Karnataka NEET UG 2026: Round 3 Provisional Seat Matrix Released & Fresh Option Entry Open
KEA has released the Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Round 3 MBBS/BDS provisional seat matrix and commenced fresh option entry at http://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. Window open till 29 September 2026, 11 AM.
Karnataka NEET UG 2026: Round 3 Provisional Seat Matrix Released & Fresh Option Entry Open at http://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially published the Provisional Vacant Seat Matrix for Round 3 (State Mop-Up) of the Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Medical and Dental Admissions on 25 September 2026. Concurrently, KEA has activated the Round 3 Option Entry Window on its official web portal at https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/.
The option entry portal opened at 11:00 AM on 25 September 2026 and will remain accessible until 11:00 AM on 29 September 2026. Candidates aiming for MBBS and BDS admissions across Government Medical Colleges, Private Medical Colleges, and Religious/Linguistic Minority Institutions in Karnataka must complete their option entry before the deadline.
1. Quick Snapshot: Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Round 3
Counselling Parameter | Official Details |
|---|---|
Counselling Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
Official Website | |
Counselling Round | Round 3 (Third Round / State Mop-Up) |
Courses Offered | MBBS & BDS |
Seat Matrix Publication | 25 September 2026 |
Option Entry Commencement | 25 September 2026 (11:00 AM IST) |
Option Entry Closing Deadline | 29 September 2026 (11:00 AM IST) |
Mandatory Requirement | Caution Deposit Submission & Fresh Choice Submission |
Carry Forward of Choices | Strictly NO (Round 1 & Round 2 choices are reset) |
2. Seat Categories & Quota Architecture in Karnataka
Karnataka counselling is unique because it allocates seats across multiple distinct quotas with varying fee structures and eligibility guidelines:
Quota Code | Category Description | Eligibility & Reservation Scope | Approximate Annual Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
G (Govt Quota in Govt Colleges) | 100% Karnataka Domicile | Strict merit based on Karnataka State Rank; includes 1G, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, SC, ST, GM | ~Rs. 60,000 / year |
G (Govt Quota in Private Colleges) | Karnataka Domicile Only | Merit seats in private colleges subsidized by the state government | ~Rs. 1,45,000 / year |
P (Private Quota / GMP & OPN) | Open to All India (Non-Karnataka & Karnataka) | Open merit across leading private colleges (MS Ramaiah, KMC, St. John's, JJMMC, etc.) | ~Rs. 10,90,000 to Rs. 12,00,000 / year |
Q (Other / Management Quota) | Open to All India | Open management quota seats filled on institutional merit | ~Rs. 25,00,000 to Rs. 45,00,000 / year |
N (NRI Quota) | NRI / OCI / Foreign Nationals / Sponsored | Dedicated NRI quota seats across private and deemed medical colleges | ~$35,00,000 to $50,000 / year |
M (Minority Quota) | Religious & Linguistic Minorities | Reserved for Christian, Muslim, Telugu, Tamil, and Tulu minority candidates with Karnataka domicile | Subsidized & Institutional Matrix |
3. Visual Breakdown: Karnataka Round 3 Vacancy Dynamics
Below is a visual representation of how seats typically transition into Round 3 across Karnataka medical colleges:
``` Seat Source Round 3 Vacancy Pool ===================================================================================
AIQ Reverted / Unfilled Seats [ 12% ] ███████
Round 2 Virtual Vacancies (Upgrades) [ 45% ] █████████████████████████
Round 2 Non-Reported / Resigned Seats[ 28% ] ███████████████
Newly Approved / Added Capacity [ 15% ] ████████
=================================================================================== Total Round 3 MBBS/BDS Seat Pool: Highly dynamic; fills via merit-based waterfall.
4. Visual Candidate Decision & Option Entry Flowchart
Log in using KEA Application ID & Password |
STEP 1: SUBMIT CAUTION DEPOSIT |
|---|
Pay prescribed refundable caution fee |
STEP 2: REVIEW PROVISIONAL SEAT MATRIX |
|---|
Check clear vacancies & virtual vacancies |
STEP 3: FRESH OPTION ENTRY (NO CARRYOVER) |
|---|
Arrange colleges in strict preference: |
1. Top Govt Medical Colleges (BMC, MMC) |
2. Premier Private Govt Quota Seats |
3. Private Quota (P) / Deemed Colleges |
STEP 4: SAVE, LOCK & PRINT CHOICES |
|---|
Must lock before 29 Sept 2026 (11:00 AM) |
5. Critical Guidelines & Candidate Warnings for Round 3
Previous Choices Null and Void: KEA does not carry forward options from Round 1 or Round 2. You must enter a completely new preference list.
Include Virtual Vacancy Colleges: Do not restrict your option entry only to colleges with clear '0' or '1' displayed on the static PDF. If a candidate in a higher-ranked college upgrades, their vacated seat immediately shifts to the next eligible candidate in the live algorithm.
Financial Planning: Ensure you evaluate fee structures before selecting Private ('P') or Management ('Q') seats. Once allotted, admission cannot be declined without hefty financial penalties.
No Free Exit in Round 3: Round 3 does not offer a free exit. Failure to join the allotted seat leads to forfeiture of your caution deposit and potential exclusion from further stray vacancy rounds.
Official Links
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Official Portal: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/
KEA UGNEET Admissions Section: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ugneet26
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