My Analysis of Expected KCET Cutoff 2026 for Top BTech Colleges in Karnataka

The KCET cutoff number circulating in most student groups right now is from Round 1 of 2025. That number is not wrong. It is just incomplete.

Round 1 and the extended round produce different closing ranks at the same college for the same branch. At RVCE CSE, that difference in 2025 was over 250 ranks. Most students do not get allotted in Round 1. They get allotted in Round 2, Round 3, or the extended round. Using the Round 1 KCET cutoff to plan is like checking the price of a train ticket two hours before departure and expecting the same fare.

I went through KEA counselling records, round-wise allotment sheets, and branch-level closing ranks from 2023 to 2025. This article covers the KCET cutoff for top BTech colleges in Karnataka, projected for 2026, with a clear breakdown by branch and rank band.

If you already have an estimated rank, the KCET College Predictor gives you a live shortlist based on actual KEA allotment data.

KCET Cutoff 2026 for Top B.Tech Colleges in Karnataka: What Will I Cover in This Blog?

• Why the round number changes everything about how you read a KCET cutoff
• Top 10 engineering colleges in Karnataka through KCET and what their rank requirements actually look like
• Last year KCET cutoff data (2025) as the baseline for 2026 projections
• Branch-wise KCET cutoff for RVCE, BMSCE, MSRIT, and PES University
• KCET cutoff for REVA University, CMRIT, BMSIT, Cambridge Institute of Technology, RNS Institute of Technology, Alliance University, Acharya Institute of Technology, Nitte Meenakshi, and Presidency University Bangalore
• What engineering colleges are realistic for 40,000, 50,000, 60,000 rank and above 1 lakh rank in KCET
• 120 marks and 60 marks in KCET: which colleges come into range

The Round Confusion Behind Every KCET Cutoff Number

KEA runs KCET counselling across three main rounds and one extended round. Each round closes at a different rank for every college and every branch. The closing rank goes up with each round, not down. Here is why that happens:

• Students who got allotted in Round 1 at their second or third preference college often upgrade in Round 2 when a higher-preference college opens up
• The seat they vacate goes back into the pool
• That released seat fills at a higher rank in Round 2 or Round 3
• By the extended round, a significant number of seats have been released and re-allotted multiple times

What this means practically:

• Round 1 KCET cutoff is the lowest closing rank of any round
• The extended round KCET cutoff is the highest
• The gap between the two at RVCE CSE in 2025 was approximately 258 ranks
• At mid-tier colleges like REVA University, the round-wise movement is around 3,000 to 5,000 ranks
• At smaller colleges accepting 50,000 plus ranks, the gap can stretch to 8,000 to 12,000 ranks across rounds

All 2026 KCET cutoff projections in this article are anchored to extended round data from 2025 and trend data from 2023 to 2025. That gives a more accurate picture of where you actually need to be.

Top 10 Engineering Colleges in Karnataka Through KCET: KCET College Ranking by Rank Requirement

Before getting into individual cutoffs, here is how the top engineering colleges in Karnataka through KCET stack up against each other by KCET college rank requirement. This is how the KCET rank vs college picture looks across tiers. The KCET college ranking below is based on CSE closing rank in the extended round for the General category in 2025.

KCET College Ranking	KCET Colleges	CSE Extended Round Closing Rank (2025 Approx)
1	R.V. College of Engineering (RVCE)	900 – 950
2	M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT)	1,800 – 2,500
3	BMS College of Engineering (BMSCE)	3,000 – 3,800
4	PES University	5,500 – 7,500
5	CMR Institute of Technology (CMRIT)	8,000 – 11,000
6	RNS Institute of Technology	12,000 – 19,000
7	BMS Institute of Technology (BMSIT)	12,000 – 18,000
8	Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology	12,000 – 20,000
9	Cambridge Institute of Technology	18,000 – 25,000
10	Acharya Institute of Technology	22,000 – 33,000

Last Year KCET Cutoff Data: What 2025 Tells Us About 2026

The most reliable base for 2026 projections is the last year KCET cutoff from the 2025 extended round. Here is a summary of where major colleges closed in 2025 across branches.

