NEET PG MD/MS in Karnataka

Karnataka NEET PG Admission 2026

NEET PG is the national-level postgraduate medical entrance examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) for admission to MD, MS, PG Diploma, and DNB programmes across India. In Karnataka, 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats are filled through the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), while the State Quota, Private, Management, NRI, and Minority Quota seats are allotted through the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) – for the 2026–27 session, KEA is the designated authority for Government, Government-quota-in-Private/Minority, and Private-quota seats in KPCF, KRLMPCA, AMPCK colleges and Private Universities.

Karnataka is one of India's most preferred destinations for postgraduate medical education, offering admission to Government, Private, Minority, Deemed, and Autonomous Medical Colleges. The state has 70+ medical colleges with approximately 6,000+ MD/MS seats (based on the 2025 seat matrix; the official 2026–27 seat matrix will be hosted separately on the KEA website). Renowned institutions such as Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute (BMCRI), Mysore Medical College & Research Institute (MMC&RI), Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Hubballi, Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS), Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS), Kasturba Medical College (Manipal & Mangalore), JSS Medical College, Mysuru, and St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru are among the top choices for NEET PG aspirants due to their academic excellence, advanced clinical exposure, research facilities, and attractive resident stipend.

Admissions to Karnataka NEET PG 2026 will be conducted strictly on the basis of the NEET PG 2026 merit list, eligibility criteria, reservation policy, and the counselling schedule notified by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) as per the PGET-2026 Information Bulletin. Candidates seeking admission are advised to participate in the online counselling process within the prescribed timelines to maximize their chances of securing a preferred postgraduate medical seat.

Course Overview

After successfully completing the MBBS programme, candidates can pursue postgraduate medical education through MD (Doctor of Medicine) and MS (Master of Surgery) programmes. These postgraduate courses are designed to provide advanced theoretical knowledge, specialized clinical training, research exposure, and practical skills, enabling doctors to become specialists in their chosen medical or surgical discipline.

MD (Doctor of Medicine) Specializations

The MD programme offers specialization in various non-surgical and para-clinical disciplines, including General Medicine, Paediatrics, Radiodiagnosis (Radiology), Dermatology, Psychiatry, Anaesthesiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Community Medicine, Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry, among several other specialties.

MS (Master of Surgery) Specializations

The MS programme focuses on surgical disciplines and includes specializations such as General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, and Otorhinolaryngology (ENT).

Course Duration & Training

The duration of both MD and MS programmes is three years. The curriculum integrates classroom teaching with intensive clinical training through bedside teaching, ward postings, outpatient and inpatient care, seminars, journal presentations, thesis work, research activities, and supervised patient management. This comprehensive training prepares postgraduate doctors for specialist clinical practice, medical teaching, research, and further super-speciality programmes such as DM and MCh.

Classification of Seats (KEA PGET-2026)

As per the KEA Information Bulletin, PG Medical and Dental seats under KEA counselling are classified into four categories:

Non-Karnataka candidates are not eligible for SC/ST/OBC reservation; they must score at least the General (UR) qualifying percentile in NEET PG/NEET MDS 2026 to register for any KEA seat.

Medical Colleges Offering MD/MS in Karnataka

Karnataka has one of the largest postgraduate medical education systems in India, offering admission to MD/MS programmes through Government, Private, Minority, and Deemed Medical Colleges. The state has 70+ medical colleges with approximately 6,000+ MD/MS seats (based on the 2025 seat matrix). These institutions provide world-class academic training, experienced faculty, advanced teaching hospitals, excellent clinical exposure, modern research facilities, and diverse specialty options for postgraduate medical aspirants.

Karnataka NEET PG Approximate Cutoff

The table below reflects the previous cycle’s closing ranks and is shown for reference while NEET PG 2026 counselling cutoffs are awaited.

KEA Registration Fee (PGET-2026)

As per the official PGET-2026 Information Bulletin, the following online registration fee is payable through the KEA payment gateway at the time of application:

Registration fee is non-refundable in all cases. Mock seat allotment is indicative only; candidates not entering options for mock allotment can still enter their priority of options for real allotment by paying the non-refundable ₹750 option-entry fee where applicable.

