Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026: Registration Expected August, Round Wise Seat Allotment and Cutoff

Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026 is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for admission to MBBS and BDS courses in medical and dental colleges across the state. With NEET UG 2026 held today on June 21, 2026, candidates can now look ahead to the result declaration and the subsequent KEA counselling process. KEA manages 85% state quota seats across government, government-aided, and private medical and dental colleges in Karnataka, covering more than 9,100 MBBS and 2,600 BDS seats in total.

Latest Update (June 21, 2026): NEET UG 2026 exam has been conducted today across India. Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026 will begin after the NEET UG 2026 result is declared, which is expected in late July 2026.

• NEET UG 2026 Result: The result is expected in the last week of July 2026 — around July 25 to July 31. In 2025, NEET was held on May 4 and the result came on June 14, 2025. Based on that timeline, the 2026 result should arrive around 4 to 5 weeks after the June 21 exam.
• Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026 Registration: KEA is expected to open registration in August–September 2026 after the NEET score release. You must register on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in to participate in the counselling process.
• Round 1 Seat Allotment: Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026 Round 1 allotment is expected in October 2026. Karnataka has 9,133 MBBS seats and 2,619 BDS seats across government and private colleges under KEA counselling.
• NEET UG 2026 Answer Key: NTA is expected to release the NEET UG 2026 provisional answer key in early July 2026, within 2 to 3 weeks of today’s exam. In 2025, the answer key was released on June 7, 2025, about 5 weeks before the result.

What is Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026?

Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026 is the state-level medical admissions process run by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for filling MBBS and BDS seats in Karnataka’s medical and dental colleges. It is based on NEET UG scores and covers 85% state quota seats in government, government-aided, and private medical colleges across Karnataka.

The 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats in Karnataka government colleges are filled separately by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) through MCC NEET UG counselling. Karnataka students can participate in both KEA and MCC counsellings at the same time.

Under Karnataka NEET Counselling, seats are available in the following categories:

• Government / CET Seats: Seats in government medical colleges allotted on merit and category reservation, primarily for Karnataka domicile candidates.
• Management Quota (GMP): Around 35% of private college seats managed by the respective college management, open to all-India candidates.
• NRI Quota: Up to 15% of seats in private colleges reserved for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) candidates.
• Hyderabad-Karnataka (HK) Region Quota: Additional seats reserved for students from the six Kalyana Karnataka districts — Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Koppal, Yadgir, and Ballari — in colleges located in that region.

KEA also conducts Karnataka NEET Counselling for AYUSH courses: BAMS (Ayurveda), BHMS (Homeopathy), BUMS (Unani), and BNYS (Naturopathy). However, MBBS and BDS remain the most sought-after programmes by far.

More than 1 lakh Karnataka students appear in NEET UG every year hoping to secure a seat through KEA counselling. The competition is very high, especially for government colleges like BMCRI Bangalore and MMCRI Mysuru, which have the highest cutoffs in the state.

The official website for Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026 is cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. All registration, document upload, choice filling, and allotment links will be published on this portal.

Important Dates for Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026

KEA has not yet released the official Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026 schedule. The dates below are expected based on the 2025 schedule and confirmed research. KEA typically releases the notification 4 to 6 weeks after the NEET UG result. All official dates will be published on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.

Source: KEA Official Website — cetonline.karnataka.gov.in

Eligibility Criteria for Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026

To take part in Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026, you must meet KEA’s eligibility conditions. These cover domicile requirements, academic qualifications, age, and NEET qualifying scores.

