Last checked against the official KEA site: October 2026
KEA NEET PG (PGET) Counselling Process & Option Entry Strategy
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducts centralized online counselling for 50% State Quota seats in Government Medical Colleges, 100% seats in Private Medical/Dental Colleges (including Government Quota, Private Merit Quota, and Open Pan-India Quota). Here is the complete statutory roadmap from registration to physical reporting.
The 7-Step KEA PGET Counselling Roadmap
Online KEA Registration & Fee Payment
Candidates qualified in NEET PG must register on the official KEA portal (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea). Enter NEET PG Roll Number, All India Rank, MBBS marks details, internship completion date, and domicile criteria. Non-refundable counselling registration fee is ₹1,000 for SC/ST, ₹2,000 for General/OBC, and ₹5,000 for NRI/Other state candidates.
Physical Document Verification at KEA Malleswaram, Bengaluru
Unlike undergraduate KCET, postgraduate medical verification is conducted in person at KEA Office (18th Cross, Malleswaram, Bengaluru). KEA releases a detailed schedule by NEET PG AIR slots. Candidates undergo biometric registration and verify all original certificates (MBBS marks cards, CRRI completion, KMC/SMC registration, attempt certificate, and domicile proofs).
Interactive Option Entry & Priority Ordering
Candidates login using their PGET Number and password. You can enter an unlimited number of choices across all eligible medical colleges and clinical/paraclinical specialties. Order choices strictly in descending order of true preference: e.g., Priority 1 = BMCRI Radio, Priority 2 = BMCRI Medicine, Priority 3 = Ramaiah Radio, etc.
Mock Allotment & Strategic Rearrangement
KEA runs a trial simulation of the allotment algorithm using submitted choices and NEET ranks. Candidates can see their tentative allotment. Following the mock result, a 2-to-3-day window is provided to add, delete, or re-order choices before the final lock.
Round 1 Real Seat Allotment & Mandatory Choice 1–4 Exercising
Official Round 1 results are declared. Every candidate allotted a seat MUST select one of the four statutory choices within the prescribed deadline. Failing to exercise a choice cancels the allotted seat automatically.
Round 2 Allotment & Seat Confirmation
Vacated and upgraded seats are processed. Candidates holding Choice 2 seats will either be upgraded to their higher preferred choices or retain their Choice 2 seat. Under NMC guidelines, any seat allotted in Round 2 must be joined; non-joining incurs heavy penalties.
Mop-Up & Stray Vacancy Round with Caution Deposit
Residual unfilled seats are pooled for Mop-Up and Stray Vacancy rounds. Candidates must furnish a Demand Draft (DD) or RTGS caution deposit (₹2,00,000 for Government quota; ₹5,00,000 for Private/Management seats) to prevent frivolous seat blocking.
KEA Choice 1, 2, 3 & 4: Rules, Implications & Risks
Detailed explanation of candidate obligations upon being allotted a seat in Round 1.
"I am completely satisfied with the allotted seat and wish to join the college."
- Candidate pays full first-year prescribed tuition fee via KEA challan or online banking.
- Downloads official KEA Admission Order.
- Reports in-person to the allotted college before the specified deadline with all original documents.
- Candidate is completely excluded from all subsequent counselling rounds.
"I hold this seat, but wish to participate in Round 2 for higher options only."
- Candidate MUST pay the prescribed tuition fee for the allotted seat to KEA to hold it.
- If a higher priority option is allotted in Round 2, the Round 1 seat is automatically surrendered and transferred to another candidate.
- If no higher option is allotted in Round 2, the Round 1 seat remains guaranteed for the candidate.
"I reject the allotted seat, but wish to participate in Round 2 for other options."
- Candidate surrenders the allotted seat back into the common pool. No fee payment needed.
- Can participate in Round 2, but the rejected seat can never be reclaimed.
- Risk: If no seat is allotted in Round 2, the candidate ends up with zero seats.
"I reject the seat and quit Karnataka state counselling completely."
- Candidate surrenders seat and exits all remaining rounds of KEA counselling for this cycle.
- Useful if candidate has secured a preferred seat through MCC All India Quota, INI-CET, or another state.
Physical Reporting at Medical College & Bond Execution
Once you receive your KEA Admission Order, you must physically report to the Dean/Principal's office of the allotted medical college before the deadline:
All original marksheets, degree certificates, and KEA verification slip are deposited with the college registrar and retained until degree completion or statutory exit.
Execute the statutory 1-year Compulsory Rural/Government Service Bond on ₹100 e-stamp paper with two gazetted/registered medical officer sureties.
Undergo medical fitness screening conducted by the college medical board (Chest X-ray, ECG, routine blood/urine, vision tests).
Pay institutional university exam fees (RGUHS), library charges, and hostel/mess deposits as applicable directly to the college accounts branch.