KEA Architecture Counselling 2026 (Karnataka)
Karnataka B.Arch admission via NATA or JEE Paper 2. KEA does NOT conduct any CET for B.Arch.
The Karnataka Examinations Authority runs centralised B.Arch counselling for Karnataka government and aided institutes. KEA explicitly does not conduct any state CET for B.Arch. Admission is via NATA or JEE Main Paper 2 only, with best-of-both used when both are submitted. COMEDK is a separate counselling for private colleges and also does not run a B.Arch entrance, it uses NATA or JEE Paper 2.
Official portal: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in2026 notification expected June
KEA typically releases the B.Arch counselling notification in June after NATA Phase 1 results. Watch cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
Expected: June 2026At a glance
NATA or JEE Paper 2 (best of both)
No
No, uses NATA or JEE P2
70% local + 8% statewide outside region
Subsidised
Direct payment, separate process
Eligibility
Academic qualification
10+2 with Physics and Mathematics compulsory plus one more, 50% PCM aggregate (45% for reserved categories from Karnataka).
Entrance accepted
NATA score, JEE Main Paper 2 score, or both. Best-of-both is used in merit calculation.
Karnataka domicile and Class 12
For state quota, you need Karnataka domicile or have completed Class 11 and Class 12 from a Karnataka institution. Verify nativity rules in the official 2026 brochure.
Important dates
| Milestone | Date | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NATA Phase 1 result | May 2026 | Expected | |
| KEA B.Arch notification | June 2026 (TBD) | TBD | |
| Document verification | June or July 2026 (TBD) | TBD | |
| Round 1 allotment | July 2026 (TBD) | TBD | |
| Round 2 allotment | August 2026 (TBD) | TBD | |
| Round 3 / mop-up | August or September 2026 (TBD) | TBD |
NATA Phase 1 result
May 2026
KEA B.Arch notification
June 2026 (TBD)
Document verification
June or July 2026 (TBD)
Round 1 allotment
July 2026 (TBD)
Round 2 allotment
August 2026 (TBD)
Round 3 / mop-up
August or September 2026 (TBD)
Reservation matrix
| Category | Quota | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GM (General Merit) | Open | |
| SC | 15% | Karnataka domicile, may be revised per pending GO |
| ST | 3% | Karnataka domicile, may be revised per pending GO |
| Cat I (Most backward) | 4% | |
| 2A (Backward) | 15% | |
| 2B (Backward minorities) | 4% | |
| 3A (Other backward) | 4% | |
| 3B (Other backward) | 5% | |
| Article 371(J) Local (HK region) | 70% | Within Hyderabad-Karnataka colleges only |
| Article 371(J) Statewide outside HK | 8% | For HK candidates outside their home region |
| PwD (horizontal) | 5% |
Fee structure
KEA application fee, General
Confirmed in annual brochure₹650 to ₹800
Government college tuition
Significantly subsidised
Private aided college tuition
Variable, set by college
Management quota fees
Outside KEA centralised counsellingHigh, set by institute
Top participating colleges
BMS College of Architecture
Bangalore · 80 seatsRV College of Architecture
Bangalore · 80 seatsUniversity Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Department of Architecture
Bangalore · 40 seatsManipal School of Architecture and Planning
ManipalManipal admits via Manipal entrance, not always through KEADayananda Sagar Academy of Architecture
BangaloreKLE Technological University, School of Architecture
HubliCommon mistakes to avoid
KEA does not conduct an entrance test for B.Arch
Some students assume KCET covers B.Arch. It does not. Submit NATA or JEE Main Paper 2 score directly to KEA counselling.
COMEDK also has no B.Arch entrance
COMEDK runs only counselling for private colleges using NATA or JEE Paper 2 scores, not its own entrance. Plan only the entrance you need (NATA or JEE P2), not a third state-level test.
Article 371(J) Kalyana Karnataka rule is unique
Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari, and Vijayanagar candidates get 70% local seats within HK colleges and 8% statewide outside the region. Carry the appropriate certificate.
Management quota is outside KEA
Management seats at private colleges are filled directly by the institute, not through KEA. Apply separately for those.
NIT Karnataka (Surathkal) is JoSAA
NITK does not offer B.Arch and is in JoSAA only for B.Tech. There is no Karnataka NIT B.Arch route through KEA.
Frequently asked questions
Does Karnataka have a state CET for B.Arch?
Can I use KCET score for B.Arch in Karnataka?
What is COMEDK's role for B.Arch?
Is BMS or RV College of Architecture in KEA counselling?
What is Article 371(J) reservation?
How is KEA B.Arch merit calculated?
When does KEA B.Arch counselling start?
Is NIT Karnataka B.Arch in KEA?
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Information curated from official sources. Always verify against cetonline.karnataka.gov.in before applying.