Stray Vacancy Round Seat Allotment – PG Dental 2025: Complete Details by KEA
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially released a notification regarding the Stray Vacancy Round Seat Allotment for PG Dental Courses 2025. This special round is conducted to ensure that all remaining vacant seats after the completion of the third round are allotted to eligible candidates. If you are a dental postgraduate aspirant in Karnataka, this is an important opportunity to secure admission.
In this blog, we will break down the official notification issued by KEA on 26th August 2025, and explain the eligibility, process, and important rules regarding the stray vacancy round for PG Dental admissions.
What is the Stray Vacancy Round?
The Stray Vacancy Round is the final round of seat allotment in postgraduate dental admissions. After the completion of the third round of counseling, some seats often remain unfilled or get cancelled by candidates. These vacant seats are then offered in the stray vacancy round.
KEA will publish the list of such vacant or cancelled seats on its official website. Eligible candidates can then participate in the online stray vacancy seat allotment process.
Eligibility Criteria
Not all candidates are eligible to participate in the stray vacancy round. As per KEA’s notification, the following rules apply:
1. Not Eligible:
Candidates who have already been allotted a PG Dental seat in any of the previous rounds.
Candidates who have joined a college after allotment in the first, second, or third round of All India Counseling (including deemed universities or other boards).
Candidates who were allotted a seat in the previous stray vacancy round.
2. Eligible:
Only candidates who have not been allotted any seat earlier and meet the required conditions set by the Government of India (GoI).
Caution Deposit for Stray Vacancy Round
Candidates who wish to participate in the NEET MDS 2025 stray round must pay a caution deposit to KEA:
₹2,00,000 (Two Lakhs) – for General candidates.
₹1,00,000 (One Lakh) – for SC/ST candidates.
Important Points about Caution Deposit:
- If you had already paid caution deposit during the second or third round, it will be adjusted. Only the balance (if any) needs to be paid.
- If you are allotted a seat in this round, the caution deposit will be adjusted towards fees.
- If you fail to accept the seat or don’t pay the prescribed fees, your caution deposit will be forfeited.
- If a candidate fails to report to the allotted college after securing a seat in the stray round, they will be debarred from participating in counseling for the next three years (including All India Quota).
Steps for Candidates
1. Visit the official KEA website http://kea.kar.nic.in regularly for updates.
2. Check the list of vacant/cancelled seats published after the third round.
3. Deposit the required caution money (if not already paid in previous rounds).
4. Participate in the online stray vacancy allotment process as per the schedule released by KEA.
Final Conclusion
The Stray Vacancy Round Seat Allotment – PG Dental 2025 is a golden opportunity for candidates who did not secure a seat in earlier rounds. However, aspirants must be very careful about rules regarding caution deposit and reporting to the allotted college. Non-compliance can lead to forfeiture of deposit and even a three-year ban from future counseling processes.
For the latest updates, keep checking the official KEA website and follow the instructions carefully.
📌 Useful Contacts (as per KEA Notification):
Helpline Numbers: 080-23 460 460 | 080-23 564 583
Email: keauthority-ka@nic.in
Website: http://kea.kar.nic.in
