If you have not received a medical or dental seat in the earlier rounds of Karnataka NEET UG 2026 counselling, you now have a fresh opportunity. The Karnataka Examinations Authority has opened the stray vacancy round to candidates who remain unallotted, provided they pay the required caution deposit fee. This is your chance to secure a seat that may have become available after earlier allotments. The authority has extended the deadline for fee payment and option entry to give more candidates time to participate.
Unallotted NEET UG candidates in Karnataka can now participate in the stray vacancy round by paying a caution deposit fee by October 19, 2026, 11 AM, and entering fresh options by 1 PM the same day.
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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 any medical or dental seat in the previous three rounds of counselling. If you fall into this category, you are now eligible to participate, regardless of whether you had registered earlier or are registering for the first time.
Newly registered candidates must download their verification slip from the KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority) website before entering options. This slip confirms your eligibility to participate in the stray vacancy round alongside other qualified candidates.
Understanding the Caution Deposit Fee Structure
To participate in the stray vacancy round, you must pay a caution deposit fee. The amount you pay determines which types of seats you can apply for. This is not your full tuition fee—it is a deposit that secures your eligibility to enter options for specific seat categories.
The fee structure varies depending on whether you are interested in government seats (categorized as G, P, N, or Q) or dental seats. Each category has a different deposit amount, and the seats you can apply for depend on the fee you pay.
| Seat Category / Interest | Caution Deposit Amount | Eligible Seat Options |
|---|---|---|
| Medical 'G' Seats (Government) | ₹1,00,000 | Medical G seats only; all types of dental seats (G, P, N, Q) |
| Medical 'P' Seats (Private) | ₹12,00,117 | Medical G and P seats; P seats in private university options |
| Medical 'N'/'Q' Seats (NRI/Other) | ₹25,00,000 | All types of medical seat options |
| Dental Seats (All Types) | ₹1,00,000 | All types of dental seat options |
How to Pay the Caution Deposit and Enter Options
The caution deposit must be paid online through the official KEA portal. The payment window closes on October 19, 2026, at 11 AM. After paying the fee, you must enter your seat preferences (options) in order of priority by 1 PM on the same day. Both deadlines are firm, so plan accordingly to avoid missing this opportunity.
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When entering options, you must select seats based on the fee category you have paid for. Importantly, the options you enter in the stray vacancy round are fresh—your earlier choices from previous rounds will not be carried forward. You should enter seats you are genuinely interested in, even if they do not appear in the current seat matrix, because seats that are cancelled or forfeited by other candidates will also be considered for allotment.
- Pay caution deposit by October 19, 2026, 11 AM via KEA portal
- Enter fresh options by October 19, 2026, 1 PM
- Earlier round options will not be considered
- Download verification slip before entering options if you are newly registered
Important Rules for Candidates Already Admitted
If you have already been 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 and your parents agree and you genuinely wish to move. However, this decision carries a significant consequence: if you are selected in the stray vacancy round, your seat at your current college will be cancelled automatically, and you will not be allowed to continue there.
Before participating, carefully weigh whether the new seat is genuinely better or more aligned with your goals. Once you forfeit your current seat by accepting a stray vacancy allotment, there is no going back. You must also report to the newly allotted college by the specified deadline, or you will lose that seat as well, and your fee will not be refunded.
- Current students can participate only with parental consent
- Accepting a stray vacancy seat cancels your current college seat permanently
- You cannot continue at your earlier college after accepting a new allotment
- Reporting to the new college by the deadline is mandatory
What Happens After You Are Allotted a Seat?
Once the stray vacancy allotment results are announced, you must report to your newly allotted college on or before the date specified by the authority. Reporting means physically visiting the college, completing admission formalities, and submitting required documents. If you fail to report by the deadline, your seat will be forfeited, and you will have no seat in your favour. Additionally, the caution deposit fee you paid will not be refunded.
If you were previously admitted to another college, you must obtain your original documents from that institution and submit them to your new college within the timeframe given. This ensures a smooth transfer of your academic records and completes your admission process at the new institution.
- Report to the allotted college by the specified deadline (mandatory)
- Failure to report results in seat forfeiture and no refund
- Obtain original documents from your previous college
- Submit documents to the new college within the given timeframe
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Why Was the Deadline Extended?
The Karnataka Examinations Authority extended the caution deposit payment and option entry deadlines to October 19, 2026, in response to requests from candidates. This extension was granted to allow more unallotted candidates to become aware of the stray vacancy opportunity and to give them adequate time to arrange the caution deposit fee and make informed choices about their seat preferences.
