Summary
Article 371(J) of the Indian Constitution provides constitutional reservation for candidates domiciled in the Kalyana Karnataka region (formerly Hyderabad-Karnataka) for engineering admissions through the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). Eligible candidates receive 70% of seats in colleges located within the regional districts and 8% of seats in statewide institutions outside the region. Claim requires an Annexure-A Eligibility Certificate bearing a valid Revenue Department (RD) number, issued by the Assistant Commissioner via the Nadakacheri portal. The 371(J) reservation is horizontal — it combines with vertical caste reservations (SC/ST/OBC) without replacing them, materially improving access for eligible candidates at top engineering colleges in Karnataka.
Districts Covered
The Kalyana Karnataka region comprises six historical districts of the former Hyderabad-Karnataka territory: Bidar, Kalaburagi (formerly Gulbarga), Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, and Ballari (formerly Bellary). After the 2020 administrative split, Bellary was bifurcated into Bellary and Vijayanagara — so seven district administrations now cover the region. Both names should appear on official certificates depending on issue year.
A candidate must hold a Local Person status from one of these districts, established either through their own continuous study (minimum 10 academic years from Class 1 to Class 10 within the region) or through parental domicile.
Seat Allocation Pattern
Per the Karnataka Examinations Authority UGCET 2026 Information Bulletin and Article 371(J) implementing Government Orders (compiled by DPAR Karnataka), the seat allocation operates on a two-pattern system:
- **70% reservation** in regional universities and educational institutions located within the six Kalyana Karnataka districts. This applies to engineering colleges in Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, and Ballari-Vijayanagara. - **8% supernumerary reservation** in statewide universities and educational institutions outside the region (i.e., Bangalore, Mysuru, Mangalore, Hubli, etc. engineering colleges) for Kalyana Karnataka local candidates.
The 8% statewide allocation is supernumerary, meaning it does not displace general-merit seats — it adds protected slots for regional candidates within the existing seat matrix.
Eligibility — How to Qualify as a "Local Person"
A candidate qualifies as a Local Person under Article 371(J) through either of two routes:
1. **Self-merit through study certificate:** Continuous or intermittent study for a minimum of 10 academic years (Class 1 to Class 10) in schools located within the six Kalyana Karnataka districts. Study certificates must be counter-signed by the Block Education Officer (BEO) or District Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) where applicable. 2. **Parental domicile:** If the candidate did not study in the region, parents must hold permanent residency in one of the covered districts. Supporting documents include parent study certificates, residence certificate, and proof of relationship (candidate's birth certificate or family ration card).
There is no specific income criterion or caste requirement to claim 371(J) on its own — it is a regional, not a financial or caste-based, reservation. A candidate who is also from SC/ST/OBC categories can claim both reservations simultaneously.
Certificate Procedure — Annexure-A and the RD Number
The single most important document for the 371(J) claim is the **Annexure-A Eligibility Certificate** issued by the **Assistant Commissioner** of the Revenue Sub-Division covering the candidate's taluk or district. This certificate must carry a valid **RD (Revenue Department) number** — the unique identifier KEA uses to digitally verify the claim during counselling.
The certificate is applied for through the Karnataka government's **Nadakacheri portal** (online) or directly at the Assistant Commissioner's office. Processing takes approximately 7-15 working days; allow 30 days during peak admission season.
The RD number must be entered correctly in the KCET 2026 online application form. Mismatches between the application and the physical certificate result in rejection of the 371(J) claim during counselling verification — and potential cancellation of any seat already provisionally allotted.
Constitutional History
Article 371(J) was inserted into the Indian Constitution through the Constitution (Ninety-Eighth Amendment) Act, 2012, which received Presidential assent on January 1, 2013. The Karnataka government's implementing notifications and Government Orders began rolling out in 2013 onward. The renaming from Hyderabad-Karnataka to Kalyana Karnataka was formalised by the Karnataka government in November 2019.
Key Action Items for AY 2026-27 Aspirants
1. Apply for the Annexure-A Eligibility Certificate at the Assistant Commissioner's office or via the Nadakacheri portal — start at least 30 days before the KCET 2026 application deadline. 2. Obtain caste / caste-income certificate from Tahsildar in parallel if also claiming SC/ST/OBC reservation. 3. Enter both RD numbers correctly in the KCET 2026 online application form. 4. Carry originals (not just photocopies) to physical document verification. 5. During counselling, treat the 371(J) supernumerary 8% as additional unique opportunities to reach premium Bangalore colleges that would otherwise be out of reach for your KCET rank.
Authoritative Sources
- Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) UGCET 2026 Information Bulletin — cetonline.karnataka.gov.in - Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) Karnataka — Article 371(J) implementation notifications - Constitutional reference: Constitution (98th Amendment) Act, 2012 - Nadakacheri portal — nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in (for online certificate applications)