All About Karnataka NEET-MDS Counselling Process 2026

In India, the counselling process is conducted after entrance exams to ease the admission procedure for colleges and students. Meritorious students acquire seats in top colleges all over India or their state with the help of the counselling processes. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and various State Authorities take responsibility for conducting the counselling process all over the country and states respectively after the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). In Karnataka, the admission process for the NEET-MDS is conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA). If you are a student who wishes to pursue MDS after completing the NEET-MDS entrance exam, this blog is made for you.

KEA NEET-MDS 2026 Counselling Status:

Karnataka NEET-MDS Counselling Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must have completed a BDS Course from a recognised university along with an internship are eligible. They should also possess a recognised BDS degree or provisional BDS pass certificate, complete the compulsory rotatory internship within the prescribed timeline, and qualify NEET-MDS as per the eligibility criteria prescribed by NBE and KEA.

Karnataka NEET-MDS Counselling Process:

As assigned by the Government of Karnataka, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducts the Online and Offline Counselling process after results for the NEET-MDS entrance exam is released. Candidates need to participate in the counselling process in order to acquire a seat and pursue their higher studies in dental colleges. The initial registration process for the counselling happens online. Only students who satisfy the eligibility criteria can register and proceed to the further stages of the Karnataka NEET-MDS Counselling Process 2026.

Stage 1: Karnataka NEET-MDS Counselling 2026 Registration

Candidates need to visit the official website of KEA and fill out the Karnataka NEET-MDS application form. During the registration process, candidates must enter accurate information as changes will not be permitted once the application form is submitted. Candidates who produce false or fabricated information will be debarred and will not be allowed to proceed to the further stages of the NEET-MDS counselling process.

Steps to Register for KEA NEET-MDS Counselling 2026:

Step 1: Visit the official website of KEA.

Step 2: Search for the ‘PGET 2026’ registration link and click on it.

Step 3: Enter all the relevant information along with NEET-MDS roll number to create your Profile. 

Step 4: The entered details will be cross verified with the NBE database. If the information matches, you will receive an OTP on the registered mobile number.

Step 5: Enter the OTP and complete the registration process by entering eligibility clause code, reservation category, educational qualification, contact details and other required information.

Step 6: Pay the KEA NEET-MDS Counselling fees on the provided payment gateway.

Step 7: Upload scanned copies of Passport size Photographs (coloured), Signature and Left hand thumb impression in JPG/ JPEG format.

Step 8: Verify all the details before clicking on the ‘Declaration’ button.

Step 9: Take a printout of the Karnataka NEET-MDS application form for future reference.

Candidates need to have a hard copy of the application form until the counselling process ends as the details mentioned in the form might be required during the further stages of counselling.

Stage 2: Document Verification

After successfully completing the registration process, candidates need to verify all their documents. During this stage, the original documents of the candidates will be verified with the data uploaded during the registration process. Candidates who do not have the original documents on the day of verification will not be able to move on to the next step of the Karnataka NEET-MDS admission process.

Procedure for the Document Verification Process:

When candidates go to verify their documents, they need to have the original and a set of attested copies of all the documents. After the completion of the verification process, the original documents will be returned to the candidates and the KEA will retain the attested copies. An acknowledgement card and a verification slip will be given to the candidates. Candidates need to verify the information printed on the verification slip and the acknowledgement card before leaving the verification counter. If there are any discrepancies they need to report to the verification officer immediately and rectify the same as the details mentioned on the slip will be used during the seat allotment stage. Post the document verification process, Eligible candidates will receive a high security ‘Secret Key’. Candidates need to use the secret key when they register and create a password during the option entry process. Candidates should not share the ‘Secret Key’ with anyone.

Documents Required for KEA NEET-MDS Counselling:

Stage 3: Karnataka NEET-MDS Counselling Option Entry

After getting the verification slip and the secret key, candidates can choose the course and college of their choice in the option entry round. Similar to the registration stage, the option entry round will happen via online mode. The option entry window will be open for candidates after the seat matrix is announced. Candidates can Add/ Delete/ Modify and Rearrange their options based on the Karnataka NEET-MDS 2026 qualifying cut off. The options entered during the First NEET Karnataka counselling round will be used for all the other rounds. Hence, candidates need to choose their options wisely. However, candidates can modify or rearrange their options if they choose to appear for the NEET Second Round Counselling.

