The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has opened the option entry window for the third round of NEET UG counselling today, 25 September 2026. If you did not secure a medical or dental seat in the first two rounds, or if you cancelled your allotted seat, this round offers another opportunity to enter your college preferences. The option entry portal will remain open until 29 September 2026 at 11 AM, but you must first submit a caution deposit to become eligible. Understanding the eligibility rules, deposit amounts, and submission deadlines is critical—mistakes here can cost you your seat or your deposit.
Option entry for Karnataka Round 3 counselling opens today at 11 AM; you must submit a caution deposit by 28 September and enter your choices by 29 September to remain eligible for seat allotment.
Who Can Apply in Round 3 Counselling?
Not every NEET UG aspirant is eligible to participate in the third round. KEA has set clear eligibility criteria to determine who can submit options. Understanding whether you qualify is your first step—if you do not meet the criteria, your submission will be rejected regardless of how carefully you fill the form.
You are eligible if you fall into one of these categories: you received no medical or dental seat in rounds 1 or 2; you cancelled an allotted medical or dental seat by paying the prescribed penalty; or you have already reported to a medical or dental college and now wish to upgrade to a better seat (as per recent High Court orders). However, if you were allotted a seat in rounds 1 or 2 but did not exercise your choice, or if you selected 'Choice-4' (the lowest preference option) in an earlier round, you are barred from participating in round 3. This rule prevents candidates from gaming the system by skipping rounds and then re-entering later.
- Eligible: Not allotted any seat in rounds 1 or 2
- Eligible: Cancelled an allotted seat by paying penalty
- Eligible: Already reported to a college and seeking upgrade
- Not eligible: Allotted a seat but did not exercise choice
- Not eligible: Selected Choice-4 in an earlier round
Caution Deposit Amounts and What They Allow You to Choose
Before you can enter your college preferences, you must pay a caution deposit. This is a refundable amount held by KEA to ensure you are serious about your choices. The deposit amount varies depending on which type of seat you wish to pursue, and it directly determines which colleges and courses you are allowed to select. Pay attention to this table—choosing the wrong deposit category will lock you out of colleges you may have wanted.
If you are interested in government medical seats (marked 'G'), you pay ₹1,00,000 and can then enter options for government medical seats and all types of dental seats (government, private, and NRI). If you want private medical seats (marked 'P'), the deposit is ₹12,00,000, and you can enter government and private medical seats plus private university medical seats. For NRI or quota seats (marked 'N' or 'Q'), the deposit is ₹25,00,000, and you can enter all types of medical seats. For dental seats, the deposit is ₹1,00,000, and you can enter all types of dental seat options. If a seat is allotted to you in round 3, this deposit will be adjusted against your admission fee. If you do not report or cancel after joining, the deposit is forfeited.
| Seat Type | Caution Deposit | Eligible to Enter Options For |
|---|---|---|
| Medical 'G' (Government) | ₹1,00,000 | Government medical seats; all types of dental seats (G, P, N, Q) |
| Medical 'P' (Private) | ₹12,00,000 | Government and private medical seats; private university medical seats |
| Medical 'N'/'Q' (NRI/Quota) | ₹25,00,000 | All types of medical seats |
| Dental (All Types) | ₹1,00,000 | All types of dental seat options |
Critical Deadlines: When to Pay and When to Submit Choices
Timing is everything in counselling. Missing a deadline by even a few minutes can disqualify you. The option entry portal opens today, 25 September 2026, at 11 AM. You have until 29 September 2026 at 11 AM to enter your college choices. However, you must pay your caution deposit by 28 September 2026—one day before the option entry window closes. If you pay the deposit after 28 September, you will not be eligible to enter options, even if the portal is still technically open.
Plan your submission carefully. Do not wait until the last day to pay the deposit or enter your choices. Technical glitches, payment delays, or internet issues on the final day could lock you out. Pay your deposit at least 2–3 days before the deadline, and enter your options well before 11 AM on 29 September. Once the window closes, no further entries or changes are allowed.
