Bengaluru, September 2, 2026: Candidates seeking admission to engineering and other undergraduate professional courses through the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) 2026 have one more day to complete their Round 3 counselling option entry. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) opened the Round 3 option-entry window on August 31, 2026, and the deadline is September 3, 2026.
The Round 3 counselling phase provides eligible candidates with another opportunity to secure a seat in their preferred college and course. Candidates are required to enter their choices afresh and can add, delete, modify or rearrange their preferred college-course combinations before the deadline.
KCET 2026 Round 3 Option Entry: Important Dates
| Counselling Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Round 3 seat vacancy details | August 31, 2026 |
| Round 3 option entry begins | August 31, 2026 |
| Last date for option entry | September 3, 2026 |
| Round 3 provisional seat allotment | September 2026 |
| Round 3 final seat allotment | September 2026 |
| Fee payment and admission formalities | September 2026 |
| Reporting to allotted college | September 2026 |
KEA has released the Round 3 vacancy information along with the option-entry process, allowing candidates to make their preferences based on the seats available after the earlier counselling rounds.
Who Can Participate in KCET Round 3?
Round 3 is primarily relevant to candidates who did not receive a seat in the earlier counselling phases, as well as eligible candidates who selected the applicable option after the previous round and continue to participate in counselling.
Candidates should carefully check their eligibility and the latest seat-vacancy information before submitting their choices.
Fresh Option Entry Required
One of the key points of Round 3 counselling is that eligible candidates need to submit their college and course preferences afresh.
Candidates can:
- Add new college and course choices
- Delete unwanted choices
- Modify their existing preferences
- Rearrange choices according to priority
- Submit their final list before the deadline
Students should avoid entering choices randomly. The order of preferences can play an important role in the seat-allotment process, so candidates should place their most preferred college and course combinations higher on the list.
How to Complete KCET Round 3 Option Entry
Candidates can complete the process online through the KEA portal.
Steps to follow:
- Visit the official KEA website.
- Open the UGCET 2026 admission/counselling section.
- Select the Round 3 option-entry link.
- Log in using the required KCET/KEA credentials.
- Check the latest available seat matrix or vacancy details.
- Enter college and course preferences in order of priority.
- Add, delete or rearrange choices as required.
- Review the complete preference list carefully.
- Submit the options before the deadline.
- Save or print the submitted choices for future reference.
Candidates are advised not to wait until the final hours to complete the process, as technical problems or heavy website traffic could create difficulties close to the deadline.
What Happens After Option Entry?
After the Round 3 option-entry window closes, KEA will proceed with the seat-allotment process. The provisional allotment result is expected in September, followed by the final allotment after the applicable process for objections or corrections.
Candidates who receive a seat will then have to follow KEA’s instructions regarding seat acceptance, fee payment, admission-order/confirmation documents and reporting to the allotted institution.
According to current counselling information, candidates allotted seats in Round 3 will have the applicable seat-acceptance process and must complete the required admission formalities within the prescribed schedule.
KCET Round 3: Important Tips for Students
With the deadline approaching, candidates should keep the following points in mind:
Check the vacancy matrix: Review available seats before finalising preferences.
Prioritise carefully: Put preferred colleges and branches in the correct order.
Consider multiple branches: Students should include realistic alternatives if their preferred branch is highly competitive.
Review before submitting: Check every college-course combination for errors.
Don’t wait until the last day: Complete the process well before September 3 to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Keep records: Save a copy or screenshot of the final submitted options and relevant counselling documents.
September 3 Is the Key Deadline
For students still seeking admission through KCET 2026, September 3 is an important deadline. The Round 3 option-entry window is scheduled to close on that date, and candidates who are eligible but fail to submit their preferences within the prescribed period could miss the opportunity to participate in this phase.
Candidates should therefore complete their option entry as early as possible and regularly check the official KEA portal for the subsequent seat-allotment announcement and admission instructions.
Where to Check KCET 2026 Updates
For authentic information on KCET 2026 Round 3 counselling, candidates should rely on the official Karnataka Examinations Authority portal for option entry, seat allotment, fee-payment instructions and reporting schedules.
Disclaimer: Counselling dates and procedures may be revised by KEA. Candidates should check the latest official notification before taking any admission-related action.
KCET 2026 Round 3 Counselling: Option Entry Ends September 3; Check Eligibility, Steps and Important Details added by admin on
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