NEET UG Counselling 2026: 7 rounds of NEET UG counselling conducted, yet 191 MBBS seats remain vacant..

NEET UG Counselling 2026: The admission process for MBBS and BDS courses is nearing its end; however, MBBS seats remain vacant in several states. In Karnataka, 191 MBBS seats remain unfilled even after seven rounds of NEET UG counselling—a situation that has occurred for the first time in the last five years. Meanwhile, all BDS seats have been filled.

According to a report by the *Times of India* dated October 26, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), the Directorate of Medical Education, and various medical colleges made multi-level efforts to fill the vacant seats. On Monday, the KEA conducted two last-minute rounds of counselling, yet these attempts failed to fill the remaining seats.

Two rounds held on Monday
The report indicates that 273 seats were vacant following the second 'stray vacancy' round. During the two rounds held on Monday, 84 seats were allotted: 62 MBBS seats and 6 BDS seats were filled in the earlier round, while 22 MBBS seats and 5 BDS seats were filled in the evening round.

High fees act as a barrier

The high fees under the 'management quota' are considered the primary reason for the MBBS seats remaining vacant. Many colleges are charging up to ₹80 lakh for the four-and-a-half-year course, including hostel expenses. Although this amount is lower than the fees initially announced before the start of the admission process, it remains unaffordable for a large number of students.

Request to lower the cutoff percentile

According to Mithesh Kumar Mudukonaje, founder of the National Pre-University Students, Parents, and Teachers Association, many management quota seats may remain vacant if the cutoff marks required for eligibility are not lowered. Sujata Rathod, Director of Medical Education, noted that the current cutoff percentile stands at 50. The directorate has requested the National Medical Commission (NMC) to lower the cut-off marks, so that more students may get an opportunity for admission.

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