KEA 4th Round Seat Allotment 2026: Stray Vacancy Dates, Result & Reporting Guide

By: Career Marg Team | on February 28, 2026

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially released the 4th Round Seat Allotment Schedule 2026, also known as the Stray Vacancy Round, for candidates seeking admission into professional courses such as MBBS, BDS, engineering, and other programs.

This round is conducted as per the Hon’ble High Court order and provides the final opportunity for eligible students who have not secured a seat in previous counselling rounds.

Candidates must carefully follow the schedule for registration, document verification, option entry, fee payment, and college reporting to confirm their admission successfully.

This article explains the complete KEA stray vacancy round schedule, eligibility, step-by-step process, important instructions, and expert counselling tips to help students avoid mistakes.

KEA 4th Round Seat Allotment 2026 Important Dates

Below is the official counselling schedule:

KEA 4th Round Seat Allotment 2026

The KEA 4th round seat allotment 2026 registration starts from 27 February 2026 and ends on 1 March 2026. The final seat allotment result will be released on 7 March 2026 after 4 PM, and candidates must report to the allotted college by 12 March 2026 (5:30 PM) to confirm admission.

What is KEA Stray Vacancy Round 2026?

The KEA stray vacancy round is the final counselling round conducted to fill remaining vacant seats after completion of all regular rounds. It is mainly meant for:

• Students who did not get seats earlier
• Candidates who missed registration in previous rounds
• Vacant seats created due to withdrawals
• Eligible candidates seeking last admission opportunity

This round is extremely important because seat availability is limited and competition depends on rank and option entry strategy.

Who is Eligible for KEA 4th Round Counselling?

Candidates can participate if they:

• Did not register earlier in KEA counselling
• Did not receive any seat allotment previously
• Meet eligibility criteria for the course
• Complete document verification successfully
• Pay the required caution deposit

Step-by-Step KEA 4th Round Counselling Process 2026

Understanding the counselling process helps candidates avoid mistakes.

Step 1: New Registration

Students must register online on the KEA portal during the registration period.

Step 2: Document Verification

Candidates must submit and verify original documents including academic certificates and identity proof.

Step 3: Caution Deposit Payment

A refundable caution deposit must be paid to participate in option entry.

Step 4: Fresh Option Entry

Candidates must select colleges and courses again because previous round choices will not be considered.

Step 5: Seat Allotment Result

KEA publishes provisional and final seat allotment results based on merit, category, and preferences.

Step 6: Fee Payment & Admission Order

Candidates must pay fees and download the admission order from the portal.

Step 7: Reporting to College

Students must report to the allotted college before the deadline to confirm admission.

Documents Required for College Reporting

Candidates must carry the following documents:

• Admission Order (Candidate Copy)
• Original Certificates
• One set of Photocopies of all documents
• Aadhaar Card
• Verification Slip
• Mobile Phone for OTP Authentication

After biometric and photo verification, the college authority will confirm admission.

Important Instructions for Candidates

• Previous round options will NOT be considered
• Fresh option entry is mandatory
• Missing deadlines may lead to seat cancellation
• Admission is confirmed only after college reporting
• Keep documents ready before reporting

Why KEA 4th Round is Important for Students?

The stray vacancy round is the last chance to secure admission into professional courses. Many students successfully obtain seats because of the following:

1. Withdrawn seats
2. Upgraded candidates
3. Vacant seats after earlier rounds

Students with strategic option entry often secure better colleges even in the final round.

Expert Tips to Get a Seat in KEA Counselling

• Choose maximum realistic options
• Prioritize colleges based on previous cut-offs
• Complete payment immediately after allotment
• Track official updates regularly
• Avoid last-minute errors

Expert Guidance for Counselling

Students often make mistakes during the final counselling round due to confusion about options and deadlines. Taking guidance from experienced admission experts can improve the chances of securing a seat safely.

CareerMarg provides professional counselling support for students seeking admission guidance in medical and professional courses across India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When does KEA 4th round seat allotment 2026 registration start?   
The KEA 4th round registration begins on 27 February 2026 and continues until 1 March 2026.

When will KEA final seat allotment result be released?   
The final seat allotment result will be published on 7 March 2026 after 4 PM.

What is the last date to report to college?   
Candidates must report to the allotted college by 12 March 2026 before 5:30 PM.

Can I participate if I did not register earlier?   
Yes, eligible candidates who did not register in earlier rounds can participate in the stray vacancy round.

Will previous option entries be considered?   
No, candidates must submit fresh option entries because previous choices will not be considered.

Is caution deposit refundable?   
Yes, the caution deposit is generally refundable as per KEA counselling rules.

What happens if I fail to report to college?   
If candidates do not report within the deadline, the allotted seat will be cancelled.

Conclusion

The KEA 4th Round Seat Allotment 2026 is a crucial opportunity for students still seeking admission into professional courses. Candidates should strictly follow the official schedule, complete option entry carefully, and report to the allotted college before the deadline to secure their admission successfully.

Students are advised to stay updated with official notifications and avoid missing important counselling deadlines.