Steps for KEA NEET-MDS Option Entry Round:

Step 1: Visit the official website of KEA.

Step 2: Click on the ‘NEET-MDS 2026 Option Entry’ link.

Step 3: Enter ‘PGET Number’ click on the ‘Submit’ button. You will be redirected to a ‘Login Page’.

(Note: The PGET Number is the NEET-MDS roll number.)

Step 4: Enter the ‘Testing ID’, ‘Secret Key’, ‘Password’ and other required details. Click on the ‘Login’ button.

Step 5: Enter the college and course as per your choice and prioritize your options as per your preference.

Step 6: Click on the ‘Submit’ button after finalizing your options.

Step 7: Take a printout of the options for future reference. 

The allotment of seats will be based on the priority of the options entered by a candidate. Hence, candidates need to enter the options of their interest after going through all the information related to the college like infrastructure, fee structure, program and more. 

Stage 4: KEA NEET-MDS Mock Seat Allotment

After the option entry window closes, KEA will announce the Mock Seat Allotment results. This mock allotment is mainly conducted for candidates to get an idea as to which college and course they will be allotted after the option entry round. After the mock seat allotment results are announced candidates can add/ delete/ modify/ rearrange their options based on their result. Candidates can also retain their choices if they do not want to change their options. KEA will use the saved options during the final seat allotment process. 

Stage 5: KEA NEET-MDS 2026 Counselling Result

The official seat allotment results will be released on the official KEA website. After candidates check their results they can either opt to join the allotted college or choose to participate in the next counselling round. If satisfied, they need to go to the allotted college and submit the required documents to complete the admission procedure. 

KEA NEET-MDS Counselling Round 1:

The Round 1 Karnataka NEET-MDS 2026 seat allotment results will be released after the choice filling round. Candidates who fall under the PWD category will be given first preference, after which seats will be allotted to in-service and non-in-service candidates. 

During the Karnataka NEET-MDS 2026 selection procedure, the seat allotment will begin from the candidate who holds the first rank. He/ She will be allotted a college and course as per the option entry. The computer will then assess the options given by the next rank holder, check if the seat is available and then allot the seat to the candidate. This process will be continued until all the seats are exhausted or till the last rank holder acquires a seat.

After the Karnataka NEET-MDS results for round 1 are announced, candidates need to visit the official KEA website and exercise any one of the choices mentioned below:

• Choice 1 (Round 1): Candidates who are satisfied with the allotted seat and who do not want to participate further in the KEA NEET-MDS Counselling rounds can opt for this choice. After exercising the choice, candidates need to undergo the Biometric verification process, pay the fees, and submit the required documents to the allotted college to complete the admission process. It is mandatory to report to KEA after joining the allotted college. Hence, candidates need to login using their option entry login and update the joining status.

• Choice 2 (Round 2): Candidates who are satisfied with their seats but want to participate in the KEA NEET-MDS counselling round 2 can choose this option. Candidates need to pay the prescribed fees (with KEA NEET-MDS fee structure as reference) even if they choose to participate in the next counselling round. KEA will announce specific dates to submit the original documents for those who choose this option. The admission order will not be given to candidates as they have chosen for upgradation. The round 1 allotted seat of all the candidates who choose ‘Choice 2’ option will be put on hold. If a candidate is allotted a new seat in the second round, he/ she will lose the older seat, else the seat allotted in the previous round will be retained.

• Choice 3 (Mop-Up Round): If candidates are not happy with the allotted seat and want to participate in the next round they need to choose ‘Choice 3’. Candidates will lose their allotted seat if they choose this option. Hence, they don’t have to pay the prescribed fees. The original documents need to be submitted to KEA on the specified date. If a candidate is allotted a seat in round 2 they need to pay the fees, collect the admission order and report to the college for admissions. After reporting to the college, they need to report the joining status on the KEA official website.

