Karnataka UGNEET 2026: second stray round option entry closes 1 PM today

By TUF News Desk · Published 24 October 2026 · 3 min read

Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy

1 PM is the number that matters today. The Karnataka Examinations Authority will close the option entry link for the second stray vacancy round of Karnataka UGNEET 2026 at 1 PM, and only the college and course choices saved on the KEA portal by then will count toward this round’s MBBS and BDS allotment.

The cutoff comes from KEA’s notification for the round, reported by Jagran Josh. The seats in play are the leftovers: whatever stayed vacant after the first stray vacancy round, for which KEA released the final allotment on October 22. Collegedunia reported that the first stray round covered 664 MBBS seats across private medical colleges in Karnataka, and the unfilled ones now move into round two. Allotment here will be based only on the choices entered in this window.

Before touching the choice form, open the updated seat matrix KEA published after the first stray round’s admissions. It sits on the official portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, and checking it first keeps choices from going to seats that no longer exist.

How to enter your options before the cutoff

The steps are short and all happen on the KEA portal.

1. Go to cetonline.karnataka.gov.in and open the UGNEET 2026 section. Jagran Josh also lists a direct option entry login at keaonline.karnataka.gov.in.
2. Click the stray vacancy option entry link.
3. Log in with your CET number; the page also offers a QR code scan as an alternative.
4. Enter college and course choices in the order you actually want them, checking each against the seat matrix first.
5. Save and submit. The entry counts only once submitted.

Two more deadlines close today

Candidates allotted seats in the first stray round have their own cutoffs today. Shiksha and Collegedunia report the fee payment window runs October 22 to October 24, which makes today the last day to pay. The seat confirmation slip must be downloaded before 4 PM today, and reporting to the allotted college ends at 6 PM tomorrow, October 25, with original certificates, fee payment proof and photocopies in hand. Anyone reporting tomorrow should run through the admission documents checklist tonight.

Entering options is not a seat. The round only processes choices that are in the system by 1 PM, and KEA will announce this round’s allotment on the portal afterwards. Check cetonline.karnataka.gov.in directly and treat allotment claims circulating on social media as rumours until the official list is out.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the option entry link for the Karnataka UGNEET second stray vacancy round?

On the KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, under the UGNEET 2026 section. The stray vacancy option entry link opens the login page.

What login details do I need to enter options?

Your CET number. The login page also offers a QR code scan as an alternative.

Which seats are being filled in this round?

The MBBS and BDS seats that stayed vacant after the first stray vacancy round. KEA has published an updated seat matrix on its portal listing them.

What should allottees carry when reporting to college?

Original certificates, fee payment proof and photocopies, and they must report to the allotted college by 6 PM on October 25, 2026. The admission documents checklist covers the full set.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: JagranJosh, Shiksha, Collegedunia