Domicile and Nativity Requirement

Karnataka NEET Counselling covers state quota seats. Candidates are divided into categories based on their nativity:

• Kannadiga Candidates: Students who have studied in Karnataka for at least 7 years (Class 1 to 12 or a continuous stretch covering those years) and hold a Karnataka domicile certificate. These students are eligible for government college CET seats under General Merit (GM) and reserved category quotas.
• Hyderabad-Karnataka (HK) Region Candidates: Students from the six HK districts — Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Koppal, Yadgir, and Ballari — get additional reservation for seats in HK region colleges. They must produce a nativity and study certificate from HK districts.
• Children of Karnataka State Government Employees: Eligible for CET category seats even if the student studied outside Karnataka, provided the parent is a serving Karnataka state government employee at the time of application.
• Non-Karnataka Candidates: Students from other states are NOT eligible for government college CET seats. They can apply only for Management Quota (GMP) and NRI Quota seats in private colleges through KEA counselling.

Academic Qualification

• You must have passed Class 12 (10+2 or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology as compulsory subjects, along with English.
• Minimum PCB marks: 50% for General / OBC, 40% for SC / ST, and 45% for PwD (General) candidates.
• Students appearing in Class 12 in 2026 and awaiting results are provisionally eligible, but admission is confirmed only after the qualifying mark criteria is met and results are produced.

Age Requirement

• You must be at least 17 years old as of December 31, 2026.
• There is currently no upper age limit for MBBS and BDS admission as per the Supreme Court ruling. Check the latest NTA and KEA notifications for any updates to this rule.

NEET UG 2026 Qualifying Percentile

You must have qualified NEET UG 2026 with at least the minimum qualifying percentile. Crossing the qualifying cutoff makes you eligible to register for counselling — it does not guarantee MBBS admission, which needs a much higher score.

Note: The qualifying percentile for NEET UG 2026 will be officially confirmed in the result notification. Scores above are based on the 2025 qualifying cutoff and are indicative only.

How to Register for Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026

Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026 registration will be done online on the KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. The process has multiple steps and you must complete all of them within the deadline. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Online Registration

• Visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea when KEA opens the Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026 registration link.
• Enter your NEET UG 2026 roll number, date of birth, and mobile number to create an account.
• Set a login ID and password — keep these safe for all future logins.

Step 2: Fill the Application Form

• Enter personal details: name, date of birth, address, mobile number, email ID.
• Enter your Class 10 and Class 12 details: board name, year of passing, total marks.
• Enter NEET UG 2026 score, roll number, and rank as shown on your official scorecard.
• Select your category: GM (General Merit), SC, ST, OBC-2A, OBC-2B, OBC-3A, OBC-3B, Category-1, EWS, or PwD.
• Indicate your domicile and nativity status: Kannadiga, HK region, or non-Karnataka.

Step 3: Upload Documents

• Upload scanned copies of all required documents (listed in Section 6) in the KEA-specified file format and size.
• Documents with poor clarity or wrong format will be rejected — scan clearly in colour and check each file before uploading.

Step 4: Pay the Registration Fee

Pay the registration fee online through net banking, UPI, or debit/credit card. Based on 2025 fee data (2026 fee to be confirmed in official notification):

Step 5: Document Verification at Help Line Centre (HLC)

• After online registration, you must attend document verification at a KEA-designated Help Line Centre (HLC) in your district.
• Carry original documents and two sets of self-attested photocopies.
• Document verification is mandatory — without HLC verification, you cannot participate in choice filling or seat allotment.
• KEA releases the HLC list and verification schedule with the official counselling notification.

Step 6: Choice Filling

• After document verification, log in to the KEA portal and fill your college and course preferences.
• You can add up to 100+ college-course combinations as choices, in order of preference.
• Lock your choices before the deadline — you cannot change them after locking.

Step 7: Seat Allotment and Reporting

• KEA releases the allotment result based on your NEET rank, category, and choices.
• If you get a seat, report to the allotted college within the KEA-specified date, pay the seat confirmation fee, and submit original documents for final admission.

Documents Required for Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026

Gather all the documents below before Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026 registration opens. KEA verifies originals at the Help Line Centre — missing or invalid documents lead to rejection of your application.

