Karnataka NEET PG Counselling 2026: KEA Schedule, Rounds and Fees

KEA PGET 2026 Counselling: Registration, Eligibility and Seat Allotment

Published: 13 October 2026 | Updated: 4 November 2026 | By Admission Mantra Team, Bengaluru | Reviewed by Harsha, Founder & Lead Admission Counsellor

The Karnataka NEET PG 2026 counselling process has officially begun, bringing an important opportunity for medical graduates seeking MD, MS and other eligible postgraduate medical seats in Karnataka. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) opened its PGET 2026 online registration on 5 October 2026, and candidates can apply without a late fee until 15 October 2026.

Meanwhile, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has started the All India Quota (AIQ) NEET PG 2026 registration process from 12 October 2026.

For medical graduates, this is an important time to understand the difference between KEA and MCC counselling, check eligibility, arrange documents and prepare for college and specialty selection.

In this guide, we explain Karnataka NEET PG 2026 counselling in simple language, including registration dates, eligibility requirements, fees, document verification, option entry, seat allotment and admission procedures.

Karnataka NEET PG 2026 Counselling: Latest Updates

The Karnataka Examinations Authority conducts postgraduate medical counselling through its PGET admission process for eligible seats in government and private medical colleges in Karnataka.

Here is a quick overview of the current admission process.

Important: The KEA and MCC schedules are different. The 24 October allotment date belongs to MCC Round 1 and should not be confused with the Karnataka state allotment date.

Candidates should regularly check the official KEA website and the MCC PG Medical Counselling portal for updates.

For a regularly updated reference, visit our NEET PG Counselling and Dates guide.

Who Is Eligible for Karnataka NEET PG 2026 Counselling?

Before registering, candidates must satisfy the national NEET PG eligibility requirements and the conditions applicable to their chosen Karnataka seat category.

The basic requirements include:

• An MBBS degree or provisional pass certificate from a recognised medical institution.
• Qualification in NEET PG 2026 under the applicable category.
• Completion of the compulsory rotating medical internship by 30 September 2026.
• Valid medical registration as required by the applicable admission rules.
• Satisfaction of the relevant KEA eligibility clause for the seat category being claimed.

Can Students from Outside Karnataka Apply?

Yes, candidates from other states may be eligible for certain private or open-category seats in Karnataka, provided they satisfy the applicable KEA rules.

However, this does not mean all candidates can claim Karnataka government quota seats or state reservation benefits.

Eligibility depends on the seat category, educational background, supporting documents and the relevant KEA eligibility clause.

For example, a candidate who studied MBBS outside Karnataka may have different eligibility requirements from a candidate claiming a Karnataka government quota seat.

Students should carefully verify their individual eligibility before selecting a quota.

For a detailed explanation, read our Karnataka NEET PG Eligibility 2026 guide.

Karnataka NEET PG 2026 Qualifying Cutoff

Candidates must qualify for NEET PG 2026 before participating in the applicable counselling process.

The reported qualifying marks for the 2026 examination are:

These are the qualifying cutoffs, not the final admission cutoffs for medical colleges.

For example, qualifying NEET PG with 262 marks does not guarantee a seat in MD General Medicine, Radiodiagnosis, Dermatology, Surgery or any other specialty.

Actual admission depends on rank, category, available seats, specialty preferences and counselling rules.

Candidates should verify their results and qualifying status through the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences.

Karnataka NEET PG 2026 Registration: Step-by-Step Process

The Karnataka NEET PG 2026 state registration process is conducted online through KEA.

Candidates can follow these steps.

Step 1: Visit the Official KEA Website

Open cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea and navigate to the PGET 2026 PG Medical admission section.

Use the official registration link.

Step 2: Complete the Application Form

Enter the required personal, academic and examination details.

These generally include NEET PG application information, MBBS qualification details, medical registration information and eligibility category.

Check all entries before submitting the application.

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee

Pay the prescribed KEA registration fee through the available official payment method.

