The KCET 2026 toppers list is expected to be released along with the result by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) by May 28, 2026, at @cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
- Based on previous year trends, the Engineering stream topper is expected to achieve a merit percentage above 99.00%.
- The Nursing and Veterinary stream toppers typically score 179 or above out of 180 in the CET component.
- KEA publishes separate toppers lists for Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary, Nursing, Pharmacy, and BNYS streams.
- In KCET 2025, Bhavesh Jayanthi and Satwik B Biradar jointly topped the Engineering stream with a merit percentage of 99.06% and 98.83%, respectively.
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KCET Toppers 2026: Will KEA Release an Official List?
Yes, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) officially releases the KCET toppers list every year, simultaneously with the result declaration. The KCET 2026 toppers list will include each topper's name, rank, merit percentage, photograph, and board details.
The KCET toppers list is prepared separately for each stream. KEA typically releases the following stream-wise toppers:
- Engineering (PCM)
- Agriculture and Allied Sciences
- Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc)
- B.Sc Nursing
- Pharmacy (B.Pharma / D.Pharma)
- BNYS (Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences)
The KCET 2026 exam was conducted on April 23 and 24, 2026.
KEA generally holds a press conference, typically at 11:30 AM, before activating the result link at approximately 2:00–3:00 PM.
Note: The KCET 2026 toppers list will be updated on this page as soon as KEA officially releases it. All data currently refers to previous year toppers and expected projections.
KCET 2026 Expected Rank 1 and Top Performers
The KCET 2026 toppers list has not yet been released as the results have not been declared. Based on previous year trends and post-exam paper analysis, the following projections can be made for the top performers in KCET 2026:
| Parameter | KCET 2026 (Expected) | KCET 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Rank 1 Merit % | 98.50–99.00% | 99.06% (Bhavesh Jayanthi) |
| Top CET Score (Engineering) | 175–179 / 180 | 179 / 180 |
| Nursing / Veterinary Rank 1 Score | 178–179 / 180 | 179 / 180 (Harishraj D V) |
| Agriculture Rank 1 Merit % | 97.50–98.00% | 98.08% (Akshay M Hegde) |
| Kannada Language Test Top Score | 48–50 / 50 | 50 / 50 (Sudarshan K — only candidate) |
A user in a Reddit Post asks whether the marks vs rank vs percentage is legitimate, to which another user replies that it can be legitimate.
Source: Reddit
KCET 2026 Toppers: Stream-Wise Expected Highlights
KEA releases separate topper lists for every stream. Based on past year performance patterns, here is a stream-wise overview of what to expect in KCET 2026:
| Stream | Expected Top Score (2026) | 2025 Topper | 2025 Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering (PCM) | 98.50–99.00% | Bhavesh Jayanthi | 99.06% |
| B.Sc Nursing | 178–179 / 180 | Harishraj D V | 179 / 180 |
| Veterinary Science | 178–179 / 180 | Harishraj D V | 179 / 180 |
| BNYS | 99.00% | Harishraj D V | 99.39% |
| Agriculture (B.Sc) | 97.50–98.00% | Akshay M Hegde | 98.08% |
| Pharmacy (B.Pharma) | 97.00–98.00% | To be updated post-result | — |
KCET 2025 Toppers (Official): Stream-Wise List
The KCET 2025 result was declared on May 24, 2025, and KEA officially released the toppers list at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
The top three Engineering stream rank holders in 2025 were all from CBSE (Karnataka), reflecting the continuing trend of CBSE candidates dominating the merit list.
Here is the official KCET 2025 toppers list stream-wise:
KCET 2025 Engineering Toppers
| Rank | Candidate Name | Merit Percentage | Board |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhavesh Jayanthi | 99.06% | CBSE in Karnataka |
| 2 | Satwik B Biradar | 98.83% | CBSE in Karnataka |
| 3 | Dhinesh Gomathi Shankar Arunachalam | 98.67% | CBSE in Karnataka |
| 4 | Shishir H Shetty | 98.61% | Karnataka State Board |
| 5 | Divyansh Agrawal | 98.56% | CBSE in Karnataka |
| 6 | Tharun A Surana | 98.56% | Karnataka State Board |
| 7 | Karan Koder | 98.44% | Karnataka State Board |
| 8 | Rishabh Pandey | 98.39% | CBSE in Karnataka |
| 9 | Chaithanya Parama Shivam | 98.33% | CBSE in Karnataka |
| 10 | Sarath Chandar M | 98.17% | CBSE in Karnataka |
KCET 2025 Nursing and Veterinary Toppers
| Rank | Candidate Name | Stream | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harishraj D V | Nursing / Veterinary / BNYS | 179 / 180 |
| 2 | Aathreya Venkatachalam | Nursing / Veterinary | 179 / 180 |
| 3 | Saphal S Shetty | Nursing / Veterinary | 178 / 180 |
KCET 2025 Agriculture Toppers
| Rank | Candidate Name | Merit Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Akshay M Hegde | 98.08% |
| 2 | Saish Shravan Pandit | 97.92% |
| 3 | Suchith P Prasad | 97.92% |
Source: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Official Notification
KCET Result 2026: Expected Date and Statistics
The KCET 2026 result is expected to be announced by May 28, 2026.
