The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has opened option entry for an extended special stray round as part of NEET UG 2026 counselling. This round targets medical and dental seats that remain vacant after earlier allotment phases. If you are a registered NEET UG 2026 candidate in Karnataka and did not secure a seat in previous rounds, this extended window may offer a final opportunity to enter a medical or dental college. Option entry is live and closes on November 13, 2026, with seat allotment results expected the same day.
Eligible NEET UG 2026 candidates in Karnataka must submit their college and course preferences by 10:00 AM on November 13, 2026, to participate in the extended special stray round for remaining MBBS and BDS seats.
Your matched MBBS & BDS colleges
LockedEnter your NEET rank to unlock the real colleges you can get — All India Quota and every state — with official closing ranks and fees.
Unlock My College ListWhat is the Extended Special Stray Round in Karnataka NEET UG 2026?
A stray round is the final phase of state-level NEET UG counselling. It fills medical and dental seats that remain empty after all earlier allotment rounds—including regular rounds and special stray rounds—are complete. The extended special stray round announced by KEA on November 11, 2026, is a second window within the stray phase, designed to capture any seats still vacant.
This round is part of the 2026–27 academic year counselling cycle. Very few seats typically remain at this stage, so competition is lower but options are limited. Candidates who did not secure admission in previous rounds and meet the eligibility criteria can participate.
Key Dates and Timeline for Option Entry and Allotment
KEA has set a tight schedule for the extended stray round. Candidates must pay the caution deposit (security fee) by 4:00 PM on November 12, 2026. Option entry—the process of selecting colleges and courses in order of preference—opens at 10:00 AM on November 13, 2026.
Seat allotment results will be announced on November 13, 2026, after 12:30 PM. Candidates who are allotted a seat must then report to their assigned college by the date specified in the official notification. Missing the reporting deadline may result in forfeiture of the seat.
- Caution deposit payment deadline: November 12, 2026, 4:00 PM
- Option entry window: November 13, 2026, 10:00 AM onwards
- Seat allotment result: November 13, 2026, after 12:30 PM
- Reporting dates: As per official KEA notification
Who is Eligible to Apply in the Extended Stray Round?
Not every NEET UG 2026 candidate can participate in the extended stray round. KEA has set specific eligibility conditions outlined in the November 11, 2026 notification. First, you must already be registered for KEA NEET UG 2026 counselling. Second, you must have paid the caution deposit by the deadline.
Third, if you were allotted a seat in an earlier round and joined that college, you are typically excluded from stray rounds. Fourth, your category (General, OBC, SC, ST) and quota (state quota, all-India quota, management quota) must comply with KEA norms. Read the full eligibility section in the official notification before attempting to enter options.
Know the exact MBBS/BDS colleges your rank can get
Official 2023–2025 closing ranks and fees, matched to your rank.
- Must be registered for KEA NEET UG 2026 counselling
- Must have paid the caution deposit by the deadline
- Must not have already joined a seat in an earlier round
- Must meet category and quota eligibility as per KEA rules
How to Enter Your Options on the KEA Portal
Option entry is entirely online through the KEA NEET UG 2026 portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. KEA does not accept option choices by post, email, or in person. Log in using your NEET UG application number and password. Once logged in, you will see the vacant seat matrix—a list of all available medical and dental seats in this round, organized by college and course.
Select colleges and courses in your order of preference. You can rank them from most preferred to least preferred. The system will match you to the highest-ranked seat for which you are eligible. Before submitting, review your choices carefully: stray rounds often have strict rules about seat acceptance and forfeiture penalties. Save and confirm your options before the closing time. Download and print your confirmation page for your records.
- Visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
- Click the option entry link for the extended special stray round
- Log in with your NEET UG application number and password
- Review the vacant seat matrix
- Add colleges and courses in order of preference
- Save and confirm before the deadline
- Download and print your confirmation page
Understanding Stray Round Seat Acceptance Rules and Penalties
Stray rounds come with strict conditions. Once you are allotted a seat, you are usually required to join that college immediately. If you do not report by the deadline, your seat is forfeited and may be offered to the next candidate. Some stray rounds also impose penalties—such as loss of the caution deposit or ineligibility for future rounds—if you fail to join or withdraw after allotment.
This is why it is critical to enter only colleges you are genuinely willing to join. Do not add a college to your preference list just to 'keep options open.' Read the forfeiture and penalty clauses in the official KEA notification carefully before submitting your options. If you are unsure about joining a particular college, it is safer to exclude it from your list.
- Allotted seats must be joined immediately
- Missing the reporting deadline results in seat forfeiture
- Penalties may include loss of caution deposit or future round ineligibility
- Enter only colleges you will definitely join
Why This Extended Round Matters for Your MBBS or BDS Admission
By November 2026, most medical and dental seats in Karnataka have been filled through regular counselling and the first stray round. The extended stray round is a final opportunity to secure a seat if you have not yet been allotted one. However, the number of vacant seats at this stage is typically very small, and they may be in colleges or courses that were not filled in earlier rounds.
This does not mean the seats are inferior—many are in reputable institutions—but your choice is limited. If you have been waiting for a seat and meet the eligibility criteria, this round is worth attempting. However, be realistic: if no seat matches your preferences or location, it may be better to consider other options, such as private medical colleges, deemed universities, or preparing for NEET UG 2027.
