KCET Round 3 Counselling 2026: KEA opens option entry at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in; steps to apply

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has opened the window for the round 3 Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) option entry on the official website of KCET at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. Applicants who were not allotted a seat in the earlier KCET counselling round, as well as those who selected choice 1, can participate in this phase.

Aspirants who were not allotted a seat in either of the first two phases can participate in KCET round 3 counselling 2026. After the round 2 seat allotment, KEA provided applicants with only two choices. Under choice 1, applicants could accept the allotted seat and pay the prescribed fee, while choice 4 allowed them to reject the seat and withdraw from the KCET counselling 2026 process.

The official notice reads, “After the commencement of process of entry of options for the third round; it is compulsory for the candidates to log in to the Option Entry Portal within the stipulated date and enter the new options (afresh) in the order of priority and confirm themselves. A candidate participating in this round means that he/she is participating to get a better seat than the seat allotted in the previous round.”

Also read ‘Weaken universities’: Bihar teachers on month-long protest against plan to bring colleges under govt control

KCET Round 3 Counselling: Steps to apply

To apply for the KCET option entry, follow the steps given below:

• Visit the official website of KCET at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
• Go to KCET option entry link and then login
• Select the desired college and course in order of preference and then submit
• Download the confirmation page and take a printout for further reference

“As the consequential seats that may arise during the seat allotment will also be considered for allotment; it is advised that candidates should enter all the options they want to join/are interested in the college irrespective of the seats shown in the seat matrix. After the declaration of the result of the third round of seat allotment, candidates will not be allowed to choose any choices; candidates must compulsorily take admission in the allotted seat,” the notice reads further.