The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has announced the schedule for the first round of UG NEET 2026 counselling and the second round of UGCET seat allotment. Candidates eligible for admission can modify, add, delete, or reorder their web options starting from 7 pm on August 7 until 9 am on August 13. This process is crucial for students seeking seats in various undergraduate courses across Karnataka.
Understanding KCET and UG NEET Counselling
KEA oversees the counselling and seat allotment process for multiple undergraduate courses in Karnataka, including engineering, medical, dental, pharmacy, agriculture, veterinary, and allied health sciences. The UG NEET counselling specifically handles admissions for medical and dental courses based on the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) scores. Meanwhile, the UGCET counselling covers engineering, farm science, veterinary, and other related programs.
Each year, the authority releases a seat matrix detailing the number of seats available in various colleges and courses. This matrix helps candidates make informed choices during the option entry phase. The counselling process is divided into multiple rounds, allowing candidates to improve their chances of admission by adjusting their preferences.
Key Dates and Details for 2026 Counselling
- Web option registration for UG NEET 2026 round 1 and UGCET round 2 opened at 7 pm on August 7.
- Deadline for submitting or modifying web options is 9 am on August 13.
- KEA will release the provisional seat allotment results for UG NEET round 1 and UGCET round 2 on August 19 after 10 am.
- Candidates allotted seats in round 1 under choice 1 or 2 must surrender their seats in person at the KEA office in Bengaluru by 11 am on August 13 if they wish to do so.
- For UGCET second round, only choice 1 and 4 options will be available; choice 2 and 3 are not applicable.
- UG NEET 2026 candidates have access to all four choice options since this is the first round of medical counselling.
- Students who accept their allotted seat by paying the prescribed fee and reporting to the college remain eligible for the third round of counselling, subject to conditions.
Why This Counselling Phase Matters for Applicants
This counselling phase is critical for students aiming to secure seats in Karnataka’s competitive undergraduate programs. The ability to modify and reorder preferences allows candidates to optimize their chances based on the latest seat availability and competition. Missing the August 13 deadline could mean losing the opportunity to participate in the current round, pushing candidates to later rounds with fewer options.
The distinction between choice options in UGCET counselling reflects the structured approach KEA uses to manage seat allotment efficiently. For medical aspirants, having all four choices available in the first round provides greater flexibility to secure preferred colleges and courses.
Additionally, the requirement to surrender seats in person ensures that the authority maintains accurate records and prevents misuse of allotted seats, which helps streamline the process for subsequent rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does the web option registration close for KCET 2026 counselling?
A: The web option registration for UG NEET 2026 round 1 and UGCET round 2 closes at 9 am on August 13, 2026.
Q: What happens if a candidate wants to surrender their allotted seat?
A: Candidates who want to surrender their seat allotted under choice 1 or 2 in round 1 must do so in person at the KEA office in Bengaluru by 11 am on August 13.
Q: Are all choice options available for UGCET counselling in the second round?
A: No, for UGCET second round counselling, only choice 1 and 4 options are available. Choice 2 and 3 will not be offered in this round.
