KCET Round 3 Seat Allotment 2026: KEA Warns Candidates on Choice 4 Exit, 5X Penalty; Window Closes Today
KCET Round 3 2026: KEA has warned candidates about Choice 4 exit and the 5X penalty for seat cancellation. Check the September 5 deadline and key admission rules.
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has issued an important advisory for candidates participating in the KCET/UGCET 2026 Round 3 counselling. Candidates who have received a seat in the provisional Round 3 allotment and do not wish to continue with the admission process can exercise Choice 4 to exit the counselling process by September 5, 2026, at 5 PM.
The Choice 4 exit facility is particularly important for newly allotted candidates, as KEA has also warned about the financial consequences of cancelling or surrendering a seat after the final Round 3 allotment.
KCET Round 3 2026: Choice 4 Deadline Today
The KCET Round 3 provisional seat allotment result was released on September 4, 2026. Newly allotted candidates have been given an opportunity to decide whether they want to continue with the allotted seat or exit the counselling process.
Candidates who wish to exit can select Choice 4 before 5 PM on September 5. The facility is available specifically to newly allotted candidates in the third round.
KCET Round 3: 5X Penalty Warning
KEA has cautioned candidates about the consequences of cancelling a seat after the final Round 3 allotment. According to the counselling rules being reported for KCET 2026, admission becomes mandatory after the final Round 3 allotment. Candidates who subsequently cancel or surrender an engineering seat may face a penalty equivalent to five times the prescribed engineering fee, in addition to applicable forfeiture provisions.
Therefore, candidates who have received a provisional Round 3 allotment and are certain that they do not want to continue should use the available Choice 4 exit window rather than wait until the final allotment is processed.
KCET Round 3 2026: Who Can Use Choice 4?
The current Choice 4 facility is meant for new allottees in Round 3 who do not wish to proceed with the seat. Candidates who have already accepted or joined a seat and are participating in Round 3 for an upgrade should carefully follow the specific rules applicable to their category. KEA has distinguished between newly allotted candidates and candidates who are already holding seats. Students are advised to check their individual status on the official KEA portal before taking any action.
Where to Check KCET Round 3 Seat Allotment 2026?
Candidates can check their allotment status, exercise the applicable choice and access further admission instructions through the official Karnataka Examinations Authority portal. The KEA website provides links for UGCET/UGNEET admission, option entry and related counselling services.
Apeksha Agarwal is an Education Journalist with over 3.5 years of experience. She covers a wide range of topics, including school board examinations, entrance tests, admissions, results, scholarships, and higher education updates. Over the years, she has closely tracked major examinations such as JEE Main, NEET UG, CUET, and various state-level entrance exams, helping students stay informed throughout their academic journey. Apeksha has a Master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and a certificate in Digital Journalism. She is passionate about transforming complex educational developments into clear, accessible, and useful information. Her reporting focuses on providing students, parents, and educators with accurate updates and practical insights on examinations, results, and policy changes. She believes that quality education journalism can make a meaningful difference by helping students make informed decisions about their future.
