The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has issued a schedule (No. ED/KEA/ADMN/CR-04/2026, dated 07-08-2026) that covers two things together: the Second Round seat allotment for UGCET courses (Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary, Pharmacy and similar) and, importantly for NEET aspirants, the First Round seat allotment for UGNEET-2026 — that is, MBBS and BDS seats in Karnataka. This is a schedule announcement, not a result. It tells eligible candidates when the medical/dental seat matrix will be visible, when they can enter or change their course options, and when the first round provisional allotment result for MBBS/BDS will come out. Anyone who has registered for Karnataka's UGNEET counselling and wants a government or private medical/dental seat in the state must follow these exact dates.
Eligible UGNEET candidates in Karnataka must add or edit their Medical, Dental and Pharmacy options — after downloading their verification slip — between 7:00 pm on 7 August 2026 and 9:00 am on 13 August 2026, with the first round provisional result due on 19 August 2026.
What KEA released on 7 August 2026
KEA published the seat matrix for Medical and Dental courses on 07-08-2026. A seat matrix is simply the full list of MBBS and BDS seats available in each college, category-wise, that candidates can choose from in this round.
On the same date, KEA also displayed the seat matrix for Engineering, Farm Science, Veterinary and similar UGCET courses, including seats freed up from Choice-3, Choice-4, forfeited or cancelled seats, and any newly added seats.
This is the first round of allotment for UGNEET (MBBS/BDS) courses, while for UGCET courses this is the second round. The two processes are running on the same calendar but under different rules — the article below focuses on what matters for MBBS/BDS candidates.
Option entry window — what you can and must do
Eligible candidates can add, modify, delete or re-order their course options between 7:00 pm on 07-08-2026 and 9:00 am on 13-08-2026.
For Medical, Dental and Pharmacy options specifically, the notice adds a condition: you can include these options only after downloading your verification slip. If you have not downloaded this slip, you will not be able to add MBBS, BDS or Pharmacy choices in this round — so do this first before trying to enter options.
Since this is the first round for UGNEET courses, candidates get four choices to select from (unlike later UGCET rounds, which restrict candidates to fewer choices).
- Window to add/modify/delete/re-order options: 7:00 pm on 07-08-2026 to 9:00 am on 13-08-2026
- Medical, Dental and Pharmacy options can be added only after downloading the verification slip
- UGNEET (MBBS/BDS) candidates get four choices in this first round
Surrendering a first-round allotted seat
The notice states that candidates who are interested in surrendering their first-round allotted seat (Choice-1 or Choice-2) should do so on or before 11:00 am on 13-08-2026, in person at the KEA office in Bengaluru. A penalty will apply as per KEA's rules.
If you already hold an allotted seat from an earlier round and want to give it up to try for a different course or college in this round, you must complete the surrender in person by the deadline above — it cannot be done online, and missing this cut-off means you stay bound to your allotted seat.
Result date for UGNEET First Round
The provisional seat allotment result will be published on 19-08-2026, after 10:00 am. This single date covers both the Second Round result for UGCET courses and the First Round result for UGNEET (Medical/Dental) courses.
KEA has advised candidates to keep checking its official website for updates, since counselling schedules can shift.
Schedule at a glance
Here are the key dates from the notice relevant to MBBS/BDS (UGNEET) candidates.
| Event | Date / Time |
|---|---|
| Display of seat matrix — Medical and Dental | 07-08-2026 |
| Display of seat matrix — Engineering, Farm Science, Veterinary etc. | 07-08-2026 |
| Option entry (add/modify/delete/re-order) opens | 7:00 pm on 07-08-2026 |
| Option entry closes (includes Medical, Dental, Pharmacy after downloading verification slip) | 9:00 am on 13-08-2026 |
| Last time to surrender first-round allotted seat (Choice-1/Choice-2), in person at KEA Bengaluru | 11:00 am on 13-08-2026 |
| Provisional seat allotment result — First Round for UGNEET courses / Second Round for UGCET courses | 19-08-2026, after 10:00 am |
How this differs from the UGCET (non-medical) process
The notice makes an important distinction between UGCET courses and UGNEET courses that candidates should not confuse.
For UGCET courses (Engineering, Architecture, Agricultural Science, Veterinary, Pharmacy, B.Sc. Nursing, Yoga & Naturopathy, BPT, BPO, Allied Health Sciences), after the second round result, candidates can only choose Choice-1 or Choice-4 — Choice-2 and Choice-3 are not available to them. If a UGCET candidate picks Choice-1, pays the fee and reports to the college, they may still be allowed to participate in the third round, based on an agreement and subject to conditions.
For UGNEET courses (MBBS/BDS), because this is the first round, candidates get all four choices — there is no such restriction at this stage.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Is this notice about MBBS/BDS admission in Karnataka?
Yes. Along with the UGCET second round, this notice specifically covers the First Round seat allotment schedule for UGNEET-2026, which is Karnataka's counselling for MBBS and BDS seats through NEET UG.
When was the Medical and Dental seat matrix released?
The seat matrix for Medical and Dental courses was displayed on 07-08-2026.
Can I add MBBS or BDS as an option right now?
Yes, but only after you download your verification slip. Once you have it, you can add Medical, Dental or Pharmacy options during the option entry window: 7:00 pm on 07-08-2026 to 9:00 am on 13-08-2026.
How many course choices can I select in this round?
Since this is the First Round for UGNEET courses, you get four choices.
When will the first round result for MBBS/BDS be announced?
The provisional seat allotment result for the UGNEET First Round is scheduled for 19-08-2026, after 10:00 am.
What if I already have a seat allotted and want to surrender it?
You must surrender it in person at the KEA office in Bengaluru on or before 11:00 am on 13-08-2026. A penalty applies as per the rules.
Is the option entry process the same for Engineering and Medical courses?
No. UGCET courses (like Engineering) are in their second round with restricted choices (only Choice-1 or Choice-4), while UGNEET (MBBS/BDS) is in its first round with all four choices available.
Where should I check for updates?
KEA has advised all candidates to keep checking the official KEA website (kea.kar.nic.in) regularly, as schedules can change.
If you are a UGNEET-2026 candidate in Karnataka, download your verification slip immediately and use the option entry window between 7 pm on 7 August and 9 am on 13 August 2026 to add or reorder your Medical, Dental and Pharmacy choices. Keep watching the KEA website for the provisional result on 19 August 2026, and if you plan to surrender any earlier allotted seat, do it in person at KEA Bengaluru before 11 am on 13 August 2026 to avoid missing the deadline.
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