- Option entry portal opens: 25 September 2026 at 11 AM
- Caution deposit deadline: 28 September 2026
- Option entry deadline: 29 September 2026 at 11 AM
- No extensions or late submissions are permitted
How to Enter Your Choices: Key Rules and Strategy
When you log in to enter your options, remember that you are starting fresh. Any choices you entered in rounds 1 or 2 will not carry forward—you must enter new options for round 3. This is intentional: it allows you to revise your preferences based on which seats are now vacant and what you have learned about colleges from earlier rounds. Enter your choices in strict order of preference, from your first choice to your last. Allotment is based on merit (your NEET rank), and the system will try to match you to the highest-ranked college on your list that has a vacant seat.
A strategic tip: even if a college does not currently show a vacant seat in the seat matrix, still include it in your options. Seats can become available during the allotment process when other candidates withdraw or upgrade. If you have already entered that college as an option, you have a chance to be allotted it. Conversely, if you do not include it, you cannot be allotted it even if a seat opens up. Check the fee structure for every college before entering it as an option. KEA will not entertain requests to cancel a seat after allotment simply because you did not know the fees. Once you are allotted a seat and report to the college, you cannot reject it or leave it later.
- Enter completely new options—previous round choices do not carry forward
- List colleges in strict order of preference
- Include colleges even if they show no vacant seats currently
- Check fee structures before entering any option
- Allotment is based on merit and seat availability
- You cannot reject or leave a seat after reporting to college
Special Cases: Already Reported to College or Paid Fees Elsewhere
If you have already reported to a medical or dental college after being allotted a seat in an earlier round, you do not need to pay a caution deposit to participate in round 3. You are automatically eligible to enter options for upgradation. However, if you have paid fees for another course (such as engineering or a non-medical program), that fee payment will not count as a caution deposit for round 3 NEET UG counselling. You must pay the caution deposit separately for the medical or dental seat you are now pursuing.
This distinction is important: KEA treats medical and dental counselling as a separate process. Fees paid for unrelated courses or in previous years do not transfer. If you are unsure whether your earlier payment qualifies, contact KEA directly before the deadline rather than risk your eligibility.
- Already reported to a college: No caution deposit needed for upgradation
- Paid fees for another course: Must pay caution deposit separately for round 3
- Fees from previous years or other courses do not transfer
What Happens If You Are Allotted a Seat in Round 3?
If your rank and choices align with available seats, KEA will allot you a college in round 3. Your caution deposit will be adjusted against the total admission fee you owe to that college. You will then be required to report to the college within the specified timeframe and complete your admission formalities. If you are allotted a seat but do not report, or if you report and then decide to cancel, your caution deposit will be forfeited. Additionally, you will be required to pay a penalty as per KEA rules, and you will lose eligibility to participate in future rounds of medical counselling—including All India Counselling (AICTE/NTA counselling for national-level seats).
This is a serious consequence. Do not enter a college as an option unless you are genuinely willing to join it. If you are allotted a seat and report to the college, you are committed. You cannot change your mind later and expect to get your deposit back or participate in future counselling rounds.
- Caution deposit is adjusted against admission fee if seat is allotted
- You must report to college within the specified deadline
- Non-reporting or cancellation after joining forfeits the deposit
- Penalty is charged, and you lose eligibility for future counselling rounds
- This includes All India Counselling in future years
How to Access the Option Entry Portal and Pay Your Deposit
The option entry portal and caution deposit payment link are available on the official KEA website at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. You will need your NEET UG registration number, password, and other credentials to log in. The portal will be live from 11 AM today onwards. Before you attempt to log in, ensure you have a stable internet connection and that you have your documents and fee payment method ready.
To pay the caution deposit, you will be directed to an online payment gateway. Most candidates can pay via debit card, credit card, or net banking. Keep a record of your payment confirmation and transaction ID. Once your deposit is confirmed, you will receive an acknowledgment, and you will then be eligible to enter your options. If your payment fails, try again immediately or contact KEA support. Do not assume the payment went through without confirmation.