The result will be available at the official website at @cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
| Event | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| KCET 2026 Exam Date | April 23–24, 2026 |
| KCET 2026 Answer Key Released | May 10, 2026 |
| KCET 2026 Result Expected | By May 28, 2026 (Tentative) |
| Total Candidates Registered (2026) | ~3.30 lakh (expected) |
| Total Candidates Appeared (2025) | 3,11,996 |
| Qualified Candidates (2025) | 2,75,677 |
| Pass Percentage (2025) | 88.36% |
| Expected Pass Percentage (2026) | ~85–88% (slightly lower due to tougher paper) |
| KCET 2026 Counselling (Expected) | August–October 2026 |
KCET Previous Year Pass Percentage Trend
| Year | Total Appeared | Total Qualified | Pass Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3.30 lakh (expected) | — | 85–88% (expected) |
| 2025 | 3,11,996 | 2,75,677 | 88.36% |
| 2024 | 3.27 lakh | — | 85–87% |
| 2023 | ~2.00 lakh | — | — |
How to Check KCET Result and Toppers List 2026
Candidates can check the KCET 2026 result and view the stream-wise toppers list at the official KEA websites using their application number and the first four characters of their name. Follow the steps below to access your result and download the scorecard:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Visit the official KEA website @cetonline.karnataka.gov.in |
| Step 2 | Click on the "KCET Result 2026" or "UGCET Rank Card 2026" link on the homepage |
| Step 3 | Enter your Registration Number and the first four characters of your name |
| Step 4 | Click Submit to view your result and rank card |
| Step 5 | Download and save your KCET 2026 Scorecard PDF; it includes subject-wise CET marks, 2nd PUC qualifying marks, overall rank, and category rank |
| Step 6 | Check the official KEA website's toppers section or press release to view the stream-wise KCET 2026 toppers list |
KCET Toppers: Previous Year Trends (2022–2025)
The KCET Engineering stream topper has consistently scored above 97% in merit percentage across all recent years.
- CBSE (Karnataka) candidates held the top rank in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
- This trend reflects the impact of board marks in the 50:50 merit calculation.
The following table summarises the previous year's Engineering toppers for reference:
| Year | Rank 1 Name | Merit % | Board | Result Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Bhavesh Jayanthi | 99.06% | CBSE in Karnataka | May 24, 2025 |
| 2024 | Harsha Karthikeya | — | CBSE in Karnataka | June 1, 2024 |
| 2023 | Vignesh Nataraj Kumar | 97.8% | CBSE in Karnataka | — |
| 2022 | Apoorv Tandon | 98.61% | — | — |
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KCET Toppers 2026 FAQs
Ques. Who topped the KCET 2025 Engineering?
Ans. Bhavesh Jayanthi and Satwik B Biradar jointly topped the KCET 2025 Engineering stream with merit percentages of 99.06% and 98.83%, respectively. Both were from CBSE (Karnataka). The result was declared on May 24, 2025.
Ques. How is the KCET 2026 rank calculated?
Ans. The KCET 2026 rank is calculated using a 50:50 weightage formula — 50% from CET exam marks (out of 180 for PCM or PCB) and 50% from standardised 2nd PUC/Class 12 PCM or PCB marks. Candidates who have not updated their board marks via DigiLocker may find their scorecard withheld.
Ques. Which stream has the highest competition in KCET?
Ans. The Engineering stream (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) is the most competitive in KCET, with over 3 lakh candidates appearing every year. The KCET top rank in Engineering typically requires a merit percentage above 98.50%.
Ques. What is the maximum score in the KCET exam?
Ans. The maximum CET score in KCET is 180 marks, 60 marks each for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (for Engineering) or Biology (for medical streams). There is no negative marking in KCET. In 2025, the top scorers in Nursing and Veterinary streams achieved 179 / 180 in the CET component.
Ques. Where can I check the KCET 2026 toppers list after the result declaration?
Ans. The KCET 2026 toppers list will be available on KEA's official website, @cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, on the day of result declaration. KEA also holds a press conference where stream-wise toppers are announced publicly.
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