KEA Issues Final Warning on KCET 2026 Round 3 Seat Exit and Penalties

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has issued an urgent notification regarding the final phase of the Undergraduate Common Entrance Test (UGCET) counselling process. Following the release of the Round 3 provisional seat allotment results, the authority has established a strict deadline for candidates to manage their seat status and avoid significant financial and legal repercussions.

Candidates who have been allotted seats must now navigate the final stages of the admission process with care. The KEA has implemented these measures to prevent the practice of seat blocking, which disrupts the allocation process for other applicants. Those who wish to withdraw from the counselling cycle entirely must take specific action before the window closes.

Choice-4 Exit Deadline and Penalty Warning

The KEA has mandated that any candidate wishing to exit the counselling process must formally select the Choice-4 option by 5:00 PM today, September 5, 2026. This window is specifically intended for those who do not wish to accept their newly allotted seat in the third round. By selecting this option, candidates can formally withdraw from the process without incurring penalties.

The authority has issued a stern warning regarding the consequences of failing to act. Candidates who have been allotted a seat and do not report to their assigned college, or who attempt to hold a seat while seeking admission elsewhere, face a severe 5X seat-blocking penalty. This penalty includes a fine equivalent to five times the standard government tuition fee, the forfeiture of the seat, and potential disqualification from participating in future state-level counselling cycles.

Counselling Procedures and Next Steps

It is important to note that the Choice-4 exit option is not available to all participants. Candidates who were allotted seats in Round 2 and subsequently entered the Round 3 upgradation phase are ineligible to select Choice-4. These students are required to proceed with either their upgraded or original allotment to avoid penalties.

The KEA has advised all participants to verify their provisional allotment status by logging into the official website at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. Once the deadline for the Choice-4 option passes, the KEA will process any surrendered or vacant seats. The authority will then re-run the allocation matrix without permitting further modifications to choices, leading to the publication of the final Round 3 seat allotment list.