According to the latest update, 861 seats have been allotted in Round 3, comprising 503 MBBS seats and 358 BDS seats. The provisional allotment was published on October 3, 2026, and candidates must carefully review the available options before proceeding with the next stage of counselling.

KEA has specified procedures for candidates who receive allotments through both Karnataka state counselling and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) All India Quota counselling. Eligible candidates may choose Option 4 to exit the KEA counselling process in specified circumstances, while other candidates may cancel their allotted seats subject to the applicable penalty.

The deadline for exercising Option 4 or cancelling a seat under the announced provisions is October 5, 2026, at 12 noon. Candidates should carefully understand the rules before making a decision because exiting the KEA counselling process can affect their eligibility for subsequent rounds.

KEA UGNEET 2026 Round 3: Key Highlights

The provisional allotment has been prepared based on candidates' merit and the preferences entered during counselling. Candidates should check their individual allotment status rather than relying on general vacancy figures.

What Is the KEA UGNEET Round 3 Provisional Result?

The KEA UGNEET Round 3 provisional result is the preliminary seat allotment outcome for candidates seeking admission to undergraduate medical and dental programmes through Karnataka counselling.

The allotment process considers several factors, including:

• NEET UG 2026 rank and merit position

• Candidate eligibility

• Category and applicable reservation rules

• College and course preferences submitted by candidates

• Availability of seats in participating institutions

The provisional result allows candidates to review the seat allotted to them and determine the appropriate next step under KEA's counselling rules.

Candidates should note that the provisional result is not necessarily the final allotment. KEA has announced that it will rerun the Round 3 allotment process after the specified Option-4 and cancellation activities, using the existing choices submitted by candidates.

How Many Seats Were Allotted in Round 3?

A total of 861 MBBS and BDS seats were allotted in the provisional Round 3 results.

The allotment provides an important opportunity for candidates seeking medical and dental admission in Karnataka. However, candidates should check their individual results to determine whether they have received a seat and whether any further action is required.

How to Check KEA UGNEET 2026 Round 3 Seat Allotment Result

Candidates can follow these steps to check their provisional allotment:

Step 1: Visit the official Karnataka Examinations Authority website.

Step 2: Open the UGNEET 2026 medical and dental counselling section.

Step 3: Locate the notification for the Round 3 provisional seat allotment result.

Step 4: Open the relevant result link or candidate login facility.

Step 5: Enter the required login details, such as the CET number or other requested credentials.

Step 6: View the provisional allotment result and check the allotted college and course.

Step 7: Download or print the result for future reference.

Candidates should also read the accompanying KEA notification carefully to understand the options available to them.

What Is Choice-4 in KEA UGNEET Counselling?

Choice-4 is an option available under specified circumstances for candidates who do not wish to continue with their KEA-allotted seat because they intend to join a seat allotted through another counselling process.

In the current Round 3 process, Choice-4 is particularly relevant to candidates who have received seats through both KEA and MCC counselling.

Candidates who wish to leave the KEA allotment and join their MCC Round 3 seat may exercise Choice-4 within the prescribed deadline, provided they meet the conditions specified by KEA.

The deadline for exercising Choice-4 is October 5, 2026, at 12 noon.

Candidates should not select this option without first understanding its consequences. Those who exit KEA counselling through the specified routes will not be eligible to participate in subsequent KEA counselling rounds.

Choice-4 and Seat Cancellation: Who Should Choose Which Option?

KEA has outlined different procedures depending on the candidate's circumstances.

1. Candidates Allotted Seats Through Both MCC and KEA

Candidates who have received an allotment through both MCC Round 3 and KEA Round 3 and wish to join the MCC-allotted seat may select Choice-4 on the KEA portal.

Under the announced provisions, these candidates can exit the KEA allotment without paying the specified cancellation penalty.

The action must be completed by 12 noon on October 5, 2026.

2. Candidates Who Joined a KEA Round 1 or Round 2 Seat and Want an MCC Round 3 Seat

Candidates who have already joined a college through KEA Round 1 or Round 2 but now wish to take an MCC Round 3 seat can cancel their KEA seat under the specified provisions.

A penalty of ₹10,000 applies to this category of cancellation.

Candidates must complete the cancellation procedure by the announced deadline.

3. Candidates Who Want to Join Another State's Round 3 Seat

Candidates who have been allotted a seat through another state's Round 3 counselling and do not wish to retain their KEA Round 3 seat may cancel their KEA allotment, subject to the applicable conditions.

A cancellation penalty of ₹10,000 applies under the announced provisions.

The same deadline of October 5, 2026, at 12 noon applies.

4. Candidates Who Do Not Want Their KEA Round 3 Seat

Candidates who no longer wish to retain their KEA-allotted seat should review the applicable cancellation rules and complete the prescribed process within the deadline.

They should not simply ignore the allotment or assume that non-reporting will automatically cancel their admission without consequences.

Can Candidates Retain Their KEA Round 3 Seat After Receiving an MCC Allotment?

Yes, the notification also addresses a specific situation involving candidates who wish to retain their KEA seat.

