For thousands of NEET UG 2026 aspirants in Karnataka, hope is not over yet. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has announced the Stray Vacancy Round for MBBS and BDS admissions — a final window to grab seats left vacant after Round 3. But this round comes with tight deadlines, hefty deposits, and very strict eligibility rules. One wrong click, especially with fees, could cost you lakhs. Here is a simple, complete breakdown for students and parents.

What Exactly Is This Round?

This is not an extension of Round 3, but a separate and final mop-up phase.

Seats in this round will come from two pools:

  • MBBS seats that remained vacant after Round 3
  • Seats that fall vacant later due to cancellation or forfeiture

As per the list dated October 8, 2026, around 664 MBBS seats in 34 private medical colleges were vacant. No BDS seats were vacant at that time, but cancelled dental seats can still be added. The final number may change, and vacancy does not guarantee allotment.

Mark Your Calendar: Key Dates

Do not wait for the last hour. The portal gets very slow during counselling deadlines.

  • Fresh Registration: October 13 to October 16, 2026. New candidates must complete application and payment in this window.
  • Fresh Option Entry Starts: October 16, 2026, 11:00 AM onwards
  • Option Entry Last Date: October 19, 2026, till 9:00 AM

Most crucial point: Your old choices from Round 1, 2 or 3 are invalid now. You must fill fresh choices in order of preference.

Deposit Decoded: It’s Not Just ‘Caution Money’

This is where maximum confusion is happening. KEA’s reported notice calls it “Medical Course Fee Deposit”, not a simple refundable caution deposit. If you get a seat, it will be adjusted in your fee. If you waste the seat, it can be forfeited.

Choose your slab very carefully as per the seat you dream of:

  • Rs. 1,00,000: For Medical Government (G) seats + All categories of Dental seats
  • Rs. 12,00,117: For Medical Government (G) + Private (P) seats including specified Private University P-category seats
  • Rs. 25,00,000: For ALL Medical categories — Government, Private, Management and NRI

Remember: Deposit paid for Engineering or other courses will not be counted here. Check the original KEA notice before payment.

Who Can Apply? Who Cannot?

  • Eligibility is decisive in this round:

You CAN apply if:

  • You qualified NEET UG 2026 but never registered with KEA
  • Your earlier KEA registration is incomplete
  • You got no Medical seat in any previous KEA round
  • You got a Dental seat in KEA but now want to try only for a Medical seat

You CANNOT apply for Medical if:

  • You have already been allotted a Medical seat in any KEA round
  • You have taken and reported a seat through MCC All India / Deemed quota and later got a seat in MCC Stray Vacancy Round

Good news: If you already have the KEA Entry Verification Slip, you need not register again. Just login and complete deposit and option entry.

How To Apply Without Mistakes

  • Visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea and read the UGNEET-2026 Stray notice.
  • Complete new registration and download Verification Slip, if applicable.
  • Pay the correct Medical Course Fee Deposit slab.
  • Do fresh option entry between Oct 16–19 with proper college-fee research.
  • Wait for allotment result and report to college on time with originals and balance fees.

One Big Heartfelt Warning

Please do not fill options casually. If you get a seat in this round and do not join, cancel, or fail to report, your entire deposit can be forfeited. As per reported rules, there can also be hefty penalty and a bar for the next three years from medical counselling.

Also, if you are already studying in another course, a new allotment can lead to auto-cancellation of your old seat. You could lose both seats. Fill only those colleges whose fees and location you can genuinely accept.

Bottom Line: This stray round is a precious last opportunity, but only for the eligible, financially prepared and quick decision-makers. Verify everything on the KEA portal today itself.