Exam overview Background
Logo

NEET

Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026: Registration, Eligibility, Dates, Seat Matrix & Admission Process

Updated on June 8, 2026

The Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 is the official admission process for candidates seeking MBBS and BDS seats in government, private, self-financing, and minority medical and dental colleges across the state. Conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, the counselling process facilitates seat allocation based on NEET UG 2026 scores, state merit rank, reservation policies, and eligibility requirements. From online registration and profile verification to option entry, seat allotment, and final admission, every stage plays a crucial role in securing a medical seat. This comprehensive guide covers important dates, eligibility criteria, registration procedures, seat matrix details, allotment rounds, cutoff trends, fee structure, and admission guidelines to help candidates successfully navigate the Kerala MBBS and BDS admission process in 2026.

Table of Contents

Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 Overview

The Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 is conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, for admission to MBBS and BDS programmes offered by government, private self-financing, minority, and deemed institutions participating in the state admission process. Candidates who qualify NEET UG 2026 and meet the prescribed eligibility requirements can participate in the Centralised Allotment Process (CAP) for seat allocation.

The counselling process includes online registration, submission of NEET details, publication of the state merit list, option registration, seat allotment, document verification, fee payment, and reporting to allotted colleges.

ParticularsDetails
Counselling NameKerala NEET UG Counselling 2026
Conducting AuthorityCommissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala
Admission BasisNEET UG 2026 Score
Courses OfferedMBBS, BDS
Counselling ModeOnline
Seat Allotment ProcessCentralised Allotment Process (CAP)
Participating InstitutesGovernment, Private, Self-Financing and Minority Colleges
Official Websitecee.kerala.gov.in

Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must satisfy the eligibility requirements prescribed by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, and qualify NEET UG 2026 to participate in the counselling process.

General Eligibility Requirements

CriteriaRequirement
NEET QualificationMust qualify NEET UG 2026
Minimum Age17 years on or before 31 December 2026
Upper Age LimitNo upper age limit as per NEET regulations
Educational QualificationPassed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English
Registration RequirementMust complete online registration through the CEE portal

Minimum Qualifying Percentile in NEET UG 2026

CategoryQualifying Percentile
General / EWS50th Percentile
SC / ST / SEBC/OBC40th Percentile
PwD (General)45th Percentile

Kerala Domicile Categories

CategoryEligibility
KeralitePermanent residents of Kerala eligible for State Quota and reservation benefits
Non-Keralite Category I (NK-I)Eligible for specified State Quota seats subject to prescribed study or residence conditions
Non-Keralite Category II (NK-II)Eligible mainly for Management and NRI quota seats in private colleges
OCI / PIO CandidatesEligible as per prevailing regulations but generally not entitled to reservation benefits

Candidates claiming Keralite status or reservation benefits must submit valid supporting certificates issued by the competent authority.

Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 Registration Process

The Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 registration process is conducted online by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala. Candidates seeking admission to MBBS, BDS, and other medical allied courses must complete online registration, upload documents, submit NEET UG 2026 details, and participate in the Centralised Allotment Process (CAP) within the prescribed timeline.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Step 1: Online Registration

  • Visit the official CEE Kerala website.
  • Click on the KEAM 2026 application portal.
  • Complete the registration process using the required personal details.
  • Create login credentials and generate a password for future access.

Step 2: Fill Application Form

  • Enter personal information, academic qualifications, and communication details.
  • Provide NEET UG 2026 examination details wherever required.

Step 3: Upload Documents

  • Upload the prescribed photograph and signature in the specified format.
  • Submit supporting certificates and category documents, if applicable.

Step 4: Payment of Application Fee
Candidates must pay the prescribed non-refundable application fee online.

CategoryApplication Fee
General₹625
SC₹250
STExempted

Step 5: Submit NEET UG 2026 Score
After the declaration of NEET UG 2026 results, candidates must log in to the candidate portal and submit their NEET details. Only candidates who successfully submit their NEET score within the notified period will be considered for the Kerala Medical Rank List.

