The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the notification for the Karnataka State Eligibility Test for Assistant Professors 2026 (KSET-2026) vide Notification No. ED/KEA/01/KSET-26/2026-27 dated 10 August 2026, issued in pursuance of Karnataka Government Order No. ED 57 TIS 2025 dated 19.05.2025 and UGC-NET Bureau letter No. F.7-16/2012 (NET/SET) dated 06.09.2023. KSET-2026 determines eligibility for the post of Assistant Professor in universities, first grade degree colleges and other higher education institutions (Government, Aided and Private) across Karnataka. The exam will be held on 11 October 2026 (Sunday) in OMR-based offline mode, covering 37 subjects at 11 examination centres in Karnataka. Online applications are open from 10 August 2026 to 5 September 2026, with fee payment allowed until 6 September 2026. Hall tickets are scheduled for release on 1 October 2026. Candidates need a Master’s degree with 55% marks (General) or 50% marks (SC-A, SC-B, SC-C, ST, OBC Category-I, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, PwD and Transgender). There is no upper age limit.
Important Note: Three things every KSET-2026 applicant must settle before submitting the form. First, your subject, category, gender and exam centre cannot be changed once the application is submitted – not for any reason, at any stage. You must appear in the same subject as your postgraduate degree, subject to the interdisciplinary notes in the notification, and you may appear in only one subject even if you hold multiple PG degrees. Decide carefully before you click submit. Second, 19 of the 37 subjects are available only at the Bengaluru centre – if your subject falls under Part-B (Geography, Law, Psychology, Sanskrit, Urdu, Public Administration, Environmental Sciences, Home Science, Electronic Science, Earth Sciences, Philosophy, Women Studies, Performing Arts, Music, Visual Arts, Criminology, Folklore, Mass Communication and Journalism, Tourism Administration and Management), you have no other centre option and must plan travel and accommodation for Bengaluru. Third, KEA does not verify your eligibility at the application stage – verification happens later at the time of appointment by the appointing authority, which means a candidate who is actually ineligible can still sit the exam, qualify, and then be rejected at appointment. Assess your own eligibility honestly against the official notification on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea before applying, and remember the fee is not refunded under any circumstances.
KSET 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Government of Karnataka |
| Exam Name | Karnataka State Eligibility Test for Assistant Professors 2026 (KSET-2026) |
| Notification No. | ED/KEA/01/KSET-26/2026-27 |
| Date of Notification | 10 August 2026 |
| Purpose | Eligibility for the post of Assistant Professor in universities, first grade degree colleges and higher education institutions in Karnataka |
| Number of Subjects | 37 |
| Number of Exam Centres | 11 (across Karnataka) |
| Minimum Qualification | Master’s degree from a UGC-recognised university with 55% marks (General) or 50% marks (reserved categories) |
| Final Year PG Students | Eligible, with provisional admission only |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Exam Fee | Rs. 750 or Rs. 500 depending on category (online payment only, non-refundable) |
| Exam Mode | OMR-based offline, two papers in a single sitting |
| Exam Date | 11 October 2026 (Sunday), 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Date of Notification | 10 August 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 10 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Online Application | 5 September 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 6 September 2026 |
| Hall Ticket Release | 1 October 2026 |
| KSET-2026 Exam Date | 11 October 2026 (Sunday) |
| Exam Timing | 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
Entry into the examination centre is not permitted after 1:00 PM.
Eligibility Criteria – Educational Qualification
| Category | Minimum Marks in Master’s Degree |
|---|---|
| General | 55% (without rounding off) from a UGC-recognised university or institution |
| SC-A, SC-B, SC-C, ST, OBC (Category-I, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB), PwD, Transgender | 50% (without rounding off) |
| PG completed on or before 19 September 1991 with a Ph.D degree | 50% (5% relaxation applies) |
Final year and final semester PG candidates are eligible to apply and are granted provisional admission to the exam only. Such candidates must secure the required minimum marks in the qualifying PG examination within two years from the date of declaration of the KSET result and must submit the mark card to KEA within that window. Failure to do so results in cancellation of eligibility.
