delhi |
| Subjects Offered | 33 subjects |
| Exam Mode | Offline (OMR-based) |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ |
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| KSET 2026 Notification | August 10, 2026 |
| KSET 2026 Application Begins | August 10, 2026 |
| KSET 2026 Application Ends (without late fee) | September 5, 2026 |
| KSET 2026 Application Ends (with late fee/fee payment) | September 6, 2026 |
| KSET 2026 Admit Card Release | October 1, 2026 |
| KSET 2026 Exam Date | October 11, 2026 |
| KSET 2026 Provisional Answer Key Release | To be announced |
| KSET 2026 Result | To be announced |
Candidates must meet the following requirements to be eligible for KSET 2026:
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | No upper age limit to apply for KSET 2026 |
| Age Relaxation | Not applicable (since there is no age limit) |
| Educational Qualification | Master’s Degree or equivalent from a UGC-recognized university |
| Minimum Marks (General) | 55% marks (without rounding off) |
| Minimum Marks (Reserved Categories - SC/ST/OBC/PwD) | 50% marks (without rounding off) |
| Final Year PG Students | Eligible provisionally, must complete a Master’s with required marks within the stipulated time |
| Ph.D. Degree Holders | Relaxation of 5% in qualifying marks (from 55% to 50%) as per UGC regulations |
| Subjects | Must appear in the subject of post-graduation; if not available, choose related subject from KSET list |
KSET 2026 application process will be conducted online through the official KEA website. Candidates will be required to complete the registration, fill in the application form, upload the necessary documents, and pay the exam fee to submit their applications successfully. KSET application window will open once the official notification is released.
| Category | Fees (in Rs.) |
|---|---|
| General, Cat-IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB & Other State Candidates | 1,000/- |
| Cat-I, SC, ST, PwD & Transgender Candidates | 700/- |
KSET Admit Card 2026 will be released on the official KEA website before the exam date. Candidates must download the admit card online, as it will not be sent by post or email. The admit card is a mandatory document to appear for the exam and must be carried along with a valid photo ID proof.
KSET 2026 exam will be conducted in offline mode (OMR-based test) consisting of two papers. Both papers include only objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs) where all questions are compulsory to attempt.
| Paper | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | 50 | 100 | 1 hour |
| Paper II | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
| Total | 150 | 300 | 3 hours |
NOTE:
To be considered eligible for an Assistant Professor position through KSET, candidates must meet the minimum qualifying marks set by UGC guidelines. For General category candidates, it is mandatory to secure at least 40% aggregate marks in both papers taken together. For all reserved categories (Cat-I, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, SC, ST, PwD, Transgender), the minimum qualifying mark is 35% aggregate marks in both papers combined.
The final merit list and qualifying slots are determined as per UGC guidelines. Only 6% of the appearing candidates are declared qualified for eligibility as Assistant Professors. The qualifying slots are distributed category-wise and subject-wise using specific formulas
The number of qualifying slots in a subject is calculated by checking how many General category candidates secured 40% or more marks in that subject. This figure is divided by the total number of General category candidates who scored 40% or more marks across all subjects. The result is then multiplied by the total number of available slots under the General Category.
For reserved categories, the process is similar but based on the 35% qualifying mark. The number of candidates in a reserved category who secured 35% or more in a subject is divided by the total number of reserved category candidates who secured 35% or more across all subjects. This is then multiplied by the total number of slots available for that reserved category.
KSET Syllabus 2026 is formulated to test both general teaching/research aptitude and subject expertise of candidates. KSET Syllabus 2026 is divided into two parts: Paper I (common for all) and Paper II (subject-specific).