Last year KCET cutoff data for CSE across colleges:

• RVCE CSE: approximately 900 to 950
• MSRIT CSE: approximately 1,800 to 2,500
• BMSCE CSE: approximately 3,000 to 3,800
• PES University CSE: approximately 5,500 to 7,500
• CMRIT CSE: approximately 8,000 to 11,000
• RNS Institute of Technology CSE: approximately 12,000 to 19,000
• BMSIT CSE: approximately 12,000 to 18,000
• Nitte Meenakshi CSE: approximately 12,000 to 20,000
• Cambridge Institute of Technology CSE: approximately 18,000 to 25,000
• Acharya Institute of Technology CSE: approximately 22,000 to 33,000
• REVA University CSE: approximately 25,000 to 32,000
• Alliance University CSE: approximately 32,000 to 48,000
• Presidency University Bangalore CSE: approximately 38,000 to 52,000

The KCET cutoff figures from the last year are the anchor for the 2026 projections in each college section below. Where three-year trends show consistent tightening, the 2026 expected range moves slightly upward. Where data shows stability, the range holds.

Check Related Articles:

• KCET Marks vs Rank 2026
• Expected KCET Rank 2026 Based on Marks

KCET Cutoff 2026: Tier 1 Colleges

These are the four most competitive B.Tech colleges in Karnataka under KCET. All figures below apply to General category candidates with board PCM around 88 to 92 percent. Students with board PCM above 94 percent can expect their effective rank to be around 3,000 to 8,000 positions better than their raw exam rank, depending on the score band.

RVCE KCET Cutoff 2026

R.V. College of Engineering carries the tightest KCET cutoff among private colleges in Karnataka. The RV College of Engineering KCET cutoff for CSE has stayed under 1,000 in the extended round for three consecutive years. The RVCE KCET cutoff for non-CS branches is a different story entirely. Key observations from the RVCE KCET cutoff data:

• CSE at RVCE has tightened by around 270 ranks between 2022 and 2025 in the extended round
• Round 1 RVCE KCET cutoff for CSE in 2025 was approximately 672
• Extended round RVCE KCET cutoff for CSE in 2025 was approximately 930
• Non-CS branches like Mechanical, Civil, and Aerospace close in the 59,000 to 65,000 range

Branch	KCET 2025 Extended Round Closing Rank (Approx)	Expected KCET Cutoff 2026
Computer Science Engineering	900 – 950	920 – 980
Information Science	1,200 – 1,500	1,300 – 1,600
Electronics and Communication	2,500 – 3,200	2,600 – 3,400
Aerospace Engineering	59,000 – 61,000	60,000 – 63,000
Civil Engineering	60,000 – 62,000	61,000 – 64,000
Mechanical Engineering	62,000 – 65,000	63,000 – 67,000
Industrial Engineering	61,000 – 64,000	62,000 – 65,000

BMSCE KCET Cutoff 2026

BMS College of Engineering consistently figures in the top engineering colleges in Karnataka through KCET for CSE. The BMSCE KCET cutoff for CSE has been in the 2,500 to 3,800 range in the extended round. Key observations from the BMS College of Engineering KCET cutoff data:

• BMSCE KCET cutoff for CSE tightened by roughly 700 ranks between 2022 and 2025
• The IS branch at BMSCE closed around 4,500 to 5,500 in 2025, which is closer to CSE than ECE
• Industrial Engineering at BMSCE is the most accessible branch with a rank under 56,000

Branch	KCET 2025 Extended Round Closing Rank (Approx)	Expected KCET Cutoff 2026
Computer Science Engineering	3,000 – 3,800	3,200 – 4,000
Information Science	4,500 – 5,500	4,800 – 5,800
Electronics and Communication	7,000 – 9,000	7,500 – 9,500
Industrial Engineering	50,000 – 55,000	51,000 – 56,000
Civil Engineering	62,000 – 65,000	63,000 – 67,000

MSRIT KCET Cutoff 2026

M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology is among the most sought-after top engineering colleges in Karnataka through KCET. The MSRIT KCET cutoff for CSE sits between RVCE and BMSCE in the closing rank picture. Key observations from the MSRIT KCET cutoff data:

