Karnataka stands as one of India’s premier medical education destinations with a robust infrastructure of government and private medical institutions. For medical aspirants seeking NEET UG MBBS Admission in Karnataka 2026, understanding the state-specific admission process is essential. The MBBS Registration in Karnataka is conducted through the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), and all admissions are based on the NEET UG 2026 entrance exam score.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about MBBS Admission 2026 registration date, fee structure, counselling process, and the list of top MBBS colleges in Karnataka.
Overview of MBBS Admission in Karnataka 2026
Key Statistics:
Total MBBS Seats: 9,133 (Government & Private colleges combined)
Government Seats: Approximately 3,500
Private College Seats: Approximately 5,600
Admission Basis: NEET 2026 Score
Counselling Authority: Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA)
Official Website: kea.kar.nic.in
Seat Distribution:
85% State Quota: For Karnataka domicile candidates
15% All India Quota: Through MCC (Medical Counselling Committee)
Hyderabad-Karnataka Reservation: 5% seats for candidates from specific districts
NRI/NFS Quota: Limited seats available
Important Dates for NEET 2026 and MBBS Admission in Karnataka
To ensure you stay on track, mark these critical dates for NEET 2026 and MBBS Admission 2026 registration date:
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| NEET UG 2026 Notification Release | December 2025/January 2026 |
| NEET UG Registration Starts | First week of February 2026 |
| NEET UG Registration Ends | First week of March 2026 |
| NEET UG 2026 Admit Card | Late April 2026 |
| NEET UG Entrance Exam Date | May 3, 2026 (Sunday) |
| NEET 2026 Result Declaration | June 2026 |
| Karnataka State Counselling Registration Opens | July 2026 |
| Karnataka Counselling Date 2026 – Option Entry Begins | July/August 2026 |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment | August 2026 |
| Reporting to Colleges | August/September 2026 |
NEET UG Registration Process and MBBS Registration Fee in Karnataka
Step 1: NEET UG Registration (National Level)
All candidates must first register for NEET 2026 through the National Testing Agency (NTA) portal.
NEET UG Registration Fee:
| Category | NEET Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| General/Unreserved | ₹1,700 |
| General-EWS | ₹1,600 |
| OBC-NCL | ₹1,600 |
| SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender | ₹1,000 |
| International/NRI Candidates | ₹9,500 |
Registration Website: neet.nta.nic.in
Step 2: Karnataka State Counselling Registration (MBBS Registration in Karnataka)
After qualifying NEET UG 2026, you must separately register for Karnataka state counselling through KEA.
MBBS Registration Fee in Karnataka:
Provisional Registration: ₹500-₹1,000 (Approximately)
Option Entry Fee: ₹1,000-₹2,000 (State quota)
Additional Institutional Quota Fee: ₹500-₹1,000
Registration Website: kea.kar.nic.in
NEET 2026 and MBBS Registration in Karnataka: Documents Required
Prepare the following documents before registering for MBBS Registration in Karnataka:
Original Documents:
NEET 2026 Admit Card and Score Card
Class 10 Pass Certificate
Class 12 Pass Certificate with Mark Sheet
Class 10 & 12 Mark Sheets
Domicile Certificate (for state quota)
Caste Certificate (if applicable)
Caste Validity Certificate (for reserved categories)
Non-Creamy Layer Certificate (for OBC candidates)
PwD Certificate (if applicable)
Aadhaar Card or valid ID proof
Passport-size photographs
Karnataka Domicile Eligibility for MBBS Admission 2026
To be eligible for the 85% state quota, candidates must satisfy at least one of these criteria:
1. Education-Based Domicile:
Passed Class 10 from a school in Karnataka, OR
Passed Class 12 from a school in Karnataka, OR
Both Class 10 and 12 from Karnataka schools
2. Residence-Based Domicile:
Candidate or parent(s) domiciled in Karnataka for at least 7-10 consecutive years
Residence proof required
3. Birth-Based Domicile:
Born in Karnataka, OR
Parent(s) born in Karnataka
4. Special Cases:
Children of Central/State Government employees posted in Karnataka
Children of former residents of Karnataka
Important Note: Non-domicile candidates can compete for the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) through MCC counselling.
