How Does the Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Process Work?

Take a look at the current status of the Karnataka NEET PG counselling process as of August 2026.

Karnataka PG Counselling 2026:

The Karnataka NEET PG counselling process is conducted for candidates who have cleared the Karnataka NEET PG counselling 2026 cut offs to get admission to PG Medical seats in Government/ Private colleges in Karnataka.

Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Process 2026:

Stage 1: KEA Registration for NEET PG Counselling 2026

Candidates qualified in the NEET PG Exam must register on the KEA NEET PG counselling 2026 registration link (official website of KEA) to participate in the Karnataka PG counselling process. Candidates should make sure that they are eligible before commencing the KEA registration for NEET PG counselling 2026.

As both the NEET PG exam and counseling process have not yet been conducted, the following instructions are tentative in nature.

Karnataka PG Counselling Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidates should have qualified in the NEET PG examination.

• They should have completed MBBS from an NMC-recognized institute. 

• The candidates should have completed their Compulsory Rotating Internship on or before 31st July, 2026. 

Steps for Karnataka PG Counselling 2026 Registration:

Step 1: Visit the official KEA website and locate the Karnataka NEET PG counselling registration link.

Step 2: Enter your NEET PG roll number, personal details, date of birth, and a valid mobile number.

Step 3: OTP will be sent to the candidate’s registered mobile number.

Step 4: Fill up the application form with the necessary details.

Step 5: Upload your scanned documents, like passport-size photograph, signature, thumb impression. 

Step 6: Pay the Registration Fee online.

Step 7: Submit and download the confirmation slip for future reference.

Application Fee for Karnataka NEET PG Counselling 2026:

Candidates should keep in mind the Karnataka PG counselling fee structure. Only candidates who pay the fees are eligible to move forward with the verification of documents.

Stage 2: Verification of Documents

After registration in the KEA PGET 2026 counselling process, the next step would be documents’ verification. The entries of the original documents are verified against the computer data furnished in their Karnataka PG counselling 2026 application form. 

KEA will return the original documents and retain one set of attested photocopies of all the documents. Candidates will then be issued an acknowledgement card and a verification slip. After verifying the documents, the candidates are provided with a high security secret key. 

Documents Required for NEET PG Counselling in Karnataka:

Stage 3: Option Entry

Candidates who have completed the documents’ verification process are eligible for the option entry stage. Seat allotments are done based on the option entries given by the candidates. At this stage, candidates are required to enter their desired course/ college from the options displayed at the time of option entry. 

Candidates should note that they can enter all the options irrespective of the availability of seats. In each round of Karnataka NEET PG counselling seat allotment, the option entry will be done only once. 

Karnataka NEET PG Counselling 2026 Option Entry Steps:

Step 1: Enter your preliminary information to gain access to option entry.

Step 2: Strategize and prioritize your options, try a series of permutations/ combinations of colleges and courses on paper and discuss with Karnataka NEET PG counselling guidance experts.

Step 3: Give the priority order number from the list of courses and colleges that are available.

Step 4: After completing the entry of your options, click on the ‘Submit’ button and logout.

Stage 4: Karnataka NEET PG Mock Allotment

At the Karnataka NEET PG mock allotment stage, mock results are announced based on the choices entered by the candidates during the option entry stage. Once the candidates receive their mock results, they get a choice to add, delete, modify or rearrange their options. The final results will be announced based on these finally saved options.

Stage 5: Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Seat Allotment

Seat allotment is the final stage in all 3 rounds of counselling, i.e., 1st round, 2nd round and mop up round of counselling. The seat allotment is done based on the college wise, course wise and category wise seat matrix issued by the government. 

Based on merit, the priority order given by the candidates during the option entry stage and the roster prescribed by the government, the final seat allotment results will be declared. If a seat is allotted to you in any round of counselling, then your NEET PG counselling process in Karnataka is completed.

Karnataka NEET PG Admission Process:

If a candidate is satisfied with the college allotted during the KEA PGET Counselling Process, then they are required to follow the below steps:

Step 1: Undergo biometric verification

Step 2: Pay the prescribed fees 

Step 3: Submit the required documents

Step 4: Obtain the admission order 

Step 5: Report to the allotted college

After reporting to the allotted college, candidates are required to login to the KEA website and report to KEA that they joined their allotted college. The seat will be cancelled if students fail to report to KEA, even if they have physically joined the college. Candidates can pay their college fees through Challan/ Net Banking/ NEFT or any other bank Challan. 

Karnataka NEET PG First Round Counselling:

In the first round of counselling, the candidates are allotted seats based on the seat matrix issued by the Government and the choices filled by the candidates. During the Karnataka NEET PG first round counselling, candidates are allotted a seat from the 1st rank holder as per their course and college options given during the option entry stage. 

