Quick answer — RVCE seat matrix 2026-27
Total B.E. intake: ~1,210 seats. Branch-wise: CSE 180 · ECE 180 · Civil 120 · Mechanical 120 · EEE 60 · ETE 60 · Aerospace 60 · Biotechnology 60 · IEM 60 · Chemical 40 · CSE-AI&ML 90 · CSE-Data Science 90 · CSE-Cyber Security 90. Quota split (approx.): KCET 40% (~484) · COMEDK 40% (~484) · Management 25% (~302) · NRI 5% (~60 supernumerary). CSE-family total: 450 seats (CSE 180 + AI&ML 90 + DS 90 + Cyber 90). Reservation: applies only to KCET seats — SC/ST/OBC/Cat-1/2A/2B/3A/3B as per Karnataka norms.
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RVCE seat matrix overview — 1,210 total B.E. seats
RVCE branch-wise seat matrix (2026-27)
The table below shows the sanctioned intake for each B.E. branch at RVCE. Seat distribution across KCET, COMEDK, management quota and NRI is shown in the quota split section.
| Branch | Total intake | Share of total | Visual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) | 180 | 14.9% | |
| Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE) | 180 | 14.9% | |
| Civil Engineering | 120 | 9.9% | |
| Mechanical Engineering | 120 | 9.9% | |
| CSE — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning | 90 | 7.4% | |
| CSE — Data Science | 90 | 7.4% | |
| CSE — Cyber Security | 90 | 7.4% | |
| Electrical & Electronics Engineering (EEE) | 60 | 5.0% | |
| Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering (ETE) | 60 | 5.0% | |
| Aerospace Engineering | 60 | 5.0% | |
| Biotechnology | 60 | 5.0% | |
| Industrial Engineering & Management (IEM) | 60 | 5.0% | |
| Chemical Engineering | 40 | 3.3% | |
| Total B.E. intake | ~1,210 | 100% |
Disclosure note: The exact sanctioned intake is set each year by AICTE/VTU and can vary by ±5–15 seats per branch based on faculty availability, infrastructure, and NAAC/NBA conditions. The 2026-27 figures above are the most recently published and serve as the planning baseline for 2027-28. Verify against the current-year KEA/COMEDK seat matrix before finalising.
CSE-family seat matrix — 450 seats across 4 programmes
RVCE's CSE family is the largest single "cluster" of seats, with 450 total seats across four distinct programmes. This is why RVCE has a relatively accessible CSE cutoff compared to colleges with only 60–120 CSE seats.
| Programme | Total intake | KCET (approx.) | COMEDK (approx.) | Mgmt (approx.) | NRI (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSE (core) | 180 | ~72 | ~72 | ~45 | ~9 |
| CSE — AI & Machine Learning | 90 | ~36 | ~36 | ~22 | ~4 |
| CSE — Data Science | 90 | ~36 | ~36 | ~22 | ~4 |
| CSE — Cyber Security | 90 | ~36 | ~36 | ~22 | ~4 |
| CSE family total | 450 | ~180 | ~180 | ~111 | ~21 |
What makes CSE-family seats different
- Core CSE is the most competitive — 180 seats but cutoff 425 (KCET) / 692 (COMEDK)
- AI&ML, DS, Cyber are easier — same class of placements, but cutoffs 200–500 ranks relaxed vs core CSE
- Cutoff hierarchy within CSE-family: CSE (425) < AI&ML (643) < DS (699) < Cyber (826) for KCET
- Placement outcomes are similar — all four branches have average packages in the ₹15–20 LPA range
- If you miss core CSE by 200–400 ranks, try AI&ML, DS or Cyber in the same round — you'll get similar placements at the same college
KCET / COMEDK / Management / NRI seat split
RVCE's total intake is distributed across four admission routes. Here is the approximate split, based on the 2026-27 pattern. The exact split may vary by branch and cycle.
