The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has extended the option entry deadline for NEET UG 2026 counselling. Candidates who have been allotted seats in the current round now have until 10 September 2026, 9:30 AM to submit or modify their choices of course (MBBS or BDS) and college. This is a critical window — if you miss this deadline, you cannot change your options and your allotment will be final. The extension gives you extra time to make an informed decision about where you want to study.
Option entry for NEET UG 2026 in Karnataka is now open until 10 September 2026 at 9:30 AM — log in to the KEA portal immediately to confirm or change your course and college choices.
What is Option Entry and Why It Matters
Option entry is the stage in counselling where you tell KEA which college and which course (MBBS or BDS) you want to join from the seats you have been allotted. During this window, you can view the seats available to you based on your rank, category, and quota, and you can choose your preferred college and course.
This is NOT the same as the allotment result. The allotment tells you which seats are available to you; option entry is where you actually select which one you want. If you do not submit your options by the deadline, KEA will not know your preference, and your seat may be allocated to you by default or you may lose it entirely.
Who Must Submit Options
Every candidate who has received an allotment letter or whose name appears in the allotment result must submit their options during this window. This includes candidates allotted seats under the state quota, all-India quota, management quota, or any other category.
If you have not yet received an allotment, you are not eligible to submit options in this round. Wait for the next round's allotment result.
- Candidates with an allotment in the current round
- All categories: General, SC, ST, OBC, and others
- All quotas: State quota, all-India quota, management quota
Important Dates
The option entry window has been extended. The new deadline is 10 September 2026 at 9:30 AM. After this time, the portal will close and no further options can be submitted or modified.
- Option entry deadline: 10 September 2026, 9:30 AM
- After this time: portal closes, no changes allowed
How to Submit Your Options
Log in to the official KEA counselling portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in using your NEET registration number and password. Once logged in, you will see the seats available to you. Carefully review each option — the college name, course (MBBS or BDS), and any other details.
Select your preferred college and course from the list. You may be allowed to rank multiple options in order of preference, depending on the round rules. Submit your choices before the deadline. After submission, take a screenshot or print a confirmation for your records.
Do not wait until the last moment. The portal may experience heavy traffic on the final day, and you risk losing your seat if you cannot log in or submit in time.
- Visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
- Log in with your NEET registration number and password
- Review all available seats carefully
- Select your preferred college and course
- Submit before 10 September 2026, 9:30 AM
- Save a confirmation screenshot or printout
What Information You Will Need
Have your NEET registration number and password ready before you log in. You will also need to know which colleges and courses you are interested in, so it helps to research them beforehand. Check the college's location, facilities, and course structure on the official college website or the KEA portal itself.
- NEET registration number
- Password for the KEA portal
- List of colleges you are interested in
- Preference order (if you are allowed to rank multiple options)
MBBS vs BDS — Know the Difference
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) is a 5.5-year medical degree that trains you to become a doctor. BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) is a 5-year dental degree that trains you to become a dentist. Both are professional courses with different career paths, job markets, and specialization options.
When you submit your options, make sure you are selecting the course you actually want to pursue. You cannot easily switch between MBBS and BDS after admission, so choose carefully.
- MBBS: 5.5 years, trains doctors, broader medical specializations
- BDS: 5 years, trains dentists, dental specializations
- Choose based on your interest and career goal
Common Mistakes That Cost Candidates Their Seats
The most common mistake is not submitting options at all. Many candidates assume that because they have been allotted a seat, it is automatically theirs. It is not — you must actively submit your choice, or you may lose the seat or be assigned one you did not want.
Another mistake is submitting options for a college or course you do not actually want, just to 'secure' something. If you are not interested in a particular college or course, do not select it. You can always participate in the next round if you are not satisfied.
Do not wait until the last hour. The portal often becomes slow or crashes on the final day due to heavy traffic. Submit your options at least a few hours before the deadline.