Foreign degree holders must obtain an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities establishing equivalency with a recognised Indian postgraduate degree before applying.
Reserved Category, PwD and Transgender Candidates
- Candidates claiming reservation under SC-A, SC-B, SC-C, ST, Category-I, IIA, IIB, IIIA or IIIB must select the correct category in the online application and hold a valid certificate from the competent authority.
- PwD (Special Chetana) candidates must have a minimum 40% disability as defined under Government Notification No. SISASI 115 SENANI 2005, with a medical certificate carrying a UDID number issued by the concerned district government hospital.
- Transgender candidates claiming benefit under Section 6(1) of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 must submit an identity certificate issued by the concerned district authority.
- Reservation benefits apply only to candidates domiciled in Karnataka. Candidates domiciled outside Karnataka receive no reservation benefit and must apply under the General category.
- Furnishing a false or fraudulent certificate leads to cancellation of the certificate and candidature, along with legal action.
Other Eligibility Conditions
- KEA does not verify eligibility at the application stage. Verification is carried out at the time of appointment by the concerned appointing authority.
- A candidate who has already obtained KSET eligibility in a subject cannot apply again in that same subject. Doing so results in cancellation of both the earlier and the new eligibility certificates for that subject.
- A candidate may appear in only one subject, even if holding more than one postgraduate degree.
Exemption from KSET
| Category | Exemption Status |
|---|---|
| Candidates exempted under applicable UGC rules and guidelines | Exempt from KSET |
| Candidates who qualified UGC-NET, CSIR-NET or JRF before 1989 | Exempt from KSET, irrespective of subject |
| Candidates who cleared a State SET before 1 June 2002 | Exempt, and eligible for Assistant Professor posts anywhere in India |
| Candidates who cleared a State SET on or after 1 June 2002 | Eligible for Assistant Professor posts only within the state that conducted that SET |
KSET 2026 Exam Pattern
| Paper | Questions | Marks per Question | Maximum Marks | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | 50 (all compulsory) | 2 | 100 | General – teaching and research aptitude, reasoning, general awareness, analytical thinking |
| Paper-II | 100 (all compulsory) | 2 | 200 | Subject paper, based on the subject chosen by the candidate |
| Total | 150 | 300 | Single sitting, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
Both papers are objective multiple choice type. Answers must be marked only in the space provided on the OMR sheet. Where a question paper is printed bilingually in Kannada and English, the English version is treated as authoritative in case of any discrepancy.
Minimum Qualifying Marks
| Category | Minimum Combined Marks (Paper-I + Paper-II) |
|---|---|
| General (GM) | 40% of total marks in both papers combined |
| SC-A, SC-B, SC-C, ST, Category-I, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, PwD, Transgender | 35% of total marks in both papers combined |
As per UGC-prescribed methodology, only around 6% of the total candidates who appear in both papers are declared successful for Assistant Professor eligibility. Within this overall quota, subject-wise and category-wise merit lists are prepared on the basis of combined Paper-I and Paper-II marks, restricted to candidates who cleared the minimum qualifying percentage.
