Karnataka MBBS Round 3 Vacant Seat Matrix 2026 Released

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the Round 3 provisional seat matrix for the state's MBBS and BDS counselling, conducted under UGNEET (Karnataka NEET UG Counselling) 2026. The matrix lists the medical and dental seats that remain vacant for Round 3 after allotments in the first two rounds, giving candidates a clear picture of availability before they submit their preferences.

Karnataka UGNEET Round 3 Vacant Seats 2026: Latest Update

KEA published the Round 3 provisional seat matrix for MBBS and BDS on September 25, 2026, on the official counselling portal, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. The matrix covers medical and dental 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 caution deposit payment for fresh entrants continued till 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 itself 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. MBBS and BDS admissions, by contrast, are conducted under UGNEET, based on NEET UG scores, against the state's 85% state quota seats. While both processes are run by KEA and often get referred to loosely by either name in casual usage, the seat matrix and counselling rounds for MBBS and BDS specifically fall under the UGNEET process.

Who Is Eligible for Round 3

Candidates not allotted any medical or dental seat in Round 1 and Round 2
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
Fresh eligible candidates who meet the NEET UG 2026 and Karnataka domicile requirements for state quota admission

Karnataka UGNEET Round 3 2026: Key Dates So Far

Event	Date
Round 2 result published (basis for Round 3 vacancies)	September 17, 2026
Round 3 provisional seat matrix released	September 25, 2026
Round 3 option entry window	September 25 to 29, 2026 (till 11 AM)
Caution deposit payment for fresh entrants	Up to September 28, 2026
MCC All India Quota Round 3 result (reference point for KEA's result)	October 1, 2026
KEA Round 3 provisional result	Awaited

Steps to Check the Round 3 Vacant Seat Matrix

Visit the official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
Go to the Quick Links section and select the UGNEET 2026 tab
Click on 'UGNEET 2026 - Medical and Dental Provisional Seat Matrix, 25/09/2026'
Choose the Medical (MBBS) or Dental (BDS) PDF as required
Download the PDF and check seat availability college-wise and category-wise
Use this information while reviewing or finalising Round 3 preferences

Candidates who secure a seat under the All India Quota Round 3 and also receive a KEA Round 3 seat can retain the KEA seat only by submitting a written request within a day of the provisional result announcement; otherwise they will not be considered for the final allotment and the caution deposit will not be refunded.— KEA Round 3 Counselling Rules

PDF DocumentClick to download

Impact on Students

The Round 3 vacant seat list offers another opportunity for candidates who missed out on a medical or dental seat in the first two rounds, as well as those looking to upgrade from an already-allotted seat. Because KEA's Round 3 processing is linked to the MCC All India Quota timeline, candidates holding offers in both streams need to track both portals and submit any seat-retention requests within the tight window specified in the counselling rules.

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 MBBS and BDS 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

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Karnataka UGNEET Round 3 vacant seat matrix for MBBS released?

KEA released the Round 3 provisional seat matrix for MBBS and BDS on September 25, 2026, at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.

Is 'UGCET' the right term for Karnataka's MBBS counselling?

Not quite. Karnataka's MBBS and BDS admissions are conducted under UGNEET (based on NEET UG scores), while UGCET refers to the separate counselling for Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture and allied courses. Both are run by KEA.

When did Round 3 option entry close for Karnataka MBBS/BDS counselling?

Round 3 option entry closed on September 29, 2026, at 11 AM, with caution deposit payment for fresh entrants due by September 28.

When will the Karnataka UGNEET Round 3 seat allotment result be declared?

KEA has indicated the Round 3 result will follow the MCC All India Quota Round 3 outcome, which was declared on October 1, 2026; the exact KEA result date should be confirmed on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.

Who is eligible to participate in Karnataka UGNEET Round 3?

Candidates not allotted a seat in Round 1 or 2, those who failed to exercise their choice, and those allotted a seat under Choice-4 are eligible to participate in Round 3.