KEA NEET UG 2026 Online Stray Vacancy Round: Tiered Caution Deposits (₹1L–₹25L), Registration & Option Entry Guide
Published 13 October 2026 · Updated 15 October 2026
Following the conclusion of Mop-Up round admissions on October 8, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially notified the Online Stray Vacancy Round for NEET UG 2026.
In a significant change from previously announced plans, KEA has shifted the stray vacancy round to an online counselling format with fresh registration and option entry windows, replacing the earlier offline-only Malleswaram session.
Because this is the absolute final opportunity to secure an MBBS, BDS, or AYUSH seat in Karnataka for the 2026–27 academic year, KEA has enforced strict anti-seat-blocking regulations, including a new tiered caution deposit system ranging from ₹1,00,000 to ₹25,00,000 depending on seat category preference.
Here is the authoritative guide to the new online process, tiered deposit structure, eligibility, and key dates.
1. Key Schedule & Dates
| Parameter | Official KEA Particulars |
|---|---|
| Fresh Registration Opens | October 13, 2026 |
| Registration Closes | October 16, 2026 |
| Option Entry / Choice Filling | October 16–19, 2026 |
| Allotment Result | Expected late October 2026 (post processing) |
| College Reporting | Within 24–48 hours of allotment (exact dates TBA) |
| Portal | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ugneet2026 |
[!CAUTION] Previous round choices are null and void. All candidates must enter fresh options during the Oct 16–19 window. Options from Round 1, Round 2, or Mop-Up do NOT carry forward.
2. Who is Eligible (and Who is Barred)?
Under strict directives from the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, seat blocking is treated as a statutory violation:
Eligible Candidates
- NEET UG 2026 qualified candidates who have not registered with KEA previously — can register fresh during Oct 13–16.
- Candidates who already hold a valid KEA Verification Slip from earlier rounds — no re-registration needed.
- Candidates who were not allotted any MBBS or BDS seat in Round 1, Round 2, or the Mop-Up round of Karnataka state counselling.
- Candidates currently holding a dental seat who wish to upgrade exclusively to a medical seat.
Strictly Ineligible / Barred Candidates
- Candidates who have already been allotted and reported to a seat through the All India Quota (AIQ/MCC), Deemed Universities, or counseling authorities of other states.
- Candidates who were allotted a seat in Round 2 or Mop-Up but failed to report (forfeited).
- Candidates holding an admitted MBBS or BDS seat anywhere in India (verified via MCC’s shared All-India unadmitted candidate database).
3. The New Tiered Caution Deposit System
In a major policy change from previous cycles, KEA has introduced a tiered caution deposit structure instead of the earlier flat ₹1,00,000 DD. The tier you choose determines which seat categories you are eligible to select:
| Deposit Tier | Amount | Eligible Seat Categories |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | ₹1,00,000 | Government medical seats (‘G’ quota) + All BDS (dental) seats |
| Tier 2 | ₹12,00,117 | Government + Private medical (‘G’ + ‘P’ quota) + All dental seats |
| Tier 3 | ₹25,00,000 | All categories including Management (‘Q’) and NRI quota seats |
What Happens to Your Caution Deposit?
- Case 1: You are allotted a seat and accept it:
The caution deposit is retained by KEA and directly adjusted against your first-year college tuition fees. You must pay the remaining fee balance via online challan/NEFT within the reporting window. - Case 2: No seat is allotted to you:
The deposit is refunded in full to your bank account. - Case 3: You are allotted a seat but fail to report/join:
The caution deposit is permanently forfeited by KEA. Additionally, a penalty of 5 times the tuition fee is imposed, and you are barred from KEA counseling for 2 years.
4. Vacant Seat Matrix Breakdown (What Seats are on Offer?)
KEA has published the official vacancy matrix ahead of the October 18 offline session:
1. BDS (Dental Seats) — ~412 Vacant Seats
The vast majority of vacant seats in this round are Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) seats in reputable private dental institutions across Karnataka:
- Bengaluru Institutions: Dayananda Sagar Dental College, The Oxford Dental College, Rajarajeswari Dental College, M.R. Ambedkar Dental College, V.S. Dental College.
