Karnataka NEET UG 2026: KEA allows candidates without seats in stray round, extends choice filling to Oct 19

Karnataka NEET UG 2026, Karnataka NEET UG counselling 2026, Karnataka NEET UG stray vacancy round, KEA NEET UG 2026, Karnataka NEET UG choice filling, Karnataka NEET UG revised schedule, NEET UG 2026 medical admissions, Karnataka MBBS BDS admission 2026, KEA stray vacancy round deadline, Karnataka NEET UG fee deposit deadline

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has extended the deadlines for candidates to participate in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2026 stray vacancy round for medical and dental seats.

Candidates who do not currently hold a medical seat can also participate in the Karnataka UG NEET 2026 seat allotment process by paying the prescribed medical course fee deposit. KEA had released the Karnataka NEET UG counselling 2026 round 3 seat allotment results on October 3, 2026.

This decision to extend the last date has come after many candidates requested to participate in the stray vacancy round despite not holding a medical seat.

Also read Section of JBIMS grads without jobs, say placement team ‘not taking responsibility’; B-school blames students

Karnataka NEET UG 2026: Revised stray vacancy round deadlines

Candidates who are want to participate in the Karnataka NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy round should complete the required steps within the timeline. According to the updated information shared by KEA, eligible candidates can pay the fee deposit by October 19, 2026, by 11 am.

The last date to fill in their choices for seat allotment has also been extended to October 19 till 1 pm. Candidates should check the official KEA website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, for instructions and latest updates regarding the Karnataka NEET UG 2026 counselling process.

Also read Maharashtra NEET Counselling: Pvt medical colleges move HC, want institute rounds of MBBS, MD admission

Steps to lock choices for Karnataka UG NEET 2026

Candidates participating in the Karnataka NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy round should enter their preferred medical or dental colleges and courses through the KEA counselling portal. They should review their preferences before finalising their choices.

• Visit the official KEA website: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
• Open the UGNEET-2026 stray vacancy round option-entry link.
• Log in using the required credentials.
• Check the available medical and dental seats and select the preferred colleges and courses.
• Enter the choices in order of preference, placing the most preferred college and course first.
• Review the entered options and make changes before submitting them.
• Submit the choices and save or print the confirmation for future reference.

Candidates must enter fresh choices for the stray vacancy round since preferences submitted in earlier rounds will not be considered