The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has issued a notification announcing the schedule for the UGNEET 2026 Online Stray Vacancy Round for Medical and Dental Seats. The notification, dated October 8, 2026, states that medical seats remaining vacant after the third round of seat allotment have been published on the KEA website. No dental seats remained unallotted at the time of the notice; however, cancelled or forfeited seats, if any, may also be included in the stray vacancy round.

The stray vacancy round will be conducted to fill eligible vacant medical and dental seats for the 2026 admission process. Candidates who have qualified in NEET UG 2026 but have not completed registration with KEA can register during the specified window, subject to the counselling rules. Eligible candidates must pay the prescribed medical course fee deposit and submit fresh options within the notified schedule.

KEA has clarified that options entered during previous rounds will not be considered for the stray vacancy round. Candidates must enter their preferences afresh according to the category of fee deposit paid and the seats they are willing to accept.

Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round: Important Dates

Candidates should regularly check the official KEA website for further updates regarding the allotment process and the availability of seats.

Eligibility for Karnataka UGNEET 2026 Stray Vacancy Round

According to the notification, candidates who have not been allotted a medical seat in any round through KEA are eligible to participate in the medical stray vacancy round, subject to the prescribed counselling conditions.

Candidates who have selected a dental seat may participate for medical seats, provided they pay the prescribed medical course fee deposit.

However, the following candidates are not eligible to participate in the UGNEET medical stray vacancy round:

• Candidates who selected and joined a seat during the first three rounds under the All India Quota, deemed universities or any other institution or counselling board.

• Candidates allotted a seat in the Medical Counselling Committee's (MCC) fourth round.

• Candidates who have been allotted a medical seat in any round through KEA.

Candidates should carefully review the official notification and applicable counselling rules before registering or paying the fee.

Fresh Registration for KEA UGNEET 2026

Candidates who have qualified in NEET UG 2026 but have not registered with KEA, or who have not completed the registration process, may register from October 13 to October 16, 2026.

Eligible candidates must complete the required registration formalities, pay the applicable fee, download their verification slip and enter options according to the counselling instructions.

Candidates who already possess a KEA verification slip do not need to register again. Newly registered candidates must download their verification slip before entering options.

Medical Course Fee Deposit for Stray Vacancy Round

KEA has prescribed different medical course fee deposits according to the seat category and the types of seats candidates wish to select. The fee deposit determines the options candidates are eligible to enter.

Important: The table above reflects the category labels and amounts readable in the supplied notification. Candidates should verify the original official PDF for the exact category labels and the corresponding option-entry permissions before making payment.

As specified in the notification:

• Candidates interested in participating in the medical stray vacancy round must pay the applicable medical course fee deposit.

• Candidates who were not allotted a seat in the previous third round have had their caution fee refunded. Those wishing to participate in the stray vacancy round must pay the prescribed medical course fee deposit.

• Fees paid for other courses will not be treated as a medical course fee deposit for this round.

• If a candidate receives a seat, the deposited medical course fee will be adjusted against the applicable amount. Any balance must be paid after allotment.

• Candidates interested in dental seats must pay the prescribed dental caution deposit to enter the relevant options.

The notification also states that the medical course fee deposit will be forfeited if a candidate receives a stray vacancy allotment but fails to take admission, cancels the seat or does not report to the allotted college.

Fresh Option Entry: October 16 to October 19

Fresh option entry will open at 11:00 AM on October 16, 2026, and close at 9:00 AM on October 19, 2026.

Candidates participating in this round must enter their choices afresh. Previous-round options will not be considered. The options available to each candidate will depend on the applicable fee deposit and the seat categories permitted under the notification.

KEA has advised candidates to consider the fee structure carefully before entering their choices. Candidates should include all seats they are genuinely interested in joining, subject to their eligibility and the option-entry rules. Seats that become vacant because of cancellations or forfeitures may also be considered for allotment.

Important Warning for Candidates Already Admitted to a College

Candidates who have already joined a college and are pursuing their studies should participate in the stray vacancy round only after carefully considering the consequences and discussing the decision with their parents.

According to KEA, if such a candidate is allotted a seat in the stray vacancy round, the seat held in the earlier round will be cancelled automatically. The candidate will not be permitted to continue in the previously allotted college.

Candidates must report to the newly allotted college within the prescribed deadline. If they fail to report, they may lose both the earlier and newly allotted seats, and the fee will not be refunded.

It is also the candidate's responsibility to collect original documents from the previous college and submit them to the newly allotted institution within the prescribed period to complete admission formalities.

Penalty for Failure to Join an Allotted Seat

KEA has warned that candidates who fail to take admission after receiving a stray vacancy allotment, cancel their allotted seat or do not report to the college may face forfeiture of the fee deposit and additional penalties under the UGNEET 2026 Information Booklet.

The notification lists penalties of Rs. 5,000, Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 1,00,000, along with one year's medical or dental course fee, as applicable. It further states that such candidates will not be eligible to participate in UG counselling for the next three years, including All India counselling.

Candidates are strongly advised to read the official information booklet and understand the financial and eligibility consequences before entering options.

How to Participate in KEA NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Counselling

Eligible candidates should follow these steps:

1. Visit the official KEA website.

2. Complete fresh registration between October 13 and October 16, 2026, if registration is required.

3. Pay the prescribed medical course fee deposit or dental caution deposit, as applicable.

4. Download the verification slip if newly registered.

5. Enter fresh options between October 16 at 11:00 AM and October 19 at 9:00 AM.

6. Check the official website regularly for seat availability, allotment updates and further instructions.

7. If allotted a seat, complete admission formalities and report to the allotted college within the prescribed deadline.

Official Website: https://kea.kar.nic.in

Click here to check the official notification and counselling updates: https://kea.kar.nic.in

KEA Helpline: 080-23460460
KEA Office Phone: 080-23564583
Email: keauthority-ka@nic.in

For Counselling & Admission Guidance, Call or WhatsApp: 9340961481

Candidates who need assistance understanding NEET UG counselling, fee deposits, eligibility rules or option entry can contact AdmissionDuniya for guidance.Click here