Karnataka NEET PG MDS Counselling 2026: Dates, Registration, Fees, Cut-off, Seat, Bond, Stipend, Merit List, Admission Process
Karnataka NEET PG counselling, conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), is one of the most strategically important state counselling processes in India due to its open eligibility system and wide availability of seats across Government, Private, and Deemed medical colleges. Unlike many states with strict domicile requirements, Karnataka allows candidates from across India to participate in a significant number of seats, making it a preferred choice for NEET PG aspirants.
A key highlight of Karnataka counselling is its multi-tier fee structure, which includes Government quota, Private quota, and NRI quota seats. In addition to these, Karnataka also offers “Other Quota (Q)” seats, which have a fee structure similar to NRI quota but are open to all candidates regardless of nationality. This provides an additional opportunity for students who may not secure a seat in lower-fee quotas but are willing to opt for higher-fee options.
The counselling process is conducted online and includes stages such as registration, document verification, merit list publication, option entry (choice filling), seat allotment, and reporting. Due to the large number of private and deemed medical colleges in Karnataka, the overall seat pool is significantly higher compared to many other states. However, competition remains intense for top branches like Radio Diagnosis, Dermatology, and General Medicine, especially under Government quota.
To maximize admission chances, candidates must clearly understand the seat matrix distribution, quota-wise fee structure (including Q quota), cutoff trends, and round-wise counselling rules. A strategic approach to choice filling, backed by proper data analysis, can help candidates secure a desirable PG medical seat in Karnataka.
Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Overview
 Particulars |
 Details |
|---|---|
 Exam |
NEET PG 2026 |
 Counselling Authority |
KEA Bangalore |
 Courses |
MD / MS / PG Diploma |
 Mode |
Online |
 State Quota |
50% (through KEA) |
 All India Quota |
50% (Through MCC) |
 Rounds |
Round 1, Round 2, Mop-Up, Stray Vacancy |
 NEET PG Seats |
5887 |
 Official Website |
 Visit KEA Website |
Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Eligibility Criteria
To participate in Karnataka NEET PG Counselling:
- Must qualify NEET PG 2026
- Must have completed MBBS from NMC-recognized college
- Internship completion before cutoff date
- Must be registered with National Medical Commission (NMC) or State Medical Council
PG Degree Restriction: Candidates already holding a PG degree in any clinical specialty are not eligible for admission to any PG degree or diploma course..
Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Quota wise Eligibility
Karnataka NEET PG counselling includes multiple quotas like Government, Private, NRI, and Institutional (Q), each with different eligibility and seat distribution. Understanding these quotas is crucial for choosing the right options and maximizing admission chances.
| Quota | Seats / Institutes | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Karnataka Govt Quota | • 50% Govt Colleges • 33% Non-minority Private • 20% Minority Private • 40% Private Universities • 5–10% Deemed Universities |
• MBBS from Karnataka • OR studied 10 yrs in Karnataka • Passed Class 10th & 12th from Karnataka • Clause-wise eligibility applicable |
| Karnataka NRI Quota | • 15% Private Minority & Non-minority Colleges • Private Universities |
• NRI / NRI Wards / PIO / OCI • Foreign Nationals |
| Other Seats (Institutional Quota) | • 10% Private Minority & Non-minority Colleges • 5% Private Universities |
• All India candidates • Except NRI / PIO / OCI / Foreign Nationals |
| Karnataka DNB Inservice Seats | • 20% Government Seats | • Inservice candidates under Karnataka govt rules |
| Karnataka Private Seats Open Quota | • 21% Private Minority • 9.35% Non-minority Colleges • 20% Private Universities |
• All candidates across India |
| Karnataka Private Seats GMP Quota | • 21% Private Minority Colleges • 9.35% Non-minority Colleges • 20% Private Universities |
• Karnataka domicile • Studied Class 1–12 OR • Passed Class 10th/12th in Karnataka |
| Karnataka Private Seats (Linguistic Minority) | • 36.3% Private Minority Colleges | • Kannada / Tulu / Kodava speakers • Studied 10 yrs OR • Passed Class 10th/12th in Karnataka |
| Karnataka Private Seats (Religious Minority) | • 36.3% Private Minority Colleges | • All India candidates • Preference to respective minority candidates |
NEET PG Qualifying Cut-off
The NEET PG qualifying cutoff is the minimum percentile required to become eligible for counselling and admission into MD/MS courses. As per standard criteria, candidates must secure at least the 50th percentile for General category, 40th percentile for SC/ST/OBC, and 45th percentile for PwD candidates to qualify the exam.
| Category | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | To Be Announced | 276 | 293 |
| UR PWD | To Be Announced | 255 | 287 |
| SC/ST/OBC | To Be Announced | 235 | 267 |
| SC/ST/OBC PWD | To Be Announced | 235 | 267 |
Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Clause wise Eligibility
Karnataka NEET PG counselling follows a clause-based eligibility system, where candidates are categorized under different clauses (Clause A to Clause Z) based on their domicile status, place of education, and parental background. These clauses play a crucial role in determining eligibility for various quotas, especially Government quota seats.
