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Karnataka has long been a preferred destination for medical aspirants in India thanks to its concentration of teaching hospitals across Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi, Kalaburagi and other centres. State-quota MBBS and BDS admissions in Karnataka are conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru on the basis of NEET UG marks.
For the 2026 cycle, the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the original NEET UG 2026 exam scheduled for 3 May 2026 on 12 May 2026 and rescheduled it as Re-NEET UG 2026 on 21 June 2026. The Karnataka state-quota counselling for 2026 will therefore follow this revised NTA timeline, with KEA's seat matrix, fee notification and round-wise schedule expected after the NEET UG 2026 result is declared. This guide consolidates the KEA process, eligibility, fees, seat matrix and reservation policy using the 2025 cycle as a verified benchmark.
Karnataka NEET UG Counselling 2026: Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) |
| Conducting Authority (Exam) | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| NEET UG 2026 Exam Date | Re-NEET on 21 June 2026 (NTA — original 3 May 2026 exam cancelled on 12 May 2026) |
| NEET UG 2026 Result | Expected late July 2026 (TBA — NTA) |
| State Counselling Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| AIQ Authority | MCC under DGHS for 15% All India Quota + Deemed Universities + AIIMS / JIPMER / Central Institutes |
| Karnataka State-Quota Seats | 85% of KEA-eligible MBBS & BDS seats in government, state-private and select aided colleges |
| Total MBBS Seats (2025 ref) | ~9,263 across government, state-private and deemed pools |
| Number of Rounds | 4 — Round 1, Round 2, Mop-Up Round, Stray Vacancy Round |
| Official Websites | kea.kar.nic.in and cetonline.karnataka.gov.in |
| 2025-Ref Application Fee | ₹1,000 General / ₹500 SC, ST, Cat-I (2026 fee TBA) |
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Karnataka NEET UG Counselling 2026: Important Dates
The KEA Karnataka schedule for the 2026 cycle is yet to be officially notified and is expected to be released after the NEET UG 2026 result. The 2025 reference cycle is provided below as a verified benchmark; for 2026 expect a similar sequence shifted ~6-8 weeks later due to the Re-NEET 21 June 2026 reschedule.
| Event | 2025 Reference | 2026 Expected |
|---|---|---|
| KEA Registration / Document Upload | July 2025 (Round 1 registration closed 17 July 2025) | Late August 2026 (TBA) |
| Option Entry (Choice Filling) | Last date 22 July 2025 (6:00 PM) | August–September 2026 (TBA) |
| Mock Allotment | 25 July 2025 | TBA |
| Option Modification Window | 26 July – 29 July 2025 | TBA |
| Round 1 Final Allotment | 2 August 2025 | TBA |
| Round 1 Reporting Deadline | 19 August 2025 (5:30 PM) | TBA |
| Round 2 Allotment | September 2025 | TBA |
| Mop-Up Round | October 2025 | TBA |
| Stray Vacancy Round | Late October – early November 2025 | TBA |
Eligibility Criteria for Karnataka NEET UG Counselling 2026
Indian Citizenship
Applicants must be Indian citizens. NRIs and OCI / PIO candidates may apply for NRI-quota seats in private and select state-private colleges as per the KEA prospectus.
NEET UG 2026 Qualification
Candidates must have appeared and qualified the NEET UG 2026 conducted by NTA on 21 June 2026 (Re-NEET) with the prescribed minimum percentile: 50th percentile for General, 40th percentile for SC / ST / OBC, and 45th percentile for PwBD candidates.
Age Criteria
Minimum 17 years of age as on 31 December 2026. There is no upper age limit (NMC ruling).
Academic Qualification
Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology / Biotechnology and English as compulsory subjects, with at least 50% aggregate in PCB for General candidates (40% for SC / ST / OBC, 45% for PwBD).
Karnataka Eligibility for State-Quota Government Seats
To be eligible under the state-quota for Karnataka government MBBS/BDS seats, candidates must satisfy KEA's prescribed Karnataka eligibility criteria, including (in line with the KEA prospectus):
- Schooling in Karnataka for a minimum of 7 years between Class 1 and Class 12 (Article 14 / 16 framework as per KEA), OR
- Parental study or domicile of either parent in Karnataka for the prescribed years, OR
- Kannada / Tulu / Kodava-speaking candidates eligible under the linguistic minority / Kannada-medium clause, OR
- Hyderabad-Karnataka (371-J) eligibility for candidates with residency / schooling in the six notified districts (Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Bidar and Bellary).
