Eligibility for Vacant Seats in Karnataka Medical Counselling 2026

Latest Updates: 

• The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has published the Karnataka NEET 2026 seat matrix on the official website for MBBS and BDS.
• The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has announced the Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026 schedule on the official website for MBBS and BDS courses.
• The Karnataka NEET UG option entry 2026 is conducted between the dates of 7 August and 13 August 2026. Check here.

To be eligible for vacant or stray vacancy seats in Karnataka Medical Counselling 2026, which is managed by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), applicants must have qualified NEET UG 2026, be registered on the KEA portal, and should not hold an already admitted seat with the help of prior rounds of state or All-India counselling. If you are a medical aspirant aiming for MBBS or BDS in Karnataka but unfortunately missed out on the main rounds, don’t lose hope, as there might still be some Karnataka Vacant Seats. But students need to understand the eligibility for Karnataka Vacant Seats. The Karnataka Examination Authority conducts a mop-up and a stray vacancy NEET counselling round after the main counselling rounds to fill the vacant seats.

This comprehensive guide reflects on who can apply for those seats and how you can boost your chances of getting those seats.

Check:

• Karnataka MBBS Vacant Seats 2026: Stray Vacancy Round Explained
• How to Grab Vacant Seats After Mop-Up Round Karnataka Counselling 2026

All About Karnataka Vacant Seats

The Karnataka Vacant Seats refers to the available MBBS and BDS seats in the government, private, or deemed colleges in Karnataka that remain unfilled even after the main counselling rounds (including the mop-up round) during the Karnataka NEET Counselling. The available seats are offered to the students who meet the special eligibility criteria for the last round, i.e. the stray vacancy round. We will be exploring more about the eligibility for vacant seats in Karnataka Medical Counselling 2026.

Karnataka Vacant Seats: Eligibility Criteria

The Karnataka Examination Authority sets and enforces the eligibility for Karnataka vacant seats. Eligibility criteria details are mentioned in the table below.

Read More: Karnataka Counselling Vacant Seats List

Eligibility Checklist for Karnataka Vacant Seats

The eligibility checklist for Karnataka vacant seats including state quota seats, private colleges seats, and seats from NRI/Management quota might be different. Go through the eligibility checklist required for the Karnataka vacant seats provided in the table below.

Key Points to Remember

• Compulsory Registration - The students who are registered with KEA and have verified their documents are eligible to participate in the stray vacancy round.
• No Previous Allotment - Students already having a seat in any previous round (including the mop-up round) will not be allowed to participate in the stray vacancy round until they withdraw their allotted seat.
•  Domicile Rule - The State Quota seats will be allotted to the Karnataka students as it requires Karnataka Domicile. Non-domicile and foreign students can register for the NRI and management quota seats.
• Document Verification - Students must produce their original required documents at the time of college reporting.
• Eligibility for NRI/Management Quota - The eligibility criteria and fee structure for NRI and Management quota seats are different and may vary from round to round. Keep checking the KEA official portal for more details.

Conclusion

Meeting the required eligibility criteria and reacting quickly to official notifications can still help you secure Karnataka Vacant Seats. Keep your documents ready and stay updated with the latest notifications to maximize your chances of getting a medical seat in the last round of Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026. Wish you all the best!

Eligibility for Vacant Seats in Karnataka Medical Counselling 2026: FAQs

Ques. How many new MBBS seats are added in 2026 in Karnataka?

Ans. For the 2026–27 academic session, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has made an addition of 1,300 new MBBS seats in Karnataka, which is regarded as the the state's total number of medical seats to 15,395 across 75 medical colleges, that gives Karnataka the highest number of medical seats of any state in India.

Ques. Are non-domicile candidates eligible for Karnataka vacant seats?

Ans. Non-domicile candidates can apply for private and NRI/management quota seats, but state quota seats require Karnataka domicile for Karnataka NEET UG Counselling 2026.

Ques. Is NEET qualification mandatory for all vacant seats?

Ans. Yes, NEET UG 2026 qualification is mandatory for all categories of vacant seats for Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026.

Ques. Can I get MBBS seat with 300 marks in Karnataka SC category?

Ans. Obtaining a government MBBS seat in Karnataka with 300 marks under the SC category is very difficult; however, private or management quota seats are possible.

Ques. Is MBBS option entry started in Karnataka?

Ans. Yes, the Round 1 option entry for MBBS or BDS counselling in Karnataka has begun on 7 August 2026, and it will remain open until 13 August 2026.