The “Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka” is known as COMEDK. It is an independent organization committed to offering applicants to prestigious educational institutions in Karnataka a fair, open, and non-exploitation examination process. Due to its long history and dedication to quality, COMEDK has become a model exam that is respected and valued by all government-appointed Admission Oversight Committees, including the Honourable Supreme Court.

Increasing the Educational Ecosystem’s Power

In order to organize the testing processes that demonstrate the merit of aspirant students in the domains of medical, engineering, and dental sciences, COMEDK was founded in 2004–2005. Senior academics and reputable administrative professionals with extensive experience in the educational ecosystem make up our consortium. In addition to supporting a centralized counseling procedure, COMEDK has successfully conducted annual entrance exams for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in partner institutions over the years.

Karnataka’s Leading Quality Education Initiative

Karnataka is the most sought-after location for students seeking a top-notch education since it has been at the forefront of creating excellent professional higher education institutions. Serving 16 medical, 24 dental, and over 150 engineering colleges throughout the state, COMEDK takes pleasure in being a vital component of this educational environment. Students, parents, and educational authorities have shown us a great deal of respect and trust because of our dedication to upholding the best standards in education.

Process for Admission to Engineering Programmes

On Sunday, May 28, 2023, COMEDK administered an online test at 400 locations across India for the academic year 2023–2024. A total of 20,000 places in roughly 190 engineering colleges affiliated with KUPECA (Karnataka Unaided Private Engineering Colleges Association) are up for grabs in this exam, which is especially for engineering programmes. After the test, there is an online counseling session to ensure merit-based admissions.

Eligibility Criteria for UG Engineering Courses

To be eligible for UG Engineering courses, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:

a) Qualifying Examinations: 

Candidates must have completed a second PUC or 10+2 Higher Secondary or an equivalent examination recognized by the State/Central Government. The last two years of study should comprise Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with English as a compulsory subject.

b) General Merit:

Candidates belonging to the General Merit category must have passed with a minimum aggregate of 45% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (40% for SC, ST, and OBC candidates of Karnataka State). 

Additionally, they must have passed each of these subjects individually. Physics and Mathematics are compulsory subjects, along with Chemistry or Biotechnology or Biology or Computer Science or Electronics as one of the optional subjects. Please note that any changes in eligibility criteria set by the AICTE/VTU will be adopted.

c) COMEDK Entrance Test: 

Candidates attempting the COMEDK Entrance Test for Engineering courses will be considered for the rank list.

d) Lateral Entry Admissions:

Diploma candidates are not eligible to take the Entrance Test, as there are no lateral entry admissions available.

Note: During counseling, candidates must submit the original marks card of the examination to prove their eligibility as evidenced by the original marks card.

Process for Admission to Architecture Programmes

The following requirements apply to candidates interested in pursuing courses in architecture:

1. Those must have completed their second PUC or 10+2 and passed the test with at least a 50% overall score in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (45% for those who identify as SC, ST, or OBC in Karnataka). Alternately, those with at least 50% overall marks (45% for SC, ST, and OBC candidates of Karnataka) and a 10+3 Diploma with Mathematics as a required subject are also eligible
2. All applicants for admission to the B.Arch. programmes from Karnataka, including SC, ST, and OBC candidates, must pass the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA), which is administered by the Council of Architecture.  

The candidate must receive at least the qualifying marks overall and in each of the two individual components in order to be qualified for NATA. To qualify for admission, candidates must also pass the NATA exam and have completed any other architecture aptitude test administered by outside agencies. Only NATA scores and qualifying exam results will be taken into account for creating the merit list.

1. No COMEDK Entrance Test: COMEDK will not administer an Entrance Test to applicants for B.Arch. courses.
2. Separate Application for Counseling: According to the notification posted on the COMEDK website, candidates interested in architecture courses must submit a separate application form for counseling.

Test Format and Exam Information

Three subjects will be covered on the COMEDK UGET (Undergraduate Entrance Test) for engineering courses: physics, chemistry, and mathematics. 

• Medium of Examination will be ENGLISH Only
• Each correct answer will be awarded 1 mark
• There will be no negative marking for wrong answers
• However, in the event of a tie in the test score the principle of least negative responses (Number of wrong answers) will be adopted. In addition, if required, other methods may be adopted to break ties.
• Total Marks would be 180

Fee Structure and Application Process

Candidates can visit the COMEDK website for detailed information regarding the application process and fee payment

The Common Entrance Test for Postgraduate Programmes (CUET-PG) has received an overwhelmingly positive response this year, which is a significant step for individuals interested in higher education. The battle is anticipated to be fiercer than ever with applications reaching a startling five lakh, up from 3.75 lakh in 2022, with universities participating at a rate of 66 to 195. This essay explores the specifics of this extraordinary uptick in applications, the causes of it, and the repercussions for applicants to prestigious colleges around India.

The Increase in Application Volume

An unprecedented increase in applications for the CUET-PG reflects the growing importance of a standardised entrance exam for postgraduate programmes. The number of candidates this year has increased significantly from last year, rising to around 5 lakh, a stunning increase of about 33%. This increase is related to both the increased availability of study subjects as well as the increase in the number of participating colleges.

A Wide Range of Options

The rise in the number of participating higher education institutions (HEIs) is one of the main causes of the spike in applications. Students now have more options available to them, giving them a wider range of options for their postgraduate education. A total of 46 state universities, 101 private deemed universities, and 10 government-funded HEIs have joined the CUET-PG this year, in addition to the 39 Central Universities. This has made it possible for students to apply for up to 20 different fields of study and pick as many HEIs as they want.

Relief for Candidates

For many candidates, the increase in the number of participating universities has been a pleasant relief. Before, students had to take a number of entrance exams offered by different organisations. The procedure has been streamlined and students are now able to save time, effort, and money thanks to the establishment of the CUET-PG as a standard entrance exam for central universities. According to a senior official of the National Testing Agency, the total number of test-takers is anticipated to reach 9 lakh because the majority of candidates are applying for multiple courses.

Examining the Consequences

The increase in CUET-PG applications has wide-ranging effects on both students and universities. Let’s examine the numerous areas that this development has an impact on in more detail.

Increasing Competitiveness

The number of applications has significantly increased, which has increased the level of competition for admission to prestigious universities. Students now need to work harder to stand out from the crowd and get into the institutions they want. To ace the admission exam in light of the rising competition, careful planning, persistent study, and preparation are required.

Making the Application Process Simpler

By centralising the entrance exam, the CUET-PG has streamlined the postgraduate programme application procedure. To cut down on paperwork and administrative headaches, applicants can now submit one application for numerous subject areas and HEIs. This simplification guarantees that students have a more convenient experience while also saving time.

Increasing Possibilities

Aspiring postgraduate students have a wealth of choices now that more universities are taking part in the CUET-PG. Before, students had to choose between their top schools or fields of study due to a lack of possibilities. The current situation, however, allows candidates to consider a larger range of options and pick HEIs that match their academic objectives and career aspirations.