Download the application acknowledgement and payment receipt.

Step 4: Prepare for Document Verification

Follow the verification instructions published by KEA.

Some candidates may need to attend physical document verification in Bengaluru, depending on the notified procedure and applicable category.

Step 5: Obtain the Verification Slip

After successful verification, eligible candidates should obtain their verification slip or the applicable confirmation.

Check the details carefully, particularly the eligibility clause and categories recorded.

Step 6: Participate in Option Entry

Once KEA opens the option-entry window, enter preferred colleges, MD/MS specialties and eligible seat categories.

Step 7: Check Allotment and Complete Admission

After KEA declares the allotment result, follow the applicable seat acceptance, fee payment and reporting instructions.

Registration by itself does not guarantee inclusion in allotment or admission to a medical college.

Karnataka NEET PG 2026 Counselling Fees

Understanding the financial requirements is especially important for students considering private medical colleges.

There are three different types of payments that candidates should distinguish.

1. KEA Registration Fee

This is the application or registration charge required to participate in the state counselling process.

The applicable amount may vary by candidate category and the current admission rules.

Candidates must check the PGET 2026 information bulletin or official payment page for the exact fee.

2. Security Deposit or Other Counselling Payments

Depending on the counselling authority, round and seat category, candidates may need to pay a security deposit or other prescribed amount.

Refund and forfeiture conditions are important.

A refundable security deposit is not necessarily returned when a candidate fails to fulfil the terms of an allotted seat.

KEA and MCC have separate payment rules, so candidates should never assume that a payment made to one authority covers the other.

3. Medical College Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are separate from counselling registration charges.

The final cost depends on:

• Whether the college is government, private or deemed.
• The particular MD/MS specialty.
• Whether the seat belongs to a government, private, management or NRI category.
• The approved fee structure for the academic year.
• Hostel charges and other applicable institutional costs.

A private postgraduate medical seat may involve a substantial multi-year financial commitment. Students should calculate the total course cost rather than comparing only the first-year tuition fee.

Fee verification note: Exact KEA 2026 registration and college-wise tuition amounts should be taken from the current official KEA fee notice or allotment documents. Amounts from previous admission years should not be treated as confirmed 2026 fees.

KEA vs MCC: Which Counselling Should You Apply For?

This is one of the most common areas of confusion among medical graduates.

Karnataka has two major counselling pathways for postgraduate medical admissions.

Example

Suppose a student wants an MD seat in a Karnataka government medical college.

Some seats in that college may be available through MCC’s All India Quota, while others are available through KEA’s state counselling process.

The same college may therefore appear in different counselling systems for different seat categories.

Similarly, a deemed university located in Karnataka generally falls under MCC for its postgraduate medical counselling seats.

Eligible candidates may register for both MCC and KEA counselling. However, rules concerning joining, resignation, upgradation and participation in later rounds must be followed carefully.

Visit the MCC official PG counselling portal for national counselling information.

Documents Required for Karnataka NEET PG 2026

Candidates should prepare the required documents before their verification appointment.

The commonly required documents include:

1. Printed KEA PGET 2026 application form.
2. NEET PG 2026 admit card.
3. NEET PG 2026 scorecard.
4. Valid photo identity proof.
5. Class 10 marks card or accepted date-of-birth certificate.
6. Class 12 or 2nd PUC marks card.
7. MBBS marks cards.
8. MBBS degree or provisional degree certificate.
9. Compulsory internship completion certificate.
10. Medical Council registration certificate.
11. Certificate from the head of the MBBS institution, where required.
12. Applicable university eligibility certificate.
13. Reservation, domicile or eligibility-clause supporting documents, if required.
14. Additional NRI, minority, in-service or PwBD documents, where applicable.

The exact document requirements depend on the candidate’s eligibility clause and seat category.

Students who graduated outside Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) should pay particular attention to any additional eligibility-certificate requirements.

For a more detailed checklist, read our Karnataka NEET PG Documents Required 2026 guide.

