Karnataka MBBS Stray Vacancy Round: 47 Seats, Last Chance to Apply

If you have cleared NEET UG 2026 but have not yet secured an MBBS seat in Karnataka, there is one final opportunity. The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) is conducting an extended special stray vacancy round to fill 47 remaining MBBS seats across the state. This is likely your last chance to enter the medical college admission process for the 2026 academic year in Karnataka. The option entry window is extremely tight — you have until 10:00 AM on November 13, 2026 to submit your preferences. Once this round closes and seats are allotted, the MBBS admission process for 2026 will be officially concluded.

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

A stray vacancy round is the final stage of medical college counselling, held after all regular and special rounds are complete. It is used to fill any seats that remain unallocated because candidates either did not report to their allotted colleges or chose not to accept their offers. In Karnataka's case, after the special stray vacancy round for MBBS and BDS, all BDS seats were filled, but 47 MBBS seats remained vacant across various colleges in the state.

KEA has decided to conduct one more extended round specifically to fill these 47 MBBS seats. This is a final push to ensure no medical seats go unfilled for the 2026 academic year. Once this round concludes and all seats are allocated, the entire MBBS admission process for Karnataka will close, and no further rounds will be held.

How much will you need to pay and what is the caution deposit?

To participate in this extended stray vacancy round, you must pay a caution deposit of ₹25,00,000 (twenty-five lakh rupees). This is a substantial amount, and it is mandatory — you cannot enter your college preferences without paying it first. The caution deposit is held by the college as security and is refunded once you complete your admission formalities and join the college.

The deposit payment window is open from 10:30 AM on November 12, 2026 to 4:00 PM the same day. If you have not already paid this amount in an earlier round, you must do so immediately. Payment must be completed before you can proceed to enter your college choices. Ensure you have the funds available and complete the payment well before the 4:00 PM deadline to avoid missing the option entry window.

Step-by-step guide to entering your college preferences

Once you have paid the caution deposit, you can log in to the KEA portal and enter your college preferences. The process is straightforward but must be completed carefully, as you will not be able to change your choices after submission. Visit the official KEA website (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in), navigate to the NEET UG section, and locate the option entry link for the extended stray vacancy round.

After logging in with your credentials, you will see a list of available MBBS colleges and seats. Arrange these colleges in your order of preference — the college you most want to attend should be listed first, and so on. Once you have finalized your list, save your entries and submit them. The system will confirm your submission. Remember: the deadline is 10:00 AM on November 13, 2026. Do not wait until the last minute, as server delays or technical issues could prevent you from submitting in time.

• Visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
• Click on NEET UG section
• Select the extended stray vacancy option entry link
• Log in with your credentials
• View available MBBS colleges and seats
• Arrange colleges in order of preference
• Save and submit your choices
• Note the confirmation message

Important dates and timeline for the extended round

The entire extended stray vacancy round will be completed in just two days. This compressed timeline means you must act quickly and decisively. Below is the exact schedule you need to follow to ensure you do not miss any deadline.

What happens after the allotment result is announced?

Once KEA publishes the allotment result on November 13, 2026 after 12:30 PM, you will be able to check which college (if any) you have been allotted. If your name appears in the result, you will have been assigned to one of the colleges you listed in your preferences — typically the highest-ranked college on your list that had an available seat.

Importantly, there is no option to change your allotted college or to decline the seat and wait for another round. If you are allotted a seat, you are mandatorily required to report to that college and complete your admission. This means you must be genuinely willing to join any of the colleges you list. You will need to submit your original documents (mark sheets, certificates, medical fitness report, etc.) at the college and complete the remaining admission formalities as instructed by the college.

Why this is your final opportunity for MBBS in Karnataka in 2026

Once the extended stray vacancy round concludes and all 47 seats are filled, KEA will officially close the MBBS admission process for the 2026 academic year. No further rounds — whether stray, special, or otherwise — will be conducted. This means if you do not secure a seat in this round, you will not be able to join an MBBS college in Karnataka for 2026.

If you remain unallocated after this round, your options will be limited to: (1) applying to MBBS colleges in other states that may still have seats available, (2) considering BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) if you have not already done so, or (3) preparing to appear for NEET UG again in 2027. This is why it is critical to participate in this extended round if you have not yet secured a seat.

Common mistakes to avoid during option entry

Many candidates make preventable errors during option entry that cost them their seat. First, do not list colleges you are unwilling to join. Since the allotment is binding and you cannot change it, every college on your list must be acceptable to you. Second, do not assume you will get your first choice — rank colleges realistically based on your NEET score and the expected cutoff for each college.

Third, do not delay payment of the caution deposit until the last moment. If you wait until 3:00 PM on November 12, and the payment system experiences a delay, you may miss the 4:00 PM deadline. Fourth, do not submit your options and then log out immediately. Wait for the confirmation message to appear on screen, and if possible, take a screenshot of the confirmation. Finally, do not assume the portal will remain open until 10:00 AM on November 13 — it may close a few minutes early due to technical reasons, so submit well before the deadline.

What if you have already been allotted a seat in an earlier round?

If you have already been allotted an MBBS seat in the special stray vacancy round or any earlier round and have reported to your college, you should not participate in this extended round. Participating in multiple rounds or attempting to change your allotted college is not permitted and may result in cancellation of your admission.

However, if you were allotted a seat in an earlier round but have not yet reported to the college or completed your admission, contact the college immediately to clarify your status. Do not assume you can simply enter this new round without formally withdrawing from your previous allotment.

Frequently asked questions

If you have not yet secured an MBBS seat in Karnataka, this extended stray vacancy round is your final opportunity for 2026. Pay the caution deposit by 4:00 PM on November 12, submit your college preferences by 10:00 AM on November 13, and check your allotment result after 12:30 PM the same day. Act decisively and do not miss these tight deadlines.