KCET category codes decide how seats are distributed in Karnataka engineering colleges. Many students do not pay attention to these codes while applying, but selecting the wrong category can lead to losing a reserved seat or even application rejection.
Each category has specific benefits, such as seat reservations, tuition fee reductions, and priority in admissions. General Merit (GM) candidates do not get any reservation, while categories like 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B have caste-based benefits. Special categories like SC, ST, rural, and Kannada medium students also have dedicated quotas.
Understanding these codes is important to avoid mistakes. If students choose the wrong category, they might miss their chance to study in a good college. This guide explains KCET category codes, their benefits, eligibility criteria, and the required documents. By reading carefully, students can ensure they select the correct category and secure their place in a preferred college.
What Are KCET Category Codes?
KCET category codes are specific labels assigned to different reservation groups. These codes help in organizing the seat allotment process and ensure that eligible students get the benefits they deserve. When students fill out the KCET application form, they must select their category code based on their background.
For example, if a student belongs to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category, they should select SCG (Scheduled Caste General) if they are applying under the general SC quota. If they come from a rural background, they should choose SCR (Scheduled Caste Rural). Similarly, backward-class students must select the correct sub-category under 2A, 2B, 3A, or 3B.
Each category code corresponds to a particular reservation rule. General Merit (GM) students do not get any reservation and compete for open seats. Those in backward categories or SC/ST groups get reserved seats based on their caste and economic status.
How Do Category Codes Affect Seat Reservations and Eligibility?
KCET category codes play a crucial role in determining which students qualify for reservation and how many seats are available to them. The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) sets aside a specific percentage of seats for different categories. Students who belong to reserved categories get a certain number of seats allocated to them, while General Merit students compete for the remaining open seats.
For example:
- SC and ST students have a certain percentage of seats reserved in government and private colleges.
- 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B students also receive reservations, but their seat availability depends on their caste and income.
- Rural students applying under the rural quota must prove they studied in a rural area for at least 10 years.
- Kannada medium students who studied in Kannada from Class 1 to 10 get additional benefits.
Selecting the wrong category can result in a loss of reservation benefits. If a student applies under a reserved category but cannot provide the necessary documents, their claim will be rejected, and they will be considered under the General Merit category.
Detailed Breakdown of KCET Category Codes (2025)
| Category Code | Description | Eligibility Criteria | Required Documents |
| GM (General Merit) | Open to all students | No reservation benefits | None |
| GMK (General Merit Kannada) | For Kannada medium students | Must have studied in Kannada medium from Class 1 to 10 | Kannada medium study certificate |
| GMR (General Merit Rural) | For students from rural areas | Must have studied in a rural school for at least 10 years | Rural study certificate |
| 2AG (2A General) | Backward Class (2A) | Must belong to 2A category | Caste certificate |
| 2AK (2A Kannada) | 2A category + Kannada medium | Must have studied in Kannada medium | Caste certificate, Kannada medium study certificate |
| 2AR (2A Rural) | 2A category + Rural | Must have studied in a rural school | Caste certificate, Rural study certificate |
| 2BG (2B General) | Backward Class (2B) | Must belong to 2B category | Caste certificate |
| 2BK (2B Kannada) | 2B category + Kannada medium | Must have studied in Kannada medium | Caste certificate, Kannada medium study certificate |
| 2BR (2B Rural) | 2B category + Rural | Must have studied in a rural school | Caste certificate, Rural study certificate |
| 3AG (3A General) | Backward Class (3A) | Must belong to 3A category | Caste certificate |
| 3AK (3A Kannada) | 3A category + Kannada medium | Must have studied in Kannada medium | Caste certificate, Kannada medium study certificate |
| 3AR (3A Rural) | 3A category + Rural | Must have studied in a rural school | Caste certificate, Rural study certificate |
| 3BG (3B General) | Backward Class (3B) | Must belong to 3B category | Caste certificate |
| 3BK (3B Kannada) | 3B category + Kannada medium | Must have studied in Kannada medium | Caste certificate, Kannada medium study certificate |
| 3BR (3B Rural) | 3B category + Rural | Must have studied in a rural school | Caste certificate, Rural study certificate |
| 1G (1 General) | Special Category (1) | Must belong to Category 1 | Caste certificate |
| 1K (1 Kannada) | Category 1 + Kannada medium | Must have studied in Kannada medium | Caste certificate, Kannada medium study certificate |
| 1R (1 Rural) | Category 1 + Rural | Must have studied in a rural school | Caste certificate, Rural study certificate |
| SCG (Scheduled Caste General) | Scheduled Caste (SC) | Must belong to SC category | Caste certificate |
| SCR (Scheduled Caste Rural) | SC category + Rural | Must have studied in a rural school | Caste certificate, Rural study certificate |
| SCK (Scheduled Caste Kannada) | SC category + Kannada medium | Must have studied in Kannada medium | Caste certificate, Kannada medium study certificate |
| STR (Scheduled Tribe Rural) | Scheduled Tribe (ST) + Rural | Must have studied in a rural school | Caste certificate, Rural study certificate |
KCET Reservation Criteria 2025
| Category | Reservation Percentage | Additional Notes |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 15% | Reserved for candidates belonging to SC as per government guidelines. |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 7.50% | Reserved for candidates belonging to ST as per government guidelines. |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 27% | Includes various subcategories such as 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B. |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 10% | Applicable to General Merit (GM) candidates with family income below ₹8.00 lakhs annually. |