Karnataka NEET PG 2026 Seat Allotment Process

Once registration and verification are completed, eligible candidates can participate in the notified seat allotment process.

Seat allotment generally depends on four important factors:

NEET PG rank: Higher merit improves access to competitive specialties, subject to applicable reservations and other rules.

Seat category: Students are considered only for categories for which they are eligible.

College and branch preferences: The order of selected MD/MS courses and colleges is important.

Availability: A candidate can be allotted only a seat available under the applicable category and counselling conditions.

How Does Option Entry Work?

Option entry is the stage where students select their preferred postgraduate medical courses and colleges.

For example, a student may prefer MD General Medicine at one college, followed by MD Paediatrics at another, and then an MS specialty at a different institution.

The choices should reflect the candidate’s actual priorities.

Before finalising the list, compare specialty preference, hospital workload, clinical training, affordability, institutional rules and location.

Never include an expensive private or management-category seat unless you are genuinely willing and financially prepared to accept it.

For detailed practical advice, read our PG Counselling and Option Entry Guide.

How Many NEET PG Seats Are Available in Karnataka in 2026?

The total number of postgraduate medical seats depends on approved college-course intake, the current academic year’s regulatory permissions and the counselling seat matrices.

These figures must not be confused.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) publishes information about approved courses and intake. However, the seats actually available to candidates are determined through the relevant KEA and MCC counselling matrices.

A medical college may have approved MD/MS seats but offer them through different quota or counselling routes.

The availability of some seats may also change when approvals, surrender arrangements or revised seat matrices are published.

Instead of relying on an undated total, students should check the latest officially published college-wise and specialty-wise information.

Admission Mantra maintains additional resources for this purpose:

• NEET PG Seats in Karnataka Medical Colleges 2026
• New PG Medical Seats in Karnataka 2026

Candidates can also check regulatory information through the National Medical Commission.

How to Choose the Right MD/MS College in Karnataka

A postgraduate medical college should be selected based on more than its name or reputation.

1. Clinical Exposure

For clinical branches, patient volume, case variety, emergency exposure and supervised practical training are important considerations.

2. Department and Faculty

Look at the department’s teaching environment, faculty availability, academic activities and resident support.

3. Specialty Preference

Choose a specialty that aligns with your professional interests and long-term career goals.

A branch with a lower cutoff is not automatically a better fit.

4. Total Financial Commitment

Compare tuition, hostel expenses, any applicable bonds or service obligations, stipends and other charges.

5. Recognition and Approved Intake

Verify the relevant college and specialty through NMC information and the current counselling seat matrix.

Students exploring individual institutions can also read our existing JNMC Belagavi MBBS and MD College Guide for broader college information.

Common Mistakes Students Should Avoid

The Karnataka NEET PG 2026 counselling process requires careful attention to detail.

Some common mistakes include:

• Confusing KEA and MCC counselling dates.
• Missing the KEA registration deadline.
• Providing incorrect eligibility-clause information.
• Attending verification without the required original documents.
• Treating NEET qualifying marks as guaranteed admission cutoffs.
• Selecting colleges without understanding their total fees.
• Entering specialties in an order that does not reflect genuine preferences.
• Assuming that an allotted seat can always be surrendered without financial consequences.
• Relying on unofficial promises of guaranteed MD/MS admission.

Students should read the applicable counselling bulletin before making binding decisions.

What Happens After Karnataka NEET PG 2026 Seat Allotment?

After KEA releases the final allotment result, candidates should carefully check the allotted college, specialty and seat category.

Depending on the applicable counselling round, they may need to complete seat acceptance, fee payment, document submission and physical reporting.

There may also be specific options or restrictions regarding upgradation and participation in subsequent rounds.

The consequences of not joining an allotted seat can change between rounds.

Therefore, students must follow the exact instructions in the 2026 KEA allotment notice rather than relying on general rules from earlier admission years.

Keep copies of payment receipts, allotment orders and reporting acknowledgements.