Understanding these clauses is essential, as eligibility under specific clauses can significantly impact seat availability, fee structure, and overall admission chances. Candidates must carefully identify the clause they fall under before proceeding with registration and choice filling in Karnataka counselling.
| Clause | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Clause a | • Indian Citizen & MBBS from Karnataka |
| Clause b | • MBBS from Karnataka & studied 10 years from Class 1st to 12th & passed Class 10th or 12th from Karnataka |
| Clause c | • MBBS outside Karnataka & studied 10 years from Class 1st to 12th & passed Class 10th or 12th from Karnataka |
| Clause d | • Candidates whose parents are Karnataka cadre All India Service officers serving outside the state can count those years toward required 10 years of study |
| Clause e | • Candidates whose parents are employees of Union Govt, Karnataka State Govt, or their undertakings (a) Declared Karnataka hometown upon joining service (b) Studied in Karnataka for at least 10 years (c) Eligible for all-India transfers (with qualifying exam passed in India) |
| Clause f | • Candidates whose parents were Members of Parliament elected from Karnataka can count MP tenure period toward study years |
| Clause g | • Candidates whose parents are serving or retired defence personnel from Karnataka with declared hometown are eligible (if qualifying exam passed in India) |
| Clause y | • Indian Citizen & MBBS outside Karnataka |
| Clause z | • OCI / PIO / NRI / Foreign Nationals |
Karnataka NEET PG Counselling 2026 Seat Types
Karnataka NEET PG counselling follows a structured seat classification system, where seats are divided into different categories such as Government (G), Private (P), NRI (N), and Other (Q) quotas. Each seat type has its own eligibility criteria, fee structure, and allocation percentage across Government colleges, private institutions, and universities.
Understanding this classification is extremely important, as it directly impacts admission chances, counselling strategy, and financial planning. While Government seats offer lower fees with higher competition, Private and NRI quotas provide additional opportunities with higher costs. Notably, the Other (Q) quota seats, which have fees similar to NRI quota but are open to all candidates, play a crucial role for aspirants aiming to secure a seat despite higher ranks.
| Seat Type | Seat Description | Reservation / Allocation |
|---|---|---|
| G – Government Seats | Government colleges & Govt. share in private colleges | 50% Govt colleges, 33% Non-minority, 20% Minority, 40% Private University |
| P – Private Seats | Private quota seats in private institutions | 42% (KPCF), 55% (KRLMPCA/AMPCK), 40% (Private Univ.) |
| N – NRI Seats | NRI quota seats | 15% across private colleges & universities |
| Q – Other Seats | Seats reserved for ‘Other’ category candidates | 10% (KPCF, KRLMPCA, AMPCK), 5% (Private University) |
Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Process
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducts NEET PG counselling for admission to MD, MS, and PG Diploma courses in Government, Private, and Deemed medical colleges across Karnataka. The entire registration process is conducted online only, and no offline application is accepted.
Only candidates who have qualified NEET PG with the minimum prescribed cutoff are eligible to participate in the counselling process. Candidates must complete the registration carefully, as the information provided will be used throughout counselling and seat allotment
Step 1: Karnataka NEET PG Online Registration
| Step | Process | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Visit Website | Register on KEA website using NEET PG Roll Number |
| Step 2 | Auto-Fetch Details | Name, DOB, and NEET score fetched from NBE database |
| Step 3 | Mobile Verification | OTP verification on registered mobile number |
| Step 4 | Fill Details | Enter eligibility clause, category, PwD status, qualification details |
| Step 5 | Upload Documents | Upload photo, left thumb impression, and signature |
| Step 6 | Fee Payment | Pay registration fee as per category |
| Step 7 | Final Submission | Submit form and take printout for verification |
After completion of all the process the candidates are required to take a final print out of the online application form for further process at the time of document verification / online seat allotment.
Important: “Always double-check category, eligibility clause, and uploaded documents before final submission, as errors cannot be corrected later”.