| Quota | Share | Approx. seats | Who is eligible | Rank required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KCET (KEA government quota) | ~40% | ~484 | Karnataka domicile (majority); valid KCET rank | KCET GM/category rank |
| COMEDK (private unaided quota) | ~40% | ~484 | All-India candidates; valid COMEDK rank | COMEDK GM/category rank |
| Management quota | ~25% | ~302 | 12th PCM marks based; no rank mandatory | None required |
| NRI quota (supernumerary) | ~5% | ~60 | NRI/OCI/PIO/CIWG/Nepal citizens + sponsored | NRI status + 12th marks |
| Total | 100% | ~1,210 + ~60 NRI |
What quota should you target?
| If your situation is… | Target quota | Competition level |
|---|---|---|
| Karnataka domicile + strong KCET rank (<500 for CSE) | KCET | Very high |
| Karnataka domicile + mid KCET rank (500–2,000) | KCET (ECE/EEE/Aerospace/Mech/Civil) | High |
| Outside Karnataka + strong COMEDK rank (<700 for CSE) | COMEDK | High |
| Outside Karnataka + mid COMEDK rank (700–2,000) | COMEDK (ECE/EEE/ETE) | Moderate |
| Missing rank cutoff but strong 12th PCM (65%+) | Management quota | Moderate (based on marks) |
| NRI/OCI/PIO status + 12th PCM 60%+ | NRI quota | Lower (limited applications) |
RVCE KCET category-wise seat reservation
KCET seats at RVCE follow Karnataka government reservation norms. Exact percentage allocations are set by Karnataka government notification each year. Below are the approximate category-wise splits based on the prevailing reservation policy.
| Category | Approx. % of KCET seats | Eligibility | Cutoff (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | ~50% | Open to all | Baseline (e.g., CSE 425) |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | ~15% | Karnataka SC certificate holders | ~2.5–4× GM |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | ~3% | Karnataka ST certificate holders | ~4–7× GM |
| Cat-1 | ~4% | Karnataka Cat-1 certificate holders | ~2.5–4× GM |
| 2A | ~15% | Karnataka 2A category (OBC) | ~1.3–1.8× GM |
| 2B | ~4% | Karnataka 2B category (OBC) | ~1.3–1.8× GM |
| 3A | ~4% | Karnataka 3A category (OBC) | ~1.3–1.8× GM |
| 3B | ~4% | Karnataka 3B category (OBC) | ~1.3–1.8× GM |
| Special categories | ~1% | Rural, Kannada medium, sports, ex-servicemen, etc. | Varies |
How to calculate your category cutoff
The Karnataka reservation system uses a specific order — candidates are first considered in GM, then in their category. If a candidate would get a seat in GM, they are not counted against the reserved quota. This means category cutoffs are generally more relaxed than GM:
- OBC (2A/2B/3A/3B): Typically 1.3–1.8× GM rank. For CSE 425 GM → OBC ~550–750
- SC: Typically 2.5–4× GM. For CSE 425 GM → SC ~1,100–1,700
- ST: Typically 4–7× GM. For CSE 425 GM → ST ~1,700–3,000
- Cat-1: Typically 2.5–4× GM. Similar to SC
Branch size classification — why it matters
Branch intake size affects your competition and placement dynamics. Here's how branches are grouped by size:
Why branch size matters
- Bigger branch = more competition: 180 CSE seats means 180 students competing for 180 internal choices (electives, internships, projects)
- Bigger branch = better recruiter access: Companies visit the college based on total eligible students — a 180-seat CSE gets more recruiters than a 40-seat branch
- Smaller branch = better faculty attention: A 40-seat Chemical branch has ~4:1 student-faculty ratio per subject vs 12:1 for CSE
- Smaller branch = easier cutoff: 40 Chemical seats means lower competition and easier cutoffs vs 180 CSE seats
- Smaller branch = better batch cohesion: Students bond better in smaller batches, which matters for internships and projects
RVCE seat matrix — 2025 vs 2026 comparison
The seat matrix changes slowly year-on-year. Here's what changed between recent cycles:
| Branch | 2025 seats | 2026 seats | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSE | 180 | 180 | No change |
| ECE | 180 | 180 | No change |
| Civil | 120 | 120 | No change |
| Mechanical | 120 | 120 | No change |
| CSE-AI&ML | 90 | 90 | No change |
| CSE-Data Science | 90 | 90 | No change |
| CSE-Cyber Security | 90 | 90 | No change |
| EEE | 60 | 60 | No change |
| ETE | 60 | 60 | No change |
| Aerospace | 60 | 60 | No change |
| Biotechnology | 60 | 60 | No change |
| IEM | 60 | 60 | No change |
| Chemical | 40 | 40 | No change |
Historical changes at RVCE
- ISE branch merger: The former Information Science & Engineering (ISE) branch was merged into CSE-Data Science and CSE-AI&ML around 2022–2023. This is why RVCE no longer offers a standalone ISE programme.
