Dakshina Kannada Witnesses Notable Drop in CET 2026 Registrations
Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada district has recorded a significant decline in student enrollment for the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (CET) 2026, one of the state's most crucial admission tests for professional degree courses, which commences on Wednesday, April 22. According to official data, only 21,489 candidates have registered this year, marking a decrease from over 22,500 registrations in the previous edition. This downward trend highlights shifting educational dynamics in the region.
Factors Behind the Enrollment Decline
Education experts have attributed this decline to multiple factors, primarily changing student preferences and the current employment environment. Narendra L Nayak, chairman of the Expert Group of Institutions, emphasized that interest in engineering courses has waned due to a weak job market. Additionally, students aiming for medical seats and premier engineering institutes such as National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) are increasingly focusing on national-level entrance tests like the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) instead of relying on CET.
A head of a Pre-University (PU) college pointed out that the timing of JEE examinations plays a crucial role. Since one of the JEE sessions has already been conducted, many students now have a clearer understanding of their performance. Those who anticipate strong results may opt not to use CET as an alternative admission route, further contributing to the registration drop.
Examination Logistics and Security Measures
Despite the lower registrations, the Karnataka Examinations Authority is proceeding with the CET for admissions to engineering and other professional programs. The test will be conducted at 40 centers across Dakshina Kannada, compared to 43 centers last year. Officials also anticipate a higher number of absentees during the examination.
Rajeshwari HH, deputy director of the Dakshina Kannada Pre-University Education Department, noted that while PU and degree colleges have traditionally served as examination centers, degree colleges have been excluded over the past couple of years. However, this year, three engineering colleges in Mangaluru have been added as venues: Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management in Adyar, St Joseph Engineering College in Vamanjoor, and Srinivas Institute of Technology in Valachil.
Authorities have reinforced anti-malpractice measures in line with protocols used during recruitment examinations. All centers will be under strict camera surveillance, and a live webcasting system has been implemented to monitor every examination hall continuously.
Examination Schedule and Special Tests
The CET 2026 schedule includes the Kannada language test for Horanadu (out-of-state) and Gadinadu (border-region) Kannadiga candidates on April 22. The main CET papers will follow on April 23, featuring Biology and Mathematics, and on April 24, with Physics and Chemistry. Despite the challenges posed by lower registrations and fewer venues, authorities are making comprehensive arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination, maintaining the integrity and fairness of the process.
