Bengaluru, September 26, 2026: The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially kicked off UGNEET 2026 Round 3 online seat allotment for MBBS and BDS seats under the state’s counselling process. As part of the ongoing Round 3 process, the caution deposit payment window opened on September 24, while fresh option entry began at 11 AM on September 25. KEA has also put out the Medical and Dental Provisional Seat Matrix dated 25/09/2026, so you can look through the available colleges, categories and fee details before locking in your preferences.
Deadlines you really shouldn’t miss
If you’re planning to take part in Round 3, two dates matter most:
- Caution deposit payment: September 24 to September 28, 2026
- Fresh option entry (choice filling): closes on September 29, 2026 at 11 AM
One thing KEA has made clear — options you entered in earlier rounds won’t count for Round 3. So, this isn’t a routine “carry forward” round; if you’re eligible, you’ll need to sit down and build a completely fresh preference list.
Why the provisional seat matrix matters
The provisional seat matrix released on September 25 lists out medical and dental seats separately, covering college and course combinations, category-wise seats, and fee details. Since it’s provisional, the seat position can still shift because of cancellations, forfeitures, additions, or seats that open up as a knock-on effect. KEA’s advice is to enter your genuine preferences in the order you actually want them — even if a seat you’re eyeing isn’t showing up right now, since the picture can change before allotment is finalised.
Caution deposit rules — read this part carefully
One of the bigger Round 3 requirements is the caution deposit, and how much you pay depends on which type of seats you’re aiming for. The reported deposit amounts are:
- ₹1,00,000 — usually linked to Government medical options or Dental options
- ₹12,00,000 — for Government + Private medical options, as applicable
- ₹25,00,000 — for all medical categories, including higher-fee or NRI-type options, as applicable
Choose your deposit category carefully, since it decides which seat categories you can include while entering options. KEA has also warned that this deposit can be forfeited if you get a Round 3 seat but don’t go through with joining or admission as per the rules.
Worth noting: if you’re already admitted to MBBS/BDS and are participating just for an upgrade, there may be separate deposit conditions that apply to you under KEA’s rules — so check your dashboard status before paying anything.
Who’s eligible — and who might not be
Not every NEET-qualified candidate automatically gets to take part in Round 3. Based on KEA’s Round 3 notice, candidates who exited the process earlier (say, by choosing an exit option like “Choice-4”) or who didn’t exercise choices after an earlier allotment may be ineligible for Round 3. If you’re unsure where you stand, check your eligibility through your KEA login.
Round 3 result timing is linked to MCC
KEA has also mentioned that Round 3 processing is tied to the MCC Round 3 timeline (MCC handles counselling for the national All India Quota and other centrally administered categories). That’s why KEA’s Round 3 result is expected after MCC’s Round 3 outcome, rather than on a fixed standalone date right now.
What you should do next
- Download and go through the 25 Sept provisional seat matrix (Medical/Dental).
- Check whether the fees work for you and understand the seat category conditions before entering any option.
- Pay the caution deposit by Sept 28 if it applies to your category.
- Submit your fresh options and finalise them before Sept 29, 11 AM.