KEA Extends Choice Selection and Fee Payment Deadlines for Medical and Dental Seat Allotment for the first round of Karnataka UGNEET 2026 counselling, providing much-needed relief to thousands of medical and dental aspirants across the state. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) released an urgent official notification extending the critical windows for choice entry selection, online fee remittance, and physical college reporting for all candidates allotted MBBS and BDS seats in the Round 1 allotment.
The revised notification comes after technical representations, payment gateway traffic congestion, and student appeals regarding banking hours and document preparation. Aspirants who participated in the Karnataka State NEET UG central counselling process must now complete their mandatory option confirmations and fee transactions strictly within the newly stipulated timelines. Failure to exercise an active choice on the official KEA portal before the cut-off time will lead to automatic seat cancellation and forfeiture of subsequent round participation rights under strict KEA regulatory guidelines.
Whether you are planning to accept your allotted government medical college seat, hold your private open merit quota seat while exploring round 2 upgrades, or surrender your seat to participate in upcoming national rounds, understanding the tactical implications of KEA Choice 1, Choice 2, Choice 3, and Choice 4 is paramount. Candidates can explore broader state cutoff matrices and seat probabilities across India through the All India College Predictor Hub and access tailored guidance in our specialized Medical Admissions Category.
KEA Extends Choice Selection and Fee Payment Deadlines: Official Revised Schedule
According to the official circular issued by the Executive Director of the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bangalore, the first-round timeline for Karnataka UGNEET 2026 medical (MBBS) and dental (BDS) seat allotment has been updated as follows:
| Counselling Activity / Stage | Original Deadline | Official Revised Deadline | Action Required by Candidate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choice Selection (Exercising Option 1, 2, 3, or 4) | September 3, 2026 (11:59 PM) | September 4, 2026, up to 2:00 PM | Mandatory online selection on KEA portal; inaction leads to complete disqualification. |
| Fee Payment Window (Choice-1 and Choice-2 Candidates) | September 4, 2026 (12:00 Noon) | September 4, 2026, up to 4:00 PM (Banking Hours) | Online Payment / Bank e-Challan generation at designated bank branches. |
| Seat Confirmation Slip / Admission Order Download | September 4, 2026 (2:00 PM) | September 4, 2026, up to 5:00 PM | Download after fee reconciliation; mandatory for physical reporting. |
| Physical Reporting at Allotted Medical / Dental College | September 5, 2026 (1:00 PM) | September 5, 2026, up to 6:00 PM | Personal appearance with original verification slip, fee receipt, and document docket. |
Candidates must directly access the official portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea to log in using their UGNEET 2026 Roll Number and Secret Application Password. Do not wait for the final hour, as heavy server load during peak afternoon hours can cause banking transaction delays.
Strategic Breakdown of KEA Choice 1, Choice 2, Choice 3, and Choice 4 Rules
Exercising your post-allotment choice is the most decisive legal step in Karnataka state medical counselling. Many candidates commit irreversible errors by misunderstanding how seat retention works between state counselling and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) All India Quota rounds. Below is the exhaustive legal and procedural breakdown of the four available choices:
| Option | Candidate Status and Sentiment | Fee Payment Mandate | Subsequent Round Eligibility | Actionable Obligation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choice 1 | 100% satisfied with allotted medical/dental seat; no further upgrades desired. | Mandatory full tuition fee payment before September 4, 4:00 PM. | Ineligible for further KEA counselling rounds (Seat Finalized). | Download Admission Order and report physically to college by September 5, 6:00 PM. |
| Choice 2 | Satisfied with allotted seat but wants to participate in Round 2 for higher priority options. | Mandatory full tuition fee deposit to hold current seat. | Eligible for Round 2 (Only higher priority choices considered). | If upgraded in Round 2, Round 1 seat is cancelled automatically. If not upgraded, Round 1 seat remains retained. |
| Choice 3 | Dissatisfied with allotted seat; surrenders seat back to state pool but wants Round 2. | No fee payment required in Round 1. | Eligible for Round 2 (All higher and re-ordered options). | Round 1 allotted seat is permanently forfeited and made available to other candidates in Round 2. |
| Choice 4 | Dissatisfied with seat and completely exiting Karnataka UGNEET counselling. | No fee payment. | Completely Disqualified from all subsequent KEA counselling rounds. | Can pursue AIQ or other state counselling streams independently. |
Crucial Warning Regarding KEA Inaction Penalty
The KEA Executive Committee has highlighted a strict warning: candidates who fail to select any of the four choices before the revised cut-off of September 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM will automatically be classified under Choice 4. Their allotted seat will be instantly cancelled, and their profile will be permanently locked out from participating in Round 2, Mop-Up Round, or Stray Vacancy Rounds of Karnataka NEET UG counselling.
