According to the announced schedule, the caution deposit window opened on September 24, 2026, while the online option-entry process is scheduled from September 25 to September 29, 2026. Candidates must pay the prescribed caution deposit by September 28 to participate in the third round. (Times of India)

KEA has also clarified important rules regarding eligibility, fresh option entry and admission after allotment. Candidates should carefully review the updated guidelines before participating in Round 3 because options entered during previous rounds will not automatically carry forward. (Shiksha)

Karnataka NEET UG Round 3 Counselling 2026: Highlights

The Round 3 schedule includes a separate caution deposit period and option-entry window. The seat allotment result and subsequent admission dates are to be announced by KEA. (Careers360)

Karnataka NEET UG Round 3 Important Dates 2026

KEA has announced the following important dates for the third round of Karnataka medical and dental counselling.

The Round 3 seat allotment result will be announced after the Medical Counselling Committee's All India Quota Round 3 result, according to the published counselling update. Candidates should monitor the KEA portal for the remaining dates. (Careers360)

Karnataka NEET UG Round 3 Caution Deposit 2026

The caution deposit is an important requirement for candidates who wish to participate in Karnataka UGNEET Round 3 counselling.

KEA has opened the caution deposit window from September 24 to September 28, 2026. Candidates who are required to pay the deposit must complete the payment within this period to become eligible for the option-entry process. (Times of India)

Candidates should log in to the official KEA portal and follow the payment instructions provided in their counselling account. They should also retain the payment receipt or transaction confirmation for future reference.

The exact deposit amount and any candidate-specific payment conditions should be verified from the official KEA notification and candidate login.

Karnataka NEET UG Round 3 Option Entry 2026

The Karnataka NEET UG Round 3 option-entry process will be conducted from September 25 to September 29, 2026.

Eligible candidates can enter their preferred colleges and courses through the KEA online counselling portal. The options submitted during this period will be considered for the third-round seat allotment.

KEA has clarified that candidates must submit their preferences afresh for Round 3 because options entered in earlier rounds will not be considered. Candidates should therefore prepare and submit a new preference list within the specified deadline. (Times of India)

Important Rules for Option Entry

Candidates should keep the following points in mind:

• Complete the caution deposit payment within the prescribed window, if applicable.

• Use the KEA candidate login to access the option-entry facility.

• Enter fresh college and course preferences for Round 3.

• Do not assume that choices submitted in earlier rounds will be carried forward.

• Arrange preferences carefully according to admission priorities.

• Review the complete list before submitting or locking options, as instructed by KEA.

• Complete the process before September 29, 2026.

Who Is Eligible for Karnataka NEET UG Round 3 Counselling 2026?

KEA has issued eligibility conditions for candidates participating in the third round of medical and dental seat allotment.

The round is intended to accommodate candidates in different counselling situations, including those who have not secured a seat and certain candidates who have already received an allotment. Eligibility depends on the candidate's status and compliance with the applicable KEA rules. (EdexLive)

Broadly, the following groups may be considered, subject to the official eligibility conditions:

1. Candidates Who Have Not Secured a Seat

Candidates who have not received an MBBS or BDS seat in the earlier rounds may be eligible to participate in Round 3, provided they satisfy the prescribed requirements.

2. Candidates Who Have Paid the Applicable Penalty

Candidates who have paid the required penalty after a previous seat allotment may be eligible to participate, subject to KEA's conditions and the status of their counselling account.

3. Candidates Who Have Already Secured Admission and Want an Upgrade

Certain candidates who have already taken admission to an allotted seat may be permitted to participate in Round 3 for upgradation, subject to the rules applicable to their allotment and admission status.

Candidates should check the official eligible and ineligible candidate lists and the detailed notification before proceeding. Eligibility is determined by KEA's rules and cannot be assumed solely from the candidate's participation in an earlier round. (Shiksha)

Karnataka NEET UG Round 3 Rules for Candidates Holding Seats

Candidates who have already received an MBBS or BDS seat should carefully examine the Round 3 rules before entering options.

The third round includes seats remaining vacant after Round 2 as well as seats that may become available due to cancellations, forfeitures or additions to the seat matrix. (EdexLive)

Candidates should verify:

• Whether their existing allotment permits participation in Round 3.

• Whether a caution deposit or penalty is applicable.

• Whether they are required to submit fresh options.

• What happens to their existing seat if a new seat is allotted.

• Whether admission to the newly allotted seat is mandatory.

• What cancellation or surrender conditions apply.

