Uncertainty over second round of PGCET counselling makes aspirants anxious

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The Karnataka Examinations Authority. | Photo Credit: File photo

Uncertainty looms over whether the second round of counselling for PGCET courses, including MBA, MCA, ME, MTech, and MArch, will be conducted or not, leaving seat aspirants anxious. 

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has extended the fee payment deadline three times for candidates allotted seats in the first round, with payment now mandated by October 7, 2026. Additionally, candidates have been given until October 8 to download their seat confirmation slips and secure admission at their respective colleges after paying the fees.

However, seat aspirants have expressed frustration with KEA for failing to provide any information regarding the second round of counselling. Demanding that the process for “choice entry” for the second round be opened, aspirants have submitted an online petition bearing the signatures of 6,508 candidates.

When aspirants visited the KEA office on Monday (October 5) seeking clarification, a heated verbal altercation ensued between them and officials. The candidates staged a protest, expressing outrage after KEA staff attempted to forcibly remove them from the premises.

“Thousands of candidates are in a state of confusion due to the lack of information regarding the second round. Despite repeatedly requesting that the ‘choice entry’ for the second round be opened, there has been no response. When we visited the KEA office to seek information, the staff assaulted us and tried to drive us out,” the candidates alleged.

The PGCET counselling has been delayed this year due to several factors, including a delay by the Department of Technical Education in submitting the seat matrix. 

Meanwhile, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), having released the academic schedule for postgraduate (PG) courses, mandated that classes should commence on October 15. As the admission processes were not yet complete, several States approached the Supreme Court seeking an extension of the enrolment deadline for PG courses. However, the Supreme Court directed that the AICTE schedule be adhered to.

Therefore, the results of the first round of seat allotment were announced on September 25, 2026, by KEA. A total of 23,164 seats were allotted in the first round. Consequently, 9,574 MCA seats, 2,195 MBA seats, and 1,821 MTech seats remain unallocated. The KEA said that the schedule for the subsequent admission process would be announced after September 29.

However, instead of announcing the schedule for the second round of admissions, the authorities have extended the deadlines for fee payment and college admission regarding the first-round seats three times.

Candidates, left in a state of deep confusion by this move, have started an online petition demanding the commencement of the ‘choice entry’ process for the second round of admissions. Students are facing considerable difficulties in planning their admissions, arranging finances, and making the necessary preparations for the upcoming academic year. The uncertainty is particularly affecting students who are awaiting seat allotment and those who wish to modify their preferences during the second-round option entry, reads the petition.

Meanwhile, KEA officials said that the Supreme Court had directed that the AICTE schedule be followed. Accordingly, PG classes are set to begin on October 15. However, Karnataka has now filed an appeal with the apex court seeking an extension of the enrolment deadline for PG courses, and the next move will depend on its outcome. 

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