• NEET UG 2026 Admit Card
• NEET UG 2026 Scorecard / Rank Card (once declared by NTA)
• Class 10 Mark Sheet and Passing Certificate (proof of date of birth and educational qualification)
• Class 12 Mark Sheet and Passing Certificate
• Transfer Certificate (TC) from the last school or college attended
• Karnataka Domicile / Nativity Certificate issued by the Revenue Department (Tehsildar or above)
• Study and Conduct Certificate or school records proving 7 years of study in Karnataka schools (for Kannadiga category)
• Caste / Community Certificate — for SC, ST, OBC-2A, OBC-2B, OBC-3A, OBC-3B, and Category-1 candidates, issued by Karnataka government authority
• Income Certificate — required for income-based reservation categories and fee concessions
• Hyderabad-Karnataka (HK) Region Certificate — if claiming HK quota, issued by the district authority
• PwD (Disability) Certificate — if applicable, issued by a District Medical Board
• Aadhaar Card (for identity verification and eKYC)
• Recent Passport Size Photographs (white background, taken within the last 3 months)
• Parent’s Service Certificate — only for children of Karnataka state government employees posted outside Karnataka

All caste, income, domicile, and HK region certificates must be issued by Karnataka government-authorised authorities. Certificates issued by other state governments will not be accepted for state quota seats.

Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026: Seat Matrix

Karnataka has one of the highest numbers of MBBS and BDS seats among all Indian states. KEA controls the state quota portion of these seats. Here is the seat breakdown for Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026, based on 2025 data:

Karnataka MBBS Seat Distribution (Based on 2025 Data)

Karnataka BDS Seat Distribution (Based on 2025 Data)

Note: KEA releases the exact seat matrix — category-wise and college-wise — along with the 2026 Karnataka NEET Counselling notification. Deemed university seats (Kasturba Medical College Manipal/Mangalore, Amrita Institute, etc.) are NOT part of KEA counselling and are filled through MCC or university-level admission processes.

Source: KEA Karnataka — cetonline.karnataka.gov.in

Choice Filling and Seat Allotment in Karnataka NEET Counselling

Choice filling is the most important step in Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026. The seat you get depends entirely on your NEET rank, category, and the order of your choices. Here is everything you need to know:

How Choice Filling Works

• KEA opens an online choice filling window on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in after document verification is complete.
• You can add college-course combinations in your preferred order — typically up to 100+ choices.
• KEA’s automated algorithm tries to give you the highest-ranked choice you are eligible for, based on your NEET rank and category.
• The more choices you add, the higher your chance of getting a seat. Do not leave the list short.

Tips for Filling Choices in Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026

• Put your absolute top preference — best college, best course — as Choice 1.
• Include a balanced mix of government colleges (low fees, strong clinical training) and private colleges (more seats, slightly lower cutoffs).
• Use the 2025 cutoff data in Section 11 to identify which colleges are within reach and which are ambitious targets.
• Do not list only top colleges. Include colleges where your score is well above the previous year’s closing to ensure you get a seat even in the worst case.
• You cannot change your choices after locking — double-check everything carefully before you click lock.

How Seat Allotment Works

• KEA uses a merit-based automated allotment algorithm.
• The algorithm processes all registered candidates, filling each candidate’s highest available choice based on NEET rank and category seat availability.
• Allotment results are published on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in with the allotted college and course.

Reporting After Seat Allotment

• If you get a seat, you must report to the allotted college within the KEA-specified deadline.
• Pay the seat confirmation fee at the college. Government college fees are much lower than private college fees.
• Submit original documents at the college for final verification and admission.
• Missing the reporting deadline means your allotted seat is automatically cancelled and released to the next round.

Withdrawing from an Allotted Seat

• If you do not want the allotted seat, you must formally withdraw within KEA’s withdrawal window — simply not reporting is not enough and may lead to penalties.
• Always follow the official withdrawal procedure and check KEA’s specific withdrawal rules for 2026 when they are released.