• MSRIT KCET cutoff for AI and ML closed within 500 ranks of core CSE in 2025
• Aeronautical Engineering and Cyber Security at MSRIT closed in the 62,000 to 66,000 range
• Automobile Engineering at MSRIT had the highest closing rank of any branch at the college in 2025

Branch	KCET 2025 Extended Round Closing Rank (Approx)	Expected KCET Cutoff 2026
Computer Science Engineering	1,800 – 2,500	1,900 – 2,700
Artificial Intelligence and ML	2,200 – 3,000	2,400 – 3,200
Electronics and Communication	8,000 – 11,000	8,500 – 11,500
Cyber Security	61,000 – 64,000	62,000 – 65,000
Aeronautical Engineering	62,000 – 66,000	63,000 – 67,000
Automobile Engineering	95,000 – 1,00,000	96,000 – 1,02,000

PES University KCET Cutoff 2026

PES University fills a large portion of its seats through PESSAT. The KCET quota at PES is limited. The PES KCET cutoff for CSE reflects that constrained seat availability. Key observations from the PES University KCET cutoff data:

• PES KCET cutoff for CSE in 2025 was higher than BMSCE CSE, which surprises most students
• Limited KCET seats at PES means even a small increase in demand moves the KCET cutoff significantly
• Electrical Engineering at PES closed around 57,000 to 62,000, making it a realistic option at 55,000 plus rank

Branch	KCET 2025 Extended Round Closing Rank (Approx)	Expected KCET Cutoff 2026
Computer Science Engineering	5,500 – 7,500	6,000 – 8,000
Electronics and Communication	63,000 – 67,000	64,000 – 68,000
Electrical Engineering	57,000 – 62,000	58,000 – 63,000

Predict Your KCET 2026 Rank Here

KCET Cutoff 2026: Tier 2 Colleges

This rank band covers the largest share of KCET candidates. Students with ranks between 8,000 and 55,000 fall in this range. The KCET cutoff data for these colleges shows rising CSE demand and more accessible numbers for ECE and core engineering branches.

REVA University KCET Cutoff 2026

REVA University shows up in almost every search from students in the 20,000 to 40,000 rank range. The REVA KCET cutoff for CSE has been between 22,000 and 32,000 for two consecutive years.

Key observations from the REVA University KCET cutoff data:

• REVA KCET cutoff for AI and Data Science branches has been creeping above 30,000 since 2024
• CSE at REVA is accessible for students with rank around 30,000 and board PCM above 90 percent
• ECE at REVA closed well above 55,000 in 2025, making it one of the more accessible options at that rank band

Branch	KCET 2025 Extended Round Closing Rank (Approx)	Expected KCET Cutoff 2026
Computer Science Engineering	25,000 – 32,000	26,000 – 33,000
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science	28,000 – 36,000	29,000 – 37,000
Electronics and Communication	55,000 – 70,000	57,000 – 72,000

CMRIT KCET Cutoff 2026

CMR Institute of Technology has seen consistent demand growth for CSE. The CMRIT KCET cutoff for CSE moved from around 12,000 in 2022 to 8,000 to 11,000 in 2025. That is 3,000 ranks tighter in three years. Key observations from the CMRIT KCET cutoff data:

• CMRIT has been moving into stronger Tier 2 territory since 2023 based on KCET rank vs college demand data
• IS branch at CMRIT is worth targeting for students just outside the CSE cutoff
• ECE at CMRIT closed around 30,000 to 40,000, leaving good room for students in the 35,000 range

Branch	KCET 2025 Extended Round Closing Rank (Approx)	Expected KCET Cutoff 2026
Computer Science Engineering	8,000 – 11,000	8,500 – 11,500
Information Science	11,000 – 15,000	11,500 – 16,000
Electronics and Communication	30,000 – 40,000	31,000 – 41,000

BMSIT KCET Cutoff 2026

BMS Institute of Technology and Management is a separate college from BMS College of Engineering. Students mix up the two frequently. The BMSIT KCET cutoff for CSE is 12,000 to 18,000. The BMSCE KCET cutoff for CSE is 3,000 to 4,000. These are two different colleges.

