If you're a NEET UG 2026 candidate hoping to join an MBBS or BDS seat through Karnataka's state quota, mark your calendar: the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has fixed August 4 to 8, 2026 for in-person document verification at its Bengaluru office. This step is a gatekeeper for counselling — skip it and you cannot move forward to seat allotment, no matter how good your NEET score is. Slot booking, which is compulsory before you can walk in for verification, opens on August 2, 2026 on the official KEA portal. The rules apply mainly to freshly registered candidates and those claiming reservation categories such as Kannada, rural, linguistic or religious minority, and NRI quotas. Getting this timeline and document list right now can save you from last-minute panic and a possible loss of your admission chance.
Book your KEA slot from August 2 and complete document verification between August 4-8 in person — missing this window can cost you your NEET UG 2026 Karnataka counselling seat.
What KEA Has Announced
KEA issued its notification on August 1, 2026, laying out the schedule for verifying documents of NEET UG 2026 candidates who wish to participate in Karnataka's state counselling. The verification itself will take place over five days, from August 4 to August 8, 2026, at the KEA office in Malleswaram, Bengaluru.
Before showing up, every eligible candidate must first reserve a time slot online. This slot-booking window opens on August 2, 2026, on the official portal, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. Walking in without a confirmed slot is not permitted — KEA has been explicit that only those who have booked a slot will be allowed inside the venue.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| KEA notification released | August 1, 2026 |
| Slot booking opens | August 2, 2026 |
| Document verification window | August 4 to August 8, 2026 |
Who Actually Needs to Attend in Person
Not every NEET UG candidate registered under Karnataka counselling needs to show up. The requirement is targeted at specific groups whose claims need physical checking of original certificates.
- Candidates claiming NRI Ward, NRI, or Foreign National category seats
- Candidates whose Kannada, Rural, Linguistic Minority, or Religious Minority claims are still pending verification
- Newly registered candidates who are claiming Kannada-medium, rural, or minority reservation benefits
- St John's Medical College applicants applying under Reservation Categories RC-2 to RC-8
Who Is Exempt
A few categories of candidates do not need to travel to the venue at all, which should save some families a trip and some anxiety.
- Candidates who have already downloaded their verification slip in an earlier process
- Newly registered candidates who are not claiming any reservation category
- St John's Medical College applicants under Reservation Categories RC-1 and RC-9
Venues, Slot Booking, and Documents to Carry
General candidates on the eligible list must report to the KEA office at 18th Cross, Malleswaram, Bengaluru. St John's Medical College applicants under RC-2 to RC-8 have a separate venue — the Medical College Council Room on the ground floor of St John's Medical College, Koramangala, Bengaluru.
To book a slot, log in to cetonline.karnataka.gov.in with your NEET UG roll number and password, find the UGNEET 2026 slot booking link, choose an available date and time between August 4 and 8, and download the confirmation slip — you will need to carry this printed slip to the venue.
For the exact document checklist, KEA has pointed candidates to its Information Booklet dated January 17, 2026, available on the KEA website. Broadly, candidates should be ready with their NEET UG scorecard, admit card, Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets, a valid photo ID, and any category or reservation certificates relevant to their claim. Those seeking Karnataka domicile-based benefits will also need study certificates. Carry both the original documents and self-attested photocopies — KEA verification staff will typically check the original and retain or match against the photocopy.
| Candidate Group | Venue |
|---|---|
| General candidates on eligible list | KEA Office, 18th Cross, Malleswaram, Bengaluru |
| St John's applicants (RC-2 to RC-8) | Medical College Council Room, St John's Medical College, Koramangala, Bengaluru |
Why This Step Matters for Your Admission Chances
Document verification is not a formality you can defer — it is the checkpoint that confirms your eligibility for a category or quota before seat allotment begins. If you fail to book a slot or skip your appointment, KEA will not process your claim, which can effectively remove you from contention for a seat in that round, or push you into a disadvantaged position for later rounds.
For NRI, minority, rural and Kannada-medium claimants especially, this is the moment your paperwork gets scrutinised against the eligibility criteria in the Information Booklet. Any mismatch or missing certificate discovered now is far easier to fix before allotment than after you've been provisionally allotted a seat.
KEA has indicated that the seat matrix — the list of available MBBS/BDS seats across colleges — and the option entry window, where you rank your college and course preferences, are expected to open only after this verification window closes on August 8. So this step effectively sets the pace for everything that follows in Karnataka's counselling calendar.
Getting Help If You're Stuck
KEA has published a helpline for candidates facing issues with slot booking, document requirements, or venue queries. You can call 080-23460460 on weekdays between 10:30 am and 5:30 pm, or email keauthority-ka@nic.in for a written response. Given the tight five-day window, it's worth reaching out early rather than waiting until the last day of verification.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Do all Karnataka NEET UG 2026 candidates need to attend document verification?
No. Only newly registered candidates and those with reservation claims (NRI/Foreign National, Kannada, Rural, Linguistic or Religious Minority) or specific St John's Medical College categories (RC-2 to RC-8) must attend. Candidates with no reservation claim or those who already have a verification slip are exempt.
When does slot booking open and where?
Slot booking opens on August 2, 2026 on the KEA portal, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, under the UGNEET 2026 slot booking link.
What if I don't book a slot before the verification dates?
You will not be allowed to enter the verification venue without a booked slot. Since verification is mandatory for eligible candidates, missing this step can delay or block your participation in seat allotment.
Can someone else attend verification on my behalf?
No, KEA requires candidates to be present in person; representatives or proxies are not permitted at the venue.
Which documents should I carry to verification?
At minimum, your NEET UG scorecard and admit card, Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets, valid photo ID, relevant category/reservation certificates, and study certificates if claiming Karnataka domicile benefits. Carry originals plus self-attested photocopies, and refer to KEA's Information Booklet (dated January 17, 2026) for the full list.
Where do St John's Medical College applicants report for verification?
Applicants under Reservation Categories RC-2 to RC-8 must report to the Medical College Council Room, Ground Floor, St John's Medical College, Koramangala, Bengaluru — not the main KEA office.
What happens after verification ends on August 8?
KEA is expected to release the seat matrix and open the option entry window for choice filling shortly after the verification period closes, so candidates should keep checking the portal for updates.
If you fall into any of the reserved or newly registered categories, don't wait — check the KEA portal on August 2 for the slot booking link and lock in a convenient date between August 4 and 8. Have your originals and self-attested photocopies ready well in advance, and reach the correct venue at least half an hour early with your slot slip and admit card in hand.
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