Paper I is common for all candidates and is aimed at testing reasoning ability, comprehension, divergent thinking, and general awareness. The key areas include:
| Subject | Subject Code | Medium of Question Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Commerce | 01 | English |
| Kannada | 02 | Kannada |
| Economics | 03 | Kannada & English |
| English | 04 | English |
| Political Science | 05 | Kannada & English |
| History | 06 | Kannada & English |
| Sociology | 07 | Kannada & English |
| Geography | 08 | Kannada & English |
| Hindi | 09 | Hindi |
| Management | 10 | English |
| Education | 12 | Kannada & English |
| Library & Information Science | 13 | English |
| Mass Communication & Journalism | 14 | Kannada & English |
| Psychology | 15 | Kannada & English |
| Social Work | 16 | Kannada & English |
| Law | 18 | English |
| Sanskrit | 19 | Sanskrit |
| Physical Education | 20 | Kannada & English |
| Urdu | 22 | Urdu |
| Public Administration | 23 | Kannada & English |
| Computer Science & Applications | 24 | English |
| Physical Sciences | 25 | English |
| Mathematical Sciences | 26 | English |
| Chemical Sciences | 27 | English |
| Life Sciences | 28 | English |
| Environmental Sciences | 29 | English |
| Home Science | 30 | English |
| Electronic Science | 31 | English |
| Earth Sciences | 32 | English |
| Women Studies | 37 | Kannada & English |
| Performing Arts | 39 | Kannada & English |
| Music | 40 | Kannada & English |
| Visual Arts | 41 | Kannada & English |
KSET 2026 exam will be conducted in various cities across Karnataka to make it convenient for candidates from different regions. Candidates can select their preferred exam centre while filling the online application form. The final centre will be allotted by the authority and mentioned on the admit card.
| Centre Code | Exam Centre |
|---|---|
| 01 | Bengaluru |
| 02 | Belagavi |
| 03 | Ballary |
| 04 | Vijayapura |
| 05 | Davangere |
| 06 | Dharwad |
| 07 | Kalaburagi |
| 08 | Mysuru |
| 09 | Shivamogga |
| 10 | Tumakuru |
| 11 | Mangaluru |
Candidates can select any of the above-mentioned exam centres if they wish to appear for the following subject exam:
| Subject | Subject Code |
|---|---|
| Commerce | 01 |
| Kannada | 02 |
| Economics | 03 |
| English | 04 |
| Political Science | 05 |
| History | 06 |
| Sociology | 07 |
| Hindi | 09 |
| Management | 10 |
| Education | 12 |
| Library & Information Science | 13 |
| Social Work | 16 |
| Physical Education | 20 |
| Computer Science & Applications | 24 |
| Physical Sciences | 25 |
| Mathematical Sciences | 26 |
| Chemical Sciences | 27 |
| Life Sciences | 28 |
Candidates have to select Bangalore as the exam center if they choose the following subjects:
| Subject | Subject Code |
|---|---|
| Geography | 08 |
| Mass Communication & Journalism | 14 |
| Psychology | 15 |
| Law | 18 |
| Sanskrit | 19 |
| Urdu | 22 |
| Public Administration | 23 |
| Environmental Sciences | 29 |
| Home Science | 30 |
| Electronic Science | 31 |
| Earth Sciences | 32 |
| Women Studies | 37 |
| Performing Arts | 39 |
| Music | 40 |
| Visual Arts | 41 |
KSET Result 2026 will be announced on the official KEA website after the completion of the exam and evaluation process. The result will be declared in the form of a scorecard/merit list, showing the marks secured by the candidate and whether they have qualified for eligibility as Assistant Professor.
KSET Cut Off 2026 is the minimum score that candidates must secure to qualify for eligibility as an Assistant Professor in Karnataka. The cut-off will be released by KEA after the declaration of results, and it will vary for each subject and category. In the meantime, candidates can refer to 2024 cut off.

Download KSET 2024 Cut Off PDF
| Relevant Links | |
|---|---|
| KSET Application | KSET Cut Off |
| KSET Previous Year Papers | KSET News |
Ques: How many attempts are allowed for KSET 2026?
Ans: There is no limit on the number of attempts for KSET. However, candidates who have already qualified KSET are generally not eligible to appear again in the same subject.
Ques: Can candidates from other states apply for KSET 2026?
Ans: Yes, candidates from other states can apply for KSET. However, candidates belonging to reserved categories in other states are treated as General category candidates for KSET.
Ques: Can a candidate change the KSET subject after submitting the application form?
Ans: No. Candidates should select their KSET subject carefully while filling out the application form, as the subject should correspond to their postgraduate qualification or an appropriate related subject where applicable.
Ques: What documents are required for the KSET 2026 application?
Ans: Candidates should keep a valid email ID and mobile number, scanned photograph and signature, educational qualification documents, and applicable category or disability certificates ready before filling out the KSET application form.
Ques: What happens after qualifying KSET 2026?
Ans: Qualifying KSET makes a candidate eligible for consideration for Assistant Professor positions in universities, colleges, and higher education institutions across Karnataka. However, qualifying KSET alone does not guarantee appointment; recruitment is carried out according to the rules of the concerned institution.
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