KEA has stated that candidates allotted a seat in Round 3 must mandatorily take admission to the allotted college. Candidates should therefore review the consequences of participating before submitting their preferences. (Times of India)

Karnataka NEET UG Round 3 Seat Allotment 2026

The Round 3 seat allotment will be conducted by KEA based on candidates' eligibility, NEET UG merit, submitted preferences, reservation provisions and seat availability.

The third round will consider seats remaining vacant after the previous round, along with seats that may become available due to cancellations, forfeitures or additions to the seat matrix. (EdexLive)

The allotment process is expected to include the following stages:

1.    Completion of the caution deposit process.

2.    Fresh option entry by eligible candidates.

3.    Processing of submitted choices.

4.    Publication of provisional allotment results.

5.    Publication of the final allotment result.

6.    Fee payment and admission formalities.

7.    Reporting to the allotted institution.

The exact dates for the provisional and final allotment results will be announced by KEA.

How to Complete Karnataka NEET UG Round 3 Option Entry 2026

Candidates can follow these general steps to participate in Round 3 option entry:

Step 1: Visit the Official KEA Website

Go to the Karnataka Examinations Authority's official counselling portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in or kea.kar.nic.in.

Step 2: Open the UGNEET 2026 Section

Locate the UGNEET 2026 counselling section and open the Round 3 notification or option-entry link.

Step 3: Log In to the Candidate Account

Enter the credentials required to access the counselling account.

Step 4: Complete the Caution Deposit

If the candidate is required to pay a caution deposit, complete the payment within the prescribed deadline.

Step 5: Enter Fresh Options

Select the preferred colleges and courses from the available options for Round 3.

Step 6: Arrange Preferences

Arrange the options in the order of preference, carefully considering the college, course and seat type.

Step 7: Review and Submit

Review the submitted preferences and complete the final submission or locking process as instructed by KEA.

Step 8: Save the Confirmation

Download or print the submitted option list or confirmation page for future reference.

Candidates should follow the exact instructions displayed on the KEA portal because the process may vary depending on their counselling status.

Karnataka NEET UG Round 3 Seat Matrix 2026

The Round 3 seat matrix is an important document for candidates preparing their college preferences.

The third-round allotment will consider seats that remain vacant after the second round, along with seats that may become available through cancellations, forfeitures or additions. (EdexLive)

Candidates should carefully check the latest seat matrix for:

• College name

• Course offered

• Seat category

• Quota

• Number of available seats

• Eligibility conditions

• Any newly added seats

The availability of a seat in the matrix does not guarantee allotment. Seat allocation depends on merit, eligibility, submitted preferences and the applicable counselling rules.

Karnataka NEET UG Round 3: What Happens After Seat Allotment?

After the Round 3 result is declared, candidates should check their allotment status through the KEA portal.

Candidates who receive a seat should carefully review the allotted college and course and follow the admission instructions issued by KEA.

The main post-allotment steps include:

1.    Check the provisional and final allotment results.

2.    Verify the allotted college and course.

3.    Review the admission and fee-payment instructions.

4.    Complete the prescribed fee payment within the deadline.

5.    Download the admission order or confirmation documents.

6.    Report to the allotted institution as instructed.

7.    Complete document verification and admission formalities.

Candidates who receive a seat in Round 3 should remember that admission to the allotted college is mandatory under the announced rules. (Times of India)

Karnataka NEET UG Round 3 Counselling 2026: Important Instructions

Candidates should keep the following instructions in mind:

• Check the official KEA Round 3 notification before participating.

• Verify eligibility using the applicable candidate list and rules.

• Pay the caution deposit by September 28, if required.

• Complete fresh option entry between September 25 and September 29.

• Do not rely on preferences submitted in earlier rounds.

• Review the consequences of accepting a Round 3 seat.

• Check the seat matrix before selecting colleges.

• Monitor the KEA website for the allotment result and further instructions.

• Complete admission formalities within the prescribed deadlines.

• Retain payment receipts, option-entry confirmations and allotment documents.

Karnataka NEET UG Round 3 Counselling 2026: Key Takeaway

The release of the Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Seat Allotment Schedule and Rules gives eligible candidates another opportunity to secure MBBS and BDS seats through KEA counselling.

The caution deposit window runs from September 24 to September 28, 2026, while fresh option entry is scheduled from September 25 to September 29, 2026. Candidates must follow the eligibility conditions and should not assume that options entered in earlier rounds will be carried forward. (Shiksha)

Candidates should also carefully consider the mandatory admission rule for seats allotted in Round 3 before submitting their preferences. The provisional and final allotment dates, fee-payment schedule and reporting instructions should be checked through the official KEA portal when announced.