Top Government Medical Colleges in Karnataka

Karnataka has 17+ government medical colleges offering MBBS seats under KEA counselling. These colleges have the lowest fees — around Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 25,000 per year — and strong clinical training infrastructure attached to large district and teaching hospitals. Here are the top government MBBS colleges in Karnataka for 2026:

BMCRI Bangalore is the most competitive and most preferred government medical college in Karnataka. It has the highest cutoff in the state and is attached to Victoria Hospital, one of the largest government hospitals in South India. MMCRI Mysuru and KIMS Hubballi are the next most sought-after government colleges, with strong clinical exposure and research infrastructure.

Top Private Medical Colleges in Karnataka Accepting NEET Score

Karnataka has 35+ private medical colleges with seats under KEA counselling (CET / state quota). These colleges have higher fees than government colleges but offer more seats and are more accessible in terms of cutoff. Here are the top private MBBS colleges in Karnataka for 2026:

Note: Kasturba Medical College Manipal and Kasturba Medical College Mangalore are deemed universities. Their seats are NOT part of KEA counselling and follow a separate MCC or MAHE admission process. Fees shown above are approximate for CET quota seats. Management quota (GMP) fees in private colleges are significantly higher — typically Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh per year.

What to Do After NEET UG 2026 Exam: Next Steps for Karnataka Students

NEET UG 2026 was held today, June 21, 2026. If you appeared for the exam, here is a clear action plan to prepare for Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026 in the coming months:

Immediate Steps — June to July 2026

• Match your answers with the unofficial key: Coaching institutes like Allen, Aakash, and Resonance typically release unofficial NEET answer keys on exam day. Use these to get a score estimate while waiting for the official key from NTA.
• Wait for the NTA provisional answer key: NTA is expected to release the official NEET UG 2026 provisional answer key in early July 2026. Use it to calculate your score more precisely.
• Raise objections if required: If you spot errors in the answer key, raise objections through the NTA portal within the 2 to 3 day objection window. A fee is charged per objection raised.
• Estimate your expected NEET rank: Once you have a reliable score estimate, check NEET marks vs rank data from 2024 and 2025 to predict your likely rank range for 2026. This will help you shortlist colleges.
• Research Karnataka colleges: Use your estimated rank to shortlist government and private college options in Karnataka. The 2025 cutoff table in Section 11 is your best guide right now.

After NEET UG 2026 Result — Late July 2026 Onwards

• Download your NEET UG 2026 scorecard: The official scorecard from neet.nta.nic.in is required for all counselling processes. Download and save multiple copies immediately after the result is out.
• Register for MCC AIQ counselling: If your rank is competitive for government medical colleges, you should also register for MCC All India Quota counselling at mcc.nic.in. The 15% AIQ seats in Karnataka government colleges are filled through MCC, not KEA — register for both counsellings simultaneously.
• Prepare your documents well in advance: Collect, verify, and organise all documents listed in Section 6 before KEA opens registration. Ensure that caste, income, and domicile certificates are valid and not expired at the time of HLC verification.
• Monitor the KEA portal: Check cetonline.karnataka.gov.in regularly for the Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026 notification. KEA usually releases it 4 to 6 weeks after the NEET result.

During Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026 — August to November 2026

• Register on the KEA portal on the first day: As soon as registration opens, complete it without delay. Last-minute registrations risk missing HLC document verification appointments at your preferred centre.
• Attend document verification at your HLC on time: Book your slot at the nearest Help Line Centre and attend on time. Without HLC verification, you cannot fill choices or get a seat.
• Fill choices strategically: Use the 2025 cutoff data as your guide. Add 80 to 100 choices covering both aspirational targets and safe options. Always list your top preference as Choice 1.
• Report to the allotted college without delay: Once you get a seat, report to the allotted college within the KEA deadline. Pay the seat confirmation fee and submit your original documents on the same day if possible.

Note: You can participate in Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026 and MCC AIQ counselling at the same time. Registering for one does not affect your eligibility for the other. If you get a seat through MCC AIQ and accept it, you will need to withdraw from KEA counselling — or vice versa — as per the rules.