Which KEA clause am I?
Three questions instead of eighteen paragraphs — your eligibility clause, its documents, and whether it lets you claim a category.
In short
Your eligibility clause is the rule under which you claim a Government seat — it fixes your document list and decides whether you can claim category reservation at all. KEA publishes 18 of them as paragraphs in a bulletin PDF; most candidates are Clause A (7+ years of study in Karnataka). Answer the questions below to find yours. Category reservation is claimable under only 8 clauses.
Answer questions 1 and 2 to continue.
All 18 clauses, with documents
Category reservation (SC / ST / Category-1 / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B) is claimable under 8 of them — A, B, F, H, J, K, L, O — and under no others. The bulletin states that twice.
Clause A
Category reservation claimableStudied and passed in Government or Government-recognised institutions in Karnataka for a minimum of SEVEN academic years between 1st standard and 2nd PUC / 12th standard (as on 1 July of the exam year), and appeared and passed either SSLC/10th or 2nd PUC/12th from Karnataka. A repeated year counts once.
The majority path. KEA verifies these online through SATS — the bulletin says such candidates need not visit any office or college, and the application prints once the claim reads "Successfully Verified".
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
- Study certificate from the head of the institution, countersigned by the BEO / DDPU (7 years in Karnataka including 10th or 12th)
- If claiming Rural quota: rural study certificate 1st–10th for ten complete years, countersigned by BEO — General Merit candidates also need an NCLC (non-creamy-layer) certificate with RD number
- If claiming Kannada-medium quota: Kannada-medium study certificate 1st–10th for ten complete years, countersigned by BEO
- If claiming reservation: caste / caste-income certificate with RD number from the concerned Tahsildar — Form D (SC/ST), Form E (Category-1), Form F (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B)
- Certificates must be in the CANDIDATE’s own name; SC/ST/Cat-1 add an income certificate to claim fee exemption
Clause A1
No category reservationOCI/PIO candidates with 7 years of study in Karnataka including 10th or 12th, per the Supreme Court order in W.P. (C) 891/2021: treated at par with Indian citizens and eligible for General Category seats.
General Category seats only — the bulletin states OCI/PIO candidates are not entitled to claim any reservation.
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
- Study certificate countersigned by the BEO / DDPU (7 years in Karnataka including 10th or 12th)
- Birth certificate and Aadhaar of the candidate
- Passport and VISA / Resident VISA copies of candidate and parent
Clause B
Category reservation claimablePassed both 1st and 2nd PU (or 11th and 12th) within Karnataka from a State-run or recognised institution, AND either parent studied in Karnataka for a minimum of SEVEN years.
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
- Candidate’s study certificate for both 1st & 2nd PUC (or 11th & 12th) in Karnataka, from the head of the institution
- Parent’s study certificate: at least 7 years in Karnataka, from the head of the institution where the parent studied
- If claiming reservation: caste / caste-income certificate with RD number from the concerned Tahsildar — Form D (SC/ST), Form E (Category-1), Form F (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B)
- Certificates must be in the CANDIDATE’s own name; SC/ST/Cat-1 add an income certificate to claim fee exemption
Clause B1
No category reservationThe Clause-B pattern (11th and 12th in Karnataka plus a parent with 7 years of Karnataka study) for OCI/PIO candidates, under the same Supreme Court order.
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
- Candidate’s study certificate for 1st & 2nd PUC / 11th & 12th in Karnataka
- Parent’s 7-year Karnataka study certificate
- Birth certificate, Aadhaar, passport and VISA copies of candidate and parent
Clause C
No category reservationKannada test requiredCandidate and either parent’s mother tongue is Kannada, Tulu, Kodava or Beary; either parent was domiciled in Karnataka; the candidate passed the qualifying examination outside Karnataka and was residing outside the State as on 1 May 2026.
A Kannada language test conducted by KEA is compulsory for this clause.
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
- Domicile certificate (Revenue/Municipal) showing candidate and parent resided outside Karnataka
- Domicile certificate from Karnataka Revenue Authorities for the parent’s previous Karnataka domicile
- Study certificate and transfer certificate showing mother-tongue details
- Candidate’s / father’s / mother’s 10th marks card or cumulative record evidencing mother tongue
- Sworn declaration of mother tongue
Clause D
No category reservationKannada test requiredMother tongue Kannada, Tulu, Kodava or Beary, and resided and studied SEVEN years between 1st and 12th standard in the disputed Kannada-speaking areas: South Sholapur, Akkalkot, Jath or Gadhinglaj (Maharashtra), or Kasargod, Hosadurga or Manjeshwar (Kerala).
