The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has opened the registration window for NEET PG 2026 counselling, beginning October 5, 2026. This is a critical step for MBBS graduates who have qualified NEET PG and wish to pursue MD, MS, PG Diploma, or DNB programmes in Karnataka's government, private, and minority medical colleges. The registration portal is live at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/pgneet2026, and candidates must complete their application by October 15 to avoid a late fee. Document verification for Round 1 begins October 8, making this a time-sensitive process that requires careful planning and preparation.
Register for Karnataka NEET PG 2026 counselling by October 15, 2026 without a late fee; document verification starts October 8, so prepare your original documents and scanned copies now.
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Unlock My College ListRegistration Timeline: What You Need to Know
The KEA counselling registration opened on October 5, 2026, and will remain open until October 15, 2026 for applications submitted without a late fee. This 11-day window is your first opportunity to secure a seat in Round 1. Missing this deadline does not mean you cannot participate in counselling, but you will incur a late fee and may face delays in document verification and seat allocation.
Offline document verification for Round 1 begins on October 8, 2026—just three days after registration opens. This means you can begin verification even while other candidates are still registering. KEA will release the seat matrix and provisional merit list shortly after the registration window closes, followed by the choice-filling window. Understanding this timeline helps you plan your verification appointment and prepare your documents in advance.
- Online registration: October 5–15, 2026 (no late fee)
- Document verification Round 1: Begins October 8, 2026
- Seat matrix and merit list: Released after October 15
- Choice-filling window: Dates to be announced by KEA
Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria for NEET PG Counselling
Only candidates who have qualified NEET PG 2026 are eligible to register for Karnataka counselling. You must hold an MBBS degree from a recognised medical institute and have completed your mandatory internship by the cut-off date set by KEA. These are non-negotiable requirements; candidates who do not meet them will be rejected during document verification.
You must also have valid registration with either the State Medical Council (SMC) or the National Medical Commission (NMC). If you are seeking a state quota seat or a reserved category seat (SC/ST/OBC), you will need to produce Karnataka domicile, study, and category certificates as applicable. The KEA information brochure contains detailed eligibility conditions, and it is essential to review it carefully before registering to avoid rejection during verification.
- NEET PG 2026 qualification (mandatory)
- MBBS degree from a recognised institute
- Completed mandatory internship by KEA cut-off date
- Valid SMC or NMC registration
- Karnataka domicile and study certificates (for state quota candidates)
- Category, income, or reservation certificates (where applicable)
Documents You Must Carry for Verification
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Document verification is conducted offline at KEA-designated centres. You must bring original documents along with two sets of photocopies for each document. Failure to produce any mandatory document may result in rejection or eligibility issues during verification, so do not overlook this step. Prepare your documents well in advance and organise them in the order specified by KEA to avoid confusion during verification.
The list of required documents is comprehensive and includes your NEET PG admit card and scorecard, MBBS degree certificate, internship completion certificate, SMC or NMC registration certificate, Class 10 and 12 marksheets and passing certificates, domicile and study certificates (if applicable), category or reservation certificates, Aadhaar card, and recent passport-size photographs. Scan all documents in the prescribed format and upload them during online registration; you will also need to carry originals and photocopies to the verification centre.
- NEET PG 2026 admit card and scorecard
- MBBS degree certificate
- Internship completion certificate
- SMC or NMC registration certificate
- Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets and passing certificates
- Karnataka domicile and study certificates (if applicable)
- Category, income, or reservation certificates (if applicable)
- Aadhaar card
- Recent passport-size photographs (4–6 copies recommended)
Programmes Covered: MD, MS, Diploma, and DNB
The Karnataka NEET PG 2026 counselling covers a broad range of postgraduate medical programmes across clinical and non-clinical specialities. These include MD (Doctor of Medicine) in clinical and non-clinical disciplines, MS (Master of Surgery) in surgical specialities, PG Diploma courses in medical disciplines, and DNB (Diplomate of National Board) programmes where included in the seat matrix. The exact number and distribution of seats across these programmes will be revealed in the seat matrix released after registration closes.
Seats are offered across government medical colleges, private medical colleges, and minority medical colleges in Karnataka. The seat matrix will specify the number of seats available in each programme at each institution, along with the category-wise distribution (general, SC, ST, OBC, etc.). This information is crucial for making informed choices during the choice-filling window, so review the seat matrix carefully once it is released.
- MD (Doctor of Medicine) — clinical and non-clinical specialities
- MS (Master of Surgery) — surgical specialities
- PG Diploma — medical disciplines
- DNB (Diplomate of National Board) — where applicable
Step-by-Step Registration Process
The registration process is entirely online, though document verification is conducted offline. Begin by visiting the official KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/pgneet2026. Click on the new registration link to generate your user ID and login credentials. You will then enter your personal details, academic information, and NEET PG 2026 score. Ensure all information is accurate, as errors may lead to rejection during verification.
After entering your details, upload scanned copies of all required documents in the prescribed format (usually PDF or JPG). Pay the application fee online using net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI. Once your online registration is complete, you must schedule an offline document verification appointment for Round 1, which begins October 8, 2026. Do not delay this step; early verification slots may fill up quickly, and late verification can affect your seat allocation.
- Visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/pgneet2026
- Click 'New Registration' and generate user ID and login credentials
- Enter personal, academic, and NEET PG score details accurately
- Upload scanned copies of all required documents in prescribed format
- Pay application fee online (net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI)
- Schedule offline document verification appointment for Round 1 (from October 8)
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Why Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Matters for Your Career
Karnataka hosts one of the largest pools of postgraduate medical seats in South India, making this counselling process critical for many NEET PG aspirants. The state offers seats across multiple specialities in well-established government colleges, reputable private institutions, and minority colleges. Missing the registration deadline or failing document verification can mean losing your Round 1 seat opportunity entirely, pushing you to mop-up rounds where seat availability is significantly lower.