The extension reflects the authority's recognition that many candidates may not have been prepared for a second chance at seat allotment and need time to gather funds and plan their participation carefully.
Key Differences Between Stray Vacancy and Earlier Rounds
The stray vacancy round operates differently from the first three rounds of counselling. In earlier rounds, seats were allotted based on your rank and choices in a systematic manner. In the stray vacancy round, allotment is based on the seats that remain vacant after all earlier rounds are complete. These vacancies arise when candidates do not report to colleges, forfeit seats, or when seats are cancelled for other reasons.
Additionally, in the stray vacancy round, you must enter completely fresh options. Your earlier preferences are disregarded. This means you have the flexibility to change your choices based on which seats are now available and your current priorities. However, you can only apply for seats that match the caution deposit fee category you have paid for.
- Stray vacancy seats are those remaining after earlier rounds
- Vacancies arise from forfeited or cancelled seats
- You must enter fresh options; earlier choices do not carry forward
- Seat availability is limited compared to earlier rounds
Practical Steps to Take Now
First, confirm that you are unallotted by checking the official KEA website or your counselling portal. If you are unallotted, decide which seat category (G, P, N, Q for medical, or dental) aligns with your financial capacity and career goals. Then, arrange the caution deposit amount and ensure you have access to online payment on or before October 19, 2026, 11 AM.
Next, log in to the KEA portal, pay the caution deposit, and download your verification slip if you are newly registered. Finally, carefully research which colleges and seats are available in your category, prioritize them based on your preferences, and enter your options by 1 PM on October 19, 2026. Keep all payment receipts and confirmation documents safe for future reference.
- Verify your unallotted status on the KEA portal
- Decide on the seat category based on your budget and goals
- Arrange the caution deposit fee in advance
- Pay the fee and download verification slip by October 19, 11 AM
- Research available seats and colleges
- Enter options in priority order by October 19, 1 PM
- Save all receipts and confirmations
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Am I eligible for the Karnataka NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy round if I have not been allotted a seat?
Yes, if you have not received any medical or dental seat in the first three rounds of counselling, you are eligible to participate in the stray vacancy round. You must pay the required caution deposit fee and enter fresh options by the deadline to participate.
What is the caution deposit fee, and how is it different from the full tuition fee?
The caution deposit is a partial payment that secures your eligibility to apply for specific seat categories in the stray vacancy round. It is not your full tuition fee. The amount varies by seat category (₹1,00,000 for G and dental seats, ₹12,00,117 for P seats, and ₹25,00,000 for N/Q seats). After you are allotted a seat, you will pay the remaining balance of the full fee.
What is the deadline for paying the caution deposit and entering options?
The caution deposit must be paid by October 19, 2026, at 11 AM. The deadline for entering your seat options is October 19, 2026, at 1 PM. Both deadlines are firm, and no extensions will be granted after these times.
If I am already admitted to a college, can I participate in the stray vacancy round?
Yes, you can participate, but only with the consent of your parents. However, if you are allotted a seat in the stray vacancy round, your current college seat will be cancelled automatically, and you will not be allowed to continue at that college. Carefully consider this before participating.
What happens if I do not report to the college after being allotted a seat in the stray vacancy round?
If you fail to report to the allotted college by the specified deadline, your seat will be forfeited. You will have no seat in your favour, and the caution deposit fee you paid will not be refunded. Reporting to the college is mandatory.
Will my options from the earlier rounds be considered in the stray vacancy round?
No. In the stray vacancy round, you must enter completely fresh options. Your earlier choices from the first three rounds will not be carried forward. You have the opportunity to change your preferences based on the seats now available.
What seats are available in the stray vacancy round?
Stray vacancy seats are those that remain vacant after the first three rounds of allotment. These include seats that were forfeited by candidates, cancelled by colleges, or not filled in earlier rounds. The exact seats available will be displayed on the KEA portal. You can apply for seats even if they do not currently appear in the seat matrix, as cancelled or forfeited seats will also be considered.
If I am newly registered, what extra steps do I need to take?
If you are registering for the first time to participate in the stray vacancy round, you must download your verification slip from the KEA website before entering your options. This slip confirms your eligibility to participate. After downloading it, proceed to pay the caution deposit and enter your options as usual.
The stray vacancy round is a valuable second opportunity for unallotted candidates to secure a medical or dental seat in Karnataka. Act quickly: arrange your caution deposit fee, verify your eligibility, and submit your options by October 19, 2026, 1 PM. Remember, reporting to your allotted college by the deadline is mandatory—missing this step will result in forfeiture of your seat and no refund of your fee.
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