NEET

Karnataka NEET UG Counselling 2026: Complete FAQs on Eligibility, Dates, Application & Cutoff Updates

Medical

Updated on June 11, 2026

The NEET UG Karnataka Counselling 2026, conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), is the key admission process for candidates seeking MBBS and BDS seats in government and private medical and dental colleges across the state. Based on NEET UG 2026 scores and Karnataka state quota rules, the counselling process includes online registration, document verification, choice filling, and multiple rounds of seat allotment. Each stage plays a crucial role in determining admission to top medical institutions in Karnataka. Given the high level of competition, understanding the complete process is essential for aspirants. This guide provides detailed insights into dates, eligibility, registration, and important updates.

Karnataka NEET UG Counselling 2026 Important Dates

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducts NEET UG Karnataka Counselling 2026 for admission to MBBS and BDS courses based on NEET UG 2026 ranks. The counselling process follows a structured timeline from registration to final admission.

Event	Tentative Date
NEET UG 2026 Notification Release	8 March 2026
NEET UG 2026 Application Window	8 February – 8 March 2026
Admit Card Release	May 2026
NEET UG 2026 Exam Date	21 June 2026
NEET UG 2026 Result	July 2026
Karnataka Counselling Registration Begins	August 2026
Document Verification & Fee Payment	August 2026
Merit List Publication	August 2026
Choice Filling & Locking	August 2026
Round 1 Seat Allotment	September 2026
Round 2 Seat Allotment	September 2026
Mop-Up Round	October 2026
Stray Vacancy Round	October 2026
Final Admission Closure	October 2026

Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Eligibility Criteria & Domicile Rules (KEA)

KEA manages 85% State Quota seats, while 15% AIQ seats are handled by MCC.

Key Eligibility Conditions:

Must qualify NEET UG 2026
Minimum age: 17 years as of 31 Dec 2026
Must have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology & English
Karnataka domicile required for state quota seats
No upper age limit (as per NMC rules)

Minimum Marks Requirement:

Category	Minimum % in PCB
General	50%
OBC / SC / ST	40%
PwD	45%

Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Reservation Policy

Karnataka follows a structured reservation system for state quota MBBS and BDS seats under KEA counselling.

Category	Reservation Policy
SC	As per Karnataka Government norms
ST	As per Karnataka Government norms
OBC (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B)	Category-based reservation applicable
EWS	As per central/state guidelines
PwD	As per NMC norms
Rural Quota	Applicable in select government colleges
Kannada Medium	Applicable under specific KEA clauses

Reservation benefits are applicable only for Karnataka domicile candidates under state quota seats.

Karnataka Domicile Eligibility Clauses (KEA Rules)

Karnataka NEET UG counselling follows strict eligibility clauses based on study history, parent domicile, and category.

Clause	Eligibility Condition	Required Documents
a	7 years study in Karnataka (1–12)	SSLC, Study Certificate
b	11–12 in Karnataka + parent studied 7 years	Study Certificates
c	Kannada/Tulu/Kodava/Beary + studied outside	Language & Domicile proof
d	Studied in border Kannada regions	Residence proof
e	Defence personnel posted in Karnataka	Service certificate
f	Karnataka-origin defence personnel	Hometown declaration
g	Defence personnel in J&K/NE	Service + residence proof
h	Ex-serviceman Karnataka origin	Hometown declaration
i	Govt employee transferred in Karnataka	Transfer certificate
j	Govt employee with Karnataka domicile	Study + domicile proof
k	MP ward category	MP certificate
l	AIS officer Karnataka cadre	Service certificate
m	J&K migrant	Migration certificate

KEA NEET UG 2026 Registration Process

The registration process for Karnataka NEET UG Counselling 2026 is fully online and includes multiple verification and submission steps.

Step-by-Step Process:

Visit Official Portal
Access the KEA counselling website and open the NEET UG 2026 registration link.
New Registration
Enter NEET UG roll number, personal details, and create login credentials.
Application Form Filling
Provide academic details, category, domicile, and reservation information carefully.
Document Upload
Upload scanned photograph, signature, NEET scorecard, admit card, and certificates.
Fee Payment
Pay the required registration fee via UPI, net banking, or card.
Final Submission
Verify all details, submit the form, and download confirmation with application number.

Karnataka NEET UG Counselling 2026: Counselling Rounds Explained

The Karnataka NEET UG counselling process is conducted in multiple rounds to ensure fair seat allocation based on NEET rank, category, and availability of seats.

Round	Purpose
Round 1	Initial seat allotment for all eligible candidates
Round 2	Upgradation and fresh allotment for remaining seats
Mop-Up Round	Filling of vacant seats after Round 2
Stray Vacancy Round	Final round for leftover seats in colleges

Candidates may choose to upgrade, retain, or re-participate depending on seat availability and rules defined by KEA.

