Kerala NEET UG Round 3 Counselling 2026: Fresh Option Registration Open, Check Dates, Fee and Eligibility

The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala has opened fresh online option registration for the third phase of MBBS and BDS allotment 2026. The registration is for State Quota seats for the 2026-27 academic year. According to the official notification dated September 28, 2026, eligible candidates included in the medical rank lists published by CEE Kerala can register fresh college and course options through the official website, cee.kerala.gov.in, until October 7, 2026, at 10 AM. Fresh option registration is mandatory for candidates who want to be considered for allotment in the third phase. CEE Kerala will publish the provisional allotment on October 8 and the final allotment on October 9, 2026. Candidates allotted seats in this phase will have to join the allotted college between October 10 and October 14, up to 4 PM.

Kerala NEET UG Round 3 2026: Important Dates

The dates above are given in the CEE Kerala notification for the third phase of MBBS/BDS allotment.

Kerala NEET UG Round 3 2026: Who Needs to Register Fresh Options?

Fresh online option registration is required for candidates who want to be considered in the third phase and:

1. Received an allotment in an earlier phase but did not take admission.
2. Took admission in an earlier phase but subsequently took a Transfer Certificate (TC).
3. Received no allotment in the previous phases and want to participate in the third phase.
4. CEE Kerala has specifically stated that previous options will not be considered for the third phase. Candidates seeking consideration in this phase must register their options afresh.

However, candidates who already received an allotment or admission in an earlier phase and do not register fresh options will retain their previous admission, subject to the conditions specified by CEE Kerala.

Kerala NEET UG Round 3 Registration Fee 2026

Candidates who received an allotment in an earlier phase but did not take admission, or who took a TC after admission and now want to register fresh options, have to pay an option registration fee of ₹5,000. For candidates belonging to SC, ST and OEC categories, along with candidates covered under specified government orders and candidates from certain homes listed by CEE Kerala, the registration fee is ₹500.

The treatment of the registration fee depends on the allotment and admission outcome:

1. For candidates allotted a seat in a Government Medical or Dental College, the fee will be carried over to the tuition fee.
2. If a candidate does not receive any allotment, the registration fee will be refunded.
3. For candidates allotted a seat in a private self-financing medical or dental college, the fee will be refunded after the admission closing date, provided the candidate takes admission.
4. For eligible candidates paying ₹500, the fee will be adjusted against the caution deposit if they take admission.
5. If a candidate gets an allotment but does not take admission, the registration fee will be treated as a penalty and will not be refunded.

How to Register for Kerala NEET UG Round 3 Options

Eligible candidates should visit the official CEE Kerala website and access the candidate portal to complete the fresh option registration.

Candidates should:

1. Visit the official CEE Kerala website.
2. Log in to the candidate portal using the required credentials.
3. Open the option registration facility for MBBS/BDS third-phase allotment.
4. Enter college and course preferences in the required order.
5. Register only for courses and colleges they are willing to join if allotted.
6. Pay the applicable option registration fee, wherever required.
7. Submit the options before October 7, 2026, at 10 AM.
8. Keep a copy of the submitted options and payment details for future reference.

CEE Kerala has advised candidates to select only those courses and colleges they are certain they would join and continue studying if allotted.

What Happens After Kerala NEET UG Round 3 Option Registration?

CEE Kerala will process the options submitted by candidates up to the deadline and publish the provisional allotment on October 8, 2026. The final allotment will be published on October 9, 2026. Candidates receiving an allotment must join the allotted college between October 10 and October 14, up to 4 PM. Colleges must subsequently approve and submit the list of admitted candidates through OAMS by 5 PM on October 14. Candidates who receive an allotment in this phase but fail to join within the prescribed deadline can lose their previous allotment, the third-phase allotment and all options in the concerned stream, as specified by CEE Kerala.

Kerala NEET UG Round 3: Important Rules for Candidates

Candidates should carefully review the following rules before submitting their options:

Previous options will not carry forward

Options registered during earlier phases will not be considered for the third phase. Candidates who want to participate must submit fresh options.

Existing admission can be retained

Candidates who already have an allotment or admission from an earlier phase and do not register fresh options can retain their previous admission, subject to CEE Kerala's stated conditions.

MCC directions may affect eligibility

CEE Kerala has stated that if the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) directs that candidates allotted or admitted through the third round of All India Quota counselling are ineligible for the third round of State Quota counselling, and MCC shares the relevant list, those candidates' options will not be considered for Kerala's third-phase allotment.

Candidates can vacate earlier seats under the specified condition

Candidates who wish to vacate seats joined through Phase I or Phase II can exit by forfeiting the option registration fee on or before October 7, 2026, at 10 AM, according to the CEE notification.

Kerala NEET UG Stray Vacancy Allotment 2026

CEE Kerala has stated that any MBBS/BDS vacancies remaining after the third-phase allotment will be filled through a Stray Vacancy Allotment. However, the detailed schedule and other information for the stray vacancy allotment will be published separately. Candidates should therefore monitor the official CEE Kerala website for further notifications.

Where to Check Kerala NEET UG Round 3 Updates?

Candidates should regularly visit the official CEE Kerala website for option registration, allotment results, admission instructions and subsequent notifications. The official notification for fresh third-phase MBBS/BDS option registration was published on September 28, 2026.