Bengaluru, September 28, 2026:

If you're taking part in Round 3 of Karnataka NEET UG 2026 counselling, there are two very different deadlines you need to keep an eye on today. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has pushed the caution deposit deadline to October 1, 2026 — but the window for fresh option entry closes much sooner, tomorrow, September 29, at 11:00 AM.

Don't mix up these two dates. If you wait until October 1 thinking you still have time for option entry, you'll miss your chance completely.

Round 3 Deadlines: Don't Mix Them Up

Following a corrigendum KEA issued on September 25, in view of the nationwide bank strike, the payment timeline was relaxed. The choice-filling schedule, though, hasn't changed:

Counselling Activity

Latest Deadline

Round 3 Fresh Option Entry

September 29, 2026 (11:00 AM)

Caution Deposit Payment

October 1, 2026

MCC Round 3 AIQ Result

September 30, 2026

KEA Round 3 Provisional Result

After MCC Round 3 Result

 Fresh Option Entry Is Mandatory

Here's one of the most important rules for this round: choices you submitted in Round 1 or Round 2 won't carry forward.

If you want a seat this round, you'll need to enter your college and course preferences all over again. And if you don't lock in fresh choices before 11:00 AM tomorrow, you won't be considered for seat allotment — even if you've already paid your caution deposit.

How Much Is the Caution Deposit?

To stop candidates from casually blocking seats, KEA asks for a fairly substantial caution deposit, depending on which seat category you're targeting:

  • Medical 'G' (Government) Seats: ₹1,00,000 (also lets you enter Dental G/P/N/Q seats)
  • Medical 'P' (Private) Seats: ₹12,00,000 (covers G + P seats)
  • Medical 'N' / 'Q' (NRI/Management) Seats: ₹25,00,000 (covers all medical options)
  • Dental Seats (All types): ₹1,00,000

Note: If you've already reported to an allotted college and are only participating for upgradation under applicable High Court orders, you don't need to pay the caution deposit again.

Who Can Take Part in This Round?

Based on KEA's revised eligibility norms, you can participate if you are:

  • A candidate with no seat allotment in Round 1 or Round 2.
  • A candidate who cancelled a previous allotment after paying the prescribed penalty.
  • A candidate who selected Choice-4 in Round 1.
  • A candidate who exercised the QUIT option before the Round 2 final result.
  • An admitted candidate seeking eligible upgradation.

One thing to note — if you were allotted a seat in an earlier round but simply walked away without selecting a mandatory choice, you're not eligible this time.

About 975 Seats Up for Grabs: Choose Carefully

Reports suggest there's a provisional vacancy pool of around 975 seats (552 MBBS and 423 BDS) across government and private colleges.

A word of advice for students and parents: only enter colleges where you're genuinely willing to take admission. If you get allotted a seat in Round 3 and then decide not to join, you'll lose your caution deposit, and additional penalties could follow too.

KEA is expected to publish the provisional Round 3 seat allotment result soon after MCC announces its All India Round 3 results on September 30.