College Guides for KEA and MCC Counselling

Karnataka private colleges like BMCH are allotted through KEA. Sri Siddhartha colleges are deemed universities, so their seats go through MCC, not KEA.

Frequently Asked Questions About Karnataka NEET PG 2026

1. When did Karnataka NEET PG 2026 counselling registration begin?

KEA opened PGET 2026 online registration on 5 October 2026 for eligible postgraduate medical applicants.

2. What is the last date for KEA NEET PG 2026 registration?

The reported last date for registration without a late fee is 15 October 2026. Candidates should verify any extension or late-fee window directly with KEA.

3. Can non-Karnataka students participate in Karnataka NEET PG counselling?

Yes, eligible candidates from outside Karnataka may apply for certain seat categories. Eligibility for government quota seats and reservation benefits depends on KEA rules.

4. Is NEET PG compulsory for management quota MD/MS admission?

Yes. Candidates must meet the applicable NEET PG qualification and eligibility requirements. Management quota does not remove the requirement to qualify through the prescribed admission process.

5. Who conducts NEET PG counselling for deemed universities in Karnataka?

MCC conducts postgraduate medical counselling for deemed-university seats under its jurisdiction.

6. When will KEA announce the Round 1 seat allotment result?

As of 13 October 2026, a verified KEA Round 1 final allotment date was not available from the sources reviewed. Candidates should follow KEA’s official notices.

7. Can I register for both KEA and MCC NEET PG counselling?

Eligible candidates can participate in both processes, but they must follow the rules governing seat holding, joining, resignation and further-round eligibility.

8. How much is the Karnataka NEET PG 2026 counselling fee?

The registration fee depends on the candidate category and the current KEA fee schedule. Tuition and other admission charges depend on the allotted college, course and seat category. Check official payment instructions for the exact amount.

9. Is document verification compulsory?

Candidates must fulfil the verification requirements prescribed by KEA. The method and documents depend on the applicable candidate category and notifications.

10. Does qualifying NEET PG guarantee an MD/MS seat?

No. Admission depends on NEET PG rank, eligibility, category, seat availability, choices and the applicable counselling rules.

Final Thoughts

The start of Karnataka NEET PG 2026 counselling is an important milestone for medical graduates planning their postgraduate education.

With KEA registration underway and MCC All India Quota counselling also starting, students need to manage two separate schedules while preparing documents and comparing their MD/MS admission options.

The best approach is to register within the deadline, confirm eligibility, understand the financial commitment and prepare a well-researched college and specialty preference list.

A careful decision now can influence the next several years of medical training and your long-term professional career.

Need Help with Karnataka NEET PG 2026 Counselling?

Choosing a postgraduate medical specialty and college can feel complicated, especially when multiple quotas, fee structures and counselling rounds are involved.

At Admission Mantra Private Limited, Bengaluru, we help students and families understand available admission routes, eligibility requirements, college options and counselling procedures.

Our guidance can help you evaluate:

• KEA and MCC counselling requirements
• NEET PG rank-based college and branch selection
• Karnataka medical college options
• Government, private and management-category seats
• Fee structures and admission documents
• Option entry and seat allotment procedures

Planning MD/MS admission in Karnataka?

Contact Admission Mantra for Medical Admission Guidance

visit- https://admissionmantra.in/contact-us/

Location: Sanjayanagara, Bengaluru, Karnataka

Admission Mantra — Helping Students Make Informed Admission Decisions.

Official References

1. Karnataka Examinations Authority — Official Website
2. MCC — PG Medical Counselling 2026
3. National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences
4. National Medical Commission
5. Karnataka PGET 2026 Registration Update — Careers360
6. MCC NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Schedule — Indian Express

Disclaimer: This article provides general educational and counselling information as of 13 October 2026. KEA, MCC, NBEMS and NMC are the relevant authorities for their respective examination, eligibility, seat approval and counselling processes. Dates, fees, seat matrices and participation rules can change through official notifications. Admission Mantra does not guarantee seat allotment or admission.