47 MBBS Seats Open in Karnataka: Last-Minute Admission Window for NEET UG 2026

If you are a NEET UG aspirant still waiting for an MBBS seat in Karnataka, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has opened a final extended stray vacancy round to fill 47 remaining medical seats across six colleges. This is your last opportunity to secure admission after the regular Special Stray Vacancy Round left these seats unfilled. The process moves at speed: you must pay a caution deposit and submit your seat preferences within a 24-hour window, with allotment results coming the same day.

What is the Extended Stray Vacancy Round and Why is it Happening?

After KEA completed its Special Stray Vacancy Round on November 11, 2026, 47 MBBS seats remained unfilled across six private and government medical colleges in Karnataka. Rather than leave these seats empty, KEA has announced an extended stray vacancy process to give eligible candidates one more chance to secure admission.

A stray vacancy round is the final stage of counselling, held after all regular and special rounds. It is designed to fill any seats that remain vacant due to candidates declining offers, not meeting eligibility criteria, or simply not participating in earlier rounds. This extended round is particularly important because it represents the last formal opportunity for admission in the current academic year.

Which Colleges Have Vacant MBBS Seats and How Many?

The 47 vacant seats are distributed across six medical colleges in Karnataka. PES University Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Bangalore has the largest number of vacancies with 25 seats, followed by Bagalkote Medical College and Research Institute with 14 seats. The remaining seats are spread across four other institutions: Dr Chandramma Dayananda Sagar Institute (4 seats), Sri Chamundeshwari Medical College in Channapatna (2 seats), M.V.J. Medical College in Bangalore (1 seat), and Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences (1 seat).

All 47 vacant seats fall under the OTH (Other) category, which typically includes seats reserved for candidates who do not fall under SC, ST, or OBC categories. The fee structure for these seats varies by college, ranging from Rs 25,09,350 at Bidar Institute and Bagalkote Medical College to Rs 40,15,000 at Dr Chandramma Dayananda Sagar Institute.

• PES University Institute of Medical Sciences: 25 seats (Rs 39,15,000 fees)
• Bagalkote Medical College: 14 seats (Rs 25,09,350 fees)
• Dr Chandramma Dayananda Sagar Institute: 4 seats (Rs 40,15,000 fees)
• Sri Chamundeshwari Medical College: 2 seats (Rs 31,01,950 fees)
• M.V.J. Medical College: 1 seat (Rs 40,11,950 fees)
• Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences: 1 seat (Rs 25,09,350 fees)

Critical Deadlines: When Must You Pay the Caution Deposit and Submit Preferences?

The timeline for this extended round is extremely compressed. The caution deposit payment window opens on November 12, 2026, at 10:30 am and closes at 4:00 pm the same day. This gives candidates only 5.5 hours to arrange and pay Rs 25 lakh. This is a mandatory step—you cannot enter seat preferences without proof of caution deposit payment.

Once you have paid the caution deposit, you can proceed to enter your seat preferences. The option entry window opens after the deposit payment window closes and remains open until 10:00 am on November 13, 2026. This means you have from the evening of November 12 through the morning of November 13 to select your preferred seats. Missing either deadline will disqualify you from this round.

• Caution deposit payment: November 12, 10:30 am to 4:00 pm
• Option entry: November 12 evening to November 13, 10:00 am
• Seat allotment result: November 13, after 12:30 pm

Understanding the Rs 25 Lakh Caution Deposit Requirement

The caution deposit of Rs 25 lakh is a security amount that candidates must pay before they can participate in the extended stray vacancy round. This deposit is separate from the actual college fees and is intended to ensure that candidates who are allotted seats are serious about joining. If you accept a seat and join the college, this caution deposit is typically adjusted against your first-year fees or returned after completion of the course, depending on the college's policy.

It is critical to understand that this is not a non-refundable fee. However, you must have access to this amount immediately to participate. If you are allotted a seat but decide not to join, the deposit may be forfeited or subject to deductions as per KEA and college regulations. Candidates should verify the exact refund and adjustment policy with their allotted college before making the payment.

Who is Eligible to Participate in This Extended Round?