Karnataka Medical and Dental Tuition Fee Matrix Across Quotas (2026)
When selecting Choice 1 or Choice 2, candidates must pay the prescribed annual fee approved by the Fee Regulating Authority (FRA) and the Government of Karnataka. The payment amount varies drastically based on the seat category (Government, Private Open, Other/NRI Quota):
| Institution Type and Seat Quota | Category / Seat Code | Annual Tuition Fee (MBBS) | Annual Tuition Fee (BDS) | KEA University / Misc Registration Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government Medical Colleges (GMC) | G (Government Quota) | ₹59,850 – ₹65,000 per year | ₹45,850 – ₹50,000 per year | ₹8,000 – ₹12,000 (One-time) |
| Private Medical Colleges (Government Quota Seat) | GMP / Open Govt Seat | ₹1,41,196 – ₹1,55,000 per year | ₹85,000 – ₹95,000 per year | ₹15,000 – ₹20,000 (One-time) |
| Private Medical Colleges (Open / Private Merit Quota) | OPN / P Quota | ₹10,92,852 – ₹11,88,000 per year | ₹3,50,000 – ₹5,50,000 per year | ₹25,000 – ₹35,000 (One-time) |
| Private Deemed / Minority Institutions | Institutional / Minority Quota | ₹12,50,000 – ₹18,00,000 per year | ₹4,50,000 – ₹7,00,000 per year | ₹30,000 – ₹50,000 |
| NRI / Other Quota Seats | NRI / Q Quota | ₹30,00,000 – ₹55,00,000 per year | ₹8,00,000 – ₹12,00,000 per year | Applicable institutional charges |
For personalised assistance on financial planning, fee structure analysis, or seat surrender mechanics, you can Book a Free Admission Counselling Session with our senior medical admissions advisors.
Step-by-Step Online Fee Payment and Challan Remittance Process
To avoid transaction failures and ensure that your admission order is generated smoothly before the deadline, follow this verified procedure:
- Log In to KEA Candidate Portal: Visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea and click on the link titled “UGNEET 2026 Medical / Dental Choice Selection and Fee Payment”.
- Verify Allotment Details: Cross-check your allotted college name, course (MBBS or BDS), seat category code, and exact fee payable displayed on the dashboard.
- Exercise Your Choice: Select radio button for Choice 1 or Choice 2 after reviewing terms. Confirm with OTP authentication sent to your registered mobile number.
- Select Payment Gateway Mode:
- Online Mode (Net Banking / Credit Card / UPI): Fast and recommended for fees up to ₹2,00,000. Ensure daily transaction limits on your debit card/bank account are elevated prior to payment.
- Bank e-Challan Mode (RTGS / NEFT / Over-the-Counter Cash Remittance): Mandatory for higher tuition fee amounts (₹10 Lakhs+). Download the tri-part KEA Challan (Candidate Copy, Bank Copy, KEA Copy) and present it at any designated branch of State Bank of India, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, or Canara Bank.
- Transaction Acknowledgment: Once the bank updates the transaction reference number (UTR / Journal Number), the KEA portal will reflect payment confirmation.
- Download Admission Order and Seat Confirmation Slip: Print at least 4 clear copies of the KEA Seat Allotment Letter / Admission Order containing the barcode and seal.