Documents Required for Karnataka NEET UG Counselling 2026

Candidates must keep both academic and category-related documents ready for verification.

Mandatory Registration Documents

SSLC / 10th Marks Card
12th / 2nd PUC Marks Card
NEET UG 2026 Admit Card
NEET UG 2026 Scorecard
Passport-size Photograph (JPEG format)
Candidate Signature (JPEG format)

Counselling Verification Documents

Domicile Certificate (if applicable)
Category / Caste Certificate
Income Certificate / NCLC (if applicable)
Study Certificates (Karnataka-based eligibility proof)
Academic Certificates

Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Seat Matrix Overview

Karnataka offers one of the largest MBBS seat pools in India across government and private medical colleges.

Total MBBS Seats: ~13,900+
Government Medical Colleges: 70+
Private Medical Colleges: 40+
Deemed Universities: Included separately under MCC counselling
State Quota Seats: 85%
All India Quota Seats: 15% (via MCC)

Seat allocation is strictly based on NEET UG 2026 rank, category, and availability during counselling rounds.

Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Seat Matrix & Expected Cutoff (Top Colleges)

Karnataka offers approximately 13,900+ MBBS seats across government and private colleges.

Top Colleges Expected Cutoff Trends:

College	Opening Rank	Closing Rank
Bangalore Medical College (BMCRI)	22	1,299
Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore	584	3,558
Mysore Medical College	1,338	4,053
ESIC Medical College, Bangalore	3,915	6,404
MS Ramaiah Medical College	3,584	6,905
JSS Medical College, Mysore	6,207	7,669
KIMS Hubli	2,878	8,343
Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences	1,429	11,641
Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences	9,855	16,640
KS Hegde Medical Academy	16,544	20,155

Top colleges like BMCRI and KMC remain the most competitive with extremely low closing ranks.

Karnataka MBBS Seat Matrix (Selected Colleges)

College	Seats	Govt Quota	Private Quota	NRI Quota
BMCRI Bangalore	250	₹65,100	—	—
Mandya Institute	150	₹65,100	—	—
MS Ramaiah Medical College	150	₹1.57 lakh	₹25.15 lakh	₹40.15 lakh
BGS Global Institute	150	₹1.54 lakh	₹12 lakh	₹44.12 lakh

Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Fee Structure

A. Counselling Fees

Category	Fee
Karnataka Candidates	₹600
Non-Karnataka / NRI / OCI	₹2500
Choice Filling Deposit	₹750

B. Tuition Fees

Type	Annual Fee
Government Colleges	₹65,100 – ₹1,10,100
Govt Quota (Private Colleges)	₹75,000 – ₹6,09,834
Private Quota	₹8.1 lakh – ₹25.15 lakh
NRI Quota	₹27 lakh – ₹45 lakh

What are the key changes and updates in Karnataka NEET UG Counselling 2026 compared to 2025?

Karnataka NEET UG Counselling 2026, conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), is expected to follow a similar structure as 2025. The process will continue to include online registration, document verification, choice filling, and multiple rounds of seat allotment for 85% state quota seats. However, the final schedule, seat matrix, and cutoff trends will be updated after the declaration of NEET UG 2026 results.

What is NEET UG Karnataka Counselling?

NEET UG Karnataka Counselling is the state-level admission process conducted by KEA for MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses in Karnataka. It covers 85% state quota seats in government colleges and 100% of private college seats (as applicable under state counselling rules). Admissions are based on NEET UG scores, merit rank, and Karnataka eligibility criteria.

What are the eligibility requirements for NEET UG Karnataka Counselling?

To participate in Karnataka NEET UG Counselling 2026, candidates must qualify NEET UG 2026, pass Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English, meet minimum category-wise marks criteria, and satisfy Karnataka domicile and KEA eligibility rules for state quota seats.

How do I apply for NEET UG Karnataka Counselling 2026?

Candidates must apply online through the official KEA portal. The process includes visiting the KEA website, creating a login ID using NEET UG details, filling the application form, uploading required documents, paying the registration fee, and submitting the form to download the confirmation slip.

What is the application timeline for NEET UG Karnataka Counselling 2026?

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) will release the official counselling schedule after NEET UG 2026 results. Registration is expected to begin on the KEA official portal, followed by document verification, merit list publication, choice filling, and seat allotment rounds.

What is the expected cutoff for NEET UG Karnataka Counselling 2026?

The official cutoff will be released by KEA after counselling. Based on expected trends, cutoffs may vary by 30–50 marks compared to the previous year depending on category, seat availability, exam difficulty, and competition level.