Week of May 4-10 (Pre-KCET / Pre-COMEDK): Identify your top 5-10 management quota target colleges. Visit collegeandfees.com to compare MQ fees, NAAC grade and placement data for each. Prepare initial documents: Class 10 and 12 marks cards, KCET admit card, photographs. Make a contact list at each target college admissions office.
Week of May 11-17 (KCET / COMEDK Phase): KCET 2026 (UGCET) was held on April 22, 23 and 24, 2026. COMEDK UGET 2026 was held on May 9, 2026. After your test, save your admit card and downloadable score sheet. Do not commit to any management quota seat yet — your KCET / COMEDK rank determines your bargaining position with private colleges.
Week of May 18-31 (Result Phase): KCET and COMEDK results announce in late May to early June. Once you have your rank, calculate your effective alternative — what would the centralised counselling allot you? If your KCET rank is below 8,000 general category, top Bangalore private colleges via management quota are within reach for CSE. If your rank is above 30,000, mid-tier colleges or branches like Mechanical/Civil are realistic targets.
Week of June 1-7 (Initial MQ Approach): Contact your top 5 target colleges admissions offices via WhatsApp or phone. Share your KCET rank, COMEDK rank, Class 12 percentage and target branch. Ask for current MQ fee, available branches and seat availability. Collect 5+ quotes before committing.
Week of June 8-14 (Pre-Round 1 / Option Entry): For 2026, KEA opens KCET Round 1 option entry from June 20 to June 30, 2026; the Round 1 seat allotment result is published on July 15, 2026 (per the KEA UGCET-2026 First Round schedule dated 20-06-2026). If you receive an allotment that you accept (Choice 1), you exit the MQ pursuit. If you receive an allotment you decline (Choice 3) or no allotment, continue MQ negotiation in parallel.
Week of June 15-21 (Critical MQ Negotiation Window): This is the highest-leverage MQ negotiation period. Top private Bangalore colleges (RVCE, BMSCE, MSRIT, PES, DSCE) typically open their first MQ slots after KCET Round 1 closes. Fees at this stage are at their listed sticker price. Use your KCET rank as leverage — colleges prefer admitting students with a verified KCET rank under 30,000.
Week of June 22-28 (KCET Round 1 in progress): KCET Round 1 option entry is still open (closes June 30, 2026). KEA has not yet published the Round 2 schedule, so do not assume a fixed Round 2 date for this window. MQ remains available — colleges that did not fill all MQ seats begin softening their position. Late-June is sometimes the best window for negotiation as colleges fill remaining MQ seats before the academic year begins.
Week of June 29 — July 5 (MQ Confirmation Phase): If you have decided on a MQ college, this is when to lock in. Pay the booking deposit (typically 50,000 to 1 lakh) to hold your seat. Submit copies of all required documents to the college admissions office. Begin arranging the rest of the first-year fee payment.
Week of July 6-12 (Round 1 mock + option edit): In 2026 this window holds the KCET Round 1 mock allotment (July 6) and the post-mock option add/edit window (July 6-9); the real Round 1 seat allotment follows on July 15, 2026. KEA has not yet announced Round 2 or Round 3/mop-up dates. MQ seats at top private colleges typically fill by mid-July. Mid-tier colleges have MQ availability extending into late July.
Week of July 13-19 (College Reporting): Pay the remaining first-year fees. Submit all original documents to the college admissions office. Receive your formal admission letter. The academic year typically begins in early August with orientation in the first week of August.
Week of July 20 — August 2 (Final MQ + COMEDK Mop-Up): If you are still pursuing MQ at this stage, focus on supplementary allotment at mid-tier colleges. COMEDK mop-up runs in parallel. After August 2, MQ admissions for the 2026-27 cycle effectively close.
Week of August 3-9 (Academic Year Start): Orientation week at most colleges. Final hostel allocation. Begin attending classes.