KEA UGNEET 2026 Registration: Fresh Application Window Open for NEET-Qualified Candidates Till July 24 — Check Who Needs to Apply, Direct Link, Document Rules

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has opened a fresh online application link for candidates who have qualified NEET UG 2026 but did not apply for the Karnataka Under Graduate Common Entrance Test (UGCET) 2026 earlier. Such candidates can now register afresh on the official KEA portal, and the application window will remain open only until July 24, 2026, up to 11 AM. Candidates aiming for medical, dental and AYUSH seats in Karnataka are advised not to wait until the last day, as no fresh registrations will be entertained after the deadline.

Who Needs to Apply Fresh — And Who Doesn't

There are two categories of candidates, and KEA has laid out a clear path for each:

Candidates who never applied for UGCET 2026 but have now qualified NEET UG must submit a completely new application through the fresh registration link on the KEA portal and pay the prescribed fee.

Candidates who had already applied for UGCET 2026 earlier and are now NEET-qualified do NOT need to apply again. KEA will soon activate a separate link on its website where such candidates simply have to enter and link their NEET roll number with their existing CET 2026 application.

Seat Allotment Will Be Based on NEET Rank

According to KEA Executive Director H. Prasanna, seats will be allotted purely on the basis of the candidates' NEET examination rank. The counselling covers admission to Medical (MBBS), Dental (BDS), Ayurveda (BAMS), Unani (BUMS), and Homoeopathy (BHMS) courses across colleges in Karnataka.

Big Relief for Non-Karnataka Candidates: No Document Verification

In a significant ease-of-process move, KEA has confirmed that candidates from outside Karnataka can also register on the KEA portal by paying the fee and uploading their Class 12 marks card at the time of registration itself. Such non-Karnataka candidates do not have to appear physically for document verification — a step that saves outstation aspirants both travel and time.

Who Must Attend Document Verification?

Physical document verification, however, remains mandatory for specific categories. As per the KEA Executive Director, the following candidates must book a slot and appear for verification on dates that KEA will announce separately:

Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), Non-Resident Indians (NRI), and foreign candidates. Also, non-Karnataka candidates who are claiming eligibility under religious minority quota, NRI ward seats, or specific seats in St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru. The verification dates and slot booking details will be published on the KEA website shortly.

How to Apply for KEA UGNEET 2026 — Step-by-Step

• Step 1: Visit the official KEA portal — cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
•  Step 2: Click on the "UGNEET-2026 New Registration" link
• Step 3: Fill in personal, academic and NEET UG 2026 details
• Step 4: Upload Class 12 marks card and required documents (PDF format)
• Step 5: Pay the prescribed application fee online
• Step 6: Submit the form and download the confirmation page for future reference

Why This Window Matters

Candidates who miss this fresh registration window will not be allowed to enter during Round 2 or Round 3 of Karnataka NEET UG counselling. KEA may or may not provide a final opportunity before the stray vacancy round, so this July 24 deadline is effectively the last assured chance to enter Karnataka's state quota medical counselling for 2026.