If you appeared for NEET UG 2026 and marked Karnataka as your preferred state on the NTA application form, a document you need right now is out. The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has released its state score list, covering 69,170 candidates who are eligible to take part in Karnataka's medical, dental and AYUSH counselling this year. This list is not your final rank or seat allotment — it is the reference roll that KEA will use to run counselling rounds. Knowing where you stand on it, and what to do next, matters a lot for how you plan your admission strategy over the coming weeks.
Aspirants who chose Karnataka in their NEET UG 2026 application should download the KEA score list now and use it to gauge their standing before the first counselling round, expected to open in August 2026.
What KEA actually released
The document KEA put out is a score list — a ranked roster, arranged in descending order of NEET UG marks, of every candidate who cleared NEET UG 2026 and named Karnataka as their state while filling the NTA application. It includes 69,170 candidates in total.
This is different from a final merit rank list used at the moment of seat allotment. Think of it as the master list KEA will draw from to run Karnataka's counselling for MBBS, BDS and AYUSH courses over the next several weeks.
How to check your position
The score list is available as a PDF on the official KEA portal, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, under the Admission section.
- Go to cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
- Click on 'Admission', then select 'UG NEET-2026 (Medical/Dental/AYUSH)'
- On the page that opens, click the link for the list of candidates who selected Karnataka in the NTA application
- The PDF will load — search it (Ctrl+F on a laptop) using your NEET roll number or name to find your entry
- Save a copy on your device and take a printout for your records
Why this list matters for your counselling plan
Karnataka runs its own state-quota counselling separate from the all-India counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). If you want a seat under Karnataka's state quota — in government or private medical and dental colleges within the state — being correctly listed here is the first checkpoint.
Your position on this list, combined with your category (general, SC/ST/OBC, rural, Kannada-medium, etc.) and domicile status, will decide how competitive your options are once KEA opens registration for counselling. Errors in your entry — a wrong category, missing domicile proof, or a mismatched name — can cause avoidable trouble later, so this is the time to flag any discrepancy with KEA, not after seat allotment begins.
What happens after the score list
KEA has indicated that the first round of Karnataka NEET UG 2026 counselling is likely to start in August 2026. This will typically be followed by a second round and, depending on how many seats remain vacant, a mop-up round to fill the last available seats before colleges finalise their admissions.
Each round usually involves online registration, document verification, choice filling (listing the colleges and courses you prefer, in order), seat allotment, and reporting to the allotted college within a set deadline. Missing any one of these steps at the wrong time can cost you a seat, so keeping track of KEA's notification dates is essential.
Practical checklist for the next few weeks
- Download and save the KEA score list PDF and locate your entry
- Cross-check your name, NEET roll number, category and other details for accuracy
- Keep your NEET scorecard, category/domicile certificates, and identity documents ready and scanned
- Watch the KEA website regularly for the counselling registration notification and important dates
- If you also want to be considered for all-India seats, remember MCC counselling is a separate, parallel process with its own registration
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Is the KEA score list the same as my final NEET rank?
No. It is a state-specific list of candidates who chose Karnataka and qualified NEET UG, arranged by score. Your actual seat depends on later counselling rounds, category, and choice filling.
I don't see my name on the list — what should I do?
First recheck the PDF carefully using your exact roll number, since formatting can vary. If you genuinely aren't listed despite selecting Karnataka on your NTA application, contact KEA through its official helpdesk or portal for correction before counselling registration closes.
When will Karnataka counselling registration open?
KEA has signalled that the first round is expected in August 2026, but the exact registration window and dates will be announced separately on the KEA portal, so keep checking regularly.
Can I apply for both Karnataka state counselling and MCC's all-India counselling?
Yes, most eligible candidates can participate in both, since they are run by different authorities for different quota seats. Track both portals independently, as their schedules and requirements differ.
What documents should I prepare before registration opens?
Typically you will need your NEET UG admit card and scorecard, class 10 and 12 certificates, category and domicile/residence proof (if applicable), a valid photo ID, and passport-size photographs in the specified format.
Does being on the score list guarantee a seat?
No. It only confirms you are eligible to participate in Karnataka's counselling process. Seat allotment depends on your score, category, choices filled, and seat availability in each round.
For now, the priority is simple: locate your entry on the KEA score list, verify every detail, and keep your documents ready. Watch the KEA portal closely through August for the counselling registration notice, since dates and choice-filling windows tend to move quickly once the process begins.
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