The KCET Physics syllabus 2026 plays an important role in checking your score in Karnataka's Common Entrance Test. Physics is the most conceptual and tricky part in the KCET exam. For the preparation of the Physics subject, you need both theoretical and numerical knowledge and accuracy.
The KCET Physics syllabus 2026 plays an important role in checking your score in Karnataka's Common Entrance Test. Physics is the most conceptual and tricky part in the KCET exam. For the preparation of the Physics subject, you need both theoretical and numerical knowledge and accuracy. The KCET Physics syllabus is entirely based on the PUC syllabus. In this article, we'll discuss the KCET Physics syllabus, its chapter-wise weightage, important topics, recommended reference books, and effective preparation strategies.
KCET Physics Syllabus 2026 Overview
The KCET Physics syllabus overview has been added below for your reference:
|
Exam Name |
Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) |
|
Subject |
Physics |
|
Conducting Authority |
Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) |
|
Level |
State-level entrance exam |
|
Basis of Syllabus |
1st & 2nd PUC syllabus (Karnataka Board) |
|
Total Marks (Physics) |
60 marks |
|
Question Type |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
|
Negative Marking |
No |
Detailed KCET Physics Syllabus 2026 (1st & 2nd PUC Combined)
The detailed unit-wise, chapter-wise, and topic-wise details have been added below. This will help you create a foolproof preparation strategy that will help you score well in the KCET exam.
|
PUC Year |
Unit No. |
Chapter Name |
Key Concepts / Topics |
|
1st PUC |
1 |
Physical World |
• Scope and nature of Physics• Scientific methods• Technological applications |
|
2 |
Units and Measurements |
• SI units and derived units• Dimensional analysis• Errors and significant figures |
|
|
3 |
Motion in a Straight Line |
• Displacement, velocity, acceleration• Motion graphs and equations of motion |
|
|
4 |
Motion in a Plane |
• Vectors, projectile motion• Relative velocity, uniform circular motion |
|
|
5 |
Laws of Motion |
• Newton’s laws• Friction and tension• Centripetal force |
|
|
6 |
Work, Energy, and Power |
• Work-energy theorem• Power, kinetic and potential energy• Conservation of energy |
|
|
7 |
System of Particles and Rotational Motion |
• Torque and angular momentum• Centre of mass• Moment of inertia |
|
|
8 |
Gravitation |
• Universal law of gravitation• Satellites and escape velocity• Acceleration due to gravity |
|
|
9 |
Mechanical Properties of Solids |
• Stress, strain, elasticity• Young’s modulus and Hooke’s law |
|
|
10 |
Mechanical Properties of Fluids |
• Pressure and buoyancy• Bernoulli’s theorem• Viscosity and surface tension |
|
|
11 |
Thermal Properties of Matter |
• Expansion of solids and liquids• Heat transfer, calorimetry• Specific heat and latent heat |
|
|
12 |
Thermodynamics |
• Zeroth and First law• Heat engines, Carnot cycle• Internal energy and work |
|
|
13 |
Kinetic Theory |
• Gas laws, pressure of gases• Mean free path, degrees of freedom |
|
|
14 |
Oscillations |
• Simple harmonic motion (SHM)• Damped and forced oscillations• Resonance |
|
|
15 |
Waves |
• Wave motion, sound waves• Superposition, Doppler effect |
|
|
2nd PUC |
1 |
Electric Charges and Fields |
• Coulomb’s law, electric field• Electric flux, Gauss’s law |
|
2 |
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance |
• Potential and potential energy• Capacitance, dielectrics, capacitors |
|
|
3 |
Current Electricity |
• Ohm’s and Kirchhoff’s laws• Series and parallel circuits• Wheatstone bridge and meter bridge |
|
|
4 |
Moving Charges and Magnetism |
• Lorentz force• Biot–Savart and Ampere’s laws• Motion of charged particles in fields |
|
|
5 |
Magnetism and Matter |
• Earth’s magnetism• Magnetic properties of materials |
|
|
6 |
Electromagnetic Induction |
• Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws• Eddy currents, self and mutual induction |
|
|
7 |
Alternating Current |
• AC circuits and resonance• Transformers and power factor |
|
|
8 |
Electromagnetic Waves |
• Displacement current• Spectrum and applications |
|
|
9 |
Ray Optics and Optical Instruments |
• Reflection and refraction• Lenses, mirrors• Microscopes and telescopes |
|
|
10 |
Wave Optics |
• Interference and diffraction• Polarization, Young’s experiment |
|
|
11 |
Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter |
• Photoelectric effect• de Broglie waves, electron emission |
|
|
12 |
Atoms |
• Rutherford and Bohr models• Energy levels and spectral lines |
|
|
13 |
Nuclei |
• Radioactivity, isotopes• Mass-energy relation (E = mc²) |
|
|
14 |
Semiconductor Electronics |
• p–n junctions and diodes• Transistors and logic gates |
|
|
15 |
Communication Systems |
• Modulation and demodulation• Bandwidth and signal transmission |
KCET Physics Chapter-wise Weightage
Although KEA does not release official weightage, analysis of previous years’ KCET papers gives a clear pattern of important topics.
