If you took NEET UG 2026 and did not receive a medical or dental seat in Karnataka's earlier counselling rounds, you have one final opportunity through the stray vacancy round. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has set October 19, 2026, as the absolute deadline for unallotted candidates to enter their college choices and secure a seat for the 2026–27 academic year. This is your last chance to participate in the formal counselling process for MBBS and BDS programmes across Karnataka government and private colleges.
Unallotted NEET UG candidates in Karnataka must pay the medical course fee deposit by 11:00 AM and submit their college choices by 1:00 PM on October 19, 2026, or lose eligibility for the stray vacancy round.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the stray vacancy round and who can apply?
The stray vacancy round is the final phase of counselling for NEET UG candidates in Karnataka. It is designed for students who were not allotted a seat in the main or earlier supplementary rounds of counselling. If you have a valid NEET UG 2026 score but remain unallotted, you are eligible to participate in this round.
The stray vacancy round fills remaining seats across government and private medical and dental colleges in Karnataka. These are seats that were not filled by candidates in previous rounds or were vacated after initial allotments. Participation is open to all unallotted candidates, regardless of their NEET rank or category, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria and pay the required deposit.
Critical dates and fee payment deadlines for October 19
The KEA revised its original schedule after receiving requests from unallotted candidates, extending the deadlines slightly to allow more time for participation. However, the final window remains extremely tight, and candidates must act quickly to avoid missing this opportunity.
Two separate deadlines apply on October 19, 2026. First, you must pay the medical course fee deposit by 11:00 AM. This is a mandatory step; without payment, you cannot proceed to enter your college choices. Second, you must log in to the KEA portal and submit or modify your preferred colleges by 1:00 PM the same day. Missing either deadline will disqualify you from the stray vacancy round.
- Medical course fee deposit deadline: October 19, 2026, up to 11:00 AM
- Option entry and modification deadline: October 19, 2026, up to 1:00 PM
- Official portal: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
- No further rounds or extensions are expected after October 19
| Event | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Pay medical course fee deposit | October 19, 2026 (11:00 AM) |
| Enter or modify college choices | October 19, 2026 (1:00 PM) |
| Official KEA portal | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in |
How to complete the fee payment and option entry process
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Begin by logging into the KEA portal using your NEET UG 2026 credentials (your registration number and password). Once logged in, navigate to the stray vacancy round section and complete the medical course fee deposit payment online. This deposit is non-refundable and is required to confirm your participation. Keep a receipt or confirmation number for your records.
After paying the deposit, you will gain access to the seat matrix, which displays all available medical and dental seats across colleges in Karnataka. Carefully review the colleges, courses, and specializations (if applicable) listed in the matrix. Rank your preferred colleges in order of priority—your first choice is most important, as the allotment algorithm will attempt to match you to your highest-ranked available option.
Once you have finalized your choices, submit them before 1:00 PM on October 19. Do not wait until the last hour, as server congestion is common on final deadlines and may prevent timely submission. After submission, you will receive a confirmation. Save this confirmation and monitor the KEA portal for the stray vacancy round seat allotment result, which will be announced on a date to be notified separately.
- Log in to cetonline.karnataka.gov.in with your NEET UG 2026 credentials
- Pay the medical course fee deposit online before 11:00 AM
- Review the seat matrix and available colleges
- Rank colleges in order of preference
- Submit your choices before 1:00 PM
- Save your confirmation receipt
- Avoid submitting at the last minute to prevent technical issues
Why the deadline was extended and what it means for you
The KEA extended the original deadline after receiving multiple requests from unallotted candidates who needed more time to prepare their applications. This extension reflects the authority's recognition that many students were still deciding whether to participate or were facing logistical challenges in arranging the deposit fee.
For you, this extension provides a small window to finalize your decision and gather the necessary funds. However, it does not change the fundamental reality: October 19 is the absolute final date. There will be no further extensions or additional rounds after this. If you miss this deadline, you will not be able to participate in formal counselling for MBBS or BDS seats in Karnataka for the 2026–27 academic year.
What happens after you submit your choices?
Once the option entry window closes at 1:00 PM on October 19, the KEA will process all submitted choices using its allotment algorithm. This algorithm matches candidates to available seats based on their NEET rank, category, and the priority order in which they ranked colleges. The exact date of the stray vacancy round seat allotment result has not yet been announced, but it will be published on the KEA portal.
If you are allotted a seat, you will receive a provisional allotment letter with details of your college, course, and reporting date. You must then report to the college within the specified timeframe and complete admission formalities, including document verification and fee payment. If you are not allotted a seat in the stray vacancy round, you will not be eligible for further counselling rounds in Karnataka for NEET UG 2026.
