The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the Round 3 provisional seat matrix for BDS counselling, conducted under UGNEET (Karnataka NEET UG Counselling) 2026. The matrix lists the dental seats that remain vacant for Round 3 across participating dental colleges, after allotments in the first two rounds of this year's counselling cycle.

Karnataka UGNEET Round 3 BDS Vacant Seats 2026: Latest Update

KEA published the Round 3 provisional seat matrix for BDS, alongside the MBBS matrix, on September 25, 2026, on the official counselling portal, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. The dental matrix covers seats that remained vacant after Round 2 results were published on September 17, along with any seats cancelled, forfeited, or newly added since then. Option entry for Round 3 ran from September 25 to September 29, 2026, until 11 AM, while the caution deposit window for Round 3 ran from September 24 to September 28. As of this report, the Round 3 result is yet to be declared, since KEA has indicated that its provisional result will follow after the Medical Counselling Committee's All India Quota Round 3 outcome, which was finalised on October 1, 2026.

Background: Note on Terminology - UGCET vs UGNEET

In Karnataka, KEA conducts two separate counselling streams under different names. UGCET covers admission to Engineering, Architecture, Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Pharmacy, B.Sc. Nursing, Yoga and Naturopathy, and allied health science courses based on the Karnataka CET. BDS admissions, by contrast, are conducted under UGNEET, based on NEET UG scores, against the state's 85% state quota seats. Both processes are run by KEA and are sometimes referred to loosely by either name, but the seat matrix and counselling rounds for BDS specifically fall under the UGNEET process.

BDS Seat Matrix: What It Covers

The Round 3 BDS matrix provides a college-wise and category-wise breakdown of vacant dental seats across government, private, NRI, and other quota categories. For reference, the Round 2 provisional BDS matrix had listed a combined total of 974 dental seats across participating colleges, including institutions such as Ambedkar Dental College and Bapuji Dental College in Bangalore and Davangere, Institute of Dental Sciences in Mangalore, and dental colleges in Dharwad, Gulbarga, Bidar, Sullia, and Chitradurga. The Round 3 matrix reflects the updated vacancy position at these and other participating dental colleges after Round 2 allotment, reporting, and any subsequent seat cancellations or additions.

Who Is Eligible for Round 3

  • Candidates not allotted any dental or medical seat in Round 1 and Round 2
  • Candidates who cancelled their medical/dental seat by paying the applicable penalty
  • Candidates allotted a seat in Round 1 or Round 2 who failed to exercise their choice
  • Candidates allotted a seat in Round 1 or Round 2 under Choice-4

PDF DocumentClick to download

Karnataka UGNEET Round 3 BDS 2026: Key Dates So Far

EventDate
Round 2 result published (basis for Round 3 vacancies)September 17, 2026
Round 3 provisional seat matrix releasedSeptember 25, 2026
Caution deposit payment windowSeptember 24 to 28, 2026
Round 3 option entry windowSeptember 25 to 29, 2026 (till 11 AM)
MCC All India Quota Round 3 result (reference point for KEA's result)October 1, 2026
KEA Round 3 provisional resultAwaited

Steps to Check the Round 3 BDS Vacant Seat Matrix

  1. Visit the official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
  2. Go to the Quick Links section and select the UGNEET 2026 tab
  3. Click on 'UGNEET 2026 - Dental Provisional Seat Matrix, 25/09/2026'
  4. Download the Dental (BDS) PDF
  5. Check seat availability college-wise and category-wise
  6. Use this information while reviewing or finalising Round 3 preferences
If a candidate does not get a seat in Round 3, their earlier allotted seat, if any, stands confirmed, so candidates already holding a seat need to weigh the trade-off before opting into a fresh round.— KEA Round 3 Counselling Rules

Impact on Students

The Round 3 vacant BDS seat list gives candidates who missed a dental seat in the first two rounds another chance, and allows those already allotted a seat to weigh an upgrade against the risk of losing their current seat if Round 3 does not work out. Since KEA's Round 3 processing is linked to the MCC All India Quota timeline, candidates should also track any parallel AIQ dental offers they may be holding.

What Happens Next

With the MCC AIQ Round 3 result already declared on October 1, 2026, KEA is expected to process and publish its own Round 3 provisional result for BDS and MBBS shortly, followed by an objection window and the final result. Candidates should keep checking cetonline.karnataka.gov.in for the exact result date, fee payment window, and college reporting schedule once announced.

Related Resources

Official References