335 MBBS seats still vacant in Karnataka after stray round — what it means for you

After the stray vacancy round of NEET-UG counselling in Karnataka, 335 MBBS and BDS seats remain unfilled across 25 medical colleges. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the final vacancy list along with fee details and reporting deadlines for candidates who secured seats in this round. If you are still searching for an MBBS or BDS seat, or have been allotted one in the stray round, this update directly affects your next steps and timeline.

What happened in the stray vacancy round?

The stray vacancy round is the final phase of NEET-UG counselling in Karnataka, designed to fill seats that remain empty after the main and special rounds. In this round, candidates who were not allotted seats earlier, or who chose to participate again, could apply for any remaining positions. KEA declared the allotment results and has now released the seat position data showing which colleges still have vacancies.

The stray round typically offers flexibility because candidates can apply to any college with available seats, regardless of their earlier choices or category. However, the number of unfilled seats—335 in this case—suggests that either the number of eligible applicants was lower than available seats, or many candidates chose not to participate in this final round.

Critical deadlines if you secured a seat in stray round

If your name appeared in the stray vacancy allotment results, you must act immediately. KEA has set strict timelines that you cannot miss. Failure to complete any step by the deadline will result in forfeiture of your seat.

The process unfolds in three stages: first, pay your admission fee by October 24, 2026. Second, download your Seat Confirmation Slip from the KEA portal before 4:00 pm on the same day. Third, report physically to your allotted college with all original documents and two photocopied sets before 6:00 pm on October 25, 2026. When you report, bring a mobile phone capable of receiving OTP (one-time password) for verification purposes.

• Fee payment deadline: October 24, 2026 (end of day)
• Seat Confirmation Slip download: before 4:00 pm on October 24, 2026
• Physical reporting to college: before 6:00 pm on October 25, 2026
• Documents required: all originals + 2 sets of photocopies + OTP-capable mobile phone

Which colleges have the most vacancies?

The 335 vacant seats are distributed unevenly across colleges. Some institutions have significantly more openings than others, which may reflect differences in seat intake, candidate preferences, or fee structures. The college with the highest number of vacancies is Srinivasa Institute of Medical Research Centre in Mangalore, which has 36 seats available in one category and 23 in another, totalling 59 seats across both categories.

Other colleges with substantial vacancies include G R Medical College and Research Centre in Mangalore (26 seats), PES University Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Bangalore (26 seats), and Sri Chamundeshwari Medical College in Channapatna (21 seats). Smaller colleges or those with higher fees tend to have fewer vacancies, suggesting that seat availability correlates with both institutional reputation and cost.

• Srinivasa Institute, Mangalore: 59 seats (across two fee categories)
• G R Medical College, Mangalore: 26 seats
• PES University Institute, Bangalore: 26 seats
• Sri Chamundeshwari Medical College, Channapatna: 21 seats
• Kanachur Institute, Mangalore: 20 seats

Fee structure: what you will pay across different colleges

The fees for MBBS and BDS seats in Karnataka's private and deemed medical colleges vary widely, reflecting differences in infrastructure, faculty, and institutional standing. The lowest fee among the vacant seats is Rs 22.25 lakh at Srinivasa Institute in Mangalore, while the highest is Rs 45 lakh at Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences in Bangalore. This nearly two-fold difference is significant and should factor into your decision if you have multiple options.

Most colleges cluster in the Rs 25–40 lakh range for the full course fee. When you pay your admission fee, KEA will deduct the Medical Course Fee Deposit (a portion of the total fee that secures your seat) from your payment. The remaining balance is typically paid in installments over the course duration. Before finalizing your choice, verify the exact fee breakup, payment schedule, and any additional charges (hostel, exam fees, etc.) directly with the college.

• Lowest fee: Rs 22.25 lakh (Srinivasa Institute, Mangalore)
• Highest fee: Rs 45 lakh (Sapthagiri Institute, Bangalore)
• Most common range: Rs 25–40 lakh
• Medical Course Fee Deposit is deducted at the time of admission payment
• Remaining balance is paid in installments during the course

What if you didn't get a seat in stray round?