NEET UG Entrance Exam Date and Details
Exam Date:
NEET 2026 is expected to be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026
Exam Details:
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper-based) |
| Total Questions | 180 (All compulsory) |
| Total Marks | 720 |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Exam Timing | 2:00 PM to 5:20 PM (IST) |
| Subject-wise Questions | Physics: 45, Chemistry: 45, Biology: 90 |
Karnataka Counselling Date 2026 and Process
Four Stages of Counselling:
Stage 1: Registration
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Register on kea.kar.nic.in with NEET score
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Expected: July 2026
Stage 2: Choice Filling (Option Entry)
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Fill colleges and courses in order of preference
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Expected: July/August 2026
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Candidates can change preferences multiple times before final option entry
Stage 3: Seat Allotment
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KEA releases seat allotment results
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Multiple rounds (Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Mop-up)
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Expected: August 2026 onwards
Stage 4: Reporting
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Report to allotted college with original documents
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Pay fees and secure admission
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Expected: August/September 2026
Karnataka Counselling Date 2026 Timeline:
| Round | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Option Entry Begins | July 2026 |
| Mock Allotment | Mid-August 2026 |
| Round 1 Allotment | Late August 2026 |
| Round 2 Allotment | September 2026 |
| Mop-up Round | September/October 2026 |
| Final Reporting | October 2026 |
Top MBBS Colleges in Karnataka 2026
Top Government MBBS Colleges:
1. Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute, Bangalore
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Seats: 150 (Approximately)
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NEET Cutoff 2024: 600-650 marks (General)
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Course Fee: ₹64,350 per year
2. St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore
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Seats: 120
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NEET Cutoff 2024: 690-750 marks (General)
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Course Fee: ₹37.35 lakhs (Estimated for 5.5 years)
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NIRF Ranking: 30th
3. Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bangalore
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Seats: 150
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NEET Cutoff 2024: 600+ marks
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Course Fee: Government fees + nominal
4. Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal, Karnataka
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Seats: 250 (Total including BDS)
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NEET Cutoff 2024: 500-550 marks
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Course Fee: ₹44 lakhs (Approximately for 5.5 years)
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NIRF Ranking: 9th (Top ranked in South India)
5. M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore
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Seats: 100+
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NEET Cutoff 2024: 450-550 marks
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Course Fee: ₹25,15,750 (Approximately)
6. Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bangalore
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Seats: 120
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NEET Cutoff 2024: 550-600 marks
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Course Fee: ₹5,40,000-₹6,35,000
Top Private MBBS Colleges in Karnataka:
1. Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal
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Seats: 150 (MBBS)
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NEET Cutoff: 500-600 marks
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Course Fee: ₹44 lakhs
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Facilities: Modern infrastructure, excellent clinical training
2. St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore
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Seats: 100
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NEET Cutoff: 690-750 marks
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Course Fee: ₹30 lakhs (Approximately)
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NIRF Ranking: 30th
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Specialties: Strong research culture, international collaborations
3. Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore
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Seats: 120
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Course Fee: ₹43.95 lakhs
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NEET Cutoff: 550-650 marks
4. Terna Medical College, Navi Mumbai (Accepts Karnataka Candidates)
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Course Fee: ₹5.40 lakhs
5. Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore
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Seats: 150+
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Course Fee: ₹6.35 lakhs
6. Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
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Multiple programs across different locations
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Strong international recognition
You can also read: top MBBS Colleges in Karnataka
Seat Matrix Overview for Karnataka MBBS 2026
| College Type | Number of Seats | Quota Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Government Colleges | 3,500 (Approx.) | 85% State, 15% AIQ |
| Private Colleges | 5,600 (Approx.) | 85% State, 15% AIQ, NRI Quota |
| Hyderabad-Karnataka Seats | Special reservation | Category-wise |
| Total MBBS Seats | 9,133+ | – |
Reservation Policy in Karnataka
General Reservations for State Quota:
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SC (Scheduled Caste): 15%
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ST (Scheduled Tribe): 3%
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OBC (Other Backward Classes): 27%
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EWS (Economically Weaker Sections): 10%
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General/Unreserved: 45%
Special Reservations:
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Hyderabad-Karnataka: 5% seats (For specific districts)
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Category Rotation: Followed as per government guidelines
NEET 2026 Cutoff Expectations for Karnataka MBBS
Expected NEET Score Ranges for Top Government Colleges (2026):
| College Tier | General Category | OBC | SC/ST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 (AIIMS Bangalore) | 650-700 | 600-650 | 550-600 |
| Tier 2 (Bangalore Medical College) | 600-650 | 550-600 | 480-550 |
| Tier 3 (Other Colleges) | 500-600 | 450-550 | 350-450 |
Expected NEET Score Ranges for Top Private Colleges (2026):
| College Type | General Category | OBC | SC/ST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Colleges | 600-750 | 500-650 | 450-600 |