Every kind of MBBS/BDS seat, one rank
See the real seats your NEET rank can reach.
- Final opportunity to secure a state-counselled MBBS or BDS seat in Karnataka
- Very few seats remain; options are limited
- Seats may be in colleges not filled in earlier rounds
- Strict acceptance rules mean you must be ready to join immediately
What Happened in the Earlier Stray Round in October 2026?
KEA conducted an earlier stray round in October 2026. Option entry for that round ran from October 16 to 19, 2026. Due to high demand or technical reasons, KEA extended the option entry deadline to 1:00 PM on October 19, 2026. The caution deposit deadline for that round was moved to 11:00 AM on the same day.
The extended special stray round now underway is a separate window, offering a second chance for candidates who either did not participate in the October round or were not allotted a seat then. It is not a re-opening of the October round.
- Earlier stray round: October 16–19, 2026
- Option entry was extended to 1:00 PM on October 19
- Caution deposit deadline was 11:00 AM on October 19
- Current extended round is a separate, new window
Action Plan: Steps to Take Before and During Option Entry
Start by downloading and carefully reading the full extended stray round notification from the KEA website. Confirm that you meet all eligibility conditions. Check whether you have already joined a seat in an earlier round (if so, you cannot participate). Verify that your caution deposit payment is complete or plan to pay it by November 12, 2026, 4:00 PM.
Next, study the vacant seat matrix on the KEA portal. Identify colleges and courses that interest you and that you are willing to join. Prepare your preference list in order of priority. On November 13, 2026, log in well before 10:00 AM to avoid last-minute technical issues. Submit your options with plenty of time to spare before the closing time. Save your confirmation page and keep it safe for reference during reporting.
- Download and read the full KEA notification
- Confirm your eligibility for this round
- Ensure caution deposit is paid by November 12, 4:00 PM
- Study the vacant seat matrix on the portal
- Prepare your preference list in order of priority
- Log in early on November 13 to avoid technical delays
- Submit options well before the closing time
- Save and print your confirmation page
What to Watch for After Option Entry Closes
After you submit your options on November 13, 2026, KEA will process all entries and generate the seat allotment result. This result will be published on the KEA portal after 12:30 PM on the same day. Check the portal regularly to see if you have been allotted a seat. If you are allotted, note the college name, course, and reporting deadline immediately.
Report to your assigned college by the deadline specified in the notification. Bring all required documents, including your NEET UG admit card, merit certificate, category certificate (if applicable), and any other documents listed by the college. If you are not allotted a seat in this round, you may explore other options such as private medical colleges, deemed universities, or preparation for NEET UG 2027.
- Check the KEA portal after 12:30 PM on November 13 for allotment results
- Note your allotted college, course, and reporting deadline
- Report to the college by the deadline with all required documents
- If not allotted, explore private colleges or prepare for next year
See the exact MBBS colleges your NEET rank can get
Free 2-minute preview — official closing ranks and fees for every seat your rank can reach, All India and your state.
See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the extended special stray round in Karnataka NEET UG 2026?
The extended special stray round is a final phase of state counselling that fills medical and dental seats remaining vacant after all earlier allotment rounds. It is the second stray window in the 2026–27 cycle. KEA announced it on November 11, 2026, and it is open to eligible registered candidates.
When does option entry close for the extended stray round?
Option entry closes on November 13, 2026, at 10:00 AM. Candidates must submit their college and course preferences by this time. Seat allotment results will be announced after 12:30 PM on the same day.
What is the caution deposit and when must I pay it?
The caution deposit is a security fee required to participate in the stray round. You must pay it by November 12, 2026, at 4:00 PM. The exact amount is specified in the official KEA notification. Payment is made online through the KEA portal.
Who is eligible to participate in the extended stray round?
You must be registered for KEA NEET UG 2026 counselling, have paid the caution deposit by the deadline, not have already joined a seat in an earlier round, and meet KEA's category and quota eligibility rules. Read the full eligibility section in the November 11 notification to confirm.
How do I enter my options on the KEA portal?
Log in to cetonline.karnataka.gov.in using your NEET UG application number and password. Click the option entry link for the extended stray round. Review the vacant seat matrix, select colleges and courses in order of preference, and save and confirm your choices before the deadline. Download your confirmation page.
What happens if I do not report to my allotted college by the deadline?
If you do not report by the deadline, your seat is forfeited. You may also face penalties such as loss of your caution deposit or ineligibility for future counselling rounds. This is why you should enter only colleges you are genuinely willing to join.
When will the seat allotment result be announced?
The seat allotment result will be published on the KEA portal on November 13, 2026, after 12:30 PM. Check the portal regularly to see if you have been allotted a seat and note the reporting deadline.
What should I do if I am not allotted a seat in this round?
If you are not allotted a seat, you may explore other options such as private medical colleges, deemed universities, or NRI quota seats. You can also prepare for NEET UG 2027 if you wish to attempt the exam again.
If you are a registered NEET UG 2026 candidate in Karnataka and have not yet secured a seat, the extended special stray round is your final opportunity through state counselling. Ensure you pay the caution deposit by November 12, 2026, 4:00 PM, and submit your options by 10:00 AM on November 13, 2026. Check the KEA portal after 12:30 PM on November 13 for your allotment result and reporting deadline.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.