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Vacant MBBS Seats Persist in Karnataka Despite NEET UG Counselling Efforts

The NEET UG counselling process for 2026 is nearing completion, yet Karnataka is witnessing an unusual number of vacant MBBS seats. Despite multiple rounds of counselling, 191 seats remain unfilled, primarily due to high management quota fees and stringent cutoff marks. Efforts by the Karnataka Examinations Authority and medical colleges to fill these seats have not yielded the desired results. Stakeholders are now urging for a reduction in the cutoff percentile to allow more students the opportunity for admission. This situation marks a significant shift in the admission landscape, raising concerns among educational authorities and prospective students alike.
By Ambika Singh Oct 27, 2026, 21:50 IST

Overview of NEET UG Counselling 2026


NEET UG Counselling 2026: The admission process for MBBS and BDS programs is approaching its conclusion, yet numerous MBBS seats remain unoccupied across various states. In Karnataka, 191 MBBS seats are still available after seven rounds of NEET UG counselling, marking an unprecedented situation in the past five years. Conversely, all BDS seats have been successfully filled.


Efforts to Fill Vacant Seats

As reported on October 26, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), along with the Directorate of Medical Education and several medical institutions, has made extensive efforts to address the vacant seats. On Monday, the KEA organized two final rounds of counselling, but these efforts did not succeed in filling the remaining vacancies.


Details of the Last Counselling Rounds

Two rounds conducted on Monday:
Following the second 'stray vacancy' round, 273 seats were still unfilled. During the two rounds on Monday, a total of 84 seats were allocated: 62 MBBS and 6 BDS seats were filled in the earlier session, while 22 MBBS and 5 BDS seats were filled later in the evening.


Challenges Due to High Fees

High fees act as a barrier:
The exorbitant fees associated with the 'management quota' are viewed as the main obstacle for the unfilled MBBS seats. Some institutions are charging up to ₹80 lakh for the four-and-a-half-year program, which includes hostel costs. Although this fee is lower than what was initially proposed at the start of the admission process, it remains unaffordable for many prospective students.


Call for Lowering Cutoff Percentile

Request to lower the cutoff percentile:
Mithesh Kumar Mudukonaje, the founder of the National Pre-University Students, Parents, and Teachers Association, has expressed concerns that many management quota seats may remain unfilled unless the eligibility cutoff marks are reduced. Sujata Rathod, the Director of Medical Education, confirmed that the current cutoff percentile is set at 50. The directorate has appealed to the National Medical Commission (NMC) to consider lowering these cutoff marks to provide more students with the chance to secure admission.


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