KSET 2026 Subjects List and Question Paper Language
| S. No. | Subject | Subject Code | Question Paper Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Commerce | 1 | Kannada and English |
| 2 | Kannada | 2 | Kannada only |
| 3 | Economics | 3 | Kannada and English |
| 4 | English | 4 | English only |
| 5 | Political Science | 5 | Kannada and English |
| 6 | History | 6 | Kannada and English |
| 7 | Sociology | 7 | Kannada and English |
| 8 | Geography | 8 | Kannada and English |
| 9 | Hindi | 9 | Hindi only |
| 10 | Management | 10 | English only |
| 11 | Tourism Administration and Management | 11 | English only |
| 12 | Education | 12 | Kannada and English |
| 13 | Library and Information Science | 13 | English only |
| 14 | Mass Communication and Journalism | 14 | Kannada and English |
| 15 | Psychology | 15 | Kannada and English |
| 16 | Social Work | 16 | Kannada and English |
| 17 | Criminology | 17 | English only |
| 18 | Law | 18 | English only |
| 19 | Sanskrit | 19 | Sanskrit only |
| 20 | Physical Education | 20 | Kannada and English |
| 21 | Folklore | 21 | Kannada and English |
| 22 | Urdu | 22 | Urdu only |
| 23 | Public Administration | 23 | Kannada and English |
| 24 | Computer Science and Applications | 24 | English only |
| 25 | Physical Sciences | 25 | English only |
| 26 | Mathematical Sciences | 26 | English only |
| 27 | Chemical Sciences | 27 | English only |
| 28 | Life Sciences | 28 | English only |
| 29 | Environmental Sciences | 29 | English only |
| 30 | Home Science | 30 | English only |
| 31 | Electronic Science | 31 | English only |
| 32 | Earth Sciences | 32 | English only |
| 33 | Philosophy | 36 | Kannada and English |
| 34 | Women Studies | 37 | Kannada and English |
| 35 | Performing Arts | 39 | Kannada and English |
| 36 | Music | 40 | Kannada and English |
| 37 | Visual Arts | 41 | Kannada and English |
Note on subject codes: the codes run from 1 to 32 and then jump to 36, 37, 39, 40 and 41. Codes 33, 34, 35 and 38 do not appear in the list. This is as printed in the official notification. Verify your subject code on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea before entering it in the application.
Interdisciplinary Subject Eligibility
| Subject | Postgraduate Qualifications Accepted |
|---|---|
| Economics | Economics, Co-operation and other related or interdisciplinary subjects |
| Management | Two-year postgraduate degree, or MBA or PGDM or equivalent in a related field |
| Folklore | Folklore, Kannada, Janapada, Kannada Janapada, Janapada Sahitya and related subjects |
| Physical Sciences | Physics, Electronics, Nuclear and Radiation Physics, Classical Dynamics, Condensed Matter Physics, Electromagnetics, Experimental Design, Nuclear, Space and Particle Physics, Quantum Physics, Thermodynamics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Materials Science and related subjects |
| Mathematical Sciences | Pure Mathematics, Computational Science, Applied Mathematics, Mathematics and Computer Science and related subjects |
| Chemical Sciences | Analytical, Inorganic, Organic, Physical, Medicinal, Nuclear, Environmental, Marine, Pharmaceutical and Bio-organic Chemistry and related subjects |
| Life Sciences | Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Biodiversity and Taxonomy, Genetics, Microbiology, Physiology, Animal Science, Fishery Science, Animal Biology, Marine Biology, Applied Genetics, Cell Biology and related subjects |
| Earth Sciences | Earth Science, Applied Earth Science, Geophysics, Environmental Science, Ocean Science, Physical Geography, Geology, Petrology, Geochemistry, Geoinformatics, Applied Geochemistry and related subjects |
| Women Studies | Two-year postgraduate degree in Women Studies, Rural Development, Human or Social Sciences, or Language subjects |
Final year and final semester candidates in these disciplines are also covered. The postgraduate degree must be from a UGC-recognised and NAAC-accredited or equivalent institution.
KSET 2026 Exam Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General, Category-2A, 2B, 3A, 3B and candidates from other states | Rs. 750 |
| Category-1, SC-A, SC-B, SC-C, ST, PwD and Transgender | Rs. 500 |
Fee is payable only through the online mode indicated on the application portal. Money Order, Demand Draft, IPO and office challan are not accepted. Once paid, the fee is not refunded under any circumstances.
