The Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test (PGCET) is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for admission to MBA, MCA and M.Tech programmes in the state. The 2026 exam was held on 14 June 2026. This guide explains how to download and use the answer key, and what happens next.
The PGCET 2026 exam is done and the answer-key stage is under way. The result is expected around July or August 2026, followed by counselling through August and September. Every date here is tentative until KEA publishes its notice, so confirm live updates on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea or kea.kar.nic.in.
How to download the answer key
KEA usually follows the same steps each year. The exact link and labels can change, so read the latest notice on the site before you start.
- Open the official KEA site at kea.kar.nic.in or cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- Find the PGCET 2026 answer-key link on the home page.
- Choose your course — MBA, MCA or M.Tech.
- If a login is asked, enter your application number and date of birth.
- Download and save the answer key for your records.
Raising an objection
KEA first releases a provisional key and opens a short window to challenge it. If you disagree with an answer, you can object with supporting proof. The usual process is:
- Open the objection link under the latest PGCET notice on the KEA site.
- Log in and pick the subject, version code and question number.
- Upload a clear supporting document for each challenge.
- Submit before the last date. An expert committee reviews objections, and its decision is final.
Checking your tentative score
Once you have the key, you can estimate your score. As a general pattern, each correct answer carries one mark and there is no negative marking, so a wrong answer costs nothing. Confirm the exact question count and marking for your course on the KEA brochure, since it differs between MBA, MCA and M.Tech.
Your marks give only a rough idea of rank. The real rank depends on how everyone else scored that year, so a marks-to-rank guess from a past cycle can be off. Wait for the official rank card before making firm college choices.
Planning for the next PGCET cycle?
Learn Crew runs online-only live PGCET classes four evenings a week, open to candidates across India, including out-of-state students. Every class is recorded. The next batch starts in the last week of August 2026, with a second parallel batch in December 2026.
What comes after the result
After the result and rank card, KEA runs online counselling: document verification, option entry, seat allotment, fee payment and reporting. Keep your certificates ready and watch the KEA dashboard once a day during that period so you never miss a window.
Learn Crew students have done well in PGCET, including a state Rank 23 in 2025 and 70 students under rank 1000. You can practise with PGCET mocks and e-books on elearning.learncrew.org or our Books and Mocks hub, explore our PGCET coaching, and see more on the results page.
PGCET books, e-books and mock tests
The PGCET MBA set and the PGCET MCA set are printed A4 and couriered across India. E-books and the PGCET mock tests with one-year access are on the same store.