UGNEET 2026: KEA Extends Choice Selection, Fee Payment Deadlines

KEA Counselling 2026 has seen an important deadline extension for candidates awaiting medical and dental seat confirmation. The Karnataka Examinations Authority has extended the choice selection and fee payment timelines for candidates allotted seats in the first round of Undergraduate National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UGNEET) 2026 counselling.

According to the notice issued by KEA on September 3, candidates who have been allotted seats in the first round can now select their choice by 2 pm on September 4, 2026. This extension gives allotted candidates a little more breathing room to review their seat and decide how to proceed.

The extension applies specifically to candidates who have been allotted seats in medical and dental courses in the first round of UGNEET-2026 counselling, a process closely tied to the broader KEA Counselling 2026 cycle for undergraduate admissions in Karnataka.

Candidates who select Choice-1 must pay the prescribed fee by 4 pm on September 4, 2026, during banking hours. This fee payment step confirms their intent to proceed with the allotted seat rather than opting out of the process.

After payment of the fee, Choice-1 candidates can download their seat confirmation slip. They must then report to the allotted college along with this slip by 6 pm on September 5, 2026, to complete their admission formalities.

This sequence, choice selection, fee payment, and physical reporting, forms the complete admission pathway for candidates confirmed under this round of KEA Counselling 2026.

KEA has issued a clear caution to candidates who have not taken any action after the first-round seat allotment. Candidates who fail to select the appropriate choice within the deadline will be considered as not interested in the first-round seat and will automatically be treated as choice-4.

This has a significant consequence attached to it. Such candidates will not be eligible to participate in subsequent counselling rounds, effectively closing their opportunity to seek a seat through this year's centralised process entirely.

Given the seriousness of this outcome, candidates allotted a seat in round 1 should treat the revised September 4 deadline as a firm commitment rather than an optional step to consider later.

Candidates can follow this sequence to complete their admission process smoothly:

• Select the appropriate choice through the KEA counselling process by 2 pm on September 4, 2026
• Candidates selecting Choice-1 must pay the prescribed fee by 4 pm on September 4 during banking hours
• Download the seat confirmation slip after paying the fee
• Report to the allotted medical or dental college with the seat confirmation slip by 6 pm on September 5
• Candidates who fail to select an appropriate choice within the deadline will be treated as choice-4 and will not be allowed to participate in subsequent counselling rounds

Following each of these steps within the specified time window is essential, since skipping any single step, even after completing the earlier ones, can jeopardise the entire admission process.

Deadline extensions like this one under KEA Counselling 2026 typically arise from a mix of factors, including technical difficulties, high candidate volume, or requests from applicants needing more time to make an informed decision. Regardless of the exact reason, candidates should treat this extended window as their final opportunity to act on their round 1 allotment.

For candidates still undecided about their allotted seat, this short extension offers a brief but valuable window to weigh their options, whether that means proceeding with the current allotment or accepting the consequences of choice-4 status.

Given how tightly the choice selection, fee payment, and reporting deadlines are sequenced within just two days, candidates should avoid last-minute decision-making and instead plan each step in advance.

Since KEA Counselling 2026 has already seen at least one deadline revision this season, candidates should continue monitoring the official KEA website closely for any further updates or notices relevant to their admission status.

Relying only on official KEA communication, rather than informal sources or assumptions based on earlier notices, remains the safest way to stay accurately informed about each stage of this process.

Candidates should also keep their login credentials and any downloaded confirmation documents easily accessible throughout this period, since these will be required at multiple points during the choice selection, payment, and reporting sequence.