Always verify the exact eligibility clauses against the current KEA prospectus.
Karnataka NEET UG Counselling 2026 Process
The KEA Karnataka NEET UG counselling for the state-quota MBBS / BDS seats follows these steps:
Step 1: Register for KEA Karnataka NEET UG Counselling
Candidates must register online at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in using NEET UG 2026 application number and credentials.
Step 2: Document Upload and Fee Payment
Upload the prescribed documents (Class 10/12 marksheets, study certificates, caste / income certificates if applicable, Aadhaar, NEET admit card / scorecard) and pay the non-refundable application fee.
Step 3: KEA Seat Matrix Release
KEA publishes the provisional seat matrix listing college-wise seats by category, including the 7% Hyderabad-Karnataka 371-J reservation in HK-region colleges. The final seat matrix is released before option entry begins.
Step 4: Option Entry (Choice Filling)
Candidates enter their preferences in order of priority across eligible MBBS / BDS colleges. KEA conducts a mock allotment to help candidates assess and modify their choices before the final allotment.
Step 5: Mock Allotment and Option Modification
Based on the mock allotment outcome, candidates can modify, add, delete or re-order their options within the notified window.
Step 6: Seat Allotment
KEA publishes the round-wise final seat allotment. Candidates can download the allotment letter from their KEA login.
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Step 7: Reporting to College
Selected candidates must report to the allotted college within the prescribed reporting window, complete document verification and pay the tuition / institutional fee to confirm admission.
Karnataka NEET UG Counselling 2026 Application Fee
The 2025 reference application fee structure is given below. The 2026 fee will be confirmed by KEA in the prospectus.
| Category | 2025-Ref Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| NRI / OCI / PIO / Foreign Nationals | 5,000 |
| General / OBC / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | 1,000 |
| SC / ST / Cat-I | 500 |
Documents Required for Karnataka NEET UG Counselling 2026
| Document Type | Description |
|---|---|
| NEET UG 2026 Admit Card & Scorecard | Issued by NTA after the Re-NEET 21 June 2026 result |
| Class 10 Marksheet & Certificate | Proof of date of birth and academic qualification |
| Class 12 Marksheet & Certificate | For verification of PCB qualification |
| Study Certificate (Karnataka) | For state-quota Karnataka eligibility — schooling years certified by the institution head |
| Karnataka Residency / Domicile | If claiming Karnataka domicile under parental / linguistic / 371-J clauses |
| Caste / Income / EWS Certificate | For SC / ST / OBC (2A / 2B / 3A / 3B) / Cat-I / EWS claims (validity as per Government of Karnataka norms) |
| PwBD Certificate | Disability assessment certificate from the prescribed competent authority (RPWD Act, 2016) |
| Aadhaar & Photograph | For identity verification |
| KEA Allotment Letter | Issued post-allotment for reporting to the allotted college |
Karnataka NEET UG 2026: Reservation Policy
Karnataka follows a structured vertical and horizontal reservation framework for state-quota MBBS / BDS seats. The 7% Hyderabad-Karnataka reservation under Article 371-J of the Constitution is unique to Karnataka and applies to six districts — Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Bidar and Bellary. Within HK-region colleges, an additional 70% of the state-quota seats are reserved for local HK candidates.
| Category | Reservation (%) |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 3% |
| Category-I (CAT-I) | 4% |
| Category 2A (OBC) | 15% |
| Category 2B | 4% |
| Category 3A | 4% |
| Category 3B | 5% |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS — central) | 10% |
| Hyderabad-Karnataka (Article 371-J) | 7% (across the state) |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 5% horizontal (RPWD Act, 2016 / NMC) |
Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Seat Matrix
Based on the 2025 reference cycle, Karnataka offers approximately 9,263 MBBS seats across government, state-private and deemed pools (deemed seats are filled via MCC AIQ counselling, not via KEA state-quota counselling). The indicative breakdown is below.
| Pool | Approx. Share (2025 ref) | Approx. MBBS Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Government Medical Colleges | ~30.6% | ~2,840 |
| State-Private & State-Private University Colleges | ~48.3% | ~4,475 |
| Deemed-to-be Universities (MCC AIQ) | ~21.0% | ~1,943 |
| Total | 100% | ~9,263 |
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Karnataka NEET UG Counselling: AIQ vs State Quota Split
For government MBBS / BDS colleges in Karnataka, 15% of seats are filled by MCC under DGHS through All India Quota counselling, and 85% are filled by KEA through state-quota counselling. Deemed universities and select central institutes participate only in MCC AIQ counselling.
