KEA NEET PG Counselling 2026: Registration, Offline Document Verification, Eligibility, Fees & Seat Allotment Rules

Karnataka NEET PG counselling is the state-level counselling process for admission to postgraduate medical courses in Karnataka. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducts centralized counselling for eligible NEET PG candidates for seats in government medical colleges, government quota seats in private and minority medical colleges, and private seats in eligible private institutions and few seats in deemed universities as well. Candidates must complete the KEA NEET PG registration process and satisfy the applicable eligibility and document verification requirements before participating in seat allotment.

For the KEA NEET PG counselling 2026 cycle, candidates should note that the exact registration dates, application fee, document verification schedule, seat matrix and round-wise counselling dates will be notified by KEA in its 2026 schedule. As of August 25, 2026, NEET PG 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on August 30, 2026, and the internship completion cutoff announced by NBEMS is September 30, 2026.

Therefore, the procedural framework below is based primarily on the latest published KEA PG Medical rules and notifications, while 2026-specific dates and amounts should be checked against the official KEA notification when released.

What is KEA NEET PG Counselling?

KEA NEET PG counselling is the centralized admission process conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority for eligible NEET PG candidates seeking MD, MS and other postgraduate medical seats covered by the Karnataka counselling process.

The process generally includes:

1. Online registration and fee payment

2. Submission of academic, eligibility and category details

3. Document verification, where applicable

4. Publication of eligible/verified candidates

5. Seat matrix publication

6. Online option entry

7. Round-wise seat allotment

8. Fee payment and issue of the admission order

9. Reporting to the allotted medical college

KEA's published 2025 notification specifically stated that candidates who complete registration and the required document verification become eligible for Karnataka PG medical seats, and that counselling rounds, including the stray vacancy round, are conducted online.

Who Conducts Karnataka NEET PG Counselling?

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducts Karnataka NEET PG counselling on behalf of the Government of Karnataka.

KEA handles the state counselling process for government medical colleges, government quota seats in private and minority medical colleges, private seats and few seats in deemed universities covered under the applicable Karnataka framework. All India Quota seats are handled separately through MCC and should not be confused with the KEA state counselling process.

Candidates should therefore understand that MCC counselling and KEA NEET PG counselling are separate processes, with separate registration, schedules and rules.

KEA NEET PG Eligibility Criteria

To participate in Karnataka NEET PG counselling, a candidate must first satisfy the eligibility requirements for NEET PG and then meet the Karnataka-specific eligibility conditions for the seat or quota being claimed.

At the national level, NEET PG is the single eligibility-cum-ranking examination for MD, MS and PG Diploma admissions. Candidates must have an MBBS qualification recognized under the applicable regulations, hold permanent or provisional registration, and fulfil the required internship conditions.

For Karnataka counselling, important eligibility requirements include:

• Qualification in the relevant NEET PG examination.

• Possession of a recognized MBBS degree or qualifying certificate.

• Completion of the required internship within the prescribed cutoff.

• Valid medical registration as required under the applicable rules.

• Fulfilment of the eligibility clause applicable to the seat category being claimed.

• Submission and verification of the required certificates and original documents.

For Government (G) seats, Karnataka's rules include specific eligibility clauses based on factors such as completing MBBS in Karnataka or satisfying Karnataka study and educational requirements. The 2026 KEA bulletin also recognizes separate eligibility clauses for candidates such as those who studied outside Karnataka, NRI/OCI/PIO/foreign-national candidates and other specified categories.

Karnataka Eligibility Clauses

KEA uses eligibility clauses to determine which candidates can claim particular types of seats. The exact clause applicable to a candidate determines the supporting documents that need to be produced.

For example:

• Candidates who completed MBBS in a recognized Karnataka medical institution may fall under Clause A.

• Candidates satisfying the specified Karnataka school-study requirements may qualify under another clause such as Clause B or C.

• Candidates who completed MBBS outside Karnataka may be considered under the relevant outside-Karnataka clause for seats they are eligible to claim.

• NRI, OCI, PIO and foreign-national candidates are covered under separate provisions.

Candidates should select their eligibility clause carefully during registration because the information declared in the KEA application is used for verification and seat allotment, and KEA does not ordinarily permit changes to these details later.

KEA NEET PG Registration 

The KEA NEET PG registration process is completed online through the KEA portal.

Step 1: Register on the KEA portal

Create an account using the details requested by KEA and generate the required login credentials.

Step 2: Enter personal and NEET PG details

Candidates are required to enter information such as:

• Name and personal details

• NEET PG application and examination details

• NEET PG rank/score

• Academic information

• Medical registration details

• Category and reservation information

• Eligibility clause details

Step 3: Upload the required information/documents

Candidates should follow the size, format and document requirements specified by KEA.

Step 4: Pay the registration fee

The prescribed KEA NEET PG fees must be paid through the payment method specified in the notification.

Step 5: Submit the application

After checking all details, submit the application and take multiple printouts of the completed form and fee receipt.