A Kannada language test conducted by KEA is compulsory for this clause.
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
- Residential certificate from the Tahsildar of the respective disputed taluk
- Study certificate from the head of institution, countersigned by the Taluk Education Officer
- Mother-tongue evidence: 10th marks card or cumulative record of candidate / father / mother
- Sworn declaration of mother tongue
Clause E
No category reservationSon or daughter of defence personnel who worked continuously in Karnataka for at least one year during the candidate’s two-year PUC / 11th–12th study period; the candidate studied and passed the qualifying examination in Karnataka.
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
- Candidate’s study certificate for 2nd PUC or equivalent in Karnataka
- Parent’s employment certificate from the Controlling Office, stating the period worked in Karnataka
Clause F
Category reservation claimableSon or daughter of serving defence personnel who, at the time of joining, declared a place in Karnataka as hometown. Domicile proof comes from the AG’s branch (Army HQ) / integrated HQ of MoD for officers, or the Record Office for JCOs/OR.
The qualifying examination may have been passed anywhere in India — the Karnataka connection is the parent’s hometown declaration, not where you studied.
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
- If claiming reservation: caste / caste-income certificate with RD number from the concerned Tahsildar — Form D (SC/ST), Form E (Category-1), Form F (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B)
- Certificates must be in the CANDIDATE’s own name; SC/ST/Cat-1 add an income certificate to claim fee exemption
- Parent’s hometown declaration certificate made at the time of joining service, from the respective MoD branch or Record Office
Clause G
No category reservationSon or daughter of defence personnel who served at least one year in Karnataka and is posted to the disturbed areas of Jammu & Kashmir or the North-East, with the family permitted by Defence Authorities to continue staying in Karnataka; the candidate passed the qualifying examination in Karnataka.
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
- Candidate’s study certificate for 2nd PUC or equivalent in Karnataka
- Parent’s service certificate from the Controlling Office showing the Karnataka period, plus the certificate permitting the family to stay
Clause H
Category reservation claimableSon or daughter of an ex-serviceman who declared a place in Karnataka as hometown when joining defence service. Proof comes from the Deputy Director, Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement of that district, countersigned by the Director.
The qualifying examination may have been passed anywhere in India — the Karnataka connection is the parent’s hometown declaration, not where you studied.
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
- If claiming reservation: caste / caste-income certificate with RD number from the concerned Tahsildar — Form D (SC/ST), Form E (Category-1), Form F (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B)
- Certificates must be in the CANDIDATE’s own name; SC/ST/Cat-1 add an income certificate to claim fee exemption
- Hometown proof from the Deputy Director, Sainik Welfare & Resettlement, countersigned by the Director
Clause I
No category reservationSon or daughter of a Union Government, Union/Karnataka State undertaking or joint-sector employee liable to transfer anywhere in India, who worked in Karnataka for at least one year during the candidate’s two-year PUC / 11th–12th study period.
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
- Candidate’s study certificate for 2nd PUC or equivalent in Karnataka
- Employer certificate showing the parent’s Karnataka employment period and all-India transferability
- Employer certificate establishing the parent as a Union Government / undertaking / joint-sector employee
Clause J
Category reservation claimableSon or daughter of a working or retired Union Government / undertaking / joint-sector employee who declared a place in Karnataka as hometown when joining service and studied in Karnataka institutions for the period the clause sets out.
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
- If claiming reservation: caste / caste-income certificate with RD number from the concerned Tahsildar — Form D (SC/ST), Form E (Category-1), Form F (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B)
- Certificates must be in the CANDIDATE’s own name; SC/ST/Cat-1 add an income certificate to claim fee exemption
- Parent’s study certificate: at least 7 years in Karnataka
- Parent’s hometown declaration made at joining, with all-India transferability, from the employer
Clause K
Category reservation claimableSon or daughter of a Member of Parliament elected from Karnataka. The qualifying examination may be passed anywhere in India.