Mandatory Document Checklist for Physical College Reporting
Candidates choosing Choice 1 must report in person to the principal’s office of the allotted medical or dental college before September 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM. As per guidelines framed by the National Medical Commission (NMC), all candidates must bring their original certificates in a folder alongside 3 sets of self-attested photocopies:
| S.No. | Document / Certificate Description | Issuing Authority / Specification | Applicability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KEA UGNEET 2026 Verification Slip (Original Green Card / Acknowledgement) | Karnataka Examinations Authority | Mandatory for All Candidates |
| 2 | KEA Round 1 Admission Order / Seat Confirmation Slip | KEA Online Portal (Post Fee Payment) | Mandatory for All Choice-1 Candidates |
| 3 | NEET UG 2026 Admit Card and Official Rank Card / Scorecard | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Mandatory for All Candidates |
| 4 | Class 10 / SSLC Marks Card (Proof of Date of Birth) | State Board / CBSE / CISCE | Mandatory for All Candidates |
| 5 | Class 12 / 2nd PUC Marks Card (Physics, Chemistry, Biology & English) | Department of Pre-University Education / Equivalent Board | Mandatory for All Candidates |
| 6 | 7 Years Study Certificate in Karnataka (Signed by BEO / DDPU) | Head of Institution & Block Education Officer | Mandatory for Karnataka Candidates claiming local quota |
| 7 | Caste / Category Certificate (SC / ST / Cat-1 / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B) | Tahasildar / Revenue Authority | Reserved Category Candidates |
| 8 | Income Certificate (Valid for FY 2025-26) | Revenue Department, Govt of Karnataka | Candidates claiming fee concession / reservation |
| 9 | Hyderabad-Karnataka (Kalyana Karnataka) Article 371(J) Certificate | Assistant Commissioner / Tahasildar (Form 1) | Candidates claiming HK Region Quota |
| 10 | Rural Study and Kannada Medium Certificates (1st to 10th Standard) | Headmaster & Countersigned by BEO | Candidates claiming special sub-reservations |
| 11 | Transfer Certificate (TC) and Migration Certificate | Last Attended College / Institution | Mandatory at the time of college admission |
| 12 | Compulsory Government Rural Service Bond & Anti-Ragging Undertaking | ₹100 Non-Judicial Stamp Paper (Notarized) | Mandatory for All MBBS/BDS Entrants in Karnataka |
| 13 | Medical Physical Fitness Certificate | Registered Medical Practitioner (Civil Surgeon / MBBS) | Mandatory for All Candidates |
| 14 | Recent Passport-Sized Photographs (6 Copies) | Same as uploaded in NEET UG Application | Mandatory for College Dossier |
You can also research detailed infrastructure, bed capacity, clinical patient load, and historical cutoff trends of individual medical institutions via our comprehensive Explore Colleges Directory.
Comparison of Karnataka Top Medical Colleges: Round 1 Cutoff Analysis
To help candidates opting for Choice 2 evaluate their realistic chances of upgrading in Round 2, here is a comparative cutoff overview for top government and premier private medical colleges in Karnataka:
| Medical College Name | Institution Type | General Merit (GM) Cutoff Rank | OBC (2A/2B/3A/3B) Range | SC / ST Cutoff Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), Bengaluru | Government | Rank 1,850 – 3,200 | Rank 4,100 – 7,800 | Rank 28,000 – 46,000 |
| Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMCRI), Mysuru | Government | Rank 5,400 – 8,100 | Rank 9,200 – 14,500 | Rank 52,000 – 68,000 |
| Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Hubballi | Government | Rank 9,800 – 13,400 | Rank 15,000 – 21,000 | Rank 72,000 – 89,000 |
| St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru | Private (Minority/Open) | Rank 8,200 – 14,000 (Open/Institutional) | Institutional Category | Category Specific |
| M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bengaluru | Private (Govt / Private Quota) | Rank 12,500 (Govt) / 38,000 (Open Private) | Rank 16,000 – 24,000 | Rank 95,000 – 1,20,000 |
| Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bengaluru | Private | Rank 16,000 (Govt) / 44,000 (Open Private) | Rank 19,500 – 29,000 | Rank 1,10,000 – 1,35,000 |
| JJM Medical College (JJMMC), Davanagere | Private | Rank 22,000 (Govt) / 52,000 (Open Private) | Rank 28,000 – 39,000 | Rank 1,30,000 – 1,55,000 |
| Father Muller Medical College, Mangaluru | Private | Rank 21,500 (Govt) / 48,000 (Open Private) | Rank 26,000 – 36,000 | Rank 1,25,000 – 1,48,000 |
Key Strategic Guidelines for Round 2 Participation
If you have exercised Choice 2 or Choice 3, keep the following tactical principles in mind as KEA prepares the seat matrix for the second round:
- Upgradation Logic: During Round 2 seat processing, the computer algorithm starts from your Priority 1 option and traverses downwards until it reaches your currently held choice. If any higher option becomes vacant (due to Choice 1 surrenders or AIQ joinings), it will be allotted to you automatically.