• Choice 4 (Stray Vacancy): This is the final option where candidates can quit the KEA NEET-MDS counselling process if they are not satisfied with the allotted seat.

KEA NEET-MDS Counselling Date for Round 1:

KEA NEET-MDS Counselling Round 2:

The NEET-MDS counselling round 2 is conducted for students who were not allotted any seat in Round 1 and also for those who were not satisfied with their allotted seats. During this round, candidates can modify or rearrange their options based on the Karnataka NEET-MDS cut off marks released after Round 1 to increase the chances of getting a seat in the college that they desire. 

Types of Seats Available for Round 2:

1. Unfilled Seats of Round 1

2. Choice 3 and Choice 4 Seats of Round 1

3. Newly added seats

4. Cancelled or Surrendered Seats

5. Seats of candidates who failed to exercise their Choice after Round 1

6. Consequential Vacancies

7. Seats of candidates who failed to pay the fees or join the college after Round 1

8. Seats of Choice 2 candidates who failed to pay the fees

Types of Candidates Eligible for Round 2:

1. Candidates who have paid the fees and submitted the original documents after choosing  ‘Choice 2’ in Round 1

2. Candidates who have submitted their original documents after choosing ‘Choice 3’ in Round 1

3. Candidates who were not allotted any seat in Round 1

4. Candidates who exited with forfeiture of fees after they were allotted All India Quota (AIQ) or Deemed University seat in MCC NEET-MDS Round 2 Counselling process

Types of Candidates not Eligible for Round 2:

1. Candidates who have not exercised any ‘Choice’ after Round 1

2. Candidates who have exercised ‘Choice 2’ but did not pay the fees or submit the documents

3. Candidates who have exercised ‘Choice 1’ but did not report to the college or failed to collect the admission order

4. Candidates who have exercised ‘Choice 3’ but did not submit the documents

5. Candidates who failed to submit the original documents after they were not allotted seats in Round 1

6. Candidates who have exercised ‘Choice 2 or Choice 1’ and cancelled their seats.

Karnataka NEET-MDS 2026 Round 2 Counselling Schedule:

KEA NEET-MDS Mop-Up Round:

KEA NEET-MDS Mop-Up Round is the final round of the Counselling process. This round will be conducted only if seats are vacant after the NEET counselling round 2. The KEA Mop-Up round will be conducted offline. 

Eligible Candidates for Mop-Up Round:

1. Candidates who have not joined the allotted college after AIQ Round 1 & Round 2.

2. Candidates who were not allotted a seat in AIQ mop-up round.

3. Candidates who were not allotted a seat in KEA Round 1 and Round 2.

Karnataka NEET-MDS 2026 Mop-Up Round Counselling Schedule:

KEA NEET-MDS 2026 Stray-Vacancy Round:

The stray-vacancy round is the final round of the NEET-MDS 2026 counselling process. This round is an optional round that is conducted only if the vacant dental seats are not filled in the first three rounds of the counselling process.

Eligible Candidates for Stray-Vacancy Round:

1. Candidates who have not joined the allotted college after AIQ Round 1/ Round 2/ mop-up round/ stray vacancy round (including counselling for deemed universities).

2. Candidates with a verification slip, who have not been allotted a seat in the previous state counselling rounds.

Karnataka NEET-MDS 2026 Stray-Vacancy Round Counselling Schedule:

Conclusion:

If you are an aspirant who will be attending the NEET counselling process this year, then ensure to read the blog thoroughly and come back to this whenever you are unclear with the counselling process. Many students do not initially have the answers to questions like ‘How to apply for KEA NEET-MDS Counselling Process?’, or ‘What is the Karnataka NEET-MDS admission process?’, etc. But with this blog at your disposal, you’re already on your way to a clutter-free and successful counselling journey.

BangaloreStudy brings end-to-end admission guidance at every step of your academic journey. Confused about how to go forward with your counselling? Join us today, and secure a seat at your desired college.