KCET 2025: 26,555 Seats Unfilled After Round 1 Counselling

Bengaluru, August 6, 2025:  Following the initial phase of counseling for the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) 2025, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has disclosed that a substantial number of seats, totaling 26,555, are still vacant across various professional courses. As of August 2, 2025, the final seat allotment results for Round 1 showcased that out of the 1,35,954 seats available for these courses in the state, a notable 1,09,399 have successfully been filled. This leaves a considerable gap of unallocated seats for aspiring students.

B.Sc. Nursing Faces Major Vacancies

Of the total 31,726 seats for B.Sc. Nursing, a notable 15,186 have successfully found candidates, however, this still leaves an alarming 16,540 seats vacant. This substantial gap in filling is largely due to a decreased interest among students in pursuing this particular field of study. On the other hand, engineering disciplines have shown more promise, with 71,813 of the 77,140 seats being claimed, leaving a more modest 5,327 open. The medical field saw a higher demand, with 8,321 out of 9,263 seats being filled, leaving a manageable 942 seats open for grabs. 

However, the picture isn't all rosy as 1,329 seats in B.Sc. Allied Health Sciences still await eager students. A significant factor contributing to these vacancies is the limited college selection by the candidates. Many students, even those with high rankings in the Common Entrance Test (CET), only applied to four to five top-tier institutions, which created a situation where a substantial 51,935 students missed out on allotments in the first round. This was because they were holding out hope for placements in the most prestigious institutions, as revealed by a KEA official.

Quota Seats and Future Rounds

Seats reserved for special categories, including rural, Kannada medium, and Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quotas, experienced low acceptance rates in Round 1 of the college admissions process, leaving numerous spots unfilled. H. Prasanna, the Karnataka Examinations Authority's (KEA) Executive Director, assured that these unallocated seats will be offered in the next two counselling rounds. In the event of no suitable candidates for special quotas, such as rural and Kannada medium, these seats will be reassigned to general merit candidates. This means that, for example, if there are no eligible students for SC/ST rural quota seats, they will be re-categorized as general SC/ST seats for further allocation.

KEA has advised applicants to consider a wider range of college and course options for the second and third rounds to enhance their chances of getting admitted. The second round of option entry kicked off on August 4, 2025, and will remain open until August 7. Prospective students can expect the results shortly after the entry period ends. For the latest seat availability and allocation information, candidates are encouraged to visit the official KEA website at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, where they can access the comprehensive seat matrix and allotment details.

Keywords: KCET 2025, Karnataka CET, seat allotment, professional courses, B.Sc. Nursing, engineering seats, medical seats, KEA counselling, unfilled seats, Round 2 counselling, Karnataka colleges, CET ranks, seat matrix, general merit seats, quota seats