Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Stray Round Option Entry Deadline Extended to October 19

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has issued a fresh counselling notice today. KEA has extended UGNEET 2026 stray round option entry to October 19. The new cut-off time is 9 AM on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. Candidates must lock their college and course choices before this window closes.

A total of 664 MBBS seats are available in this stray round. These seats span government and private medical colleges across Karnataka. KEA says no dental seats were left after the third round. The stray round is open only for medical seats this year. Fresh preferences are mandatory in this round. Choices entered during earlier

Karnataka UGNEET 2026 Stray Round Important Dates

Who Can Apply in the Stray Vacancy Round?

The stray round is open to NEET UG 2026 qualified candidates only. Those not allotted a seat in earlier KEA rounds can apply. Candidates who missed earlier registration can also join through fresh sign-up.

Candidates holding a dental seat allotment may still apply for medical seats. However, those already placed in medical colleges cannot participate in this round.

Karnataka UGNEET 2026 Stray Round Seat Matrix

KEA published the final seat matrix on October 8. The matrix lists all vacant seats by college, course, and quota type. Most vacancies are in private medical colleges across the state.

The seat matrix includes government, private, NRI, and management quota seats. Candidates can view the full college-wise list on the KEA portal. New vacancies may open if current allottees drop their seats.

Karnataka UGNEET 2026 Stray Round Fee Structure

A caution deposit or course fee is mandatory before option entry. The amount changes based on the seat category selected in this round.

Fee payment is accepted through net banking, debit cards, and credit cards. The verification slip can be downloaded only after successful payment.

Penalty for Non-Reporting After Allotment

Candidates who get a seat must report to the allotted college on time. Those who skip reporting or decline admission will face strict penalties.

KEA will forfeit the deposit paid by such candidates. An extra penalty of Rs 1,00,000 will also be charged. Such candidates will lose medical counselling eligibility for three years.

How to Enter Options for the Stray Round?

Option entry is the final step before seat allotment this round. The process must be completed well before 9 AM on October 19.

1. Visit the official KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
2. Log in using the user ID and password set during registration.
3. Pay the caution deposit for the chosen seat category online.
4. Download the verification slip once the payment is confirmed.
5. Enter and arrange college and course choices in priority order.
6. Save and lock the final preference list before the deadline.

KEA asks candidates to list all preferred colleges in the form. This applies even to colleges not shown in the current seat matrix.

Action Plan for Candidates

1. Confirm you have registered for the stray round by October 16.
2. Keep NEET UG 2026 scorecard and ID proofs ready.
3. Pay the applicable caution deposit well before the deadline.
4. Enter college and course preferences on the KEA portal.
5. Save and lock the final list before 9 AM on October 19.
6. Watch the KEA portal for the allotment result.

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