If you took NEET UG 2026 in Karnataka and did not receive a medical or dental seat in the first three counselling rounds, you now have a final opportunity through the stray vacancy round. The Karnataka Examinations Authority has extended the window for candidates to participate by allowing those without seats to submit a caution deposit and enter fresh choices. This is your last chance to secure an MBBS or BDS seat before the counselling process concludes.
Unallotted NEET UG 2026 candidates in Karnataka can now participate in the stray vacancy round by paying a caution fee and submitting fresh options by October 19, 2026 at 1 PM.
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Unlock My College ListWho Can Participate in the Stray Vacancy Round?
The stray vacancy round is specifically designed for candidates who have not been allotted a medical or dental seat through the regular counselling rounds. This includes both fresh candidates and those who participated in earlier rounds but remained unallotted. The Karnataka Examinations Authority has now formally opened this round to give these candidates one final opportunity to secure a seat.
To participate, you must pay a caution deposit fee that corresponds to the type of seat you are interested in. The amount you pay determines which seat categories you are eligible to choose from. This is a mandatory requirement, and without it, your application for the stray vacancy round will not be processed.
Understanding the Caution Fee Structure for Medical Seats
The caution fee you pay acts as a security deposit and determines your eligibility for specific seat categories. For medical seats, there are three fee tiers based on the seat type you wish to pursue. If you pay the lowest amount, you can only apply for government general (G) category seats and all types of dental seats. Higher fee amounts unlock access to more seat categories.
Candidates paying Rs. 12,00,117 can apply for both G and P category medical seats, as well as P seats in private universities. Those paying Rs. 25,00,000 gain access to all medical seat categories, including N and Q seats. After results are announced, you will need to pay the remaining balance of the college fee if your seat is allotted. This caution amount is separate from and in addition to the actual college fees.
- G seats only: Rs. 1,00,000 (government general category medical seats + all dental seats)
- G and P seats: Rs. 12,00,117 (government general and paid seats + private university P seats)
- All medical seats (G, P, N, Q): Rs. 25,00,000 (all government and private medical seat categories)
- Dental seats only: Rs. 1,00,000 (all types of dental seat options)
Critical Dates and Deadlines You Must Know
The caution fee payment window closes on October 19, 2026 at 11 AM. This is a firm deadline, and payments made after this time will not be accepted. You must complete your fee deposit through the official online portal provided by the Karnataka Examinations Authority.
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After paying the caution fee, you must enter your seat preferences (options) by 1 PM on the same day, October 19, 2026. This is your only chance to register your choices for the stray vacancy round. Options entered in previous counselling rounds will not carry forward—you must submit fresh choices based on the fee category you have paid for. Missing either deadline means you will not be considered for allotment in this round.
- Caution fee payment deadline: October 19, 2026, 11 AM
- Fresh option entry deadline: October 19, 2026, 1 PM
- Both deadlines are final; no extensions will be granted
How to Enter Your Seat Preferences Correctly
After paying your caution fee, you must log into the official portal and enter your seat preferences in order of priority. This is different from earlier rounds—your previous choices will not be considered. You are starting fresh, so think carefully about which colleges and seats you want to apply for based on the fee category you have paid.
An important point: even if certain seats do not appear in the official seat matrix, you should still enter them as options. Seats that are cancelled or forfeited by other candidates will become available during the stray vacancy allotment, and you want to be in the running for them. New candidates registering for the first time should download their verification slip from the KEA website before entering options.
- Enter options in order of preference (most preferred first)
- Previous round choices will not carry forward
- Include seats not shown in the seat matrix—they may become available
- New candidates must download verification slip before entering options
What Happens If You Are Already Admitted to a College?
If you were allotted a seat in an earlier round and are currently studying at a college, you can still participate in the stray vacancy round—but only if you choose to do so in consultation with your parents. This is entirely optional. However, if you are selected for a seat in the stray vacancy round, your current seat will be automatically cancelled, and you will lose your place at your current college.
Before making this decision, consider whether the new seat is genuinely better than your current one. If you do not report to the newly allotted college by the specified deadline, you will have no seat at all, and your caution fee will not be refunded. This is a high-stakes decision, so think it through carefully.
- Participation is optional for already-admitted candidates
- Current seat will be cancelled if you are allotted a new seat
- You must report to the new college by the deadline or lose both seats
- Caution fee is non-refundable if you do not report
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Reporting to Your Allotted College and Document Submission
If you are allotted a seat in the stray vacancy round, you must report to the college on or before the date specified by the authority. Failure to report by this deadline means you will forfeit your seat, and no refund of your caution fee will be given. This is a strict requirement, so mark the date clearly and plan your travel accordingly.