Key observations from the BMSIT KCET cutoff data:

• BMSIT CSE and RNS Institute of Technology CSE have had nearly identical closing ranks in each of the last two years
• IS at BMSIT closed around 16,000 to 22,000, a reasonable fallback for students just above the CSE cutoff
• BMSIT and BMSCE share a name but not a campus, faculty, or placement pipeline

Branch	KCET 2025 Extended Round Closing Rank (Approx)	Expected KCET Cutoff 2026
Computer Science Engineering	12,000 – 18,000	13,000 – 19,000
Information Science	16,000 – 22,000	17,000 – 23,000
Electronics and Communication	35,000 – 48,000	36,000 – 50,000

Cambridge Institute of Technology KCET Cutoff 2026

Cambridge Institute of Technology in K.R. Puram, Bangalore, is a solid mid-tier choice for students in the 15,000 to 30,000 rank range. The Cambridge Institute of Technology KCET cutoff for CSE has been stable across two years. Key observations from the Cambridge Institute of Technology KCET cutoff data:

• Cambridge IT CSE closed between 18,000 and 25,000 in both 2024 and 2025
• IS branch at Cambridge IT closed within 5,000 to 7,000 ranks above CSE in 2025
• ECE at Cambridge IT in the 45,000 to 60,000 range makes it an option for students at that rank

Branch	KCET 2025 Extended Round Closing Rank (Approx)	Expected KCET Cutoff 2026
Computer Science Engineering	18,000 – 25,000	19,000 – 26,000
Information Science	22,000 – 30,000	23,000 – 31,000
Electronics and Communication	45,000 – 60,000	46,000 – 62,000

RNS Institute of Technology KCET Cutoff 2026

RNS Institute of Technology in Bangalore has held a stable KCET cutoff for CSE across two years. The RNS Institute of Technology KCET cutoff for CSE sits in the same band as BMSIT.

Key observations from the RNS Institute of Technology KCET cutoff data:

• RNS IT CSE closed around 12,000 to 19,000 in both 2024 and 2025
• IS at RNS IT is a realistic backup for students around the 18,000 to 25,000 range
• ECE at RNS IT closed around 35,000 to 50,000 in 2025

Branch	KCET 2025 Extended Round Closing Rank (Approx)	Expected KCET Cutoff 2026
Computer Science Engineering	12,000 – 19,000	13,000 – 20,000
Information Science	18,000 – 25,000	19,000 – 26,000
Electronics and Communication	35,000 – 50,000	36,000 – 51,000

Alliance University KCET Cutoff 2026

Alliance University Bangalore accepts KCET scores alongside its own entrance exam. The Alliance University KCET cutoff for CSE is more accessible than most colleges in its infrastructure category. Key observations from the Alliance University KCET cutoff data:

• Alliance University KCET cutoff for CSE has been between 32,000 and 48,000 in recent years
• ECE at Alliance University closed well above 55,000 in 2025
• Alliance University is a reasonable choice for students at 35,000 to 50,000 rank who want a Bangalore-based campus

Branch	KCET 2025 Extended Round Closing Rank (Approx)	Expected KCET Cutoff 2026
Computer Science Engineering	32,000 – 48,000	33,000 – 50,000
Electronics and Communication	55,000 – 70,000	57,000 – 72,000

Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology KCET Cutoff 2026

Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology carries consistent NIRF recognition and a steady placement record. The Nitte Meenakshi KCET cutoff for CSE has been around 12,000 to 20,000 across recent years. Key observations from the Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology KCET cutoff data:

• Nitte Meenakshi CSE KCET cutoff sits in the same band as BMSIT and RNS IT
• ECE at Nitte Meenakshi closed around 40,000 to 55,000 in 2025
• Students shortlisting this college often do so alongside BMSIT and Cambridge IT

Branch	KCET 2025 Extended Round Closing Rank (Approx)	Expected KCET Cutoff 2026
Computer Science Engineering	12,000 – 20,000	13,000 – 21,000
Electronics and Communication	40,000 – 55,000	41,000 – 57,000

