If you're a NEET UG 2026 candidate hoping for an MBBS or BDS seat through Karnataka's state quota, there's a fresh update you need to act on. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has published the provisional seat matrix for the second round of state counselling, listing available medical and dental seats along with fees, and has opened the window for candidates to enter their college and course preferences. This round runs on a tight, dated schedule, and it overlaps with the central counselling calendar for medical seats, so timing matters. Missing the option-entry deadline or misreading eligibility conditions at this stage can cost a candidate a seat they were otherwise in range for.
Karnataka NEET UG candidates eligible for Round 2 must check the provisional MBBS/BDS seat matrix and lock in their option entries on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in before the window shuts — AYUSH seats are not yet part of this matrix.
What KEA has released
On August 7, 2026, KEA published the provisional seat matrix for Round 2 of state-level NEET UG counselling, covering MBBS and BDS seats across colleges in Karnataka for the 2026-27 academic session. This matrix, along with the applicable fee structure set by the government, is meant to help candidates decide which colleges and courses to rank in their preference list before entering options online.
Importantly, this seat matrix currently covers only Medical and Dental programmes. Seats for AYUSH courses (Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, Siddha and related streams) have not been included in this release, so candidates interested in those courses should keep watching the KEA portal separately for that update.
Who can enter options in this round
Two broad groups of candidates are being allowed to proceed with option entry for medical and dental seats in this round: those who had not applied earlier for the Karnataka common entrance process but are linking their NEET roll number now, and those who had already applied for it. Both groups need their applications correctly linked to their NEET roll number before they can move forward.
Whether a candidate needs to go through document verification depends on their profile. If your record does not require fresh verification, you can directly download your verification slip and proceed to fill your seat options. If it does, you first need to book a verification slot, complete the in-person or online check, and only then become eligible to submit your preferences — provided you qualify after that step.
How to fill your option entry
The process is fully online through the KEA counselling portal, and candidates should complete it carefully since preferences typically cannot be changed casually after submission deadlines.
- Go to cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
- Click the link for the UGCET/UGNEET 2026 Round 2 option entry
- Log in using your registered credentials
- Open the option entry link from your dashboard
- Arrange your college and course choices strictly in order of genuine preference
- Review every entry carefully before final submission — this list drives your allotment
- Submit and download the confirmation page for your own records
Why the timing overlaps with the central counselling calendar
Alongside the medical and dental seat matrix, KEA also released the Round 2 schedule for the broader state entrance process, which covers Engineering, Architecture, Farm Sciences, Veterinary Sciences, B.Sc Nursing, BPT, BPO and Allied Health Sciences courses. For that wider process, the provisional seat allotment result is expected after 10 AM on August 19, 2026.
For medical, dental and pharmacy seats specifically, Karnataka's Round 2 is being conducted in sync with the schedule already issued by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), New Delhi, which oversees the all-India and state quota seat allotment for MBBS/BDS nationally. Candidates should treat the MCC calendar and the KEA calendar as running in parallel for medical and dental seats — a mismatch or delay on either side can affect when your final allotment is confirmed.
What this means practically for your admission chances
A provisional seat matrix is not final — colleges can see seat numbers adjusted slightly before the actual allotment is processed, based on factors like fresh vacancies, upgrades from earlier rounds, or corrections. Use it as a working reference to shortlist realistic choices, not as a guarantee.
Because Round 2 typically includes vacant seats left after Round 1 allotment and joining, along with any seats added through withdrawals or upgrades, candidates who missed a seat in Round 1 or want to try for a better college now have a genuine second shot — but only if their profile is correctly verified and their NEET roll number is properly linked in the system.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Where can I check the Karnataka UGNEET 2026 Round 2 seat matrix?
It is available on the official KEA counselling portal, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, under the links for Medical (MBBS) and Dental (BDS) programmes.
Does the released seat matrix include AYUSH seats?
No. As of this release, only MBBS and BDS seats and their fee structure have been published. AYUSH seat matrix details have not yet been released, so candidates interested in those courses should track the KEA site separately.
Do I need to complete verification again for Round 2?
It depends on your candidate profile. If verification is not marked as mandatory for you, you can download your verification slip directly and proceed to option entry. If it is required, you must book a slot, complete verification, and then enter your options if you are found eligible.
Is this the final seat allotment or just a preview?
This is a provisional seat matrix, meant to help candidates plan their preferences. The actual seat allotment result is a separate, later step and can differ slightly from the provisional numbers.
How does this relate to MCC's counselling for MBBS/BDS?
Karnataka's state Round 2 for medical and dental seats is being run in step with the schedule already published by MCC, New Delhi, which coordinates the national and state quota seat allotment process. Candidates should follow both calendars closely, as they are linked for this round.
What happens if I miss the option-entry deadline?
Missing the window generally means you will not be considered for allotment in that specific round and may have to wait for a later round or mop-up round, if seats remain. The source schedule does not specify a grace period, so candidates should submit well before the stated closing time.
If you're in the running for a Karnataka MBBS or BDS seat this year, don't wait on this — verify your NEET roll number link, check your verification status, study the provisional seat matrix against your rank, and submit your ranked preferences on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in as soon as you're ready. Keep an eye on both the KEA portal and the MCC counselling schedule over the coming days, since the two processes are moving together for this round.
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