- Portal: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
- Login with NEET UG registration number and password
- Portal opens at 11 AM on 25 September 2026
- Pay caution deposit via debit card, credit card, or net banking
- Save your payment confirmation and transaction ID
- Enter options only after deposit payment is confirmed
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Round 3 Counselling
Many aspirants lose their opportunity in round 3 by making preventable errors. The most common mistake is misunderstanding eligibility: if you selected Choice-4 in an earlier round or were allotted a seat but did not exercise your choice, you are ineligible, and your submission will be rejected. Another frequent error is paying the wrong caution deposit amount. If you want to apply for government medical seats but pay the private medical deposit, you will be locked out of government colleges. Similarly, some candidates enter options without checking the fee structure and then panic when they see the cost after allotment.
A third mistake is entering options in the wrong order or not entering enough options. If you list only 3 colleges and none of them have vacant seats matching your rank, you will not be allotted anything. Enter as many colleges as possible in order of preference. Finally, do not wait until the last hour to submit. Technical issues, payment delays, or portal congestion on the final day can prevent your submission from going through. Submit your deposit and options at least 24 hours before the deadline.
- Misunderstanding eligibility criteria and submitting when ineligible
- Paying the wrong caution deposit amount for your desired seat type
- Not checking fee structures before entering options
- Entering too few options or in the wrong order of preference
- Waiting until the last day to submit, risking technical failures
- Assuming a payment went through without confirmation
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Am I eligible for Karnataka Round 3 NEET UG counselling if I did not get a seat in rounds 1 and 2?
Yes, if you were not allotted any medical or dental seat in rounds 1 or 2, you are eligible to participate in round 3. However, if you were allotted a seat in an earlier round but did not exercise your choice, or if you selected Choice-4, you are not eligible. Check your allotment status carefully before submitting your round 3 options.
What is the caution deposit, and why do I need to pay it?
The caution deposit is a refundable amount you must pay to KEA before entering your college choices in round 3. It demonstrates your commitment to the counselling process. The amount depends on the type of seat you are pursuing: ₹1,00,000 for government medical or dental seats, ₹12,00,000 for private medical seats, and ₹25,00,000 for NRI/quota medical seats. If you are allotted a seat, the deposit is adjusted against your admission fee. If you do not report or cancel after joining, the deposit is forfeited.
What is the deadline for paying the caution deposit and entering my options?
You must pay your caution deposit by 28 September 2026. The option entry window closes on 29 September 2026 at 11 AM. You cannot enter options without first paying the deposit, so plan to pay at least 1–2 days before the option entry deadline to avoid last-minute issues.
Can I use fees I paid for another course as my caution deposit for round 3 medical counselling?
No. Fees paid for other courses (such as engineering) or in previous years do not count as a caution deposit for round 3 NEET UG counselling. You must pay the caution deposit separately for medical or dental seats. If you have already reported to a medical or dental college, you do not need to pay a deposit to participate in round 3 upgradation.
What happens if I am allotted a seat in round 3 but do not report to the college?
If you are allotted a seat and do not report within the specified timeframe, your caution deposit will be forfeited. You will also be charged a penalty as per KEA rules and will lose eligibility to participate in future rounds of medical counselling, including All India Counselling. This is a permanent consequence, so only enter colleges you are genuinely willing to join.
Can I change my options after I submit them in round 3?
No. Once you submit your options by 29 September 2026 at 11 AM, you cannot change them. The option entry window closes, and no further modifications are allowed. Enter your choices carefully and in the correct order of preference before submitting.
Should I include colleges that currently show no vacant seats in my options?
Yes. Even if a college does not currently show a vacant seat in the seat matrix, include it in your options if you are interested. Seats can become available during the allotment process when other candidates withdraw or upgrade. If you have already entered that college as an option, you have a chance to be allotted it. If you do not include it, you cannot be allotted it even if a seat opens up.
Where do I access the option entry portal and caution deposit payment link?
Both the option entry portal and caution deposit payment link are available on the official KEA website at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. The portal opens at 11 AM on 25 September 2026. Log in with your NEET UG registration number and password. Pay your deposit first, then enter your options.
Round 3 is your final opportunity to secure a medical or dental seat in Karnataka if you missed out in earlier rounds. Pay your caution deposit by 28 September and submit your options by 29 September at 11 AM. Check your eligibility, verify the fee structure for every college you list, and enter your choices in strict order of preference. Do not wait until the last day—submit early to avoid technical issues.
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