|
Topic |
Approx. Weightage (%) |
Difficulty Level |
|
Current Electricity |
8–10% |
Moderate |
|
Ray & Wave Optics |
10–12% |
High |
|
Electrostatics |
6–8% |
Moderate |
|
Laws of Motion & Work-Energy |
6–8% |
Moderate |
|
Thermodynamics |
6% |
Easy |
|
Oscillations & Waves |
5–7% |
Moderate |
|
Magnetism & Matter |
5% |
Easy |
|
Semiconductor Electronics |
8–10% |
High |
|
Gravitation & Rotational Motion |
4–6% |
Moderate |
|
Modern Physics (Atoms, Nuclei) |
8–9% |
High |
|
Miscellaneous (Communication, EMI, etc.) |
4–6% |
Easy |
Best Books for KCET Physics Preparation 2026
While the NCERT textbooks are the main source, additional practice books can help you strengthen problem-solving speed.
|
Book Name |
Author / Publication |
|
PUC / NCERT Physics Textbooks (Vol 1 & 2) |
Karnataka Board / NCERT |
|
KCET Physics Chapterwise Solutions |
MTG Editorial Board |
|
Concepts of Physics (Vol 1 & 2) |
H.C. Verma |
|
KCET Explorer Physics |
Disha Publications |
|
CET Physics |
Kiran Prakashan |
KCET Physics Exam Pattern 2026
Understanding the exam pattern helps you allocate time efficiently during preparation.
|
Section |
Subject |
No. of Questions |
Marks |
Duration |
|
1 |
Physics |
60 |
60 |
80 minutes |
|
2 |
Chemistry |
60 |
60 |
80 minutes |
|
3 |
Mathematics / Biology |
60 |
60 |
80 minutes |
|
Total |
– |
180 Questions |
180 Marks |
4 hours |
Tips to Prepare for the KCET Physics 2026 Exam Effectively
-
Prioritise NCERT/PUC Textbooks:
The textbooks act as a very good book for KCET preparation, as they help in clearing the basic concepts of the topics.
-
Practice Numericals Daily:
Numericals play an important role in the KCET preparation. Numerical understanding needs high focus and clarity. All formulas need to be on the tips to solve the numericals.
-
Make a Formula Sheet:
For numerical preparation for the KCET exam, make a formula sheet that will help you remember the KCET formulas before preparation.
-
Focus on Graph-based Questions:
KCET often includes graphical interpretation problems in Motion, Thermodynamics, and Optics.
-
Solve Previous Year Papers:
Try attempting previous year question papers from at least the last 10 years. This will help you get used to the KCET exam pattern 2026.
-
Take Mock Tests Weekly:
Simulate real exam conditions to boost speed and accuracy.
-
Revise Conceptual Topics
Conceptual clarity is very important in topics like Electromagnetic Induction, Thermodynamics, and Modern Physics.
The KCET Physics syllabus 2026 is very conceptual and needs proper attention. Prioritise conceptual understanding, consistent problem-solving, and formula revision. Physics can be a rank-booster in KCET if approached strategically. With disciplined preparation, you can easily secure 55+ marks in Physics and strengthen your overall KCET rank.
-
KCET Physics is based on 1st & 2nd PUC syllabus. -
The exam has no negative marking. -
Physics section carries 60 marks for 60 questions. -
Practice numericals and make a formula sheet.
