The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) announced the provisional seat allotment results for Round 3 of NEET UG 2026 counselling on October 3, 2026, covering 861 medical and dental seats across the state. This round is critical for candidates who received multiple allotments or wish to switch between state and national-level counselling. Understanding the rules around Choice-4 exit, seat cancellation, and financial penalties is essential to make the right decision about your allotted seat within the tight deadlines set by KEA.
Candidates allotted seats in both MCC Round 3 and KEA Round 3 can exit KEA counselling penalty-free by October 5, 2026 noon using Choice-4, but cancelling after final results triggers penalties of ₹10,000 to ₹1,10,000 depending on the course.
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Unlock My College ListWhat Happened: Round 3 Allotment Released
KEA released the provisional seat allotment for Round 3 on October 3, 2026, based on candidate merit and the preferences submitted during counselling registration. A total of 861 seats were allotted in this round: 503 MBBS seats and 358 BDS seats across participating medical and dental colleges in Karnataka.
Candidates who participated in Round 3 counselling can now log into the KEA portal to check whether they have been allotted a seat, and if so, which college and course they have been assigned. This allotment is provisional—it may change after candidates exercise certain options or cancel seats, triggering a re-run of the allocation process.
Understanding Choice-4: Exit KEA Without Penalty
Choice-4 is a special option available to candidates who have received allotments in both the national-level MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) Round 3 and the state-level KEA Round 3. If you prefer the MCC seat over the KEA seat, you can use Choice-4 to withdraw from KEA counselling entirely.
The key advantage: exercising Choice-4 incurs no financial penalty. You must submit this choice by October 5, 2026, at 12 noon. After this deadline, you cannot use Choice-4, and any subsequent cancellation of your KEA seat will attract a ₹10,000 penalty. This option is designed to allow candidates flexibility when they have competing allotments from different counselling bodies.
- Available only to candidates allotted seats in both MCC Round 3 and KEA Round 3
- Must be exercised by October 5, 2026, 12 noon
- No penalty charged for using Choice-4
- After this deadline, Choice-4 is no longer available
Seat Cancellation Rules and the ₹10,000 Penalty
If you do not use Choice-4 but later decide to cancel your KEA Round 3 allotment, you must pay a ₹10,000 penalty. This applies in two scenarios: (1) you were allotted a seat in KEA Round 1 or Round 2, joined it, but now wish to join an MCC Round 3 seat instead, or (2) you want to join a seat allotted by another state's counselling process, or you simply do not wish to retain your KEA Round 3 seat.
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All cancellations must be completed by October 5, 2026, before 12 noon. After this deadline, you cannot cancel your seat without facing much steeper penalties. The ₹10,000 charge is a one-time fee deducted when you formally cancel; it does not guarantee you a refund or alternative seat.
- Applies to candidates cancelling KEA Round 1 or Round 2 seats to join MCC Round 3
- Applies to candidates cancelling to join another state's counselling
- Applies to candidates who simply do not want their KEA Round 3 seat
- Deadline: October 5, 2026, 12 noon
- Penalty amount: ₹10,000
How the Re-Run Works After Cancellations
Once the October 5 deadline passes and candidates have exercised Choice-4 or cancelled their seats, KEA will conduct a re-run of the Round 3 allotment. This re-run uses the same preference list (choices) that candidates entered during the original counselling registration—you cannot modify your choices at this stage.
The purpose of the re-run is to fill the seats vacated by candidates who exited or cancelled. Candidates may be considered for upgradation to a higher-preference seat if one becomes available and they meet the eligibility criteria. After the re-run, KEA will publish provisional results again. Importantly, once these provisional re-run results are announced, you can no longer exercise Choice-4 or cancel your seat without incurring the higher surrender penalties described below.
- Re-run uses your original preference list; no changes allowed
- Vacated seats are reallocated to eligible candidates
- Candidates may be upgraded to higher-preference seats if available
- Provisional re-run results will be published
- After re-run results, Choice-4 and cancellation options close
Final Allotment and the Surrender Penalty Structure
After the re-run, KEA will publish the final Round 3 seat allotment results. At this point, the rules change significantly. If you surrender your seat after the final results are published but before the deadline for entering options for the stray vacancy round, you will face a substantial penalty depending on your course.
For MBBS, the surrender penalty is ₹1,10,000. For BDS, it is ₹60,000. These are much higher than the ₹10,000 cancellation fee available earlier. The stray vacancy round is the final opportunity for candidates to secure a seat if one becomes available due to surrenders or other reasons. If you surrender after the stray vacancy option deadline has passed, KEA will not accept your surrender request at all. Additionally, you will be barred from participating in any medical or dental counselling for the next three years, and the MCC will be notified of your non-compliance.
- MBBS seat surrender penalty: ₹1,10,000
- BDS seat surrender penalty: ₹60,000
- Applies only if surrender occurs after final results but before stray vacancy deadline
- Surrenders after stray vacancy deadline are not accepted
- Non-compliance results in 3-year counselling ban and MCC notification
| Course | Surrender Penalty |
|---|---|
| MBBS | ₹1,10,000 |
| BDS | ₹60,000 |
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Timeline: Key Dates You Must Remember
The counselling process moves quickly, and missing a deadline can have serious consequences. The most critical date is October 5, 2026, at 12 noon—this is your last chance to exercise Choice-4 penalty-free or cancel your seat with only a ₹10,000 charge. After this, all subsequent cancellations or surrenders trigger the much higher penalties.
