Karnataka NEET Option Entry 2026: Deadline Today, Key Steps

Students seeking MBBS and BDS admissions through Karnataka's centralised counselling process are facing a critical deadline today, as the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) closes the online option entry portal for NEET UG 2026 admissions. Candidates who have registered for Karnataka NEET counselling but are yet to submit or lock their college preferences must do so immediately to remain in contention for seat allotment.

What Is Option Entry and Why Does It Matter?

Option entry is the stage in Karnataka's medical counselling where eligible NEET-qualified students rank their preferred government, private, and deemed medical and dental colleges. The order in which a candidate enters choices directly influences which seat is allotted to them during the KEA seat allotment round. A poorly arranged or incomplete option list can result in a less preferred college or, in the worst case, no allotment at all.

Last-Minute Checklist for Candidates

• Log in to the official KEA counselling portal before the deadline closes tonight.
• Review and arrange all college-course combinations in the precise order of your preference — the higher a choice is ranked, the higher the priority KEA's algorithm assigns to it.
• Click the 'Lock' button once satisfied; an unlocked option list may not be considered for allotment.
• Download and save the confirmation page or PDF acknowledgement after locking choices.
• Ensure your NEET UG scorecard, domicile documents, category certificates, and other required documents are ready for the document verification stage that follows allotment.

Important Reminders

Candidates are advised not to wait until the final hour, as heavy server traffic near closing time can cause technical delays. If any login or submission issue arises, aspirants should contact the KEA helpdesk without delay. Changes to the option list are generally not permitted after locking, so double-check every entry before confirming.

What Happens After Option Entry Closes?

Once the option entry window shuts, KEA will process the submitted preferences alongside NEET UG merit ranks and applicable reservation categories to generate the first round of seat allotment results. Allotted candidates will then be required to report to their designated colleges for document verification and fee payment within the stipulated time. Failure to report within the deadline typically results in forfeiture of the allotted seat.

For complete counselling schedules, official notifications, and seat allotment updates, visit the KEA official website. Students can also stay updated on Karnataka NEET counselling and other state medical admissions through CollegeUnify.