- ⚠️ Not submitting options at all — your seat may be lost or assigned by default
- ⚠️ Submitting for a college or course you do not want — you will be locked into that choice
- ⚠️ Waiting until the last minute — portal may crash or become inaccessible
- ⚠️ Forgetting your password — reset it immediately if you cannot log in
What Happens After You Submit
After the option entry deadline closes on 10 September 2026 at 9:30 AM, KEA will process all the options submitted. The authority will then prepare a fresh allotment list based on your choices, merit rank, category, and quota. This new allotment will be published on the KEA portal.
You will be notified of your final allotment through the portal and, in some cases, via email or SMS. Check the portal regularly for updates. Once the final allotment is published, you will need to report to your allotted college on the date specified by KEA to complete admission formalities.
- KEA processes all submitted options
- Fresh allotment list is prepared and published
- Check the portal for your final allotment
- Report to your college on the specified date
Where to Check the Portal and Get Help
The official KEA counselling portal is cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. This is the only place where you should submit your options. Do not use any other website or app, as there are many fake portals that can steal your information.
If you face any technical issues while logging in or submitting, contact the KEA helpline or visit the KEA office in Bengaluru. Keep your NEET registration number and any error messages ready when you contact them. Do not delay — contact them immediately if you have a problem, as the deadline is firm.
- Official portal: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
- Do not use any other website
- Contact KEA helpline if you face technical issues
- Have your NEET registration number ready
2 minute · Free preview
Which MBBS colleges can your NEET rank actually get?
See the real colleges your rank can reach — every state and All India Quota — with official closing ranks and the exact fee for each seat.
See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the new option entry deadline?
The option entry deadline has been extended to 10 September 2026 at 9:30 AM. After this time, the portal will close and you will not be able to submit or modify your options.
Do I have to submit options if I have already been allotted a seat?
Yes. Even if you have been allotted a seat, you must submit your options during this window to confirm your choice of college and course. If you do not submit, your seat may be lost or assigned to you by default without your preference being considered.
Can I change my options after I submit them?
The notice does not specify whether you can modify options after submission. To be safe, assume you cannot. Submit your options only after you are completely sure of your choice. If you need to change them, contact the KEA helpline immediately to ask if modifications are allowed.
What if I cannot log in to the portal?
If you forget your password, use the 'Forgot Password' option on the portal to reset it. If you face other technical issues, contact the KEA helpline or visit the KEA office immediately. Do not wait until the last day, as the portal may be overloaded.
Can I submit options for both MBBS and BDS?
The notice does not specify this. Typically, you can rank multiple colleges and courses in order of preference, but the exact rules depend on the round. Check the detailed counselling instructions on the KEA portal or contact KEA to confirm how many options you can submit.
What happens if I do not submit options by 10 September 9:30 AM?
If you do not submit options by the deadline, you will not be able to participate in this round. Your seat may be forfeited or assigned to you by default. You may be eligible to participate in the next round if seats remain available.
Is the option entry deadline the same for all candidates?
Yes, the deadline of 10 September 2026 at 9:30 AM applies to all candidates who have been allotted seats in the current round, regardless of category or quota.
Where do I check if I have been allotted a seat?
Check the KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. Log in with your NEET registration number and password to see if your name appears in the allotment result and which seats are available to you.
Can I choose a college that is very far from my home?
Yes, you can choose any college from the list of available seats, regardless of location. However, consider practical factors like travel, accommodation, and your comfort before making your choice.
What is the difference between option entry and allotment?
Allotment is when KEA tells you which seats are available to you based on your rank and category. Option entry is when you choose which of those available seats you want to take. Both steps are necessary for you to secure a seat.
Log in to cetonline.karnataka.gov.in immediately using your NEET registration number and password. Review the seats available to you, select your preferred college and course carefully, and submit your options before 10 September 2026 at 9:30 AM. Do not wait until the last moment — the portal may become slow or inaccessible on the final day. If you face any issues, contact the KEA helpline right away. This is your chance to secure your seat; do not miss it.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.