| Mid-Range Colleges | 450-600 | 400-550 | 300-450 |
| Affordable Private Colleges | 350-500 | 300-450 | 250-350 |
Important Instructions for MBBS Registration in Karnataka
1. Early Registration: Don’t wait until the last date. Register within the first week of counselling opening.
2. Domicile Verification: Have your domicile certificate ready and verified well in advance.
3. Document Checklist: Organize all original documents and keep scanned copies for online upload.
4. Fee Payment: Payment must be done within the specified time. Late submissions may not be accepted.
5. Choice Filling: Carefully select your college preferences based on realistic NEET cutoff analysis.
6. Multiple Choices: Fill maximum options to increase your chances of seat allotment.
7. Reporting Timeline: Report to the college immediately after seat allotment. Late reporting can result in cancellation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When will NEET 2026 exam be conducted?
A: NEET 2026 is expected to be held on May 3, 2026 (first Sunday of May).
Q: What is the NEET entrance exam date timing?
A: The exam will be from 2:00 PM to 5:20 PM (3 hours) on May 3, 2026.
Q: What is the MBBS Registration fee in Karnataka?
A: MBBS Registration in Karnataka costs approximately ₹1,000-₹2,000 depending on the quota. National NEET registration fee is ₹1,700 for General category.
Q: When will Karnataka counselling date 2026 be announced?
A: Karnataka counselling date 2026 is expected to commence in July 2026, approximately one month after NEET result declaration.
Q: What is the domicile requirement for Karnataka MBBS admission?
A: Candidates must satisfy at least one domicile criterion such as passing Class 10 or 12 from Karnataka, or having parental residence in the state.
Q: How many MBBS colleges are there in Karnataka?
A: Karnataka has approximately 25-30 MBBS colleges (government and private combined) offering around 9,133 seats.
Q: Can non-domicile candidates apply for MBBS in Karnataka?
A: Yes, through the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) managed by MCC, or through NEET private college seats.
Q: Which is the best MBBS college in Karnataka?
A: St. John’s Medical College and Kasturba Medical College (KMC) Manipal are among the top-rated MBBS colleges in Karnataka.
Q: What is the expected NEET cutoff for government MBBS colleges in Karnataka?
A: Expected cutoff ranges from 500-700 marks depending on the college tier and category.
Key Takeaways
MBBS Admission in Karnataka 2026 offers excellent opportunities through quality government and private institutions. Success requires:
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Strong NEET 2026 Preparation: Score above 500+ marks to secure admission to top colleges
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Understand Domicile Rules: Ensure you meet Karnataka’s domicile eligibility criteria
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Register on Time: Complete NEET UG registration in February and state counselling in July
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Careful College Selection: Analyze previous years’ NEET cutoff to make informed choices
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Strategic Choice Filling: List colleges in decreasing order of preference
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Timely Reporting: Report to the allotted college within the specified deadline
With over 9,000 MBBS seats available in Karnataka, your chances of securing admission are excellent if you prepare strategically and understand the admission process thoroughly.
Best wishes for your NEET 2026 preparation and successful MBBS admission in Karnataka 2026!
Official Resources:
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KEA (Karnataka Examination Authority): kea.kar.nic.in
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NTA NEET Portal: neet.nta.nic.in
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MCC Counselling: mcc.nic.in