Acharya Institute of Technology KCET Cutoff 2026

Acharya Institute of Technology is one of the larger KCET-affiliated engineering colleges in Bangalore. The Acharya Institute of Technology KCET cutoff for CSE is typically in the 22,000 to 33,000 range. Key observations from the Acharya Institute of Technology KCET cutoff data:

• Acharya IT CSE KCET cutoff has been stable for two consecutive years
• IS branch at Acharya closed around 28,000 to 40,000 in 2025
• ECE at Acharya IT closed around 50,000 to 65,000, making it accessible for students in that rank band

Branch	KCET 2025 Extended Round Closing Rank (Approx)	Expected KCET Cutoff 2026
Computer Science Engineering	22,000 – 33,000	23,000 – 35,000
Information Science	28,000 – 40,000	29,000 – 42,000
Electronics and Communication	50,000 – 65,000	51,000 – 67,000

Presidency University Bangalore KCET Cutoff 2026

Presidency University Bangalore offers multiple engineering branches under KCET. The Presidency University Bangalore KCET cutoff for CSE is in the 38,000 to 52,000 range. Key observations from the Presidency University Bangalore KCET cutoff data:

• Presidency University Bangalore KCET cutoff for CSE is among the most accessible in the Bangalore private college category
• ECE at Presidency University closed around 60,000 to 75,000 in 2025
• Students with 40,000 to 55,000 rank who want a Bangalore campus shortlist this college for CSE

Branch	KCET 2025 Extended Round Closing Rank (Approx)	Expected KCET Cutoff 2026
Computer Science Engineering	38,000 – 52,000	39,000 – 54,000
Electronics and Communication	60,000 – 75,000	62,000 – 77,000

What Your KCET Rank Gets You: College Options by Band

KCET Cutoff 2026 for Top B.Tech Colleges in Karnataka: Engineering Colleges for 40,000 Rank

At 40,000 rank, Tier 1 CSE is closed. The KCET cutoff data for this band still shows real options. Here is what I found:

CSE options at 40,000 rank in KCET:

• REVA University CSE (closing rank around 32,000 last year, borderline accessible with strong board marks)
• Alliance University CSE (accessible)
• Presidency University Bangalore CSE (accessible)
• Acharya Institute of Technology CSE (borderline, depends on board marks)

Non-CSE options at 40,000 rank in KCET:

• CMRIT ECE and IS (accessible)
• BMSIT ECE (accessible)
• Cambridge Institute of Technology IS (accessible)
• RNS Institute of Technology IS (accessible)

One thing the KCET cutoff data shows clearly at this rank: IS and ECE at mid-tier colleges have stronger placement conversion than most students expect. These are not consolation branches at these colleges.

KCET Cutoff 2026 for Top B.Tech Colleges in Karnataka: Engineering Colleges for 50,000 Rank in KCET

At 50,000 rank, the KCET cutoff for CSE at all Tier 1 and most Tier 2 colleges has passed. The rank-wise picture opens up significantly for non-CS branches.

What is accessible at 50,000 rank in KCET:

• RVCE Mechanical Engineering (closing rank around 62,000 to 65,000, within reach with strong board marks)
• BMSCE Industrial Engineering (closing rank around 50,000 to 55,000, directly in range)
• MSRIT Cyber Security and Aeronautical Engineering (closing rank around 61,000 to 66,000, borderline)
• PES University Electrical Engineering (closing rank around 57,000 to 62,000, borderline)
• Alliance University CSE (directly accessible)
• Acharya Institute of Technology IS and ECE (accessible)

The KCET cutoff data for BMSCE Industrial Engineering at 50,000 rank is something I kept coming back to. That branch at BMSCE outperforms most CSE programmes at colleges ranked far lower by KCET cutoff.

KCET Cutoff 2026 for Top B.Tech Colleges in Karnataka: Engineering Colleges for 60,000 Rank in KCET

At 60,000 rank, core engineering branches at RVCE, BMSCE, and MSRIT open up. This is the rank band where the KCET rank vs college picture shifts most dramatically.

