Karnataka PGCET (Post Graduate Common Entrance Test) is mandatory for admission to government and government-aided MBA colleges in Karnataka, as well as many private unaided institutions participating in the centralized counseling process conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA). However, premier institutes like IIM Bangalore are exempt and use CAT scores exclusively. Additionally, some autonomous or deemed universities (e.g., Christ University, PES University, Alliance University) may admit students through national-level exams (CAT, XAT, MAT, etc.) or their own entrance tests without requiring PGCET. Therefore, PGCET is essential only if applying through KEA’s centralized process or to specific participating colleges.