NEET PG Counselling
NEET PG Counselling in Karnataka: Seats, Cutoffs and Process
Complete guide to NEET PG counselling in Karnataka covering KEA process, seat matrix, top colleges, cutoff trends, and documents required for state quota admission.
MedNext Academy | 4 min read
NEET PG Counselling in Karnataka: Seats, Cutoffs and Process
Complete guide to NEET PG counselling in Karnataka covering KEA process, seat matrix, top colleges, cutoff trends, and documents required for state quota admission.
NEET PG counselling in Karnataka
Karnataka is one of India's top destinations for postgraduate medical education, with a large number of government and private medical colleges offering MD, MS, and diploma seats. The state counselling is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), which manages admissions to state quota seats in both government and private colleges.
Karnataka follows a transparent online counselling process with multiple rounds to fill vacancies. The state has a strong tradition of medical education, with institutions like NIMHANS, KIMS Hubli, and Bangalore Medical College attracting candidates from across the country. The Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) is the affiliating university for most medical colleges in the state.
2026 counselling status
2026 counselling schedule: Not yet announced. Timelines below are historical reference from previous cycles.
Counselling authority
**Authority:** State Medical Education Directorate. Official notifications are published by the state counselling authority.
AIQ vs state quota
Under the All India Quota (AIQ), 50% of PG seats in government medical colleges are surrendered to the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for national-level counselling. The remaining 50% constitutes the state quota, managed by KEA. Private and deemed university seats have their own quota structures, with management and NRI quotas handled separately.
Karnataka also has a significant number of seats under the institutional preference quota for in-service candidates and candidates from the Hyderabad-Karnataka region, which are filled through the state counselling process.
Top medical colleges
- Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru
- Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysuru
- Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Hubli
- Kasturba Medical College, Manipal (Manipal Academy of Higher Education)
- JSS Medical College, Mysuru
- SDM College of Medical Sciences, Dharwad
- St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru
- M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bengaluru
Seat matrix
Karnataka has approximately 3,500-4,000 PG medical seats across government, private, and deemed universities. Government medical colleges account for roughly 1,200-1,400 seats, while private and deemed universities contribute the remaining seats. The seat distribution covers a wide range of clinical and pre-clinical specialties.
The state has seen a steady increase in PG seats over recent years with new colleges receiving NMC recognition. Popular specialties like General Medicine, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology remain highly competitive.
Cutoff trends (historical reference)
For government medical college seats under the state quota, the general category cutoff for popular clinical branches has typically been in the range of ranks 1,000-5,000 in recent years. Reserved category candidates may secure seats up to rank 15,000-20,000 depending on the branch and college.
Private college cutoffs are generally more accessible, with seats available at higher ranks. However, premier private institutions like Kasturba Medical College, Manipal and St. John's Medical College have cutoffs comparable to top government colleges.
Documents required
- NEET PG scorecard and admit card
- MBBS degree certificate or provisional pass certificate
- Internship completion certificate
- Karnataka domicile certificate or eligibility certificate
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC) if applicable
- Transfer certificate from the last institution attended
- Permanent registration certificate from Karnataka Medical Council
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Aadhar card and valid photo ID proof
Counselling process
The KEA counselling process begins with online registration and document verification. Candidates must register on the KEA website, fill in their academic and personal details, upload required documents, and pay the registration fee. Document verification is conducted at designated centres across Karnataka.
After verification, KEA publishes a verified merit list based on NEET PG scores. Candidates then participate in online choice filling, where they rank their preferred college-course combinations in order of preference. KEA uses a merit-based allocation algorithm to assign seats.
The counselling typically consists of two main rounds followed by a mop-up round. Candidates allotted seats must report to the allotted college within the specified deadline and pay the prescribed fees. Failure to report results in forfeiture of the seat and the security deposit. A stray vacancy round may be conducted to fill any remaining seats.
Key dates and deadlines (historical reference)
The following timelines are based on previous counselling cycles. 2026 dates have not been officially announced unless stated above.
KEA counselling typically begins in March-April each year, following the declaration of NEET PG results. The first round of counselling is usually completed by April-May, with the second round in May-June and the mop-up round by June-July. Candidates should monitor the KEA website (kea.kar.nic.in) for official notifications and schedule updates.
Tips for Karnataka counselling
Karnataka aspirants should carefully consider the Hyderabad-Karnataka region reservation if eligible, as it provides an additional advantage. Pay close attention to the fee structure differences between government, private aided, private unaided, and deemed university seats before locking choices.
Keep all original documents ready well in advance, especially the Karnataka domicile certificate. For candidates from other states, understand that state quota seats are primarily reserved for Karnataka domicile holders. Monitor KEA notifications closely, as schedule changes are common.
Verification status
This page has not yet been independently verified against 2026 official notifications. Cutoffs, timelines and seat numbers shown are historical references from prior counselling cycles. Always confirm current details with the official counselling authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who conducts NEET PG counselling for state quota seats in Karnataka?
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducts counselling for state quota PG medical seats in Karnataka.
Is Karnataka domicile mandatory for state quota seats?
Yes, candidates must have Karnataka domicile to be eligible for state quota seats. However, AIQ seats are open to candidates from all states and are filled through MCC counselling.
How many rounds of counselling does KEA conduct?
KEA typically conducts two main rounds of counselling followed by a mop-up round. A stray vacancy round may also be held if seats remain vacant.
Can I participate in both AIQ and Karnataka state counselling?
Yes, you can participate in both. However, if you accept a seat in AIQ counselling, you must surrender it before joining state counselling, and vice versa. Holding seats in both is not permitted.
What is the fee difference between government and private PG seats in Karnataka?
Government medical college fees are significantly lower, typically ranging from INR 30,000-60,000 per year. Private college fees can range from INR 5-25 lakh per year depending on the institution and whether the seat is under government quota or management quota.
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