Step 6: Option Registration and Choice Filling

  • Log in to the candidate portal.
  • Select preferred medical and dental colleges.
  • Arrange choices in order of preference.
  • Complete option registration and lock choices before the deadline.

Step 7: Seat Allotment and Reporting

  • Download the allotment memo after seat allotment.
  • Report to the allotted institution within the specified period.
  • Complete admission formalities and fee payment.

Failure to report within the prescribed timeline may result in cancellation of the allotted seat and loss of admission opportunity.

Documents Required for Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026

Candidates must upload the required documents during registration and produce the original certificates during admission and reporting. Failure to submit valid documents may lead to cancellation of candidature.

Mandatory Documents

  • NEET UG 2026 Admit Card
  • NEET UG 2026 Scorecard / Rank Card
  • Class 10 Certificate or Birth Certificate (Date of Birth Proof)
  • Class 12 Mark Sheet
  • Class 12 Passing Certificate
  • Aadhaar Card or Valid Government Photo ID
  • Passport-size Photographs
  • Transfer Certificate (TC)
  • Nativity Certificate / Domicile Certificate (for Keralite candidates)

Category and Reservation Documents

DocumentApplicable Candidates
Community / Caste CertificateSC, ST, SEBC and other reserved categories
EWS CertificateEWS category candidates
PwD CertificatePersons with Disabilities
Minority CertificatesApplicable candidates
Sub-category CertificatesSpecial reservation categories

Additional Documents

DocumentPurpose
Migration CertificateCandidates from boards/universities outside Kerala
Residence CertificateWherever applicable for domicile claims
NRI Supporting DocumentsNRI quota admissions
Allotment MemoRequired after seat allotment during reporting
Fee Payment ReceiptAdmission confirmation
Other CertificatesAs prescribed by CEE Kerala

Candidates are advised to keep multiple photocopies along with the original certificates ready for verification and admission reporting.

Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 Important Dates

The Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 schedule will be released by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, after the declaration of NEET UG 2026 results. The counselling process is expected to begin in August 2026 and will be conducted through multiple rounds, including Mop-Up and Stray Vacancy rounds, to fill MBBS and BDS seats across government, private, self-financing, and minority institutions in the state.

Candidates should regularly monitor the official CEE Kerala counselling portal for notifications regarding registration, merit list publication, option registration, seat allotment, fee payment, and reporting deadlines.

Counselling EventTentative Schedule
Release of Kerala NEET UG Counselling NotificationLate July / Early August 2026
Online Registration BeginsAugust 2026
Submission of NEET UG 2026 ScoresAugust 2026
Kerala State Merit List PublicationAugust 2026
Round 1 Option RegistrationAugust 2026
Round 1 Seat AllotmentAugust–September 2026
Round 1 ReportingAugust–September 2026
Round 2 CounsellingSeptember 2026
Round 3 CounsellingOctober 2026
Mop-Up RoundOctober–November 2026
Stray Vacancy RoundNovember 2026
Admission ClosureAs per NMC Guidelines

All dates are tentative and subject to revision by CEE Kerala through official notifications.

Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 Merit List and Seat Allotment Process

The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, prepares the Kerala NEET UG Merit List based on NEET UG 2026 scores submitted by eligible candidates. Only candidates whose names appear in the state merit list are eligible to participate in counselling and seat allotment.