KSET 2026 Exam Centres
| S. No. | Centre |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bengaluru |
| 2 | Belagavi |
| 3 | Ballari |
| 4 | Vijayapura |
| 5 | Davanagere |
| 6 | Dharwad |
| 7 | Kalaburagi |
| 8 | Mysuru |
| 9 | Shivamogga |
| 10 | Tumakuru |
| 11 | Mangaluru |
Part-A subjects (18) – all 11 centres available: Commerce, Kannada, Economics, English, Political Science, History, Sociology, Hindi, Management, Education, Library and Information Science, Social Work, Physical Education, Computer Science and Applications, Physical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences.
Part-B subjects (19) – Bengaluru centre only: Geography, Tourism Administration and Management, Mass Communication and Journalism, Psychology, Criminology, Law, Sanskrit, Folklore, Urdu, Public Administration, Environmental Sciences, Home Science, Electronic Science, Earth Sciences, Philosophy, Women Studies, Performing Arts, Music, Visual Arts.
The exam centre, once selected, cannot be changed for any reason.
Answer Key and Result Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Provisional Answer Key | Published online after the examination |
| Objection Window | Online, with a fee of Rs. 50 per question challenged |
| Objection Review | Carried out by subject experts |
| Final Answer Key | Published online after expert review |
| Result | Declared after publication of the final answer key |
| Revaluation or Rechecking | Not permitted for answer scripts or OMR sheets |
| Physical Mark Card | Not issued to any candidate, whether declared eligible or not eligible |
No objection or complaint is entertained after the final answer key is published. The decision of the Karnataka Examinations Authority on all matters is final.
How to Apply for KSET 2026
- Visit the official Karnataka Examinations Authority website – Click Here
- Open the KSET-2026 online application portal – Click Here
- Register with your name, email ID and mobile number to generate an application ID.
- Fill in personal details, educational qualification details and KSET-2026 exam details including subject, category, gender and exam centre, along with details of the postgraduate course completed or being pursued.
- Ensure your name and father’s name exactly match the spelling on your SSLC or 10th standard marks card – any mismatch will be scrutinised later.
- Upload your scanned photograph and signature in JPEG format only, within the file size limits specified on the portal.
- Pay the exam fee online as per your applicable category, on or before 6 September 2026.
- Submit the application on or before 5 September 2026, then save and print a copy for your records.
- Download the hall ticket from 1 October 2026 from the official KEA website. Hall tickets are not sent by post.
Important Instructions
- Apply well ahead of the deadline. KEA is not responsible for failure to submit due to last-minute rush or technical issues.
- Subject, category, gender and exam centre cannot be changed once the application is submitted.
- Candidates registered in the 19 Part-B subjects must select Bengaluru – no other centre is available for those subjects.
- Download the hall ticket from cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea, verify every printed detail, and report to the allotted centre only.
- Carry the printed hall ticket and one valid original photo ID – Voter ID, Driving Licence, Passport or Aadhaar Card – matching the photograph on the hall ticket.
- Prohibited items: mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, electronic gadgets, calculators, wristwatches, wallets, wireless sets, chits and food items. No safekeeping facility is available at exam centres.
- Carry only a transparent water bottle and permitted writing materials.
- No entry after 1:00 PM. Report at the time specified on the KEA website.
- Use of correction fluid, incorrect OMR marking, or any unfair means may lead to disqualification or invalidation of the response sheet.
- PwD (Special Chetana) candidates get 60 minutes of additional time combined across Paper-I and Paper-II. Scribe assistance guidance is published on the KEA website.
- Admission to the exam is provisional and subject to scrutiny. Only candidates whose application is found in order and who are found eligible are permitted to appear.
- All invigilator instructions must be strictly followed. Non-compliance can lead to disqualification or cancellation of results.
- Candidature is entirely provisional and subject to verification. Ineligibility, incomplete documentation or any discrepancy found at any stage results in rejection, and legal action may follow.
- Any dispute relating to KSET-2026 is subject to the jurisdiction of the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka only.
