KEA DCET 2025 Round 3 Counselling Revised Schedule: Final Admission Opportunity for Diploma Holders

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has revised the DCET 2025 Round 3 Counselling schedule, marking the final opportunity for diploma holders seeking lateral entry into engineering courses.

The option entry and caution deposit deadline has been extended to August 18, 2025 (8:00 PM), while provisional and final seat allotments will be published on August 19 and August 20, 2025 respectively. Candidates must then download the challan, pay fees by August 25, 2025, and report to their allotted colleges with original documents by August 26, 2025. Failure to comply will lead to forfeiture of the seat and caution deposit.

DCET 2025 Round 3 Counselling Revised Schedule by KEA – Final Admission Opportunity for Diploma Lateral Entry

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially revised the Diploma Common Entrance Test (DCET) 2025 Round 3 Counselling Schedule. This update is significant for candidates aspiring to secure lateral entry admissions into undergraduate engineering programs across Karnataka. Round 3 is the final and conclusive counselling round, which means there will be no further opportunity for admission under DCET 2025 once this phase concludes.

For many students, this round represents their last chance to lock a seat in their preferred engineering college. With extended deadlines for option entry and caution deposit, KEA has allowed more flexibility, but at the same time, candidates must strictly adhere to the timelines to avoid missing out.

In this detailed AUBSP Counselling Guide, we break down the revised schedule, option entry process, seat allotment system, post-admission formalities, and crucial instructions that every DCET 2025 aspirant must follow.

Revised DCET 2025 Round 3 Counselling Schedule: An Overview

The KEA has released an updated timeline for Round 3 counselling. These changes were introduced to accommodate candidates who needed additional time for option entry and caution deposit payments. Unlike the previous phases, this is the final round and leaves no room for corrections or additional entries later.

Here’s the updated schedule every candidate should note down carefully:

🔑 AUBSP Insight: The extended option entry and caution deposit date (Aug 18, 2025) is the most important update. Candidates who fail to participate by this deadline will not be considered for Round 3 seat allotment.

Key Procedures and Guidelines for Candidates

KEA has made it clear that only those who follow the prescribed counselling steps will be considered for seat allotment. This ensures a transparent and merit-based allocation system. Let’s look at the procedures in detail.

Option Entry: A Critical Final Step

Option entry is the backbone of counselling, as it determines the seat you may receive based on merit. For DCET 2025 Round 3, KEA has extended the deadline till August 18, 2025 (8:00 PM).

To participate, candidates must complete:

1. Document Verification – Conducted on August 12, 2025 for leftover candidates. Without the official “Verification Slip” containing a unique keyword, no candidate can log in for option entry.
2. Caution Deposit Payment – The deposit ensures seriousness of candidature.
   • ₹40,000 for General candidates
   • ₹10,000 for SC/ST candidates
     This amount will be adjusted against tuition fees if the candidate joins. However, if they fail to join after allotment, the deposit will be forfeited.

👉 AUBSP Tip: Fill maximum possible options in order of preference. Limiting your options may reduce your chances of securing admission since no further option entry will be allowed after this round.

Seat Allotment: Merit and Preference-Based

The seat allotment process is strictly automated and depends on three major factors:

• DCET 2025 Merit Rank – Candidates with higher ranks get priority.
• Options Entered – Your preferences play a key role in determining which college/course you receive.
• Seat Availability – Allotments depend on existing vacancies in colleges.

Provisional Allotment – August 19, 2025

The provisional list gives candidates an idea of their likely seat. This is not final but helps aspirants prepare mentally and financially.

Final Allotment – August 20, 2025

The final seat allotment is conclusive and binding. Once allotted, the candidate has to either accept and proceed or forfeit their chance.

⚠️ Important Reminder: There is no cancellation option after Round 3 allotment. Candidates must be absolutely sure about their preferences before locking them in.

Post-Allotment Formalities: Securing Your Seat

Securing admission after allotment requires timely completion of all post-counselling formalities. Missing any step may lead to seat cancellation.

1. Challan Download (Aug 21 – Aug 24, 2025) – Candidates must download the fee challan from the KEA portal.
2. Fee Payment (Deadline: Aug 25, 2025) – Pay fees at designated banks within the given timeline.
3. Download Admission Order & Confirmation Slip – Available on KEA portal once payment is confirmed.
4. Report to College (Deadline: Aug 26, 2025) – Carry original documents (marks cards, caste certificate, admission order, verification slip, etc.) and report physically to the allotted college.

👉 AUBSP Reminder: If you fail to report within the deadline, you lose your seat permanently along with the caution deposit.

Important Instructions from KEA

Candidates must keep in mind the following official instructions while participating in DCET 2025 Round 3:

• Regularly check cetonline.karnataka.gov.in for notifications.
• Carry at least two sets of photocopies of all documents while reporting.
• Fee once paid is non-refundable under KEA rules.
• Ensure correct bank details when paying fees to avoid transaction delays.
• Seat allotment in Round 3 is final and non-negotiable.