| Kalyana-Karnataka (Article 371-J) | Special Allocation | Additional reservation for candidates from backward regions of Karnataka. |
| Women Candidates | 30% (within all categories) | Reserved within each category to encourage female participation in professional education. |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 5% | Applicable to candidates with 40% or more disability certified by a recognized medical board. |
| Supernumerary Quota (SNQ) | 5% (over and above seat matrix) | Tuition fee waived for economically weaker candidates with family income below ₹8.00 lakhs annually. |
| Special Categories | Varies by category | Includes NCC, Sports, Defence/Ex-Defence personnel, and other eligible groups as per KEA guidelines. |
KCET 2025 Reservation Eligibility Criteria
| Category | KCET Reservation Eligibility Details |
| NCC Special Category Check the order of preference for selection of a reserved seat under NCC category | Candidates should have participated in the Republic Day camp conducted by the NCC Director General of New Delhi from Karnataka OR Should have participated in All India Thal Sainik Camp (Boys) – TSC/All India Thal Sainik Camp (Girls) – TSC (G)/All India Nau Sainik Camp – NSC/All India Vayu Sainik Camp – VSC. Candidates should also have B-certificate, obtained during the 5 years of study in Karnataka (between 8th and 12th standard). Should have participated in camp/courses i.e., NIC, Mountaineering, BLC, ALC, RCTC, Trekking, Army, Navy, and Air Force & Hospital Attachments and should also possess a B-Certificate during five years of education in Karnataka. Candidates should have participated in All India Mavalankar Shooting Championship with KAR and GOA Director Team. Should have participated in the National Level Youth Exchange Program and Foreign Naval Cruise conducted by DG, NCC. Apart from this, candidates who have been selected for the DG NCC team and hold a B-Certificate obtained during five years of education in Karnataka will also be eligible. Cadets finally selected as a part of DG NCC team to participate in the All India Mavalankar Shooting Championship at the National Level and Youth Exchange Programmes and Foreign Naval Cruise organised by DG, NCC will be eligible. Candidates who have participated in the following camps/courses conducted by the Director General of NCC, New Delhi from Karnataka and who possess ‘B’ Certificate obtained during the five years of study in Karnataka between 8th and 12th standards namely: (a) NIC(b) Trekking(c) Mountaineering(d) BLC(e) ALC(f) RCTC and(g) Army, Navy, Air Force & Hospital Attachments(h) IMA /OTA, AF Stn, Naval Academy, Indian Naval or Coast Guard Ship or(i) any other attachment camp based on vacancies issued by DG, NCC(j) Mountaineering, Para Basic, SSB Screening or any other DG NCC organized course and adventure camps. |
| Sports Special Category | Candidates should have won National level cup/medals in Super-A games or B-games during five years of basic education (8th to 12th standard) in Karnataka. Check more details about KCET 2025 reservation criteria for Sports Special Category |
| Scouts and Guide Special Category | Candidates who have received ‘President’s Award’ as ‘Scouts/Guides’ during five years of education from Class 8 to 12 in Karnataka will be eligible. Such Candidates will be required to show the “President’s Award” certificate at the time of document verification with other certificates. |
| OBC/SC/ST under Category-1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B | Candidates will have to produce a caste certificate/caste income certificate issued by concerned Jurisdictional Tahsildar in accordance with Government Regulations. The candidates will also need to hold Form ‘D’ in case of ST and ST, Form ‘E’ in case of Category-I, Form ‘F’ in case of OBC like 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B. |
| Physically Disabled Category | For this category, the candidates will have to provide a medical/disability certificate. Candidates having at least 40% physical disability will be considered under this category of KCET reservation 2025. |
| Kannada Medium | Candidates should have studied in Kannada Medium from Class 1 to 10 standard. |
| Anglo-Indian Special Category | Candidates will have to produce a certificate issued by the Registered Association of Anglo Indian Community of Karnataka and countersigned by an Anglo Indian MLA appointed by the Government of India at the time of document verification. |
| Defence Special Category | Son/Daughter of Defence personnel Candidates need to possess a Defence Certificate. |
| Ex-Defence Category | Son/Daughter of ex-personnel of Defence services Needs to possess Defence Certificate issued by Joint Director/Deputy Director. |
| Central Armed Police Force/Ex-CAPF | Candidates will have to possess a certificate issued by CAPF Unit mentioning candidate’ parent declaration that he/she was domicile of Karnataka at the time of joining CAPF service, during the document verification. |
| Rural | Candidates should have completed 10 years of basic education in rural areas/small urban areas/transitional areas as mentioned by Municipal Corporation of Karnataka under Karnataka Municipalities Act. 1964 and Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976. |
| Supernumerary Quota | All candidates (including General category) are eligible for admissions under Supernumerary quota. However, they need to provide an income certificate issued by the concerned Tahasildar. |
| Jammu and Kashmiri Migrants | Son/Daughter of Jammu & Kashmiri migrants can claim seats under Jammu and Kashmiri Migrants quota. |
| Hyderabad Karnataka | Local candidates of areas/districts including Bidar, Gulbarga, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal and Bellary Fare can claim seats under this category. Such candidates will be required to provide relevant eligibility certificates issued by the concerned Assistant Commissioner. |
Documents Required for Category Verification
KCET category verification is an important step in the admission process. Students claiming reservation benefits must submit valid documents to prove their eligibility. Without proper documents, their category claim can be rejected, and they may be considered under the General Merit (GM) category.