- CSE specialisations added: CSE-AI&ML, CSE-Data Science and CSE-Cyber Security were added in the last 3–4 years to meet industry demand.
- ETE reduced: ETE intake has been reduced from 90 to 60 seats in recent years, reflecting industry demand shifts.
- Stable core: CSE, ECE, Civil, Mechanical have held steady at 180/180/120/120 for 5+ years.
RVCE lateral entry seat matrix (DCET)
RVCE accepts lateral entry into the second year of B.E. via Karnataka DCET (Diploma Common Entrance Test) for diploma holders and B.Sc graduates. Lateral entry seats are separate from first-year seats.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Diploma holders (3-year diploma) or B.Sc graduates with Mathematics |
| Entrance exam | Karnataka DCET |
| Seat availability | Typically 10% of sanctioned intake per branch (AICTE norm); subject to availability |
| Available branches | Varies each year — often Civil, Mechanical, EEE, ECE (rarely CSE) |
| Admission route | KEA DCET counselling → RVCE seat allotment |
| Fee | Same as first-year KCET/COMEDK fee for the branch |
How seat count affects your admission chances
Seat count directly drives cutoff dynamics. Here's how:
| Branch size | Cutoff impact | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 180 seats (CSE, ECE) | Highest cutoffs | More seats but far more applicants — demand dwarfs supply |
| 120 seats (Civil, Mech) | Mid-tier cutoffs | Balanced demand-supply; moderate competition |
| 90 seats (CSE specialisations) | Moderately high cutoffs | High demand but fewer seats than core CSE — cutoff can be tighter than expected |
| 60 seats (EEE, ETE, Aero, BT, IEM) | Lower cutoffs | Lower demand relative to seats; easier to enter |
| 40 seats (Chemical) | Most flexible cutoff | Smallest branch; lowest competition |
What this means for 2027-28 applicants
- If you're targeting CSE: You need a top-500 KCET or top-700 COMEDK rank. No shortcuts.
- If you're targeting CSE-AI/DS/Cyber: You can be 200–400 ranks behind core CSE and still get in. Consider these as fallback within the CSE family.
- If you're targeting ECE: KCET top 800 or COMEDK top 1,500 gets you in.
- If you're targeting Mechanical/Civil: KCET top 5,500 / 14,000; COMEDK top 7,000 / 21,000 respectively.
- If your rank is borderline: Participate in all 3 counselling rounds — cutoffs relax 30–100 ranks in later rounds.
RVCE seat matrix — frequently asked questions
How many total B.E. seats are there at RVCE?
~1,210 B.E. seats across 13 branches in 2026-27. The four CSE-family programmes together account for 450 seats.
How many CSE seats are there in RVCE?
180 core CSE seats plus 90 each for CSE-AI&ML, CSE-Data Science and CSE-Cyber Security. Total CSE-family seats = 450.
How many ECE seats are there in RVCE?
180 ECE seats — tied with CSE for the largest branch at RVCE.
How many EEE seats are there in RVCE?
60 EEE seats.
How many Mechanical seats are there in RVCE?
120 Mechanical seats.
How many Civil seats are there in RVCE?
120 Civil seats.
How many Aerospace seats are there in RVCE?
60 Aerospace Engineering seats.
How many Biotechnology seats are there in RVCE?
60 Biotechnology seats.
How many Chemical Engineering seats are there in RVCE?