Many candidates from neighbouring states also participate in Karnataka counselling, increasing competition for popular specialities and colleges. The counselling process is merit-based, with seat allocation determined by your NEET PG rank, category, and choice preferences. Early registration and timely document verification give you the advantage of choosing your preferred speciality and college before seats are filled by higher-ranked candidates.
- Karnataka offers one of the largest PG medical seat pools in South India
- Seats span multiple specialities across government, private, and minority colleges
- Merit-based allocation based on NEET PG rank and category
- Missing Round 1 reduces options in mop-up rounds
- Early registration and verification improve your choice options
Action Plan: What to Do Right Now
Do not delay your registration. Visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/pgneet2026 today and begin the registration process. Gather all your original documents and have them scanned in the prescribed format (usually PDF or JPG, 100–500 KB per file). Organise your scanned documents in a folder on your computer so you can upload them quickly during registration. This preparation will save you time and reduce the risk of errors.
Submit your application form before October 15, 2026 to avoid a late fee and ensure you are eligible for Round 1 verification. Once registered, immediately book an offline verification slot for October 8 or shortly thereafter. Check the KEA portal daily for updates on the seat matrix, provisional merit list, and choice-filling window. Set reminders on your phone for all key dates to ensure you do not miss any deadline.
- Register today at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/pgneet2026
- Scan all required documents in prescribed format (PDF/JPG, 100–500 KB)
- Submit application before October 15, 2026 (no late fee)
- Book offline verification slot for October 8 or shortly after
- Check KEA portal daily for seat matrix and merit list updates
- Set phone reminders for all key dates and deadlines
What to Expect After Registration Closes
After the registration window closes on October 15, KEA will release the seat matrix and provisional merit list. The seat matrix will show the total number of seats available in each programme at each college, broken down by category (general, SC, ST, OBC, etc.). The provisional merit list will rank all registered candidates based on their NEET PG score. Review both documents carefully to understand your rank, the seats available in your preferred specialities, and the colleges where you are likely to get a seat based on your rank.
Following the release of the seat matrix and merit list, KEA will open the choice-filling window. During this window, you will rank your preferred specialities and colleges in order of preference. The counselling algorithm will then allocate seats based on your rank, category, and choice preferences. After Round 1 allocation, KEA will announce the mop-up round schedule for candidates who did not get a seat in Round 1 or wish to upgrade their allocation.
- Seat matrix released: Shows seats available by programme, college, and category
- Provisional merit list released: Ranks all registered candidates by NEET PG score
- Choice-filling window opens: Rank your preferred specialities and colleges
- Round 1 seat allocation: Based on rank, category, and choice preferences
- Mop-up round schedule announced: For candidates without Round 1 allocation
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does Karnataka NEET PG 2026 counselling registration close?
The registration window closes on October 15, 2026. Candidates who register by this date will not incur a late fee. After October 15, a late fee will apply, and registration may still be possible depending on KEA's extension policy, but you should aim to register before the deadline to avoid complications.
What is the last date for document verification in Round 1?
Document verification for Round 1 begins on October 8, 2026. KEA has not announced a specific closing date for verification, but it typically continues until all registered candidates have been verified or until a few days before the choice-filling window opens. Register early and book your verification slot as soon as possible to avoid delays.
Which programmes are covered under Karnataka NEET PG 2026 counselling?
The counselling covers MD (Doctor of Medicine) in clinical and non-clinical specialities, MS (Master of Surgery) in surgical specialities, PG Diploma courses in medical disciplines, and DNB (Diplomate of National Board) programmes where included in the seat matrix. The exact number of seats in each programme will be revealed in the seat matrix after registration closes.
What documents do I need to carry for offline document verification?
You must carry original documents along with two sets of photocopies. Required documents include your NEET PG admit card and scorecard, MBBS degree certificate, internship completion certificate, SMC or NMC registration certificate, Class 10 and 12 marksheets and passing certificates, domicile and study certificates (if applicable), category or reservation certificates, Aadhaar card, and recent passport-size photographs. Failure to produce any mandatory document may result in rejection.
Can I register for Karnataka NEET PG counselling if I have not completed my internship?
No. Completion of the mandatory internship by the cut-off date prescribed by KEA is a requirement for eligibility. You must produce an internship completion certificate during document verification. If you have not completed your internship by the cut-off date, you will not be eligible for counselling.
What is the application fee for Karnataka NEET PG 2026 counselling registration?
The source does not specify the exact application fee amount. You will find the fee details on the KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/pgneet2026 during registration. The fee can be paid online using net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI.
When will the seat matrix and merit list be released?
KEA will release the seat matrix and provisional merit list shortly after the registration window closes on October 15, 2026. The exact date has not been announced, but it is typically released within a few days of the registration deadline. Check the KEA portal daily for updates.
What happens if I miss the October 15 registration deadline?
If you miss the October 15 deadline, you may still be able to register with a late fee, depending on KEA's extension policy. However, registering late may delay your document verification and could affect your seat allocation in Round 1. It is strongly recommended to register before October 15 to avoid complications and ensure timely verification.
Register immediately at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/pgneet2026 and prepare your documents for offline verification starting October 8. Missing the October 15 deadline or failing document verification can cost you a Round 1 seat, so act now and stay updated on KEA's portal for the seat matrix and choice-filling window.
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