To participate in the extended stray vacancy round, you must be an eligible NEET UG candidate who has already registered with KEA for the 2026-27 admission cycle. Eligibility typically includes having a valid NEET UG score, meeting the age and qualification criteria set by the National Medical Commission (NMC), and not having already accepted and joined a seat in an earlier round.

Candidates who participated in earlier rounds but were not allotted a seat, or who were allotted a seat but declined it, may be eligible to participate in this extended round. However, if you have already joined a college in a previous round, you cannot participate. It is advisable to check the KEA website or contact KEA directly if you are unsure about your eligibility status.

How to Participate: Step-by-Step Process

First, ensure you have the Rs 25 lakh caution deposit ready and accessible. Log into the KEA portal using your NEET registration credentials on November 12 between 10:30 am and 4:00 pm. Navigate to the caution deposit payment section and complete the payment using the available payment gateway options (typically online banking, debit card, or credit card).

After successful payment, you will receive a confirmation receipt. Save this receipt as proof of payment. Once the option entry window opens (typically in the evening of November 12), log back into the KEA portal and navigate to the option entry section. Review the list of 47 vacant seats displayed on the portal, carefully consider which colleges and seats match your preferences, and enter your choices in order of preference. Submit your options before 10:00 am on November 13. Do not wait until the last minute, as server congestion is common during final hours.

• Log in to KEA portal with NEET registration credentials
• Pay Rs 25 lakh caution deposit between 10:30 am and 4:00 pm on Nov 12
• Save the payment confirmation receipt
• Return to portal after payment window closes to enter seat preferences
• Review the 47 vacant seats and select your preferences in order
• Submit options before 10:00 am on November 13
• Check allotment result after 12:30 pm on November 13

What Happens After You Submit Your Preferences?

After the option entry deadline of 10:00 am on November 13, KEA will process all submitted preferences using its computerized allotment algorithm. The algorithm matches your preferences with available seats based on your NEET rank, category, and the order in which you ranked the seats. The allotment result will be published on the KEA website after 12:30 pm on November 13.

If you are allotted a seat, you will see it listed against your name on the result portal. You will then need to report to the allotted college for document verification and admission formalities within the timeline specified by KEA (usually within 2-3 days). If you are not allotted a seat in this extended round, it means all 47 seats have been filled or you were not matched with any of your preferred choices based on your rank and category. In that case, you may need to explore other options such as management quota seats (if available) or admission in other states.

Why Are These Seats Still Vacant? What Does This Mean for You?

The fact that 47 seats remain vacant after the regular Special Stray Vacancy Round is unusual and suggests that either the fees at these colleges are higher than candidates' willingness to pay, or candidates with the required rank and category did not participate in earlier rounds. Most of the vacant seats (25 out of 47) are at PES University Institute of Medical Sciences, which charges Rs 39,15,000 annually—among the higher fees in the list. This indicates that cost may be a barrier for some candidates.

For you as an aspirant, this extended round represents a genuine opportunity. If you have a NEET rank that qualifies you for these seats and you have the financial capacity to pay the fees and caution deposit, this is your final chance to secure an MBBS seat in Karnataka for the 2026-27 academic year. The seats are real, the colleges are recognized, and the admission process is transparent. However, you must act quickly and decisively within the compressed timeline.

Important Reminders and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not assume you will have time to arrange the caution deposit after the payment window opens. Many candidates face delays in fund transfers or payment gateway issues. Arrange the funds in advance and ensure your bank account or payment method is active and has sufficient balance before November 12 at 10:30 am.

Do not enter seat preferences randomly or without careful thought. Once you submit your preferences, they are locked in. If you are allotted a seat based on your preferences, you are expected to join. Declining an allotted seat after this stage may result in forfeiture of your caution deposit and may affect your eligibility for future counselling rounds.

Do not miss the deadlines. KEA operates on strict timelines, and there are no extensions or grace periods for caution deposit payment or option entry. Set reminders on your phone and plan to complete both steps well before the deadline to avoid last-minute rush.

Frequently asked questions

If you are still seeking an MBBS seat in Karnataka, this extended stray vacancy round is your final opportunity for the 2026-27 academic year. Act immediately: arrange the Rs 25 lakh caution deposit, pay it by 4:00 pm on November 12, and submit your seat preferences by 10:00 am on November 13. Check the KEA website for the complete list of 47 vacant seats and their details before making your choices.