KSET 2026 Eligibility Criteria - Check Age Limit, Marks Required, No of Attempts, Important Factors

KSET Eligibility Criteria 2026

Before you begin to fill in the KSET 2026 application form, it is important to know about the eligibility criteria. Only permanent residents of Karnataka are eligible to apply for the KSET 2026 exam. The rules of eligibility for KSET are almost the same as those of the UGC NET 2026 exam, but there are some exceptions. To make sure that you fulfil all the requirements, you must thoroughly go through the detailed criteria, which encompass age restrictions, certain conditions, exemptions, and educational qualifications. To make it more convenient for you, we have divided each element of the KSET 2026 eligibility criteria into smaller bits so that you can easily understand it.

KSET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit

According to the previous year's notification, there is no upper age limit for the exam. Candidates from all age groups are eligible to take the KSET 2026 exam. However, the University of Mysore (UoM) has yet to release the notification regarding the KSET eligibility criteria 2026 on its official website. To be eligible for the examination, candidates must fulfil the other eligibility conditions mentioned below. 

KSET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Educational Qualification

To appear for the Karnataka State Eligibility Test (KSET) 2026, candidates must fulfill the following educational qualifications:

• You should hold a Master's degree or an equivalent degree from a UGC-recognised university. Your degree subject should be related to the subject you want to pursue in KSET.
• Candidates must have a Master’s degree or equivalent from a UGC-recognised university with at least 55% marks (General category) and 50% marks (SC/ST/PWD/Category I, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB).
• Final-year Master’s students or those awaiting results can apply provisionally, but they must secure the required marks and submit proof of qualification within two years of the exam result.
• PhD holders whose Master’s degree was completed on or before 19 September 1991 are eligible for a 5% relaxation in marks. Candidates must appear for KSET in their post-graduation subject. If the subject is not available in KSET’s list, they must apply for UGC-NET/CSIR-NET.
• A candidate who has already qualified for KSET in a subject cannot apply again in the same subject.

Subject-Wise Eligibility Examples

• Economics: Master’s in Economics, Co-operation, or related subjects.
• Management: Master’s/PG Diploma in Management and related fields.
• Folklore: Master’s in Folklore, Kannada Janapada, Janapada Sahithya, etc.
• Physical Sciences: Master’s in Physics, Electronics, Astrophysics, Material Science, etc.
• Mathematical Sciences: Master’s in Mathematics, Statistics, or Applied Mathematics.
• Chemical Sciences: Master’s in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Polymer Science, etc.
• Life Sciences: Master’s in Botany, Zoology, Genetics, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Physiology, Marine Biology, etc.
• Earth Sciences: Master’s in Geology, Geo-physics, Geography, Meteorology, Oceanography, Petroleum Geology, etc.
• Archaeology: Master’s in Archaeology, History and Archaeology, Epigraphy, Culture, etc.
• Women Studies: Master’s in Women’s Studies, Rural Development, or related fields.

KSET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Reservation Policy

While submitting the online application, you have to mention your category—OBC, SC, or ST—and attach a valid certificate issued by the concerned authorities. But if you are from the OBC, SC, or ST category but from any other state except Karnataka, your application will be treated under the general merit category, according to the reservation policy of the Karnataka government.