HIGHSchedule24 Sept 2026
Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Schedule Out: Caution Deposit Slabs, Admitted Candidates Allowed to Upgrade & Option Entry Dates
KEA has released the official UGNEET-2026 Round 3 schedule for MBBS/BDS admissions. Admitted candidates can now upgrade. Caution deposit runs 24-28 September; fresh option entry from 25-29 September 2026.
Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Schedule Out: Caution Deposit Slabs, Admitted Candidates Allowed to Upgrade & Option Entry Dates
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru, has officially notified the comprehensive schedule, financial deposit requirements, and participation norms for the Third Round (Round 3) of UGNEET-2026 Online Seat Allotment for Undergraduate Medical (MBBS) and Dental (BDS) courses.
Issued vide Notification No. ED/KEA/CR-11/UGNEET/2026 dated 23 September 2026, the notification introduces landmark regulatory changes—most notably permitting admitted and reported candidates from previous rounds to participate in Round 3 for upward progression, pursuant to recent directives of the Hon'ble High Court.
Key Highlights & Strategic Takeaways for Aspirants
- Admitted Candidates Eligible for Upgradation: In a major relief for candidates admitted in Round 1 or Round 2 who joined their allotted medical or dental college, KEA now permits them to enter Round 3 to attempt upgradation to a higher preference. Admitted candidates do not need to pay an additional caution deposit.
- Mandatory Tiered Caution Deposit: Candidates who were not allotted any seat in Round 1/2 or who cancelled their seat by paying penalties must deposit a mandatory Caution Deposit between 24 September 2026 and 28 September 2026 (during banking working hours) to unlock eligibility for option entry.
- Fresh Option Entry is Mandatory: All choices entered during Round 1 and Round 2 have been declared null and void. Every eligible candidate wishing to participate in Round 3 must enter fresh options between 25 September 2026 (11:00 AM) and 29 September 2026 (11:00 AM).
- Immediate Seat Cancellation upon Upgradation: If an admitted candidate is allotted a higher preference in Round 3, their earlier seat is automatically cancelled with immediate effect. They cannot revert to the previous seat. Failure to report to the newly allotted seat results in loss of both seats and complete forfeiture of fees.
- Severe Penalties for Non-Reporting: Candidates freshly allotted a seat in Round 3 who fail to join will forfeit their entire caution deposit, pay statutory penalties, and face debarment from participating in medical admissions in future academic years across India.
- Alignment with MCC All India Quota Round 3: KEA will publish its Round 3 provisional results strictly after the declaration of MCC AIQ Round 3 results to prevent seat blocking. Candidates dual-allotted who wish to keep their KEA seat must submit a physical representation to KEA within one day of provisional results.
Official Schedule: KEA UGNEET-2026 Round 3
| Activity | Start Date & Time | End Date & Time | Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payment of Caution Deposit (via Challan / Net Banking) | 24/09/2026 | 28/09/2026 (Bank Working Hours) | Mandatory for non-allotted / penalty-cancelled candidates to unlock option entry. |
| Fresh Option Entry Window | 25/09/2026 (11:00 AM) | 29/09/2026 (11:00 AM) | Enter fresh preferences for all desired colleges in strict order of merit. |
| Publication of Provisional Seat Allotment | To be notified | Post MCC AIQ Round 3 Result | Synchronized with national counselling schedule. |
| Submission of Willingness (Dual-Allotted Candidates) | Within 24 hours of Provisional Result | Within 24 hours | In-person written submission at KEA office, Bengaluru. |
| Declaration of Final Seat Allotment Result | To be notified post review | To be notified | Final binding seat allotment list. |
| Payment of Balance Tuition Fee & Document Reporting | As per allotment schedule | As per allotment schedule | Compulsory reporting with original documents at KEA / allotted college. |
Caution Deposit Slabs & Allowed Options
The caution deposit paid directly determines which seat categories a candidate is eligible to enter during option entry:
| Seat Category Interested In | Caution Deposit Amount | Permitted Option Entry Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Government ('G') Seats | ₹1,00,000 | Medical Government ('G') seats only, plus ALL Dental seat types (G, P, N, Q). |
| Medical Private ('P') Seats | ₹12,00,000 | Medical Government ('G') seats and Private ('P') seats in private colleges/universities. |
| Medical NRI ('N') / Management ('Q') Seats | ₹25,00,000 | ALL types of Medical seats (G, P, N, Q) and ALL Dental seats. |
| Dental Seats (All Categories) | ₹1,00,000 | ALL types of Dental seats (G, P, N, Q). |
*Note: The caution deposit is adjusted against the first-year tuition fee upon allotment. If unallotted, the deposit is refunded to the verified bank account.*
Eligibility Matrix for Round 3 Participation
Who is ELIGIBLE?
- Candidates who registered with KEA and verified documents but were not allotted any medical seat in Round 1 or Round 2.
- Candidates who were allotted a seat earlier but cancelled it by paying the prescribed penalty within the official cancellation window.
- Candidates who reported and joined their allotted medical or dental college in Round 1 or 2 and wish to upgrade.
Who is INELIGIBLE?
- Candidates who were allotted a seat in Round 1 or Round 2 but failed to exercise choices on the portal.
- Candidates who selected Choice-4 (quitting state medical counselling) in earlier rounds.
Strategic Advice from Hire Guide Education
- Include Colleges Regardless of Current Vacancy: The initial vacancy list (from 17 September 2026) is only the baseline. Because admitted candidates are upgrading, substantial high-tier seats will open up dynamically as virtual vacancies during processing. List every college you are genuinely interested in.
- Verify Fee Structures Before Adding Private/NRI Options: KEA has issued an explicit warning regarding fee defaults. Ensure you have verified the annual tuition fee, university fees, and hostel charges before listing 'P', 'N', or 'Q' seats, as non-payment post-allotment leads to complete deposit forfeiture and multi-year debarment.
- Document Readiness for Admitted Candidates: If you are seeking upgradation from engineering, veterinary, or another stream, ensure you have an official protocol to retrieve original documents immediately upon allotment.
Official Links
- KEA Official WebsiteKEA Official Websitehttps://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/
- Karnataka UGNEET-2026 Official PortalKarnataka UGNEET-2026 Official Portalhttps://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ugneet2026
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