MD/MS Fee Structure (2025–26)

The tuition fee for MD/MS courses in Karnataka varies depending on the type of medical college, specialty, admission quota, and the fee regulations notified by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) and the respective institutions. Government Medical Colleges offer postgraduate education at highly subsidized fees, while Private and Deemed Medical Colleges have separate fee structures for Government Quota, Private Quota, and NRI Quota admissions. The official 2026–27 fee matrix, college-wise and course-wise, is hosted separately on the KEA website once notified – the ranges below are carried forward from the previous cycle for guidance.

Approximate Annual Tuition Fee

Fee Exemption for Karnataka SC/ST & Category-1 Candidates

As per the PGET-2026 bulletin, Karnataka SC/ST candidates with annual family income below ₹2.50 Lakh are fully exempted from tuition fee in Government-quota (‘G’) seats; those with income between ₹2.50 Lakh and ₹10 Lakh pay 50% of the tuition fee for Government-quota seats. Category-1 Karnataka candidates with income below ₹2.50 Lakh are exempted for Government college seats, with a proportionate deduction applied for Private college seats. In all cases, the full fee is payable for Private (‘P’) seats, and candidates may separately apply for reimbursement from the concerned Backward Class / SC-ST Welfare Department after admission.

Note: The above fee structure is indicative for the 2025–26 academic session. Tuition fees may vary depending on the medical college, specialty, admission quota, and annual fee notifications issued by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), the State Government, or the respective medical institution. Candidates should verify the latest fee structure before participating in the counselling process.

Compulsory Service Bonds & Penalties (2026–27)

As per the official PGET-2026 bulletin, candidates admitted through KEA counselling are subject to the following mandatory bonds:

• 1-Year Compulsory Rural Service Bond (Annexure-1, on ₹100 stamp paper) – applicable to all candidates (Government, Private, NRI or Management quota) who have not already completed compulsory rural service after MBBS; requires one year of service in a Government hospital in an urban area, with only temporary registration granted until the service is completed.
• 3-Year Government Service Undertaking (Annexure-2, on ₹200 stamp paper, notarised) – applicable only to candidates who select Government (‘G’) seats including AIQ; if the candidate fails to serve the Government for 3 years when called upon, a penalty of ₹50,00,000 (₹50 Lakh) for a PG Degree or ₹25,00,000 (₹25 Lakh) for a PG Diploma becomes payable, executed jointly with two sureties.

Penalty for Seat Cancellation / Surrender / Leaving Course

A candidate who surrenders a seat after the last admission date is also barred from taking a Management quota or any other Medical/Dental PG seat for 3 years. Cancellation/surrender is permitted only in person at the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) after the last admission date. These figures are as notified in the PGET-2026 bulletin and are subject to the Karnataka Conduct of Entrance Test Rules, 2006 (as amended) – the Rules prevail in case of any discrepancy.

Eligibility Criteria for Karnataka NEET PG 2026

Candidates seeking admission to MD, MS, PG Diploma, and other postgraduate medical courses through Karnataka NEET PG Counselling 2026 must satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), the National Medical Commission (NMC), and the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). Applicants should ensure that they fulfil all academic, internship, registration, domicile, and quota-specific requirements before participating in the counselling process.

Eligibility Requirements

• MBBS Qualification: Candidates must possess an MBBS degree recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC).
• NEET PG Qualification: Candidates must qualify NEET PG 2026 by securing the minimum qualifying percentile prescribed by NBEMS (Non-Karnataka candidates must meet at least the General/UR percentile to be eligible for any KEA seat, since SC/ST/OBC relaxation applies only to Karnataka candidates).
• Internship Completion Cutoff: As per NBEMS, the internship completion cutoff for NEET-MDS 2026 eligibility is 31 May 2026 (for NEET-PG 2026, as per the date prescribed by NMC/NBEMS).
• Medical Registration: Applicants must possess a valid Permanent or Provisional Registration Certificate issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) or any State Medical Council.
• Karnataka State Quota Eligibility: Candidates applying under the Karnataka State Quota must fulfil one of the prescribed eligibility clauses (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, y or z) based on where they studied MBBS/BDS and their 10-year study record in Karnataka.
• Karnataka SC Internal Reservation: Per Government Order SKE 08 SLP 2024 (dated 25-08-2025) and DPAR 02 Sehima 2026 (dated 27-04-2026), Karnataka Scheduled Caste candidates now have internal reservation as SCA, SCB and SCC – candidates must obtain a caste certificate showing this internal category and RD number, failing which they cannot select seats reserved for Scheduled Caste.
• Management, Private & NRI Quota Eligibility: Candidates seeking admission under the Management, Private, or NRI Quota must fulfil the eligibility requirements applicable to the respective quota as notified by KEA and the concerned institutions.
• Reserved Category Candidates: Applicants claiming reservation benefits must produce valid category certificates and other supporting documents, wherever applicable, in the prescribed format.
• Final Eligibility: Admission shall be governed by the eligibility conditions and provisions mentioned in the official Karnataka NEET PG 2026 Information Bulletin and the counselling guidelines issued by KEA.