Government Medical Colleges in Karnataka through KEA
Indicative list of major government MBBS colleges that participate in KEA Karnataka NEET UG counselling (state-quota seats; 2025 reference intake):
| College Name | 2025-Ref Annual Tuition (INR) |
|---|---|
| Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute (BMCRI), Bengaluru | ~24,560 |
| Mysore Medical College & Research Institute (MMC&RI), Mysuru | ~24,560 |
| Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Hubballi | ~24,560 |
| Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS), Belagavi | ~24,560 |
| Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS), Bellari | ~24,560 |
| Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS), Hassan | ~24,560 |
| Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), Mandya | ~24,560 |
| Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Kalaburagi | ~24,560 |
| Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Raichur | ~24,560 |
| Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences (BRIMS), Bidar | ~24,560 |
| Shivamogga Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), Shivamogga | ~24,560 |
| Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS), Chamarajanagar | ~24,560 |
| Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KoIMS), Madikeri | ~24,560 |
| Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences (KRIMS), Karwar | ~24,560 |
| Chikkamagaluru / Chikkaballapur / Haveri / Yadgir Institutes of Medical Sciences | ~24,560 |
Government tuition fees in Karnataka are nominal (typically in the range of ₹24,000 – ₹40,000 per year as per KEA 2025 ref). Hostel and other charges are notified separately by each institute.
Private Medical Colleges in Karnataka through KEA
State-private and state-private-university MBBS colleges in Karnataka offer seats under three categories — Government Quota (G), Private Quota (P) and NRI Quota — with fees regulated annually by the KEA / Government of Karnataka. Major participating private colleges include MS Ramaiah Medical College, Bengaluru; Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bengaluru; JJM Medical College, Davangere; Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Bellur; Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Bengaluru; Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar; SDM College of Medical Sciences, Dharwad; SS Institute of Medical Sciences, Davangere; and Akash Institute of Medical Sciences, Bengaluru.
Dental Colleges in Karnataka through KEA
Karnataka has 50+ NMC / DCI-recognised dental colleges. KEA-counselled government BDS colleges include Government Dental College, Bengaluru; and dental wings of select state-affiliated colleges. Major private BDS colleges include The Oxford Dental College, Bengaluru; AJ Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangaluru; Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru; and SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad. BDS tuition fees range from ~₹40,000 per year (government) to ₹3-7 lakh per year (private; 2025 ref).
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Karnataka NEET UG 2026: College Fee Structure
The 2025 reference fee bands across government, private and NRI seats in Karnataka MBBS colleges are summarised below. The 2026 fees will be revised and notified by the KEA / Government of Karnataka before counselling.
| Seat Type | Approx. Annual Tuition (2025 ref) |
|---|---|
| Government Quota (Govt Colleges) | ₹24,000 – ₹40,000 |
| Government Quota in State-Private Colleges | ₹1,10,000 – ₹1,40,000 |
| Private Quota in State-Private Colleges | ₹8,50,000 – ₹15,00,000 |
| NRI Quota in State-Private Colleges | US $30,000 – US $50,000 (or notified INR equivalent) |
| Deemed Universities (MCC AIQ pool) | ₹16,00,000 – ₹26,00,000+ |
Re-NEET 2026 Note
Because NTA cancelled the original 3 May 2026 NEET UG on 12 May 2026 and rescheduled it as Re-NEET on 21 June 2026, all downstream counselling cycles — including KEA Karnataka — are expected to shift later than their 2025 reference dates by approximately 6–8 weeks. Candidates should monitor kea.kar.nic.in and cetonline.karnataka.gov.in for the 2026 schedule.
Why Propelld for Karnataka NEET UG Aspirants
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| Coverage | Tuition + hostel + other course-related fees |
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