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
- If claiming reservation: caste / caste-income certificate with RD number from the concerned Tahsildar — Form D (SC/ST), Form E (Category-1), Form F (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B)
- Certificates must be in the CANDIDATE’s own name; SC/ST/Cat-1 add an income certificate to claim fee exemption
- Certificate from the Parliament Secretariat showing the parent is or was an MP elected from Karnataka
Clause L
Category reservation claimableSon or daughter of a serving or retired All India Service officer of the Karnataka cadre, or a Karnataka State Government employee, who served outside Karnataka during the candidate’s schooling — those outside years count toward the seven-year requirement of Clause A.
The one clause that lets years spent studying OUTSIDE Karnataka count toward Clause A’s seven.
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
- If claiming reservation: caste / caste-income certificate with RD number from the concerned Tahsildar — Form D (SC/ST), Form E (Category-1), Form F (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B)
- Certificates must be in the CANDIDATE’s own name; SC/ST/Cat-1 add an income certificate to claim fee exemption
- Certificate from the Principal Secretary / Deputy Secretary / Under Secretary, DPAR, Government of Karnataka
Clause M
No category reservationSon or daughter of Jammu & Kashmir migrants, with migration proof (identity card) from the jurisdictional District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner of any state in India. Seat allotment is subject to Government directions.
Candidates claiming under clause (m) are eligible only for the seats the Government earmarks for Jammu & Kashmiri migrants.
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
- Original identity card issued by the jurisdictional District Magistrate / Deputy Commissioner as proof of migration
Clause N
No category reservationStudied TEN full academic years in Kannada medium from 1st to 10th standard in places outside Karnataka, and passed the qualifying examination from a Government or Government-recognised institution.
Unlike Clauses C and D, this clause does NOT require KEA’s Kannada language test — the bulletin says so explicitly.
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
- Domicile certificate (Revenue/Municipal) for candidate and parent
- Study certificate for Kannada-medium study 1st–10th, countersigned as prescribed
Clause O
Category reservation claimableSon or daughter of a working or retired Central Armed Police Force employee who declared a hometown in Karnataka when joining CAPF service, evidenced by an extract from the Record Office of the CAPF unit holding the service record.
The qualifying examination may have been passed anywhere in India — the Karnataka connection is the parent’s hometown declaration, not where you studied.
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
- If claiming reservation: caste / caste-income certificate with RD number from the concerned Tahsildar — Form D (SC/ST), Form E (Category-1), Form F (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B)
- Certificates must be in the CANDIDATE’s own name; SC/ST/Cat-1 add an income certificate to claim fee exemption
- Parent’s hometown declaration from the Record Office of the CAPF unit
Clause Y
No category reservationNon-Karnataka candidates registering for B.Sc (Nursing) are assigned clause "y" in the application form, and are not eligible for any UGCET course other than B.Sc (Nursing).
B.Sc (Nursing) only — this clause opens no other UGCET course.
Documents KEA lists for this clause
- SSLC / 10th standard marks card
- 2nd PUC / 12th standard marks card
Eligibility clauses — questions and answers
Answered from verified records — official closing ranks, published fees and accreditation. Not written by students. How we verify data.
- What is an eligibility clause, and why does it matter?
- It is the rule under which you claim a Government seat in Karnataka. It decides which documents you must produce at verification and — critically — whether you can claim category reservation at all. Get it wrong and the claim fails at verification, after the option-entry window has closed.
- Which clause covers most candidates?
- Clause A: at least seven academic years of study in Karnataka between 1st standard and 2nd PUC, having passed 10th or 12th here. KEA verifies these online through SATS, and the bulletin says such candidates need not visit any office or college.
- Can I claim SC / ST / 2A / 3B reservation under any clause?
- No, and this is the most common mistake. The bulletin states twice that category reservation applies only under clauses A, B, F, H, J, K, L, O — and not under C, D, E, G, I, M, N or Y. A defence or Kannada-outside clause may win you eligibility for Government seats while giving you no category column.
- Which clauses need the Kannada language test?
- Clauses C (Horanadu Kannadiga) and D (Gadinadu Kannadiga) both require a Kannada language test conducted by KEA. Clause N — ten years of Kannada-medium study outside Karnataka — explicitly does not.
- Can more than one clause apply to me?
- Yes. A defence family whose child also has seven years of Karnataka schooling fits both Clause A and the relevant defence clause. The wizard shows every match rather than picking for you, because the documents differ and KEA decides which claim is made.
- Is this tool official?
- No. It reorganises what the KEA bulletin says so you can find your clause in seconds instead of reading eighteen paragraphs. Only KEA verifies a claim, and only the current bulletin binds — the link to it is on this page.