40 Chemical Engineering seats — Chemical is the smallest branch at RVCE by intake.
How many IEM seats are there in RVCE?
60 IEM (Industrial Engineering & Management) seats.
How many ETE seats are there in RVCE?
60 ETE (Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering) seats.
How are RVCE seats split between KCET, COMEDK, management quota and NRI quota?
KCET ~484 (40%) · COMEDK ~484 (40%) · Management ~302 (25%) · NRI ~60 (5% supernumerary). The NRI seats are additional to the ~1,210 regular seats.
How many seats are there in RVCE through COMEDK?
~484 COMEDK seats — same as the KCET seat count. Open to all-India candidates with a valid COMEDK rank.
How many management quota seats does RVCE have?
~302 management quota seats — roughly 25% of total intake. Direct admission based on 12th PCM marks; no KCET/COMEDK rank required.
How many NRI quota seats does RVCE have?
~60 NRI quota seats — supernumerary (in addition to regular intake) for NRI/OCI/PIO/CIWG/Nepal citizens and sponsored candidates.
What is the KCET category-wise seat reservation at RVCE?
KCET seats at RVCE follow Karnataka reservation norms. Approximate split: GM ~50%, SC ~15%, ST ~3%, Cat-1 ~4%, 2A ~15%, 2B ~4%, 3A ~4%, 3B ~4%, special ~1%. Exact percentages are set by Karnataka government notification each year.
Does RVCE have reservation for SC/ST/OBC candidates?
Yes for KCET seats only. SC/ST/OBC (Cat-1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B) Karnataka candidates get reserved seats in the KCET quota. COMEDK seats are mostly unreserved. Management quota and NRI quota are fully unreserved.
Are RVCE seats the same for KCET and COMEDK?
No — separate pools. Both are ~484 seats but with different cutoffs and eligibility. You can participate in both counsellings and pick whichever seat you prefer. If you have both a KCET and COMEDK rank, you can choose between KCET cutoff (typically lower ranks) and COMEDK cutoff (typically higher ranks).
What is the RVCE CSE-AI&ML seat intake?
90 seats.
What is the RVCE CSE-Data Science seat intake?
90 seats.
What is the RVCE CSE-Cyber Security seat intake?
90 seats.
Did RVCE seat matrix change from 2025 to 2026?
The total intake has remained broadly similar (~1,210 seats) with no major branch-wise changes between 2025 and 2026. Historical changes include the ISE branch merger into CSE-AI&ML/DS and ETE intake reduction. Verify the 2026-27 official seat matrix from KEA/COMEDK for the exact current-year numbers.
What is the RVCE CSE batch size?
The core CSE batch is 180 students. Adding CSE-AI&ML (90), CSE-Data Science (90) and CSE-Cyber Security (90) brings the total CSE-family batch to 450 students per year.
Does RVCE have a lateral entry seat matrix?
Yes — lateral entry via Karnataka DCET. Typically 10% of sanctioned intake per branch (AICTE norm). Available branches vary; usually Civil, Mechanical, EEE, ECE. CSE lateral entry is rare. Verify from the KEA DCET notification.
What is the RVCE seat matrix PDF — where is it officially published?
The official seat matrix is published annually by KEA (for KCET seats) and COMEDK (for COMEDK seats) ahead of the respective counselling rounds. It is also published on the college's admission portal and AICTE's sanctioned-intake database. Always verify the current-year figure from these sources before finalising.
How does seat count affect my admission chances?
Bigger branches have more seats but also far more applicants — cutoffs stay high (CSE 425). Smaller branches have fewer applicants relative to seats — cutoffs are more relaxed (Civil 14,213). You can use this to your advantage: if you can't get CSE, CSE-AI/DS/Cyber offer similar placements with relaxed cutoffs. See the seat impact section for detailed analysis.
Plan your RVCE 2027-28 admission
Share your target branch, KCET/COMEDK rank and 12th PCM % — we'll help you assess your seat availability based on the seat matrix and build a realistic plan including backup options.
All seat counts should be cross-verified against the current official KEA/COMEDK seat matrix before making decisions.