If you're a NEET UG 2026 qualified candidate hoping to study MBBS, BDS or an AYUSH course through Karnataka's state quota, you have a little more breathing room. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has moved the counselling registration deadline from July 24 to July 30, 2026, allowing candidates who missed the earlier date to still get into the process. This matters because registration is the very first gate you must pass through before seat allotment even begins — miss it, and you're out of the running for that round regardless of your rank. The extension came after candidates and parents asked KEA for more time, and it applies to all MBBS, BDS and AYUSH seats under Karnataka's 2026-27 counselling cycle.
Karnataka NEET UG aspirants now have until July 30, 2026 to register for state counselling on the KEA portal, but must still complete this step even though NEET roll number linking is not yet active.
What exactly changed
KEA's original cut-off for candidates to register on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea was July 24, 2026. That has now been extended by six days to July 30, 2026, based on an official notice issued by KEA Executive Director H. Prasanna, IAS. Candidates who had already submitted their registration before the extension do not need to do anything further — this window is only for those who had not yet applied.
Who this extension is for
The extended window is meant for NEET UG 2026 qualified candidates who intend to seek admission to MBBS, BDS or AYUSH courses through Karnataka's state counselling process for the 2026-27 academic year. You must still meet Karnataka's domicile and eligibility criteria to be considered — simply qualifying NEET does not automatically make you eligible for state quota seats in every state; local eligibility rules apply.
- Only NEET UG 2026 qualified candidates can register
- Karnataka domicile/eligibility norms must be satisfied
- Candidates already registered by July 24 need not reapply
Why you shouldn't wait for roll number linking
One detail aspirants often misunderstand: registering for counselling and linking your NEET roll number are two separate steps. KEA has confirmed it has not yet received NEET UG 2026 result data from the National Testing Agency (NTA), which is why the roll number linking facility is not active yet on the portal. Document verification will only start after linking opens.
The practical advice here is simple — do not delay your registration while waiting for linking to go live. Registration and linking follow different timelines, and if you wait for linking before registering, you risk missing the July 30 deadline altogether.
Fee structure for Karnataka NEET UG counselling 2026
The counselling registration fee depends on your reservation category and must be paid online through net banking, debit/credit card or UPI.
| Category | Fee (Rs) |
|---|---|
| General / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | 2,500 |
| SC / ST / Category-I / PwD | 500 |
| NRI / OCI / PIO / Foreign Nationals | 5,500 |
Step-by-step: how to register
The process itself is straightforward and can be completed from home using a computer or smartphone.
- Go to cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
- Click the UGNEET 2026 registration link on the homepage
- Sign up with an active mobile number and email address
- Fill in personal, academic and NEET UG 2026 details
- Upload scanned photograph, signature and required documents
- Pay the applicable counselling fee online
- Submit the form and save/download a copy for your records
What to track next
Once registration closes on July 30, the next milestones will be the NEET roll number linking facility, followed by document verification and eventually the seat matrix showing available MBBS, BDS and AYUSH seats across Karnataka's colleges. KEA has not indicated any further extension, so this should be treated as a firm deadline. Aspirants should check the KEA portal daily, since these dates tend to be announced with short notice.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the new deadline for Karnataka NEET UG counselling registration 2026?
The deadline has been extended to July 30, 2026, from the earlier date of July 24, 2026.
Do I need to register again if I already applied before July 24?
No. Candidates who registered before the original deadline do not need to reapply during the extended window.
Can I register even though NEET roll number linking is not open yet?
Yes, and you should. Registration and roll number linking are separate steps; KEA has advised candidates to complete registration first without waiting for linking to open.
Who is eligible to register in this extended window?
Any NEET UG 2026 qualified candidate who meets Karnataka's domicile and eligibility norms and wishes to seek MBBS, BDS or AYUSH admission through state counselling.
How much is the counselling registration fee?
Rs 2,500 for General/2A/2B/3A/3B categories, Rs 500 for SC/ST/Category-I/PwD candidates, and Rs 5,500 for NRI/OCI/PIO/Foreign Nationals.
When will document verification happen?
Document verification will begin only after the NEET roll number linking facility opens, which depends on KEA receiving result data from NTA.
Where do I register for Karnataka NEET UG counselling 2026?
On the official KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
With the deadline now firmly set at July 30, 2026 and no indication of further extension, Karnataka-domicile NEET UG candidates should complete their counselling registration well before the last day rather than waiting on roll number linking. Keep checking the KEA portal regularly for updates on linking, verification and the seat matrix.
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