- Irreversibility of Upgraded Seats: If a higher choice is allotted to you in Round 2, your Round 1 seat is instantaneously released and assigned to another candidate. You cannot claim your Round 1 seat back under any circumstances.
- Option Re-ordering: KEA permits candidates to delete lower unwanted options or alter the priority sequence of choices that rank above their current allotted seat. Never keep an option higher on your list if you are not genuinely prepared to study there.
- Fee Adjustment Mechanics: If you transition from a Private Seat (e.g., ₹11 Lakhs) to a Government Medical Seat (₹65,000) during Round 2 upgrade, KEA will adjust the excess fee balance and issue a direct refund to your registered bank account. Conversely, if you upgrade to a higher fee category, you will be required to pay only the differential amount.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding KEA Seat Allotment Extension
Q1: What is the new deadline for KEA UGNEET 2026 Round 1 choice selection?
Answer: The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially extended the choice selection deadline up to September 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM. All candidates allotted medical or dental seats must log in and submit their choice before this cut-off.
Q2: What happens if I do not select any choice by 2:00 PM on September 4?
Answer: Failure to exercise a choice within the deadline will result in your application being treated as Choice 4 (Not Interested). Your allotted seat will be permanently cancelled, and you will be completely barred from participating in all subsequent rounds of Karnataka NEET UG counselling.
Q3: What is the revised deadline for fee payment for Choice 1 and Choice 2 candidates?
Answer: The fee payment window has been extended up to September 4, 2026, at 4:00 PM (during official banking hours). Candidates can pay online through the gateway or generate a bank challan for over-the-counter / RTGS / NEFT payment at designated bank branches.
Q4: By when must Choice-1 candidates report to their allotted medical or dental college?
Answer: Choice-1 candidates must download their official Admission Order and physically report to the principal’s office of their allotted college with all original certificates and verification slips by September 5, 2026, up to 6:00 PM.
Q5: Does a Choice-2 candidate have to pay the prescribed tuition fee in Round 1?
Answer: Yes. Under KEA counselling rules, a candidate selecting Choice 2 must pay the full prescribed tuition fee for the Round 1 allotted seat to hold and lock that seat while competing for higher priority college choices in Round 2.
Q6: Does a Choice-3 candidate need to pay any tuition fee in Round 1?
Answer: No. Candidates exercising Choice 3 are surrendering their allotted seat back to the state seat pool. They do not have to pay any fee in Round 1 and can directly participate in Round 2 with higher or re-ordered choices.
Q7: Can I change my choice selection after clicking the final submit button on the KEA portal?
Answer: No. Choice selection on the KEA portal is final and legally binding once confirmed via OTP verification. Ensure that you have consulted your parents and advisors before submitting your final option.
Q8: What payment methods are accepted for KEA tuition fee remittance?
Answer: KEA accepts online payments through Net Banking, Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and UPI gateways, as well as offline bank e-Challan payments via NEFT, RTGS, or cash remittance at designated bank branches of SBI, ICICI, Axis Bank, and Canara Bank.
Q9: Is it mandatory to submit original documents at the college during Round 1 reporting?
Answer: Yes. Candidates selecting Choice 1 must deposit their original educational certificates, verification slip, bond affidavits, and transfer certificates with the allotted college administration to confirm their formal admission.
Q10: If I get upgraded to a Government Medical College in Round 2 from a Private College, will my extra fees be refunded?
Answer: Yes. KEA will automatically adjust the fee against the new government college allotment and initiate a direct electronic refund of the surplus balance to the candidate’s registered bank account after the completion of counselling rounds.
Q11: Where can I get real-time technical support if my KEA fee payment fails but money is debited?
Answer: If your bank account is debited but the KEA portal shows pending status, immediately contact the KEA Helpdesk at 080-23460460 or email keaauthority-ka@nic.in with your transaction UTR / Journal number. Avoid making immediate duplicate payments until your bank reconciles the transaction.
Q12: Can candidates outside Karnataka participate in KEA Medical Seat Allotment rounds?
Answer: Non-Karnataka candidates who qualified in NEET UG 2026 and registered under KEA Open / Private Merit Quota (OPN/P/Q Quota) are eligible for private medical and dental college seats in Karnataka as per KEA merit guidelines.