The next rank holder’s options are then assessed and allotted a seat. The computer continues this process till all seats are filled or till the last rank holder is allotted a seat. Candidates are required to exercise any of the choices mentioned below after the Karnataka NEET-PG first round counselling results.

Choice 1: 

If a candidate is allotted a seat and does not wish to participate in the further KEA PGET counselling rounds, they can choose this choice. After choosing Choice 1, candidates are required to undergo biometric verification, pay the fees, along with submitting the documents required to the college allotted to them. After which, candidates are required to report at KEA.

Choice 2:

If a candidate is allotted a seat and if they still wish to participate in the remaining KEA PGET counselling process, they can choose this choice. If a candidate chooses Choice 2, then they are still required to pay the prescribed fee, undergo biometric verification and wait for the next round of counselling. Check out the scenarios below to understand this choice:

The first scenario explains that if a seat is allotted in the second round, then the candidate will have to accept the seat allotted. No choice will be given between the seats allotted in the first and second rounds.  The second scenario explains that a candidate who failed to acquire a seat in round 2, can retain the seat allotted in the Karnataka NEET PG first round counselling.

Choice 3:

If a candidate is allotted a seat but is not happy with the allotted seat, they can choose this choice. It is important to note that if this choice is chosen, the candidate will lose the allotted seat and is not required to pay the prescribed fees. If a seat is allotted in the next round, candidates should pay the fees, collect the admission order and report at the allotted college. In addition, they are required to report the joining status on the Karnataka PG Medical Counselling official website. To understand the difference between Choice 2 and Choice 3, check out the below table:

Choice 4:

If a candidate is allotted a seat in the first round, but they wish to surrender the seat and not participate in the further rounds of counselling, they can exercise this option. 

Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Schedule Dates for Round 1:

Karnataka NEET PG 2nd Round Counselling:

The Karnataka NEET PG 2nd round counselling is conducted for candidates who were not allotted seats or those who did not participate in the first round. In addition, those candidates who were not happy with their allotted seat in the 1st round and want to try and get a better option, are also eligible for this round of counselling. 

Types of Seats Available in the 2nd Round:

1. Unfilled Seats in the 1st Round

2. Choice 3 and 4 Seats of 1st Round

3. Exercised Choice 1 and 2 in 1st Round but Failed to make Payment or Join the College

4. Cancelled/ Surrendered Seats

5. Newly Added Seats (All India Quota)

6. Consequential Vacancies

Types of Students Eligible for 2nd Round:

• Choice 2 candidates of the First Round who have made the payment and deposited the original documents. 

• Choice 3 candidates of the First Round and deposited the original documents. 

• Not allotted any seat in the First Round and deposited the original documents. 

• Not allotted a seat in 2nd Round of All India Quota/ Deemed University has not joined the allotted college in Round 2 of All India counselling, and exits with a forfeiture clause.

Types of Students not Eligible for 2nd Round:

• Failed to exercise any choice even after allotment of seats in the 1st Round.

• Exercised Choice 2 in the 1st Round but failed to make the payment for the seat confirmed by them or failed to deposit the original documents.

• Exercised Choice 1 but failed to collect the Admission Order.

• Collected an admission order after the 1st round but failed to report to the college. 

• Exercised Choice 3 in the 1st Round but failed to deposit the original documents. 

• Exercised Choice 1 or Choice 2 and cancelled/ surrendered the seats.

Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Schedule Dates for Round 2:

Karnataka NEET PG Mop-up Round Counselling:

Karnataka NEET PG Mop-up Round Counselling is conducted for the seats remaining after the 2nd round of counselling. Candidates who were not allotted any seat or who have not joined the college after allotment of seats in the 1st or 2nd round of counselling, are eligible for the KEA PGET mop-up round of counselling. 

Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Schedule Dates for Mop-up Round:

Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Stray Vacancy Round:

The stray vacancy round is the last round of the NEET PG counselling process in Karnataka. This round aims to fill any remaining seats after the mop-up round.

Conclusion:

As dense as the entire process may seem, it is not too hard once you understand the structure of the counseling rounds. Once you’ve got that covered, you can navigate this maze of registrations and choice-filling deadlines with ease. The process now follows a clear, logical rhythm.

The seat you’re ultimately aiming for is only a few careful steps away. Be thorough with your documentation, stay up to date with KEA notifications, and make informed decisions during option entry. These will make all the difference between getting a great college or missing out. With the right preparation and guidance, the counseling process goes from intimidating to rewarding.

Speaking of rewarding, get in touch with Bangalorestudy to get end-to-end admission guidance. We cover every step of NEET counseling, and have been at it for years. Reach out, and let’s get you the right college.