If your name did not appear in the stray vacancy allotment, it means either you did not register for the stray round, or your rank and category did not match any of the available seats at the colleges you chose. At this stage, your options are limited but not zero. Some candidates may still secure seats through management quota, NRI quota, or direct admission pathways offered by individual colleges—though these typically involve higher fees and are subject to college policies.

Another option is to explore MBBS or BDS programmes in other states. Many states conduct their own counselling rounds and may still have vacancies. You can also consider a gap year to reappear for NEET-UG next year with better preparation. Before making any decision, contact the colleges directly to understand if any additional rounds or alternative admission routes are available.

• Check if your college offers management quota or NRI quota seats
• Explore MBBS/BDS options in other states with ongoing counselling
• Consider private medical colleges outside Karnataka
• Plan to reappear for NEET-UG in the next cycle if needed
• Contact KEA or individual colleges for clarification on remaining options

How to verify your allotment and download documents

KEA publishes allotment results on its official portal. To check if you have been allotted a seat, log in with your NEET registration number and password. The portal will display your allotted college, course, category, and seat details. Once you confirm your allotment, you must immediately proceed to pay your fee through the online portal using a debit card, credit card, or net banking.

After successful payment, the Seat Confirmation Slip becomes available for download. This slip is your proof of admission and must be carried to the college at the time of reporting. It contains your roll number, allotted college, course, fee paid, and other critical information. Print it clearly and keep multiple copies. If you face any technical issues accessing the portal or downloading documents, contact KEA's helpline or visit the nearest KEA office in person.

• Log in to KEA portal with NEET registration number and password
• Verify allotment details: college, course, category, seat number
• Pay admission fee online immediately after verification
• Download Seat Confirmation Slip before 4:00 pm on October 24
• Print multiple copies and keep them safe
• Contact KEA helpline if you encounter technical issues

What to bring when you report to your college

Physical reporting is mandatory and non-negotiable. You cannot complete your admission without appearing in person at your allotted college. KEA has specified that you must carry all original documents along with two photocopied sets of each. This typically includes your NEET admit card, NEET result scorecard, 10th and 12th mark sheets, Aadhar card, caste certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate, and any other documents specified by your college.

Additionally, bring your Seat Confirmation Slip and a mobile phone capable of receiving OTP. The college will verify your documents, cross-check your identity, and complete the final admission formalities. Some colleges may also collect passport-size photographs and conduct a brief orientation. Arrive well before the 6:00 pm deadline to avoid last-minute rush and ensure all procedures are completed smoothly.

• Original documents: NEET admit card, result scorecard, mark sheets, Aadhar, caste/domicile certificates
• Two photocopied sets of all documents
• Seat Confirmation Slip (printed)
• Mobile phone capable of receiving OTP
• Passport-size photographs (check college requirement)
• Arrive early to complete formalities before 6:00 pm deadline

Why are 335 seats still vacant? What does it tell us?

A significant number of unfilled seats after the stray round is not unusual, but it does reflect broader trends in NEET-UG admissions. Several factors contribute to this: first, not all eligible candidates participate in the stray round—some may have already secured seats in earlier rounds or chosen not to pursue MBBS/BDS. Second, the fee structure of private colleges in Karnataka is relatively high, which may deter candidates from lower-income backgrounds. Third, some colleges may have higher cutoff scores or stricter eligibility criteria that fewer candidates meet.

From a policy perspective, high vacancy rates raise questions about seat planning, fee regulation, and accessibility. Aspirants should view these vacancies as an opportunity: if you have a borderline rank or were waitlisted earlier, the stray round offers a genuine chance to secure admission. However, the presence of vacancies also suggests that not all seats may be filled even after this round, which could lead to further rounds or direct admissions by colleges.

• Not all eligible candidates participate in stray round
• High fees in private colleges may deter some aspirants
• Some colleges have strict cutoff scores
• Vacancies create opportunities for borderline-rank candidates
• Further rounds or direct admissions may follow if seats remain unfilled

Frequently asked questions

If you secured a seat in the stray round, act immediately—your deadlines are October 24 and 25, 2026. If you didn't get a seat, explore management quota options, other states, or plan for next year's NEET-UG. Monitor KEA's official portal for any further rounds or updates.