When you report to your newly allotted college, you must bring your original documents from your previous college (if you were already admitted elsewhere). These documents must be submitted to the new college within the timeframe they specify. This transfer of documents is essential for completing your admission process at the new institution.
- Report to allotted college on or before the specified deadline
- Failure to report results in forfeiture of seat and caution fee
- Bring original documents from previous college if applicable
- Submit documents to new college within their specified timeframe
Why This Round Matters for Your MBBS or BDS Dream
The stray vacancy round is often the last formal opportunity in the counselling process to secure a medical or dental seat. Seats that become available here are typically those cancelled by candidates who did not report, or seats that were held back for various administrative reasons. For many unallotted candidates, this round represents the final chance to get into an MBBS or BDS programme through the regular counselling process.
After this round concludes, your options become much more limited. You may need to consider management quota seats (if available and affordable), private colleges outside the counselling system, or preparing for NEET UG again next year. This is why it is crucial to participate actively in the stray vacancy round if you are eligible and genuinely interested in pursuing medicine or dentistry.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Stray Vacancy Registration
One frequent error is missing the deadline because candidates assume there will be extensions. The October 19 deadline is final—no extensions have been announced, and the portal will close automatically. Set reminders well in advance and complete your fee payment and option entry early rather than waiting until the last moment.
Another mistake is not entering enough options or not including seats that seem unlikely. The stray vacancy round is unpredictable—seats you did not expect to be available may open up. Enter as many options as you are genuinely interested in, listed in order of your true preference. Also, ensure you understand which seat categories you are eligible for based on the fee you have paid; entering options outside your fee category will result in those choices being invalid.
- Do not wait until the last moment; complete registration early
- Enter multiple options in order of genuine preference
- Verify you are entering options only within your fee category
- Double-check all details before final submission
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Can I participate in the stray vacancy round if I did not get a seat in the first three rounds?
Yes. The Karnataka Examinations Authority has specifically opened the stray vacancy round to candidates who remain unallotted after the regular counselling rounds. You are eligible to participate by paying the required caution fee and submitting fresh seat preferences by October 19, 2026.
What is the caution fee, and why do I have to pay it?
The caution fee is a security deposit that determines which seat categories you are eligible to apply for in the stray vacancy round. It is separate from the actual college fee. The amount you pay (ranging from Rs. 1,00,000 to Rs. 25,00,000) unlocks access to different seat types. After your seat is allotted, you will pay the remaining balance of the college fee.
What is the deadline for paying the caution fee and entering my options?
The caution fee payment deadline is October 19, 2026 at 11 AM. The deadline for entering your seat preferences is 1 PM on the same day. Both deadlines are final, and no extensions will be granted. You must complete both steps to be eligible for allotment.
If I am already admitted to a college, can I still participate in the stray vacancy round?
Yes, you can participate, but it is optional. However, if you are allotted a seat in the stray vacancy round, your current seat will be automatically cancelled. You must then report to the new college by the specified deadline, or you will lose both seats and your caution fee will not be refunded.
What happens if I do not report to my allotted college after the stray vacancy round?
If you do not report to the allotted college by the deadline, you will forfeit your seat. Your caution fee will not be refunded, and you will have no seat in the counselling process. This is a strict requirement, so ensure you can report on time before participating in this round.
Can I use my seat preferences from the earlier counselling rounds in the stray vacancy round?
No. You must enter fresh seat preferences for the stray vacancy round. Your choices from earlier rounds will not carry forward. This is your opportunity to reconsider your options and enter new preferences based on the fee category you have paid for.
What if the seat I want to apply for does not appear in the official seat matrix?
You should still enter it as an option. Seats that are cancelled or forfeited by other candidates become available during the stray vacancy allotment. By including these seats in your preferences, you ensure you are considered for them if they become available.
How do I know which fee category to pay if I am interested in both medical and dental seats?
Choose the fee category that gives you access to all the seat types you are interested in. For example, if you want to apply for both medical G seats and all dental seats, pay Rs. 1,00,000. If you want access to all medical seat categories, pay Rs. 25,00,000. Review the fee structure carefully before deciding.
If you are an unallotted NEET UG 2026 candidate in Karnataka, this stray vacancy round is your final formal opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat. Act immediately: pay your caution fee by 11 AM on October 19 and enter your seat preferences by 1 PM the same day. Missing these deadlines means missing this round entirely.
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