Everything about the Karnataka NEET UG counselling process — registration, rounds, seat matrix, cutoff ranks, documents, fee structure, and management quota.
Karnataka is one of the most sought-after states for MBBS admission in India, home to 68 medical colleges and over 8,425 MBBS seats. The state is known for its large number of private and deemed universities, particularly in Bangalore and Manipal. Unlike Maharashtra, Karnataka is an open state — students from all states can apply for state quota seats.
Karnataka is an open state. Students from other states can apply for state quota seats.
Visit kea.kar.nic.in → NEET UG 2026 counselling section. Fill personal details, NEET application number, and Class 12 details. Pay the registration fee online.
Upload scanned copies of all required documents within the specified window. Domicile/nativity certificate is critical — ensure it's valid and up to date.
The counselling authority releases the state merit list based on NEET UG score and category. Only registered and document-verified candidates appear on this list.
Fill and lock your college preferences before the deadline. List as many colleges as possible — there's no penalty for more choices. Rank from most to least preferred.
The counselling body releases allotment based on your merit rank, choices, seat availability, and reservation criteria. Accept, float, slide, or reject as per your strategy.
Unfilled seats from earlier rounds are available in later rounds. Cutoffs typically relax slightly in Round 2 and mop-up rounds — strategic upgrades are possible.
Download allotment letter → report to allotted college → submit original documents → pay admission fees → complete admission formalities within specified dates.
Archway Strategy Tip: Register for both MCC AIQ counselling (mcc.nic.in) and Karnataka state counselling simultaneously. Participating in one does not affect the other. Having multiple registrations maximises your seat-securing options.
Based on 2025 counselling trends. Use as reference — 2026 cutoffs will vary based on NEET difficulty, total candidates, and seat changes.
| Category | Expected Cutoff Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General / Open | 540–580 | Most competitive — for government college state quota |
| OBC / Equivalent | 510–540 | 10–25 marks lower than General in most colleges |
| SC | 380–430 | Significant relaxation under reservation policy |
| ST | 230+ | Lowest cutoff — highest reservation benefit |
| Management Quota | Qualifying marks only | 50th percentile (General) — no merit cutoff |
These are 2025 trend-based estimates — 2026 cutoffs will vary. Always verify with official KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority) data once released. Use these for planning only.
| College Type | Annual Fees | Total (5.5 yrs approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Government College — State Quota | ₹10,000–₹50,000 | Significantly subsidised |
| Private College — State Quota | ₹8L–₹15L | Moderate |
| Private College — Management Quota | ₹15L–₹30L | Higher — regulated by state body |
Management quota seats in Karnataka are filled after the main counselling rounds end. Any NEET-qualified student — regardless of home state — can apply. Archway has direct connections with private colleges in Karnataka and can help identify available seats in real time.
Don't wait too long: Management quota seats in Karnataka get filled quickly after CAP/state counselling ends. Contact Archway immediately after state quota rounds conclude to check availability.
| College | City | Type | MBBS Seats | Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Ramaiah Medical College | Bangalore | Private | 150 | ₹14L |
| St. Johns Medical College | Bangalore | Private | 100 | ₹12L |
| Manipal College of Medical Sciences | Manipal | Deemed | 250 | ₹22L |
| JSS Medical College | Mysore | Deemed | 150 | ₹16L |
| Kasturba Medical College | Mangalore | Deemed | 250 | ₹22L |
| Bangalore Medical College | Bangalore | Government | 250 | ₹25,000 |
| Mysore Medical College | Mysore | Government | 200 | ₹25,000 |
| NIMHANS | Bangalore | Central | 30 | ₹1,000 |
NEET UG counselling in Karnataka is conducted by KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority) through the official portal kea.kar.nic.in. It covers state quota MBBS and BDS seats across government and private colleges in Karnataka.
Karnataka is an open state. Students from other states can apply for state quota seats.
Karnataka has approximately 8,425 MBBS seats across 68 medical colleges available through state quota counselling. Additional seats in central institutions (AIIMS etc.) are available through MCC AIQ which is open to all states.
Based on 2025 trends, the expected cutoff for government MBBS in Karnataka is approximately 540–580 marks for General/Open, 510–540 for OBC, 380–430 for SC, and 230+ for ST category. 2026 cutoffs will vary — use these for planning reference only.
Yes. Management quota seats in private MBBS colleges in Karnataka are available for students who have cleared NEET with qualifying marks (50th percentile for General). These are ~2,500+ seats with annual fees of ₹15L–₹30L. Archway helps identify available management quota seats in real time.
Archway provides: free initial consultation and score analysis, college shortlisting based on Karnataka cutoff data, round-by-round counselling strategy, document verification support, and management quota seat assistance. We have placed 700+ NEET UG students across all 28 states including Karnataka.
Our counsellors have guided 700+ NEET UG students. Share your score — we'll map your options across Karnataka and other states within 2 hours.