Why Round 3 Counselling is a Golden Chance

Round 3 counselling under DCET 2025 is unique and final because:

• It allows students who missed earlier rounds to participate.
• Vacant seats across top engineering colleges will be filled in this round.
• KEA has provided extra time for decision-making by extending deadlines.
• The allotments made in this round are final with no withdrawal option.

This makes it a golden opportunity for serious aspirants to secure their dream seat in a reputed Karnataka engineering college.

Your Last Chance to Secure DCET 2025 Admission

The KEA DCET 2025 Round 3 Counselling is the last and decisive phase for diploma holders seeking engineering admissions in Karnataka through lateral entry. With extended deadlines for option entry and caution deposit, candidates now have more time to make informed choices.

👉 AUBSP strongly advises:

• Don’t delay option entry—fill it before the final deadline.
• Pay the caution deposit to remain eligible.
• Keep all documents and fees ready in advance.

Once the final allotment is announced on August 20, 2025, there’s no turning back. So, candidates must take this round seriously and act with commitment.

Stay tuned with AUBSP for the latest counselling updates, important alerts, and step-by-step admission guides to help you make the right decision at the right time.

FAQs on DCET 2025 Round 3 Counselling

What is the DCET 2025 Round 3 Counselling?
It is the final round of counselling conducted by KEA for diploma holders seeking lateral entry admission into engineering courses in Karnataka.

Why is Round 3 counselling important for DCET 2025?
Round 3 is the last and conclusive opportunity to secure a seat through DCET 2025. Once this round ends, no further counselling or seat allotment will be conducted.

What is the revised schedule for DCET 2025 Round 3 Counselling?
The option entry and caution deposit deadline is August 18, 2025, provisional allotment is on August 19, final allotment on August 20, challan download from August 21–24, fee payment till August 25, and college reporting till August 26, 2025.

What is the last date for DCET 2025 option entry?
The last date for option entry is August 18, 2025, up to 8:00 PM. No further entries will be allowed after this deadline.

Is caution deposit mandatory for DCET 2025 Round 3 counselling?
Yes, paying the caution deposit is mandatory to participate. It is ₹40,000 for General candidates and ₹10,000 for SC/ST candidates.

Will the caution deposit be refunded?
If a seat is allotted and the candidate fails to join, the caution deposit will be forfeited. If the candidate joins, it will be adjusted against the admission fee.

When will the provisional seat allotment be published?
The provisional seat allotment will be released on August 19, 2025, after 4:00 PM.

When will the final seat allotment be released?
The final seat allotment result will be published on August 20, 2025, after 4:00 PM.

What happens if a candidate does not pay the admission fee on time?
If the fee is not paid by August 25, 2025, the candidate will lose the allotted seat and forfeit the caution deposit.

When can candidates download the challan for fee payment?
The challan can be downloaded from August 21 to August 24, 2025, from the KEA portal.

What is the last date to pay the admission fee?
The admission fee must be paid by August 25, 2025.

What documents are required at the time of reporting to college?
Candidates must carry original documents including marks cards, verification slip, admission order, caste certificate (if applicable), and identity proof.

When is the last date to report to the allotted college?
The last date for reporting to colleges is August 26, 2025.

Can candidates cancel their seat in Round 3 counselling?
No, once a seat is allotted in Round 3, cancellation is not permitted under KEA rules.

Can a candidate change options after Round 3 seat allotment?
No, after Round 3 allotment, candidates cannot modify or change their options.

What happens if a candidate does not report to the college within the deadline?
Failure to report by August 26, 2025, will result in cancellation of the allotted seat and forfeiture of the caution deposit.

How are seats allotted in DCET 2025 Round 3?
Seats are allotted based on DCET 2025 merit rank, the options entered by the candidate, and the availability of seats in colleges.

Is document verification compulsory for Round 3 counselling?
Yes, candidates must have completed document verification and obtained the verification slip to participate in option entry.

What should candidates do after paying the admission fee?
After paying the fee, candidates must download the admission order and confirmation slip from the KEA portal before reporting to the allotted college.

Where can candidates check updates on DCET 2025 counselling?
All updates and announcements are available on the official KEA website: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.

What happens if a candidate misses Round 3 counselling?
If a candidate misses Round 3 counselling, they lose the final chance of admission through DCET 2025 and cannot claim any seat later.

Who is eligible for DCET 2025 Round 3 counselling?
All diploma holders who appeared for DCET 2025 and completed document verification are eligible to participate in Round 3.

Can a candidate participate in Round 3 without paying the caution deposit?
No, without paying the caution deposit, candidates cannot enter options or participate in the allotment process.

What is the fee structure for DCET 2025 admissions?
The fee structure varies by college and category, but the caution deposit is adjusted against the total tuition fees after seat allotment.

What is the significance of the provisional allotment list?
The provisional allotment helps candidates get an idea of the seat they are likely to secure before the final allotment is declared.

Is there any further round after DCET 2025 Round 3 counselling?
No, Round 3 is the final counselling round, and no further seat allotment will take place.