Karnataka MBBS 2026: Last Chance for 47 Seats in Extended Stray Round

The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has announced an extended special stray vacancy round to fill 47 remaining MBBS seats for the 2026 academic year. This is your final opportunity to secure an MBBS seat in Karnataka if you have not been allotted one in earlier counselling rounds. The round moves quickly: you must submit your choice of colleges by 10 AM on November 13, 2026, and results will be declared the same afternoon. If you are eligible and still seeking admission, this extended round is critical—once these 47 seats are filled, the entire MBBS admission process for 2026 will close.

What is the extended stray vacancy round and why is it happening?

After the special stray vacancy round conducted earlier, all BDS seats in Karnataka were filled, but 47 MBBS seats remained vacant. Rather than leave these seats empty, KEA has opened an extended special stray vacancy round to give eligible candidates one more chance to secure admission. This is a common practice in medical admissions when seats go unfilled after standard counselling rounds.

The extended round is your last formal opportunity to enter the MBBS admission process for 2026 in Karnataka. Once these 47 seats are allocated, KEA will officially close the MBBS admission cycle for the year. If you have been waiting for another chance or missed earlier rounds, this is the window you cannot afford to miss.

Key dates and deadlines for the extended stray vacancy round

The timeline for this round is compressed and moves very quickly. You must complete two critical steps within a narrow window: first, pay the caution deposit, and second, submit your college choices. Missing either deadline means you cannot participate.

• Caution deposit payment: November 12, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM (if you have not already paid it in an earlier round)
• Option entry (college preference submission): Until 10:00 AM on November 13, 2026
• Seat allotment result publication: November 13, 2026, after 12:30 PM

Understanding the caution deposit requirement

To participate in this round, you must pay a caution deposit of Rs 25,00,000 (twenty-five lakhs). This is a substantial amount and is mandatory before you can even register your college preferences. The deposit is held as security and is typically refunded after you complete your admission formalities at the allotted college.

If you participated in the earlier special stray vacancy round and already paid the caution deposit, you do not need to pay it again. However, if this is your first time entering the extended round, you must arrange and pay this amount by 4:00 PM on November 12. Plan ahead: do not wait until the last hour, as payment portals can experience delays or technical issues.

How to enter your college preferences online

The option entry process is straightforward but must be completed carefully and on time. You will access the KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in and submit your preferences in order of priority. The colleges you rank first are your top choices; rank them thoughtfully based on your preferences and eligibility.

• Visit the official KEA website (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in)
• Navigate to the UGNEET section
• Click on the option entry link for the extended stray vacancy round
• Enter your college choices in order of preference (rank your most preferred college first)
• Save your options and submit the form
• Keep a screenshot or confirmation of your submission for your records

What happens after allotment results are declared?

Once the allotment result is published on November 13 after 12:30 PM, you will be assigned to one of the colleges based on your preferences and availability. It is crucial to understand that there is no flexibility after allotment: you cannot change your mind or request a different college. If you are allotted a seat, you are mandatorily required to take admission at that college.

After receiving your allotment, you must visit the assigned college and complete the document verification and admission formalities as instructed by the institution. Failure to report or complete admission within the stipulated time may result in forfeiture of your seat. Check the KEA website and your allotment letter for the exact reporting date and required documents.

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 not yet been allotted an MBBS seat in Karnataka through earlier counselling rounds. Your NEET score must meet the eligibility criteria set by KEA, and you must satisfy any other admission requirements specified by the authority.

If you have already been allotted a seat in any earlier round (whether you accepted it or not), you are generally not eligible to participate in this extended round. Verify your eligibility status on the KEA portal or contact the authority directly if you are unsure.

Why you should act immediately if you want an MBBS seat

This is the final opportunity for the 2026 MBBS admission cycle in Karnataka. Once these 47 seats are filled and allotment is complete, the admission process will close. If you do not participate now, you will have to wait for the next academic year or explore MBBS options in other states.

The tight timeline—option entry closes at 10 AM on November 13—means you cannot procrastinate. Arrange your caution deposit today, prepare your college preferences, and be ready to submit your choices well before the deadline. Technical glitches or last-minute confusion can cost you this opportunity.

Common mistakes to avoid in this round

Many candidates make preventable errors during stray vacancy rounds. Being aware of these pitfalls can help you secure your seat smoothly.

• Delaying caution deposit payment until the last hour—pay it early on November 12 to avoid portal congestion
• Submitting option entry after 10 AM on November 13—your preferences will not be accepted if submitted late
• Ranking colleges without researching them—verify college reputation, infrastructure, and location before finalizing your preferences
• Forgetting to save and submit your options—simply entering preferences is not enough; you must explicitly submit the form
• Not keeping a confirmation of your submission—save screenshots for your records in case of disputes
• Ignoring the mandatory admission requirement—if allotted, you must join; there is no option to decline and re-enter later

Frequently asked questions

If you are an eligible NEET-UG candidate without an MBBS seat in Karnataka, do not delay: arrange your caution deposit today and prepare your college preferences for submission by 10 AM on November 13, 2026. This is your final chance for 2026. Once these 47 seats are filled, the admission cycle will close.