Candidates who have joined an MCC Round 1 or Round 2 college, received an MCC Round 3 allotment and also secured a KEA Round 3 seat may retain their KEA seat under the specified conditions.

Such candidates must send an email to keauthority-ka@nic.in with the subject line:

Confirmation of My KEA Seat

The email must include the candidate's:

• CET number

• Name

• Rank

The confirmation email must be sent by October 5, 2026, at 12 noon.

Candidates in this situation should follow the precise instructions in the official KEA notification and avoid assuming that their KEA seat will automatically be retained.

KEA to Rerun Round 3 Seat Allotment

One of the most important developments in the current counselling process is KEA's decision to rerun the Round 3 allotment.

The rerun is intended to make seats vacated by candidates who exercise Choice-4 or cancel their allotments available to other eligible candidates.

The process is expected to follow these steps:

1.    Candidates complete the prescribed Choice-4 or cancellation process.

2.    Seats released through these activities become available for reconsideration.

3.    KEA reruns the Round 3 allotment using the choices already submitted by candidates.

4.    Revised provisional allotment results are published.

5.    Candidates may be considered for upgrades to higher-preference seats, subject to merit, seat availability and the applicable rules.

6.    KEA subsequently publishes the final Round 3 results.

Candidates will not be permitted to change their existing options for the rerun. Therefore, the choices previously submitted will remain important in determining the outcome.

KEA has also indicated that Choice-4 and cancellation will no longer be available once the revised provisional results of the rerun are announced.

What Happens After the Revised Provisional Result?

After the rerun, KEA will publish the revised provisional results and subsequently issue the final Round 3 allotment results.

Candidates should carefully check their updated allotment status because the rerun may affect the college or course offered to them.

Those who receive an upgraded seat should read the new allotment instructions carefully and follow the applicable admission and reporting requirements.

Candidates should also monitor the KEA website for further notices regarding the final result, fee payment, reporting and subsequent counselling stages.

Penalty for Surrendering a Seat After the Final Round 3 Result

KEA has specified additional financial and eligibility consequences for candidates who surrender their seats after the final Round 3 result.

Candidates who surrender an allotted seat after the final Round 3 result but before the last date for entering options for the stray vacancy round will be subject to the following penalties:

These penalties are distinct from the ₹10,000 cancellation penalty applicable to the specified earlier cancellation situations.

Candidates should therefore distinguish between cancelling a seat during the current Choice-4/cancellation window and surrendering a seat after the final Round 3 result.

Consequences of Surrendering a Seat After the Stray Vacancy Deadline

KEA has warned that requests to surrender seats will not be entertained after the last date prescribed for entering options for the stray vacancy round.

Candidates who surrender seats in circumstances covered by these provisions may also be barred from participating in counselling for the next three years, and the information may be communicated to MCC.

These rules are intended to discourage candidates from holding seats that they do not intend to join, thereby reducing disruption to other eligible aspirants waiting for admission.

Candidates should read the official notification carefully before making any decision that could affect their admission status.

Important Advice for Candidates

Candidates participating in KEA UGNEET 2026 Round 3 should keep the following points in mind:

1.    Check the provisional allotment result using the official KEA portal.

2.    Verify the allotted college and course.

3.    Review the conditions for Choice-4 and seat cancellation.

4.    Complete the applicable action by October 5, 2026, at 12 noon.

5.    Pay the applicable cancellation penalty where required.

6.    If retaining the KEA seat under the specified MCC-related provision, send the required email within the deadline.

7.    Remember that exiting KEA counselling may make you ineligible for subsequent KEA rounds.

8.    Understand that KEA will rerun the Round 3 allotment.

9.    Note that existing choices will be used for the rerun and cannot be changed.

10.                   Check the revised provisional and final results when announced.

11.                   Review the financial consequences of surrendering a seat after the final result.

12.                   Follow all admission and reporting instructions issued by KEA.

Conclusion

The release of the KEA UGNEET 2026 Round 3 provisional seat allotment result marks an important stage in Karnataka's MBBS and BDS admission process. A total of 861 seats have been allotted provisionally, including 503 MBBS seats and 358 BDS seats.

Candidates must now carefully evaluate their allotment and determine whether to retain their KEA seat, exercise Choice-4 or cancel their seat under the applicable rules. The deadline for the specified Choice-4 and cancellation activities is October 5, 2026, at 12 noon.

KEA's planned rerun of the Round 3 allotment is also significant because seats released through cancellations may be offered to other eligible candidates based on their existing choices, merit and seat availability.

Candidates should be particularly cautious about the financial penalties and restrictions associated with cancellation or surrender. The ₹10,000 cancellation penalty applicable to specified situations differs from the post-final-result surrender penalties of ₹1,10,000 for MBBS and ₹60,000 for BDS.

Aspirants are advised to check their allotment status, read the official instructions thoroughly and complete all required actions before the prescribed deadlines. Careful decision-making at this stage is essential to protect their admission prospects and avoid unnecessary financial or eligibility consequences.