KEA's published bulletin states that candidates are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of information entered in the online application. KEA reserves the right not to modify information entered by candidates, including details related to category, eligibility and educational qualification.

KEA NEET PG Offline Document Verification

KEA NEET PG document verification is an important stage for candidates whose eligibility requires physical verification of original documents.

The process is not identical for every candidate. In the 2025 cycle, KEA specifically directed candidates who had claimed eligibility under Clauses B, C, D, E, F, G or Z to attend original document verification at the KEA office in Bengaluru. Candidates were required to book a verification slot and appear with the prescribed original documents.

Who needs to attend?

Candidates whose eligibility category requires physical verification should attend the verification session personally as instructed by KEA.

In the 2025 process, candidates under certain clauses did not require the same physical verification process as candidates under Clauses B, C, D, E, F, G and Z. However, exceptions could apply to candidates claiming specific quotas, including NRI or minority-related claims.

Since verification requirements can change, candidates should follow the clause-wise instructions in the KEA NEET PG document verification 2026 notice when released.

Documents required

The document list depends on the candidate's eligibility clause and quota. A basic document set generally includes:

• KEA application form printout

• NEET PG admit card

• NEET PG scorecard

• MBBS marks cards for all required years

• MBBS degree/provisional pass certificate

• Internship completion certificate

• Permanent or provisional medical registration certificate

• SSLC/10th standard certificate

• 2nd PUC/12th standard certificate

• Valid photo ID

• Category and income certificates, where applicable

• Karnataka study certificates, where applicable

• 371-J or Kalyana Karnataka certificate, where applicable

• PwD certificate, where applicable

• Minority certificate, where applicable

• NRI/OCI/PIO documents, where applicable

• In-service documents/NOC, where applicable

The KEA bulletin contains additional clause-specific document requirements. For example, candidates claiming Karnataka study-based eligibility may need detailed study certificates, while minority and NRI claims require specific supporting documents.

Verification process

The KEA NEET PG offline verification process generally involves:

• Booking or following the allotted verification schedule.

• Appearing at the designated KEA verification centre.

• Producing original documents.

• Submitting photocopies or other documents as instructed.

• Verification of the candidate's eligibility clause, academic records and category claims.

• Receiving the required verification/eligibility confirmation.

KEA has stated that only candidates who successfully complete the required registration and verification process are eligible to proceed to the counselling process.

Candidates should avoid submitting laminated marks cards or certificates when KEA specifically requires the original documents. The 2025 verification instructions stated that laminated documents would not be verified.

What happens after verification?

After verification, KEA publishes the details of eligible candidates and subsequently enables eligible candidates to participate in option entry. Candidates should carefully check their verification status and ensure that any discrepancy is resolved within the time specified by KEA.

Successful verification does not itself guarantee admission. KEA's bulletin makes it clear that registration or document verification alone does not confer a right to a PG seat.

KEA NEET PG Counselling Fees

Candidates should distinguish between registration/application fees, caution deposits where applicable, and the tuition fee of the allotted seat.

The exact KEA NEET PG fees for 2026 will be notified by KEA. As a reference, the 2025 KEA PG Medical application fee was reported as follows:

Karnataka NEET PG Seat Categories

KEA classifies Karnataka PG medical seats into broad categories. Government seats include seats in government colleges and the government share in applicable private institutions. The 2026 bulletin specified different seat-sharing proportions across government colleges, private non-minority colleges, private minority colleges and private universities.

Private seats may further include categories such as:

• GMP

• OPN

• Religious minority seats

• Linguistic minority seats

The 2025 rules allowed certain OPN seats to be filled based on All India NEET PG merit, subject to the applicable citizenship and eligibility requirements.

NRI seats were also provided for under the applicable private institution framework, while Q or other seats had separate allocations.

The exact 2026 seat distribution should always be checked in the KEA NEET PG 2026 seat matrix, because seat numbers, course availability and institutional allocations may change from year to year.

KEA NEET PG Choice Filling

After becoming eligible for option entry, candidates can participate in KEA NEET PG choice filling. In Karnataka, the choice filling process is referred to as “Option Entry” by KEA, where candidates enter and prioritize their preferred courses and colleges for seat allotment.

Choice filling is one of the most important stages because seat allotment is influenced by:

• NEET PG merit/rank

• Seat availability

• Eligibility for the particular seat category

• Candidate's submitted preferences

• Category and reservation rules

• Round-specific allotment rules

Candidates should arrange their options in genuine order of preference rather than simply filling colleges based on their expected cutoff.

A useful approach is to place the most preferred course-college combination first, followed by realistic alternatives. Candidates should also review the seat category and fee before entering each option.

KEA's option-entry framework requires candidates to submit their preferred course and college choices online. The published 2025 rules state that only candidates who successfully complete the required verification are permitted to proceed to options.

