Bengaluru: The wait of Common Entrance Test (CET) aspirants continues as the date for counselling is still undecided with Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) awaiting the seat matrices of various courses.While the minister for medical education, Sharan Prakash Patil, had earlier announced that counselling would begin on June 10, KEA later postponed it and tentatively announced June 13 as the date. However, there is no clarity on when it is likely to begin now.The issue stems from the fact that the final seat matrix for engineering has still not been approved by the higher education department. “After the draft seat matrix was announced, we have invited objections. The objections are being scrutinised now. We hope to release the final seat matrix before next Saturday,” said an official from the higher education department.With no minister handling the portfolio, the chief minister will have to approve the matrix. Sharan Prakash, who is also the co-chairman of KEA, said that he will be meeting DK Shivakumar soon regarding this matter.Meanwhile, KEA has received only the seat matrix of agriculture. Seat matrices for nursing, pharmacy and other professional courses are yet to come.KEA on Friday released the verification slip required for admission. Candidates can download the verification slip at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/ugcet_vs_2026, said KEA executive director, H Prasanna.This is the first stage of the seat allocation process, which will contain complete information about the candidates. The link to register options will be opened after the seat matrix is received from the govt, KEA said in a press statement.Meanwhile, Karnataka Unaided Private Engineering Colleges Association has written to All India Council of Technical Education to extend the last date of counselling to Sept 15. Currently, it is until Aug 15.The association said it is difficult to complete the counselling as it has gone online since the Covid pandemic. The Aug 15 date was used based on a Supreme Court order issued in 2012, when the counselling process was held offline, the association noted. The online process involves document verification, various stages of allotment, payment of tuition fees and admission at college level. It has therefore sought more time from AICTE to complete the process.