- KEA will process all choices using its allotment algorithm
- Allotment will be based on NEET rank, category, and your choice priority
- Seat allotment result will be announced on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
- Allotted candidates will receive a provisional allotment letter
- You must report to your allotted college within the specified timeframe
- Failure to report may result in forfeiture of your seat
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Important tips to avoid missing this final opportunity
Do not delay your decision. Many candidates wait until the last day, hoping for better options or more information. This strategy is risky because technical glitches, payment delays, or server overload can prevent timely submission. Make your decision now and complete both the fee payment and option entry well before the 1:00 PM deadline.
Ensure you have the correct login credentials for the KEA portal. If you have forgotten your password, reset it immediately—do not wait until October 19. Verify that your registered email and mobile number are current, as the KEA may send important updates or notifications to these addresses.
Research your college choices in advance. Do not spend your limited time on October 19 researching colleges; do this now. Understand the location, reputation, facilities, and placement record of colleges you are considering. This will help you rank them confidently when you log in to submit your choices.
- Complete fee payment and option entry well before the deadline
- Verify your KEA portal login credentials now
- Update your registered email and mobile number if needed
- Research colleges and their details in advance
- Have a backup internet connection ready on October 19
- Keep your NEET admit card and registration details handy
- Do not rely on last-minute submissions
What if you miss the October 19 deadline?
If you fail to pay the deposit by 11:00 AM or submit your choices by 1:00 PM on October 19, you will be ineligible for the stray vacancy round. There are no exceptions, extensions, or alternative dates. The KEA has made it clear that this is the final opportunity for unallotted candidates in the formal counselling process.
If you miss this deadline, your options are limited. You may explore private medical or dental colleges outside the formal counselling process, if they have seats available and accept direct admissions. You may also consider deferring your admission to the next academic year and retaking NEET UG in 2027. However, neither of these options is guaranteed, and both involve additional time and expense. Missing the October 19 deadline is a serious setback that you should avoid at all costs.
Practical checklist for October 19
Use this checklist to ensure you do not miss any critical step on the final day. Print it out or save it on your phone for easy reference.
- ✓ Log in to cetonline.karnataka.gov.in by 10:30 AM
- ✓ Verify your NEET UG 2026 credentials are correct
- ✓ Locate the stray vacancy round section
- ✓ Complete the medical course fee deposit payment by 11:00 AM
- ✓ Save your payment receipt or confirmation number
- ✓ Review the seat matrix and available colleges
- ✓ Finalize your college preference ranking
- ✓ Submit your choices by 12:45 PM (15 minutes before deadline)
- ✓ Save your option entry confirmation
- ✓ Note the date when the seat allotment result will be announced
- ✓ Monitor the KEA portal for updates
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Who is eligible to participate in the Karnataka NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy round?
Any candidate who took NEET UG 2026, has a valid score, and was not allotted a seat in the main or earlier supplementary rounds of counselling is eligible. You must also be willing to pay the medical course fee deposit and submit your college choices by the deadline.
What is the medical course fee deposit, and is it refundable?
The medical course fee deposit is a mandatory payment required to participate in the stray vacancy round. It is non-refundable, meaning you will not get this money back even if you are not allotted a seat or choose not to join a college after allotment. The exact amount is not specified in the notification; check the KEA portal for details.
What happens if I pay the deposit but do not submit my college choices by 1:00 PM?
If you pay the deposit but fail to submit your college choices by 1:00 PM on October 19, you will not be considered for the stray vacancy round. Your deposit will be forfeited, and you will lose your chance to participate in this final round of counselling.
Can I modify my college choices after submitting them on October 19?
Yes, you can modify your choices until 1:00 PM on October 19. After 1:00 PM, the option entry window closes, and no further modifications are allowed. Plan your choices carefully and submit them well before the deadline to avoid last-minute errors.
When will the stray vacancy round seat allotment result be announced?
The KEA has not yet announced the exact date for the stray vacancy round seat allotment result. It will be published on the official KEA portal (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in) after the option entry deadline closes. Monitor the portal regularly for updates.
What should I do if I am allotted a seat in the stray vacancy round?
If you are allotted a seat, you will receive a provisional allotment letter with details of your college, course, and reporting date. You must report to the college within the specified timeframe and complete admission formalities, including document verification and fee payment. Failure to report may result in forfeiture of your seat.
Is there any round after the stray vacancy round if I am not allotted a seat?
No. The stray vacancy round is the final phase of formal counselling for NEET UG 2026 in Karnataka. If you are not allotted a seat in this round, you will not be eligible for further counselling rounds. Your only options would be to explore private colleges or defer your admission to the next year.
What should I do if I forget my KEA portal login credentials?
Reset your password immediately on the KEA portal. Do not wait until October 19. If you are unable to reset your password, contact the KEA helpline or visit the official portal for assistance. Ensure your registered email and mobile number are current so you can receive password reset links.
October 19, 2026, is your final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Karnataka through formal counselling. Complete the fee deposit by 11:00 AM and submit your college choices by 1:00 PM on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in—do not delay or wait until the last hour. After this deadline, there are no further rounds or extensions.
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