Documents Required for Karnataka NEET PG Counselling 2026

Candidates participating in Karnataka NEET PG Counselling 2026 must keep all the required original documents along with two sets of self-attested photocopies ready for offline verification at KEA, 18th Cross, Sampige Road, Malleswaram, Bangalore. Slot booking for document verification opens as per the KEA-notified schedule (from 15 August 2026 for PG Dental, per the bulletin). Failure to produce any mandatory document within the prescribed timeline may result in cancellation of the allotted seat. Laminated marks cards / certificates will not be accepted for verification.

List of Documents Required

• NEET PG 2026 Admit Card
• NEET PG 2026 Score Card / Rank Card
• MBBS Degree Certificate
• MBBS Marksheets (All Professional Examinations)
• Compulsory Rotatory Internship Completion Certificate (provisional certificate accepted for the 1st round only, for candidates completing internship by the NBEMS-prescribed date)
• Permanent or Provisional Medical Registration Certificate issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) or any State Medical Council
• Class 10 Certificate (Proof of Date of Birth)
• Valid Photo Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card, Passport, PAN Card, or any other Government-approved ID)
• Karnataka Study Certificate / Domicile Certificate (10-year study proof, as applicable to the eligibility clause claimed)
• Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-1/2A/2B/3A/3B/EWS/PwD), wherever applicable, in the prescribed Form-D/E/F issued by the concerned Tahsildar
• Signed Affidavit (Annexure-7) on ₹100 bond paper declaring no other PG admission taken and no prior seat surrender
• Rural Service Bond & 3-Year Government Service Undertaking (Annexure-1 & Annexure-2), to be submitted at the time of collecting the admission order
• Recent Passport-size Photographs
• KEA Verification Slip
• Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Allotment Letter
• Any additional documents as specified by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) in the official counselling guidelines.

Reservation Policy for Karnataka NEET PG 2026

Reservation for Karnataka State Quota MD/MS seats is provided in accordance with the reservation policy notified by the Government of Karnataka. Reservation benefits are available only to eligible Karnataka candidates who satisfy the prescribed eligibility conditions and submit valid category certificates during the counselling process conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA); non-Karnataka candidates are not eligible for any reservation.

Category-wise Reservation

Note: The reservation policy is subject to the latest notifications, amendments, and orders issued by the Government of Karnataka and the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). Candidates should refer to the official Karnataka NEET PG 2026 Information Bulletin for the most up-to-date reservation provisions and eligibility criteria.

Karnataka NEET PG 2026 Counselling Process

Admission to MD/MS courses in Karnataka is conducted through a centralized online counselling process managed by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). As per NMC directive dated 24-07-2023, all rounds including the Stray Vacancy round are conducted only online by KEA – no round is conducted in physical/offline mode. Eligible candidates who qualify NEET PG 2026 can participate in the counselling process for Government, Private, Minority, Management, NRI, and other eligible quota seats. Seat allotment is carried out on the basis of the candidate's NEET PG rank, merit, eligibility, reservation category, seat availability, and the choices filled during counselling.