- Mysuru / Mangaluru / Belagavi: JSS Dental College, Yenepoya, A.J. Institute of Dental Sciences, Maratha Mandal Dental College.
- Tuition Fees: Government quota BDS seats: ₹49,800 to ₹72,480/year. Private quota BDS seats: ₹3,12,000 to ₹4,25,000/year.
2. MBBS (Medical Seats) — ~18 Leftover Seats
- There are zero Government Medical College (GMC) MBBS seats vacant.
- The remaining MBBS seats consist exclusively of Management (Q Quota) and Institutional NRI Quota seats in private medical institutions where allottees failed to clear eligibility or abandoned seats post-Mop-Up.
- Tuition Fees for Leftover MBBS: Private Management / NRI fees typically range between ₹30,00,000 to ₹45,00,000/year. Ensure your family is prepared for these fee commitments before choosing them on the projector screen.
3. AYUSH (BAMS / BHMS / BUMS) — ~68 Vacant Seats
- Ayurvedic (BAMS) and Homeopathic (BHMS) seats across government and aided colleges (Govt Ayurvedic Medical College Bengaluru, GAMC Shivamogga, etc.).
- Fees range from ₹25,000/year (Govt) to ₹1,75,000/year (Private).
5. How the Online Stray Vacancy Process Works
Here is exactly what happens in the online stray vacancy round:
Step 1: Registration (Oct 13–16)
│ • New candidates register on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ugneet2026.
│ • Existing verification slip holders skip this step.
│ • Pay the caution deposit online (₹1L / ₹12L / ₹25L based on preference).
↓
Step 2: Option Entry (Oct 16–19)
│ • Log in to the KEA candidate portal.
│ • Enter college + course preferences in order of priority.
│ • Previous round choices are nullified — enter all options afresh.
│ • Modify and rearrange options until window closes.
↓
Step 3: KEA Allotment Processing
│ • Computerized allotment based on NEET AIR, category, and preference order.
│ • Allotment result published on the KEA portal.
↓
Step 4: Allotment Acceptance & Fee Payment
│ • Download admission order from the portal.
│ • Caution deposit adjusted against tuition fees.
│ • Pay remaining fee balance via online challan/NEFT.
↓
Step 5: College Reporting
│ • Report to the allotted medical/dental college within the deadline.
│ • Carry all original documents for verification.6. Mandatory Original Documents to Bring in Hand
Do not carry only photocopies. KEA strictly mandates physical originals:
- ₹1,00,000 Demand Draft in favor of “Executive Director, KEA”.
- NEET UG 2026 Admit Card & Score Card (Rank Certificate).
- KEA Document Verification Slip 2026 (Original green-tinted or portal printout with secret key).
- SSLC / 10th Standard Marks Card (Proof of Date of Birth).
- 2nd PUC / 12th Standard Marks Card.
- Study Certificate (7 years study in Karnataka attested by BEO/DDPI, if claiming Karnataka state quota).
- Caste / Income Certificate (Valid Nadakacheri RD Number for Cat-1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, SC, ST).
- Hyderabad-Karnataka 371(J) Eligibility Certificate (Form 1 from Assistant Commissioner, if applicable).
- 4 Recent Passport-Size Photographs.
- Government Photo ID Proof (Aadhaar Card, Passport, or PAN Card of Candidate and Parent).
7. Tactical Advice for Candidates & Parents
- If you want BDS, this is your prime opportunity: Cutoffs for BDS in private colleges drop dramatically during offline stray vacancy rounds. Candidates with NEET marks in the 250–400 range frequently secure top dental colleges.
- Verify college fee structures beforehand: For MBBS seats, do not get excited by a seat appearing on the screen without checking whether it is Private (GMP/OPN) or NRI/Management quota. Private medical colleges will not let you join without bank guarantees or full tuition clearance. Use our 5.5-Yr MBBS Fee & Bond Calculator to check exact college costs.
- Only one parent allowed inside: Due to auditorium capacity constraints at KEA 18th Cross Malleswaram, usually only one parent or guardian is permitted to accompany the candidate into the allotment hall.
For live cutoff predictions and fee breakdowns, explore our Karnataka NEET Predictor & Simulator and MBBS Fee & Bond Calculator.