Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Stray Round Final Allotment: Last Chance for MBBS/BDS Seats

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the final allotment results for the stray vacancy round of NEET UG 2026 counselling on its official portal. This round offered 664 MBBS seats and separate BDS vacancies across private medical and dental colleges in the state. For any candidate who did not secure a seat in earlier counselling rounds, this is the last opportunity to claim a state quota medical or dental seat in Karnataka for the 2026–27 academic year. After this round closes, no further allotments will be made, and remaining vacancies will revert to colleges.

What Is the Stray Round and Why Does It Matter?

The stray vacancy round is the final stage of NEET UG counselling in Karnataka for the 2026–27 session. It exists to fill seats that remained empty after the mop-up round—the previous counselling phase. These are typically seats at private medical and dental colleges that did not attract candidates during earlier choice-filling windows.

This round is significant because it is your absolute last chance to secure a state quota MBBS or BDS seat in Karnataka this year. Once the stray round closes and candidates report (or fail to report), any remaining vacancies will be handed back to the colleges. No further state-level counselling will occur. For aspirants who narrowly missed earlier rounds or who were waiting for a specific college or course, the stray round represents a final opportunity.

How Many Seats Were Available in the Stray Round?

The stray vacancy round made available 664 MBBS seats across private medical colleges in Karnataka. These seats had not been filled during the mop-up round of counselling. In addition to MBBS, the KEA also released a separate allotment list for BDS (dental) seats, though the exact number of dental vacancies was not specified in the official announcement.

The seat matrix—a detailed breakdown of available seats by college, course, and category—was published on the KEA portal before candidates were invited to fill their choices. This allowed aspirants to see exactly which colleges had vacancies and make informed decisions about where to apply.

Who Was Eligible to Participate in the Stray Round?

Candidates who had not received an allotment in any earlier round of counselling were permitted to participate in the stray vacancy round. This included aspirants who had either not registered for earlier rounds or whose scores did not qualify them for seats at that time.

To be eligible, candidates were required to pay the prescribed medical course fee deposit before the choice-filling deadline. This deposit served as a commitment to the counselling process and ensured that only serious candidates participated. The KEA portal allowed eligible candidates to log in using their NEET UG 2026 roll number and password to fill their choices.

Key Dates and Deadlines You Must Know

The stray round operated on a compressed timeline with multiple critical dates. The final allotment result was released on October 22, 2026. On the same day, fee payment began and was to continue through October 24, 2026. Candidates had to pay their course fees at the allotted college during this window.

An extended stray round for unfilled MBBS seats opened on October 23, 2026, until 10 AM, with results announced after 2 PM the same day. This extension allowed additional candidates to participate if seats remained vacant after the initial round. The seat confirmation slip had to be downloaded by 4 PM on October 24, 2026. Most critically, all candidates were required to report to their allotted college by 6 PM on October 25, 2026. Missing this deadline results in automatic seat cancellation with no possibility of reallocation.

• Final allotment result: October 22, 2026
• Extended stray round option entry: October 23, 2026, until 10 AM
• Extended stray round allotment result: October 23, 2026, after 2 PM
• Fee payment window: October 22–24, 2026
• Seat confirmation slip download deadline: Before 4 PM on October 24, 2026
• Last date to report to college: Before 6 PM on October 25, 2026

How to Download Your Admission Order from the KEA Portal

If your name appears in the stray round allotment list, you must download your admission order from the KEA portal. This document is mandatory for college reporting and fee payment. The process is straightforward and can be completed in a few minutes.

Visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in and locate the NEET UG 2026 stray round allotment link. Log in using your NEET UG 2026 roll number and password. Once logged in, your dashboard will display the college and course to which you have been allotted. Verify this information carefully. Download the admission order and print a clear, legible copy. Keep multiple copies with you—one for the college, one for your records, and one for your parents or guardian.

• Visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
• Click on the NEET UG 2026 stray round allotment link
• Log in with your roll number and password
• Check the allotted college and course on your dashboard
• Download the admission order
• Take a clear printout and keep multiple copies

What Documents and Fees Do You Need to Bring to College?

When you report to your allotted college, you must carry all original documents and proof of fee payment. Original certificates include your 10th and 12th mark sheets, NEET UG admit card, NEET UG result document, and any other certificates specified by the college. You will also need a valid photo identity proof such as your Aadhaar card, passport, or driving licence.

Bring the fee payment receipt or demand draft if you have paid via that method. The admission order you downloaded from the KEA portal is essential. Some colleges may also ask for a medical fitness certificate or other documents, so contact your allotted college in advance to confirm the complete list. Arrange all documents well before your reporting date to avoid last-minute stress.

• Original 10th and 12th mark sheets
• NEET UG admit card and result document
• Valid photo identity proof (Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence)
• Fee payment receipt or demand draft
• Admission order downloaded from KEA portal
• Any additional documents requested by the college

What Happens If You Miss the Reporting Deadline?

Failure to report to your allotted college within the official reporting window—by 6 PM on October 25, 2026—will result in automatic seat cancellation. Once your seat is cancelled, it will not be reallocated to you or any other candidate. The seat will revert to the college, and no further counselling rounds will be conducted to fill it.

This is a strict, non-negotiable deadline. There are no extensions or exceptions. If you have genuine travel difficulties or a medical emergency, contact the KEA office immediately to explore any possible options, but do not rely on this. Plan your travel and document arrangement well in advance. If you are unsure about your allotment or have any doubts, clarify them with the KEA or your college before the deadline, not after.

What Happens to Seats That Remain Unfilled After the Stray Round?

Any MBBS or BDS seats that remain vacant after the stray round allotment and reporting period will be surrendered back to the respective colleges. These seats will not be reallocated through any further state-level counselling. Colleges may use these seats for their own internal management, spot admissions, or other purposes as per their regulations.

This is why the stray round is truly the final opportunity for state quota admission in Karnataka for 2026–27. After this round closes, the counselling process is complete, and no new allotments will be issued. Any aspirant who does not secure a seat by the end of the stray round will need to explore other options, such as private college direct admissions, management quota seats, or waiting for the next academic year.

What Should You Do Right Now If You Have an Allotment?

If you have received a stray round allotment, your immediate action plan is clear. First, log in to cetonline.karnataka.gov.in and verify your allotment status. Confirm the college name, course (MBBS or BDS), and any other details. Download and print your admission order immediately—do not delay this step.

Next, gather all your original documents and arrange your travel to the college. Confirm the exact reporting location and time with the college by phone or email. Prepare your fee payment if you have not already done so. Set a reminder for October 25, 2026, well before 6 PM to ensure you report on time. Inform your parents or guardian of the deadline and travel plans. Do not assume you have extra time—the deadline is firm, and missing it will cost you your seat permanently.

Frequently asked questions

If you have received a stray round allotment, act immediately: download your admission order, arrange your documents, and plan your travel to report by October 25, 2026. This is your final chance for a state quota MBBS or BDS seat in Karnataka this year—do not miss the deadline. If you have not yet received an allotment or have questions about your status, contact the KEA portal or your college directly without delay.