Steps Involved in Karnataka NEET PG Counselling 2026

• Step 1: Online Registration
  Register on the official KEA counselling portal (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/pget2026) by providing the required personal, academic, and NEET PG details. Candidates must pay the prescribed registration fee (₹750 / ₹1,500 / ₹4,000 / ₹7,000 depending on category, as listed above) within the specified timeline to participate in the counselling process.
• Step 2: Slot Booking & Document Verification
  Book a slot on the KEA portal and appear in person (no representatives allowed) at KEA, 18th Cross, Malleswaram, Bangalore, with all original documents and two sets of photocopies. Only verified candidates are eligible to participate in choice filling and seat allotment.
• Step 3: Option Entry & Mock Seat Allotment
  Enter your priority of options once – this same priority order is carried forward for all rounds (candidates can only reorder/add/delete before the round deadline, not add fresh options after Round 1 except in Mop-Up/Stray Vacancy). A Mock Seat Allotment is run first purely as an indicative preview so candidates can revise their options before the real allotment.
• Step 4: Seat Allotment
  Seats are allotted based on the candidate's NEET PG rank, eligibility, reservation category, merit, seat availability, and the preferences submitted during option entry, following the Roster-based Seat Allotment Logic (GM → GMH → reserved category order) prescribed by the Government.
• Step 5: Exercising Choice (Round 1 & 2)
  After each of the first two rounds, allotted candidates must select one of four choices – Choice 1 (accept & join, exit counselling), Choice 2 (hold seat, upgrade in next round), Choice 3 (surrender seat, compete fresh for a better one), or Choice 4 (quit KEA counselling entirely). No choice is available after Round 2 – admission becomes compulsory on any Round 2/Mop-Up/Stray allotment.
• Step 6: Reporting to the Allotted College
  Download the KEA Admission Order and report to the allotted medical college within the prescribed timeline with all original documents and the required admission fee, then update joining status on the KEA portal (failure to update online joining status can cancel the seat even if physically joined).
• Step 7: Third Round (Mop-Up) & Stray Vacancy Round
  Seats remaining vacant after Round 2 are filled through the 3rd Round (Mop-Up) – open to candidates not allotted a seat in Round 2, and to already-admitted candidates seeking upgradation. The Stray Vacancy Round is open only to candidates who have not been allotted any seat by KEA in any earlier round (candidates who joined via MCC/Deemed University/other boards are not eligible).

Candidates are advised to regularly monitor the official KEA counselling portal for updates regarding registration dates, document verification schedules, merit lists, choice filling, seat allotment results, reporting deadlines, and subsequent counselling rounds to avoid missing any important notifications.

Stipend for MD/MS Residents (2025–26)

Postgraduate medical residents pursuing MD/MS courses in Karnataka receive a monthly stipend during their residency training. The stipend varies depending on the type of medical institution, Government regulations, and institutional policies. Government and Autonomous Medical Colleges generally offer higher stipends, while Private, Minority, and Deemed Medical Colleges provide stipends according to their respective institutional norms.

Approximate Monthly Stipend

Note: The monthly stipend is indicative for the 2025–26 academic session and may vary depending on the institution, specialty, and applicable Government or institutional policies. Stipend rates are subject to periodic revision by the Government of Karnataka or the respective medical college.

Why Choose BODMAS Education?

Securing an MD/MS seat through Karnataka NEET PG Counselling 2026 requires strategic planning, accurate choice filling, and a thorough understanding of Government, Private, Minority, Management, NRI, and Deemed University admissions. With one of the largest postgraduate medical counselling processes in India, Karnataka offers numerous admission opportunities, making expert guidance essential for securing the best possible seat. BODMAS Education provides comprehensive counselling and admission support to help doctors make informed decisions based on their NEET PG rank, budget, preferred specialty, and long-term career goals.

Our Expert Counselling Services

• Personalized Choice Filling: Customized counselling and strategic choice filling based on your NEET PG rank, category, preferred specialty, budget, and admission goals.
• College Comparison: Detailed comparison of Government, Private, Minority, Autonomous, and Deemed Medical Colleges based on academics, faculty, clinical exposure, patient load, infrastructure, stipend, tuition fees, bond policies, and career prospects.
• Fee & Budget Analysis: Comprehensive analysis of tuition fees, hostel expenses, stipend structure, bond obligations (including the 1-year rural service and 3-year Government service undertaking), and the overall cost of postgraduate medical education.
• Cut-off Analysis & Seat Prediction: Data-driven analysis of previous years' cut-offs and realistic admission predictions to help you make informed counselling decisions.
• Management Quota Guidance: Complete assistance regarding eligibility, fee structure, documentation, counselling strategy, and admission process for Management Quota seats.
• NRI Quota Guidance: Expert support for candidates seeking admission under the NRI Quota, including eligibility assessment, documentation requirements, and counselling planning.
• Document Verification Support: Complete assistance with document preparation, KEA verification, registration, and counselling formalities.
• End-to-End Admission Assistance: Dedicated support throughout every stage of Karnataka NEET PG counselling, including registration, choice filling, seat allotment, reporting, upgradation, Mop-Up Round, and Stray Vacancy Round.

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