- KSET is conducted by the University of Mysore (KSET Centre, Moulya Bhavan) and accredited by UGC, New Delhi, with results published on the Karnataka Examination Authority portal
- KSET 2024 was held on 24 November 2024 and 6,302 candidates qualified across 41 subjects
- Eligibility needs a Master's degree with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories), and there is no upper age limit.
What Is the Karnataka State Eligibility Test (KSET)?
The Karnataka State Eligibility Test (KSET) is a state-level exam conducted by the University of Mysore and accredited by UGC, New Delhi. It determines eligibility for Assistant Professor posts in universities and colleges across Karnataka. Candidates must hold a Master's degree and qualify both papers to earn the eligibility certificate.
The KSET Centre is based at Moulya Bhavan, University of Mysore, Manasagangothri, Mysuru. The current Coordinator is Prof. R. Mahesh, working under the University's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lokanath N. K.
Clearing KSET is the minimum eligibility condition for recruitment as an Assistant Professor in government, aided and private universities and colleges across Karnataka. The certificate remains valid for lifetime once awarded.
Who Is Eligible to Apply for KSET?
Applicants need a Master's degree or equivalent from a UGC-recognised university with at least 55% marks for the General category and 50% for SC, ST, PWD and OBC categories (Cat-I, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB). Final-year Master's students may apply provisionally. There is no upper age limit for KSET.
Candidates in the first or second semester of their Master's, or awaiting final-year results, may apply provisionally. If they qualify, the eligibility certificate is issued only after they produce proof of passing the Master's degree with the required marks within two years of the KSET result.
- Master's degree in the subject opted for KSET, from a UGC-recognised university or institution.
- At least 55% aggregate for General category candidates, without rounding off.
- At least 50% aggregate for SC, ST, PWD and OBC (Cat-I, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB) candidates.
- PhD holders whose Master's was completed by 19 September 1991 get a 5% relaxation.
- No upper age limit to appear for the examination.
Which Subjects Does KSET Cover?
KSET is conducted in 41 subjects, ranging from Commerce, Kannada, Economics and Management to Computer Science, Life Science and Visual Arts. Candidates must choose the single subject matching their post-graduation; the subject once selected cannot be changed. Paper II is entirely based on the chosen subject's syllabus.
The medium of the question paper is English and Kannada for most subjects, with language subjects set in their own language. Some of the 41 KSET subjects are:
- Commerce
- Kannada
- Economics
- English
- Political Science
- History
- Sociology
- Management
- Education
- Library & Information Science
- Mass Communication & Journalism
- Psychology
- Law
- Public Administration
- Computer Science & Applications
- Mathematical Science
- Life Science
- Environmental Science
- Visual Arts
If a candidate's post-graduation subject is not listed among the KSET subjects, they should instead appear for the UGC-NET or UGC-CSIR NET, which is held twice a year. Subject syllabi can be downloaded from the official KSET website.
What Is the KSET Application Fee?
The KSET application fee is Rs 1,150 for the General category, Rs 950 for Cat-IIA, IIB, IIIA and IIIB, and Rs 650 for Cat-I, SC, ST and PWD candidates. A late fee of Rs 250 applies during the extended window. Payment is made online through the State Bank MOPS gateway.
| Category 2026 | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General | Rs 1,150 |
| Cat-IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB | Rs 950 |
| Cat-I, SC, ST, PWD | Rs 650 |
| Late fee (extended period) | Rs 250 |
Fees can be paid via internet banking, debit or credit card, State Bank Buddy e-Wallet, or by generating an SBI challan for cash payment at any SBI branch. Payment by Money Order, Demand Draft or IPO is not accepted, and the fee is non-refundable once paid.
Government Education Loan for Study AbroadRead →How Do You Register and Apply for KSET?
Candidates register on the official KSET website with a valid email ID and password, then fill in personal, educational and exam details. Upload a scanned passport photo (10-100 KB) and signature (5-30 KB) in JPEG format, pay the fee, and submit. Print the application form, attendance slip and admission card afterwards.
- Visit the official KSET website and register with a valid email ID and password.
- Enter personal, educational, contact and KSET exam details in the application form.
- Upload the scanned photograph and signature in JPEG format within the stated file sizes.
- Pay the application fee online through the State Bank MOPS gateway or an SBI challan.
- After two working days, log in to download and print the application form, attendance slip and admission card.
What Is the KSET Exam Pattern?
KSET has two papers taken in a single three-hour session. Paper I has 50 questions (100 marks) testing teaching and research aptitude, while Paper II has 100 questions (200 marks) on the chosen subject. All questions are objective MCQs worth two marks each, with no negative marking, totalling 300 marks.
| KSET 2026 Exam Pattern | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of exam | Offline, pen-and-paper (OMR sheet) |
| Papers | Paper I and Paper II |
| Paper I | 50 questions, 100 marks (teaching & research aptitude) |
| Paper II | 100 questions, 200 marks (chosen subject) |
| Total | 150 questions, 300 marks |
| Duration | 3 hours (single session) |
| Marking | 2 marks per question, no negative marking |
How Is KSET Qualified and Scored?
To qualify, candidates need a minimum aggregate of 40% (General) or 35% (reserved categories) across both papers. Only the top 6% of candidates who appear in each subject are declared eligible for the KSET certificate. In KSET 2024, held on 24 November 2024, 6,302 candidates qualified across all 41 subjects.
| Category 2026 | Minimum Qualifying Aggregate |
|---|---|
| General | 40% in both papers combined |
| SC, ST, Cat-I, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, PWD | 35% in both papers combined |
Meeting the aggregate cut-off alone does not award the certificate. Only the top 6% of candidates in each subject, selected as per Karnataka's reservation policy, are declared eligible for the KSET Assistant Professor certificate.
Where Are the KSET Exam Centres?
KSET is held at 11 exam centres across Karnataka: Bengaluru, Belagavi, Ballari, Vijayapura, Davangere, Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Shivamogga and Tumakuru. Each centre has a nodal officer for queries, and candidates choose their preferred centre while filling the online application form based on convenience.
- Bengaluru (Code 10)
- Belagavi (Code 11)
- Ballari (Code 12)
- Vijayapura (Code 13)
- Davangere (Code 14)
- Dharwad (Code 15)
- Kalaburagi (Code 16)
- Mangaluru (Code 17)
- Mysuru (Code 18)
- Shivamogga (Code 19)
- Tumakuru (Code 20)
How Can You Download the KSET Admit Card and Result?
The KSET admit card is downloaded from the official website using the application number and date of birth; no hard copy is posted separately. Results are published on the Karnataka Examination Authority portal (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in), where candidates enter their roll number to view and download the scorecard and eligibility status.
- Visit the official KSET website or the Karnataka Examination Authority result portal.
- Enter your application number and date of birth for the admit card, or roll number for the result.
- View the admit card or result card displayed on the screen.
- Check all the details carefully and download the document.
- Take a printout and retain it for future reference.