The Four Primary Pillars of KEAM 2026

Through a single online application, students can apply for four distinct professional categories:

1. Engineering (B.Tech): Admission is based on a rank list generated by combining the marks from the online entrance examination (starting April 17th) and the candidate’s Plus Two marks.

2. Pharmacy (B.Pharm):Candidates must appear for the state-specific entrance exam to secure a rank for admission into government and private pharmacy colleges.

3. Medical & Allied Courses:This broad category includes MBBS, BDS, Ayurveda, Agriculture, Veterinary, and Forestry While students must take the NEET exam, they must apply through KEAM to be considered for the 85% state quota seats and reservation benefits.

4. . Architecture (B.Arch):Admission is managed by the Entrance Commissioner using NATA scores combined with Plus Two marks to prepare the final rank list.

Important Dates to Remember

• Application Window: January 5th to January 31st.

• Certificate Uploading: Supporting documents for reservations can be uploaded until February 7th.

• Engineering Rank List: Expected to be published around June 20th.

Application Fees and Selection

The system is highly flexible, allowing you to choose one, some, or all four programs. However, the fees are now calculated per course category:

• Engineering: ₹925.

• Pharmacy: ₹925.

• Medical & Allied: ₹625.

• Architecture: ₹625.

• Combined (All 4): Approximately ₹3,150 (including processing charges).

• Note: Fees are lower for SC candidates, and ST candidates are exempt from fees.

Document Checklist for a Smooth Application

Before you sit down to apply at cee.kerala.gov.in, ensure you have the following digital copies ready:

• Photograph: Colour photo with a white background, 200x150 pixels, under 100KB.

• Signature: Scanned signature, 100x150 pixels, under 100KB.

• Proof of Identity/Age: Class 10 mark list (used to verify name and date of birth).

• Nativity & Nationality: Proof that the candidate or a parent is of Kerala origin.

• Bank Details: You must provide a bank account number (candidate’s or parent’s) and IFSC code to facilitate any future fee refunds.

Key Tips for Applicants

• Single Application Rule: You must submit only one online application, even if applying for multiple courses.

• Correction Window: There is no direct "edit" button once you submit. However, if there are errors in your name, date of birth, photo, or signature, the office will notify you, and you can correct them via email.

• Adding Courses: If you initially apply for only one course (e.g., Engineering) and later decide you want to add another (e.g., Medical), the system typically provides an additional window to add courses after the initial deadline.

• Reservation Claims: Ensure you select the correct category (OBC, EWS, etc.) and have the Non-Creamy Layer or Income Certificate ready, as these are verified during the memo process in May.

A Helpful Way to Visualize It: Think of the KEAM application as a single master key that opens the doors to four different academic hallways. While the application gets you into the building, you must still present the specific "pass" (like a NEET score for Medicine or a NATA score for Architecture) to enter the specific room at the end of each hall.

Frequently asked questions

NEET details to be uploaded in primary application?

• NEET: While you apply through KEAM for Kerala state seats, you do not need to upload NEET details during the initial application in January. You will enter your NEET application number and roll number only after the results are published in June.

• Plus Two Marks: You do not need to upload your Class 12 mark list at this stage; you only need to provide your Plus Two Roll Number.

Think of your KEAM application as a personal digital locker; you first stock it with your basic ID and nativity "keys" in January, but you only place your final NEET "exam pass" inside once the results are released later in the year

What happens if I miss the initial certificate upload deadline?

While the specific deadline for uploading reservation-related certificates is February 7, the KEAM system is designed with several safeguards to ensure students are not permanently disqualified for minor documentation errors or missed windows.

If you miss a deadline or have issues with your documentation, here is what the sources indicate will happen:

• The "Memo" System in May: Even after the initial upload period ends, the Entrance Commissioner’s office undergoes a verification phase around May. During this time, they inspect documents like Nativity, Non-Creamy Layer (NCL), EWS, and NRI certificates. If a certificate is found to be invalid, expired, or missing, the office will issue a "memo" to notify you, providing a dedicated opportunity to rectify the error and upload the correct document

Can I qualify for nativity if I wasn't born in Kerala?

Yes, you can qualify for nativity even if you were not born in Kerala. According to the sources, there are two primary ways to establish nativity in this situation:

• Parental Birth: Even if you were born outside the state—such as in other Indian states like Tamil Nadu or Karnataka, or even abroad in places like Dubai or the UK—you qualify for nativity if at least one of your parents was born in Kerala. To prove this, you can download a specific proforma from the KEAM registration page and have it certified by a Village Officer to confirm your parent's place of birth.

• Education in Kerala: If neither you nor your parents were born in Kerala, you can still qualify by meeting an education requirement. You must have studied in Kerala from Class 8 to Class 12. A certificate signed by your school principal confirming your study during these years is required as proof.

Important Limitations

It is important to note that the method you use to prove nativity can affect your eligibility for other benefits:

• If you qualify for nativity based on birth (yours or your parents'), you are typically eligible for various communal and minority reservations.

• If you qualify solely through the "8th to 12th grade study" route, you will be eligible for government seats, but you may not be able to claim communal or minority reservation benefits.

What documents prove nativity for students born outside Kerala?

For students born outside of Kerala (including those born in other Indian states or foreign countries like the UK or Dubai), nativity can be established through two primary methods:

parental birth or educational residency.

According to the sources, the specific documentation required depends on which of these two paths you follow:

1. Through Parental Birth (Heritage)

If you were born outside the state, you can still qualify for Kerala nativity if at least one of your parents (father or mother) was born in Kerala.

• Required Document: A specific certificate certified by a Village Officer confirming that either your father or mother was born in Kerala.

• How to Obtain: A proforma (form) for this certificate can be downloaded directly from the "Download Proforma" link on the KEAM online registration portal.

2. Through Education in Kerala (Residency)

If neither the student nor the parents were born in Kerala, nativity can be proven based on the student's schooling within the state.

• Required Document: A certificate proving the candidate studied in Kerala from Class 8 to Class 12.

• Authority: This certificate must be signed and issued by the Principal of the school where the student completed their Plus Two.

Important Limitations to Consider:

• Reservation Eligibility: While the education-based certificate (Class 8–12) qualifies a student for government seats, it typically does not grant eligibility for communal or minority reservation benefits.

• Alternative for State Syllabus Students: If a student studied under the Kerala State Syllabus for Class 10, that single mark list often serves as proof of nationality, nativity, and date of birth simultaneously because it contains birthplace and address details. However, for CBSE or ICSE students born outside the state, the specific birth-related or study-related certificates mentioned above are mandatory