What is accessible at 60,000 rank in KCET:

• RVCE Aerospace Engineering (closing rank around 60,000 to 63,000)
• RVCE Civil Engineering (closing rank around 61,000 to 64,000)
• RVCE Mechanical Engineering (closing rank around 63,000 to 67,000, borderline)
• BMSCE Civil Engineering (closing rank around 63,000 to 67,000)
• MSRIT Aeronautical Engineering (closing rank around 63,000 to 67,000)
• PES University ECE (closing rank around 64,000 to 68,000)

Students at 60,000 rank almost always search only for CSE options. The KCET cutoff data says something different: top college non-CS branches are right here at 60,000 rank.

KCET Cutoff 2026 for Top B.Tech Colleges in Karnataka: Engineering Colleges for Above 1 Lakh Rank in KCET

A rank above 1 lakh in KCET still has options across Karnataka. Over 200 engineering colleges are affiliated under KCET and VTU.

What is available above 1 lakh rank in KCET:

• Government quota seats in core engineering branches at smaller VTU-affiliated colleges in Tumkur, Belgaum, Dharwad, and Mangalore region
• Annual government quota fees at these colleges are typically in the INR 35,000 to 45,000 range
• Private college KCET seats in Bangalore for non-CS branches at smaller institutions
• MSRIT Automobile Engineering closed near 1 lakh in 2025, making it borderline at this rank

On engineering colleges for above 1 lakh rank in KCET fees: government quota KCET seats at VTU-affiliated colleges outside Bangalore are the most cost-effective path at this rank. Management quota seats at the same colleges often cost INR 80,000 to INR 1.5 lakh per year, for the same classroom.

120 Marks in KCET and 60 Marks in KCET: What the Data Says

120 marks out of 180 in KCET with board PCM around 88 to 92 percent maps to an approximate rank of 10,000 to 16,000 in 2026. At 10,000 to 16,000 rank, here is what the KCET cutoff data tells me:

• RVCE and BMSCE CSE: out of range
• MSRIT CSE: out of range at 10,000 to 16,000 without very strong board marks
• CMRIT CSE: directly in range (closing rank 8,500 to 11,500 expected)
• RNS Institute of Technology CSE: directly in range
• Nitte Meenakshi CSE: directly in range
• BMSIT CSE: directly in range
• Cambridge Institute of Technology CSE: in range toward the lower end

For students who got 60 marks in KCET, the expected rank is around 70,000 to 85,000 depending on board marks.

At 60 marks in KCET, here is what the KCET cutoff data shows:

• Tier 1 and Tier 2 CSE options are not available in this rank range
• RVCE Aerospace, Civil, and Mechanical Engineering are within range
• BMSCE Civil Engineering is within range
• Smaller VTU-affiliated private colleges in and outside Bangalore have CSE seats available at this rank

What the Last Year KCET Cutoff Trend Is Actually Pointing Toward in 2026

I went back to 2022 to check whether the tightening I saw in 2025 was a new pattern or something that had been building for years. It has been building.

At Tier 1 colleges:

• RVCE CSE extended round closed around 680 in 2022. In 2025 it was around 930. That is 250 ranks tighter in three years.
• MSRIT CSE moved from around 1,400 in 2022 to around 2,200 in 2025
• BMSCE CSE moved from around 2,200 in 2022 to around 3,400 in 2025

At Tier 2 colleges:

• CMRIT CSE moved from around 12,000 in 2022 to around 9,500 in 2025
• Cambridge Institute of Technology CSE has held more stable, moving from around 22,000 to around 21,000

What is actually moving these cutoffs year on year:

• Total KCET candidate count grew from around 2.6 lakh in 2022 to 3.15 lakh in 2025
• The share of reappearing candidates with both higher exam scores and stronger boards increased from 18 percent in 2020 to 26 percent in 2025
• Board PCM averages across Karnataka have also shifted upward over this period

For 2026, the last year KCET cutoff from 2025 is the best single predictor. At Tier 1 colleges, I expect cuts to hold steady or tighten by 30 to 80 ranks. At Tier 2 colleges, movement will be smaller. Chemistry being harder in 2026 may ease pressure slightly in the 8,000 to 20,000 rank band. Tier 1 CSE cutoffs have not responded meaningfully to paper difficulty in any year I looked at. At that rank, every candidate has high board marks and a strong exam score. There is no slack.

Find Colleges for Your KCET 2026 Rank Here