After October 5, KEA will conduct the re-run allotment and publish provisional results. Once those results are out, you enter a new phase where the surrender penalties apply. The exact date for the stray vacancy round has not been specified in this announcement, but it will be communicated separately by KEA. Mark your calendar for October 5 and monitor the KEA website daily for updates on re-run results and stray vacancy dates.
- October 3, 2026: Round 3 provisional allotment released
- October 5, 2026, 12 noon: Deadline for Choice-4 and ₹10,000 cancellations
- After October 5: Re-run allotment conducted
- After re-run results: Higher surrender penalties apply
- Stray vacancy round: Date to be announced by KEA
What This Means for Your Admission Decision
If you have been allotted a seat in Round 3, you now face a critical decision. First, check whether you also have an MCC allotment. If you do and prefer the MCC seat, use Choice-4 immediately—it is your only penalty-free exit. If you do not have an MCC allotment but are unhappy with your KEA seat, you have until October 5 noon to cancel and pay ₹10,000. After that, cancellation becomes prohibitively expensive.
If you are satisfied with your KEA allotment, do nothing. Your seat will be confirmed after the re-run process. However, if circumstances change and you wish to surrender after final results are published, be aware that you will lose ₹1,10,000 (for MBBS) or ₹60,000 (for BDS), and you risk a three-year ban from counselling if you miss the stray vacancy deadline. The financial and regulatory stakes are high, so make your decision carefully and act within the deadlines.
- Check if you have both MCC and KEA allotments
- If you prefer MCC, use Choice-4 by October 5 noon (no penalty)
- If unhappy with KEA seat, cancel by October 5 noon (₹10,000 penalty)
- If satisfied, retain your seat and wait for final confirmation
- Do not surrender after final results unless absolutely necessary (high penalty and risk of 3-year ban)
How to Check Your Allotment and Submit Choices
To check your Round 3 allotment, visit the official KEA website and log in with your NEET registration credentials. You will see your allotted college, course (MBBS or BDS), and seat category. If you are eligible for Choice-4, an option to exercise it will appear on the portal. Similarly, if you wish to cancel, there will be a cancellation link available until October 5 noon.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection and complete your submission well before the deadline. Do not wait until the last minute, as server congestion is common during peak hours. Keep a screenshot or printout of your allotment and any choices you submit for your records. If you face technical issues, contact KEA's helpline or visit their office in person before the deadline.
- Log into the KEA portal with your NEET registration details
- Check your allotted college, course, and seat category
- Look for Choice-4 or cancellation options if applicable
- Submit your choice well before October 5, 12 noon
- Save proof of submission for your records
- Contact KEA support if you encounter technical problems
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is Choice-4 and who can use it?
Choice-4 is an option available only to candidates who have received seat allotments in both the national MCC Round 3 and the state KEA Round 3. If you prefer your MCC seat, you can use Choice-4 to exit KEA counselling entirely without paying any penalty. You must exercise this option by October 5, 2026, at 12 noon.
What happens if I cancel my KEA seat after October 5, 2026?
If you cancel after the October 5 noon deadline, you will be charged a ₹10,000 penalty. This applies whether you are cancelling to join an MCC seat, another state's seat, or for any other reason. After the re-run allotment results are published, the penalty increases to ₹1,10,000 for MBBS or ₹60,000 for BDS if you surrender your seat.
Can I change my preference list during the re-run allotment?
No. The re-run allotment uses the same preference list you submitted during the original counselling registration. You cannot modify your choices at this stage. The re-run is conducted only to reallocate seats vacated by candidates who exercised Choice-4 or cancelled.
What is the stray vacancy round and when does it happen?
The stray vacancy round is the final opportunity for candidates to secure a seat if one becomes available after all previous rounds and cancellations. KEA will announce the exact dates for the stray vacancy round separately. If you surrender your seat after the final Round 3 results but before the stray vacancy deadline, you will pay the higher surrender penalty. If you surrender after the stray vacancy deadline, your request will not be accepted.
What happens if I surrender my seat after the stray vacancy deadline?
KEA will not accept your surrender request. Additionally, you will be barred from participating in any medical or dental counselling for the next three years, and the MCC will be notified of your non-compliance. This is a serious consequence, so ensure you make your final decision before the stray vacancy deadline.
How much will I lose if I surrender my MBBS seat after final results?
If you surrender an MBBS seat after the final Round 3 results are published but before the stray vacancy deadline, you will lose ₹1,10,000. For BDS, the penalty is ₹60,000. These penalties are significantly higher than the ₹10,000 cancellation fee available until October 5 noon.
How many seats were allotted in Round 3?
A total of 861 seats were allotted in Round 3: 503 MBBS seats and 358 BDS seats across participating medical and dental colleges in Karnataka.
What should I do if I am satisfied with my KEA allotment?
If you are satisfied with your allotment, do nothing. Your seat will be confirmed after the re-run process and final allotment is published. Simply wait for KEA's further instructions on reporting to your college and completing the admission formalities.
The October 5, 2026 deadline is your critical decision point: use it to exit penalty-free via Choice-4 or cancel with a ₹10,000 fee if needed. After that, the financial and regulatory stakes rise sharply. Monitor the KEA website closely for re-run results and stray vacancy dates, and act decisively within each deadline to secure your medical or dental seat.
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