- The official notification on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea is the authoritative source. Download and read it in full before applying.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online for KSET 2026 | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| KEA Official Website | Click Here |
KSET 2026 – FAQs
Q1. What is KSET 2026?
✅ KSET-2026 is the Karnataka State Eligibility Test for Assistant Professors, conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) under Notification No. ED/KEA/01/KSET-26/2026-27 dated 10 August 2026. Qualifying candidates become eligible for appointment as Assistant Professor in Government, Aided and Private universities, first grade degree colleges and higher education institutions in Karnataka.
Q2. What are the KSET 2026 application dates?
✅ Online applications are open from 10 August 2026 to 5 September 2026. The exam fee can be paid until 6 September 2026. Applications are accepted online only at the official KEA portal.
Q3. When is the KSET 2026 exam and what is the timing?
✅ The exam is on 11 October 2026 (Sunday), from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with Paper-I and Paper-II conducted in a single sitting. Entry into the exam centre is not allowed after 1:00 PM. Hall tickets are released on 1 October 2026.
Q4. What is the educational eligibility for KSET 2026?
✅ A Master’s degree from a UGC-recognised university with 55% marks for General candidates and 50% marks for SC-A, SC-B, SC-C, ST, OBC (Category-I, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB), PwD and Transgender candidates, calculated without rounding off. Candidates in the final year or final semester of their PG are also eligible, with provisional admission, and must secure the required marks within two years of the KSET result declaration.
Q5. Is there an age limit for KSET 2026?
✅ No. There is no upper age limit prescribed for KSET-2026.
Q6. What is the KSET 2026 exam fee?
✅ Rs. 750 for General, Category-2A, 2B, 3A, 3B candidates and candidates from other states. Rs. 500 for Category-1, SC-A, SC-B, SC-C, ST, PwD and Transgender candidates. Payment is online only and the fee is not refunded under any circumstances.
Q7. What is the KSET 2026 exam pattern and how many marks are needed to qualify?
✅ Two objective OMR-based papers. Paper-I has 50 questions for 100 marks (teaching and research aptitude, reasoning, general awareness). Paper-II has 100 questions for 200 marks in the chosen subject. Total 300 marks. The minimum qualifying requirement is 40% combined for General and 35% combined for reserved categories. Only around 6% of candidates appearing in both papers are finally declared eligible, as per UGC methodology.
Q8. How many subjects and centres are there in KSET 2026?
✅ 37 subjects across 11 centres – Bengaluru, Belagavi, Ballari, Vijayapura, Davanagere, Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Tumakuru and Mangaluru. 18 Part-A subjects can be taken at any of the 11 centres. The 19 Part-B subjects are available only at Bengaluru.
Q9. Can I change my subject or exam centre after applying?
✅ No. The subject, reservation category, gender and exam centre cannot be changed after submission, for any reason. You may appear in only one subject even if you hold more than one postgraduate degree, and you must appear in the same subject as your PG, subject to the interdisciplinary notes in the notification.
Q10. Do candidates from outside Karnataka get reservation benefit?
✅ No. Reservation benefits under KSET-2026 apply only to candidates domiciled in Karnataka. Candidates domiciled outside Karnataka must apply under the General category and pay the Rs. 750 fee, provided they meet the prescribed academic eligibility.
Disclaimer
The information above relates to the Karnataka State Eligibility Test for Assistant Professors 2026 (KSET-2026), Notification No. ED/KEA/01/KSET-26/2026-27 dated 10 August 2026, issued by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Government of Karnataka, as published on the official KEA website cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. The official notification PDF on the KEA website is the sole authoritative source for eligibility conditions, subject codes, exam centres, fee, exam pattern and qualifying criteria. KEA does not verify candidate eligibility at the application stage – verification is carried out at the time of appointment by the concerned appointing authority, so candidates must assess their own eligibility carefully against the official notification before applying. The exam fee is non-refundable. All links above lead only to official Karnataka Examinations Authority and Government of Karnataka portals.