Each category has specific document requirements. Some students need only a caste certificate, while others must submit income proof, domicile certificates, or school study certificates. Submitting incorrect or invalid documents can lead to disqualification. Below is a detailed breakdown of the documents required for different KCET categories.
1) Caste Certificate (For SC, ST, OBC Categories)
- This document proves that the student belongs to a reserved caste.
- It must be issued by a competent authority in Karnataka.
- The certificate should match the caste mentioned in the KCET application form.
- If the caste certificate is not valid, the student will be considered under the GM category.
2) Income Certificate (For OBC, SC, ST Categories)
- Income certificates are required for students claiming fee concessions.
- It must be issued by a revenue officer or tahsildar.
- The certificate should be valid for the current academic year.
- Students from the SC/ST category must submit an income certificate to avail of full fee reimbursement (if eligible).
3) Domicile Certificate (For Rural and Kannada Medium Quotas)
- This certificate proves that the student is a resident of Karnataka.
- It must be issued by a revenue officer.
- Students applying under the rural quota or Kannada medium quota must submit this document.
- If students have studied outside Karnataka, they must provide additional proof of their Karnataka origin.
4) Rural Study Certificate (For Rural Quota Students)
- This document confirms that the student has studied in a rural area for at least 10 years.
- It must be signed by the head of the school and verified by a local authority.
- Without this certificate, students cannot claim the rural quota benefits.
5) Kannada Medium Study Certificate (For Kannada Medium Quota Students)
- This certificate proves that the student studied in Kannada medium from Class 1 to 10.
- It must be issued by the school principal.
- It is necessary for students applying under the Kannada medium quota.
6) School Study Certificates (For All Reserved Categories)
- This certificate provides details about the student’s education.
- It helps verify rural or Kannada medium eligibility.
- It should be issued by the school where the student studied.
7) Hyderabad-Karnataka Region Certificate (For HK Region Students)
- This certificate is required for students from Hyderabad-Karnataka (Kalyana Karnataka) region.
- It must be issued by the revenue department.
- It helps students avail of reservation benefits for colleges in that region.
8) Ex-Servicemen Certificate (For Children of Defense Personnel)
- This document is required for students applying under the defense quota.
- It must be issued by the Department of Sainik Welfare.
Conclusion
KCET category codes play a key role in engineering admissions. Selecting the correct category ensures that students receive the reservation benefits they are eligible for. Many students lose opportunities because of mistakes in category selection or missing documents.
Before submitting the application, students should check their eligibility, understand the required documents, and verify all details. Choosing the wrong category can lead to rejection or loss of benefits. Those applying under reserved categories must have valid caste, income, domicile, and study certificates.
A small mistake in category selection can affect a student’s admission chances. To avoid problems, students should read the official KCET guidelines and ensure they have the correct certificates. By selecting the right category and submitting the required documents, students can increase their chances of getting admission to a good engineering college.
FAQs on KCET Category Codes
Q1: Can I change my category after submitting the KCET application?
No, once submitted, the category selection cannot be changed. Students must verify their category before applying.
Q2: What if my documents don’t match the selected category?
If documents do not match the selected category, the claim will be rejected, and the student will be considered under General Merit.
Q3: How does the Kannada quota work?
The Kannada quota is for students who have studied in Kannada medium for 10 years. They must submit a school study certificate as proof.
Q4: Are there any additional benefits for rural candidates?
Yes, rural candidates may receive reservation benefits. They must have completed 10 years of schooling in a rural area and provide a certificate.
Q5: What happens if I select the wrong category code?
If a student selects the wrong category, they may lose reservation benefits. Incorrect claims may also lead to application rejection.
Students should carefully check the category codes and required documents before submitting their KCET applications.