KEA NEET PG Seat Allotment Process

The KEA NEET PG seat allotment process is based on candidate merit, available seats, eligibility and the options submitted by the candidate.

The broad process is:

1. KEA publishes the applicable seat matrix.

2. Eligible candidates enter and prioritize options.

3. KEA processes the options according to the applicable allotment rules.

4. A provisional or final allotment result is published.

5. The candidate follows the instructions for payment, document submission, admission order and reporting.

6. The seat may be upgraded or retained in a later round depending on the rules applicable to that counselling round.

KEA's recent processes have used online counselling rounds including Round 1, Round 2, mop-up and stray vacancy stages, with the exact structure subject to the applicable year and instructions.

Candidates should carefully read the choice and seat-allotment conditions before accepting a seat because different rounds can have different rules regarding participation, upgradation, resignation and forfeiture.

What Happens After KEA Seat Allotment?

After the first-round KEA seat allotment, candidates must select one of the four choices based on whether they want to retain the seat, seek an upgrade, surrender it or exit counselling.

Choice 1: Accept & Exit

Satisfied with the allotted seat and do not want to participate in further rounds. Pay the fee, submit original documents, collect the admission order and report to the allotted college. The candidate must also update the joining status on the KEA portal. The candidate cannot participate in subsequent rounds.

Choice 2: Accept & Upgrade

Satisfied with the allotted seat but want to try for a higher-order option in the next round. Pay the fee and retain the seat while participating in the upgradation process. If a higher option is allotted, the previous seat is automatically cancelled. If no upgrade is received, the original seat is retained.

Choice 3: Surrender & Upgrade

Not satisfied with the allotted seat and want to participate in the next round without retaining the current seat. The allotted seat is surrendered, and the candidate does not pay the first-round seat fee. Original documents must be submitted as instructed to become eligible for the next round.

Choice 4: Quit Counselling

Not satisfied with the allotted seat and have secured a seat elsewhere. The candidate gives up the KEA seat and will not participate in subsequent rounds.

Important: After the second-round allotment, there is no further choice to accept or reject the allotted seat. If a seat is allotted, the candidate must complete the prescribed admission process within the given deadline.

The 2026 KEA bulletin also required a compulsory rural service bond for candidates allotted seats under the specified Karnataka framework.

Important KEA NEET PG Rules

The Important KEA NEET PG Rules section covers key requirements related to eligibility, document verification, choice filling, seat allotment, fee payment and admission.

1. NEET PG qualification alone is not enough

Qualifying NEET PG does not automatically make a candidate eligible for a Karnataka seat. Candidates must satisfy the applicable Karnataka eligibility conditions and produce the prescribed documents.

2. Eligibility clause selection matters

Candidates should select the correct eligibility clause while completing their KEA application. Incorrect or unsupported claims can create problems during verification or allotment.

3. Application information should be accurate

KEA has stated that information submitted in the online application, including category, educational qualification and other details, is treated as the candidate's responsibility and ordinarily cannot be changed later.

4. Original documents may be mandatory

Candidates required to attend offline verification should carry all prescribed originals and photocopies. Failure to produce the required documents can make the candidate ineligible for further participation.

5. False documents can lead to cancellation

If certificates or information are found to be false or fraudulent, the allotted seat can be cancelled and fees may be forfeited. KEA's bulletin also provides for possible further action under applicable rules.

6. Registration does not guarantee a seat

Submitting the application or receiving a verification slip does not itself create a right to admission. Seat allotment is dependent on eligibility, merit, seat availability and the applicable counselling rules.

7. KEA and MCC counselling are separate

Candidates participating in both All India and Karnataka counselling must track the rules and deadlines of both authorities separately.

8. Stray vacancy participation can have stricter conditions

Later rounds may involve special registration, document submission, caution deposits and stricter consequences for non-reporting or cancellation. Candidates should read the round-specific KEA notice before participating.

KEA Common Registration & Verification Mistakes

Candidates can avoid several common problems by checking their application and documents carefully before submission.

Incorrect eligibility clause

Choosing a Karnataka eligibility clause without having the supporting certificates is one of the most serious errors. The clause and documents should match.

Missing original documents

Candidates sometimes carry only scanned copies or photocopies when KEA requires originals. Keep all originals and multiple photocopy sets ready.

Incorrect category claim

Category, caste, income, minority and reservation information may be used for verification and allotment. KEA has stated that such information submitted in the application is not ordinarily changed later.

Laminated certificates

KEA's 2025 verification notice warned that laminated documents would not be verified. Candidates should carry the original documents in the form prescribed by KEA.

Ignoring verification status

Completing registration is not the same as completing verification. Candidates should check whether they have been marked eligible for option entry.

Filling options without checking fees

A candidate may focus only on branch and college preference and overlook the fee attached to the seat category. This can become a major issue after allotment.

Relying on unofficial schedules

KEA counselling dates can change. Candidates should always cross-check registration deadlines, verification slots, option-entry dates and allotment dates with the latest official notification.