Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Seat Surrender Window Open: Check Dates, Penalties and Rules
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has opened the NEET UG 2026 seat cancellation and surrender window for candidates who want to give up their KEA-allotted medical or dental seats. The facility is available from September 17 at 4 PM to September 20, 2026, at 5 PM.
The facility is particularly relevant for candidates who have received seats through both MCC and KEA counselling but want to retain their MCC or respective state counselling seat instead. Candidates who were not allotted a seat through MCC but wish to surrender their KEA-allotted seat can also use the cancellation facility.
KEA has specified different penalties depending on when a candidate surrenders the allotted seat. Therefore, candidates should check the applicable rules and complete the cancellation process within the prescribed deadline.
Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Seat Cancellation Dates
Candidates can check the important KEA NEET UG 2026 seat cancellation dates below:
| Event | Date and Time |
| Seat cancellation window opens | September 17, 2026, at 4 PM |
| Seat cancellation window closes | September 20, 2026, at 5 PM |
Candidates who intend to surrender their KEA-allotted seats should complete the process within this window.
Who Can Surrender KEA NEET UG 2026 Seats?
The Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026 seat cancellation facility is available to candidates in the following situations:
-
Candidates allotted seats through both MCC and KEA counselling.
-
Candidates who want to accept their MCC-allotted seat instead of the KEA seat.
-
Candidates who intend to accept a seat allotted through their respective state counselling.
-
Candidates who were not allotted a seat through MCC but want to cancel their KEA-allotted medical or dental seat.
Candidates should carefully consider their counselling position before surrendering a seat, as penalties may apply depending on the stage at which the seat is cancelled.
KEA NEET UG 2026 Seat Surrender Penalty
KEA has prescribed different penalties for candidates who cancel or surrender their seats at different stages of the counselling process.
| Seat Cancellation Situation | Applicable Penalty |
| Cancelling a Round 1 seat after admission | INR 5,000 |
| Cancelling a seat after Round 2 but before the last date for Round 3 option entry | INR 5,000 + INR 5,000 |
| Cancelling after the Round 3 option-entry deadline but before the Stray Vacancy Round option-entry deadline | INR 5,000 + INR 5,000 + INR 1,00,000 for Medical / INR 50,000 for Dental / INR 25,000 for AYUSH |
| Cancelling after the Stray Vacancy Round option-entry deadline or surrendering after completion of the Stray Vacancy Round | INR 5,000 + INR 5,000 + applicable penalty and one-year course fee |
The penalty increases at later stages of the Karnataka NEET UG counselling 2026 process. Candidates should therefore check the applicable stage before submitting a seat cancellation request.
What Happens to Seats Surrendered During the Current Window?
Seats surrendered within the current cancellation window will be considered for the NEET UG 2026 Round 3 counselling process, according to the information provided by KEA.
Candidates who are planning to surrender their seats should keep the applicable counselling timeline in mind and complete the cancellation process before the window closes.
Karnataka NEET Counselling 2026: Important Points for Candidates
Candidates planning to cancel their KEA-allotted seats should keep these points in mind:
-
The current seat cancellation window starts on September 17 at 4 PM.
-
The deadline to surrender a seat is September 20, 2026, at 5 PM.
-
The facility applies to eligible candidates with KEA-allotted medical or dental seats.
-
Candidates holding seats through both MCC and KEA can use the facility if they wish to retain their MCC or respective state counselling seat.
-
Candidates who did not receive an MCC seat but want to cancel their KEA seat can also surrender it.
-
Seats surrendered during the specified window will be considered for Round 3 counselling.
-
Penalties vary according to the stage at which the seat is surrendered.
PW provides Karnataka 2nd PUC exam content, including Karnataka Board Exam Blogs, sample papers, mock tests, guid
Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Seat Surrender Window Open FAQs
When does the Karnataka NEET UG 2026 seat surrender window open?
What is the last date to surrender a KEA NEET UG seat in 2026?
Who can cancel a KEA-allotted NEET UG 2026 seat?
What is the penalty for cancelling a Round 1 KEA seat?
What is the penalty for cancelling a seat after the Round 3 option-entry deadline?
