MBBS in Karnataka

KEA UGNEET 2026: Important Rules & New Updates

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has issued the UGNEET 2026 Information Bulletin for admission to MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses in Karnataka. Candidates should carefully understand the updated counselling, option-entry, seat-allotment, surrender, and penalty rules before participating.

1. One-Time Option Entry – Important Rule

KEA has specified a One-Time Option Entry system. The options entered before the First Round will continue to be considered in subsequent rounds.

• Candidates cannot create a completely new choice list in every round.
• Options entered before Round 1 remain valid for subsequent rounds.
• Candidates can delete unwanted options.
• Candidates can modify or change the priority of higher options.
• New options may be added if a new college/course is subsequently added to the seat matrix.
• Options entered in the system at the notified deadline are frozen for allotment.

Counselling Tip: Candidates should prepare their complete preference list carefully before the First Round because the same option list will largely carry forward to subsequent rounds.

2. SC Internal Reservation – SCA, SCB & SCC

Karnataka Government orders provide for internal reservation within the Scheduled Caste category as:

• SCA
• SCB
• SCC

Candidates claiming this internal reservation must have the appropriate caste certificate containing the internal reservation details and must enter the relevant RD Number. Internal reservation will apply to eligible SC candidates who have entered the RD Number containing the internal reservation details.

3. Registration Rules

Candidates who have qualified UGNEET 2026 and wish to participate in Karnataka counselling must register with KEA and complete the required document verification process.

4. Fresh Registration – Round-wise Rule

5. Round 1 – Four Choices After Allotment

Candidates allotted a seat in the First Round have to select one of the applicable choices within the prescribed deadline. Failure to exercise the required choice can result in cancellation of the allotted seat and exclusion from further rounds.

Choice 1 – Satisfied With the Seat

The candidate accepts the allotted seat, pays the prescribed fee, downloads the Confirmation Slip and joins the college. The candidate will not participate in subsequent rounds.

Choice 2 – Accept Seat and Seek Upgrade

The candidate retains the allotted seat and participates in the Second Round for possible upgradation to a higher-preference option.

Choice 3 – Reject Seat and Participate in Round 2

The candidate is not satisfied with the First Round allotment and participates in the Second Round by rejecting the allotted seat. The candidate does not need to pay the fee for the First Round allotted seat under Choice 3.

Choice 4 – Exit Counselling

The candidate has secured admission through another institution/process and wants to withdraw from KEA counselling. The candidate will not be considered for subsequent rounds.

6. Candidates With No Seat in Round 1

Candidates who entered options but did not receive a seat in Round 1 can participate in the subsequent round. However, when the Second Round process starts, they must log in and provide the required consent.

If a candidate does not log in as required, KEA may treat the candidate as not interested and the First Round options will not be considered for further allotment.

7. Second Round – No Fresh Registration

The following candidates are eligible for the Second Round:

1. Candidates who selected Choice 2 in Round 1.
2. Candidates who selected Choice 3 in Round 1.
3. Candidates who were not allotted any seat in Round 1.

The Second Round may include unfilled seats, Choice-3/Choice-4 seats, non-joined seats, newly added seats and consequential vacancies.

8. How Upgrade Works in Round 2

If a candidate receives a seat at a particular preference in Round 1, only the higher-priority options above that allotted option are considered for upgrade in the Second Round.

If a higher-preference seat becomes available according to merit, the new seat is allotted and the earlier seat is automatically cancelled and returned to the seat matrix.

9. Third Round / Mop-up Round

There is no fresh registration for the Third Round/Mop-up Round.

Candidates participating in the Third Round should enter only those colleges and courses where they are genuinely willing to take admission.

10. Third Round Allotment – Compulsory Action

After publication of the Third Round allotment result, candidates do not get the same accept/reject choice available in the First Round.

• Pay the prescribed fee.
• Download the Confirmation Slip.
• Report to the allotted college.

Failure to report after allotment may result in action as per the applicable rules.

11. Stray Vacancy Round

The Stray Vacancy Round is subject to availability of seats and is different from the Second and Third Rounds because new registration/enrolment is allowed, subject to the schedule notified by KEA.

12. Seat Surrender & Cancellation – Penalties

Candidates should understand the financial consequences before accepting a seat. The penalty increases significantly when a seat is surrendered at a later stage.

13. Third Round Seat Surrender

The bulletin states that the surrender of a seat allotted in the Third Round can result in the forfeiture of the entire fee paid.

Also, no surrender or cancellation is accepted after the applicable final stage as specified by KEA.

14. No-Show Does Not Mean Surrender

A candidate who wants to surrender a seat must surrender it to KEA through the prescribed process. Failure to do so may be treated as seat blocking and may attract penalties or other action.

15. Non-Karnataka Candidates

Non-Karnataka candidates have to register online, pay the applicable fee and enter their 12th standard marks. They are generally not required to appear physically for document verification.

However, physical document verification is required for certain categories, including:

• OCI candidates
• PIO candidates
• NRI candidates
• Foreign Nationals
• Candidates claiming NRI Ward
• Candidates claiming Religious Minority
• Eligible candidates claiming specified St. John Medical College categories

16. Eligibility Criteria

For Medical, Dental and AYUSH courses, candidates must satisfy the applicable academic eligibility requirements and qualify UGNEET 2026.

• Passed 2nd PUC / 12th Standard / equivalent examination.
• English should be one of the languages.
• Minimum 50% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry and Biology for the general category.
• Applicable reserved-category relaxation as specified by KEA.
• Must be qualified in UGNEET 2026.

Mere qualification in NEET or registration with KEA does not guarantee eligibility or allotment. Candidates must fulfill the applicable eligibility requirements and document verification.

17. One-Year Compulsory Rural Service

All candidates admitted to Medical courses through KEA are required to undergo one year compulsory rural service in a Government hospital under the applicable Karnataka rules.

Candidates are entitled to temporary registration until completion of the required service and must submit the prescribed affidavit at the time of admission.

18. Application Details Cannot Be Changed

Candidates must carefully verify all information before final submission. KEA states that information such as name, NEET Roll Number, category, PwD status, educational qualification, date of birth and other application details will be treated as correct and requests for modification will generally not be entertained.

19. No Mutual Transfer of Seats

Mutual transfer of seats will not be entertained by KEA at any stage.

20. Confidentiality / Non-Disclosure Rule

The UGNEET 2026 bulletin contains a Non-Disclosure Agreement under which candidates agree not to share counselling content with friends, acquaintances or third parties, including through online platforms and social media.

Violation of the stated conditions may result in penal action and cancellation of candidature.

Key 2026 Updates for Students

1. One-time option entry – prepare the preference list carefully before Round 1.
2. SCA / SCB / SCC internal reservation – applicable SC candidates need the relevant RD details.
3. No fresh registration in Round 2.
4. No fresh registration in Round 3/Mop-up.
5. Fresh registration is allowed in Stray Vacancy Round, subject to KEA's schedule.
6. Higher preferences are considered for upgrade in subsequent rounds.
7. Do not enter an option unless you are willing to join.
8. Not reporting to college is not considered surrender.
9. Late surrender can attract substantial financial penalties.
10. Late surrender can also result in a three-year counselling ban in specified cases.
11. One-year compulsory rural service applies to candidates admitted to Medical courses.
12. Mutual seat transfer is not permitted.

Source: KEA UGNEET 2026 Information Bulletin. Candidates should regularly check the official KEA website for the latest schedule, seat matrix, fee structure and subsequent notifications.