The merit list generally includes:

  • Candidate Name
  • NEET UG 2026 Score
  • NEET All India Rank
  • Kerala State Rank
  • Category Details
  • Eligibility Status

Seat allotment is conducted through the Centralised Allotment Process (CAP), where seats are allocated based on:

  • Kerala State Rank
  • NEET UG Merit
  • Reservation Category
  • Eligibility Status
  • College Preferences Submitted
  • Seat Availability

Kerala NEET UG Counselling Process

  1. Online Registration on the CEE Portal
  2. Submission of NEET UG 2026 Scores
  3. Publication of Kerala State Merit List
  4. Option Registration and Choice Filling
  5. Round-wise Seat Allotment
  6. Fee Payment by Allotted Candidates
  7. Downloading of Allotment Memo
  8. Reporting to the Allotted Institution
  9. Participation in Subsequent Rounds (if eligible)

After Seat Allotment

Candidates allotted seats must:

  • Download the Allotment Memo.
  • Pay the prescribed admission fee.
  • Report to the allotted institution within the stipulated period.
  • Complete document verification and admission formalities.
  • Produce original certificates at the time of admission.

Failure to report within the prescribed timeline may result in cancellation of the allotted seat and loss of further counselling opportunities as per CEE regulations.

Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 MBBS and BDS Seat Matrix

Kerala offers MBBS and BDS admissions through government and private medical institutions. A significant portion of medical seats is available in private self-financing colleges, making Kerala one of the major states for medical admissions through NEET UG counselling.

ParticularsGovernment CollegesPrivate Colleges
MBBS Seats1,8553,699
BDS Seats3501,610
Medical Colleges1422

The final seat matrix for 2026 will be published by CEE Kerala before option registration and will include:

  • Government Medical Colleges
  • Government Dental Colleges
  • Private Self-Financing Medical Colleges
  • Private Self-Financing Dental Colleges
  • Minority Institutions
  • NRI Quota Seats

Candidates should carefully review the official seat matrix before exercising options during counselling.

The Kerala NEET UG 2026 cutoff will depend on several factors, including the difficulty level of NEET UG 2026, number of applicants, seat availability, reservation policies, and category-wise competition. Government medical colleges generally witness significantly higher cutoff scores than private and self-financing institutions.

The following expected score ranges are indicative and based on previous admission trends.

CategoryExpected NEET Score Range
General (State Merit)600–650+
EWS590–640
SEBC/OBC550–620
SC450–550
ST380–500
PwDAs per category-specific cutoff

Candidates should treat these scores as indicative references only. Actual cutoffs may vary based on the NEET UG 2026 merit distribution and seat availability during counselling.

Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 Fee Structure

Candidates allotted seats through Kerala NEET UG Counselling must pay the prescribed tuition fee and admission fee as determined by the Government of Kerala, Fee Regulatory Committee, and participating institutions. Fee structures vary significantly across government, private self-financing, management quota, and NRI quota seats.

Broad Fee Categories

Institution TypeApproximate Annual Fee Range
Government Medical Colleges₹25,000 – ₹40,000
Government Dental CollegesAs prescribed by the Government
Private Self-Financing Medical CollegesAs approved by the Fee Regulatory Committee
Management Quota SeatsHigher than Government Quota Seats
NRI Quota SeatsHighest fee category

Candidates are advised to verify the latest fee structure released by CEE Kerala and the Fee Regulatory Committee before exercising options during counselling.

Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 Reservation Policy

Reservation benefits under Kerala State Quota admissions are available primarily to eligible Keralite candidates. Admissions are conducted according to reservation policies notified by the Government of Kerala and applicable regulations of CEE Kerala.

CategoryReservation Benefit
State Merit (SM)Open Competition
Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC)As per State Reservation Rules
Scheduled Caste (SC)Reserved Seats
Scheduled Tribe (ST)Reserved Seats
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)Reserved Seats
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)Horizontal Reservation
Special Reservation CategoriesNCC, Ex-Servicemen, Sports, etc.

Candidates claiming reservation must produce valid certificates during verification. Reservation benefits are generally not available to Non-Keralite Category II (NK-II) candidates.

Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 Counselling Rounds and Admission Process

The counselling process is conducted through multiple rounds to ensure maximum utilisation of available MBBS and BDS seats.

Round 1 Counselling

The first round includes:

  • Registration
  • NEET Score Submission
  • Merit List Publication
  • Option Registration
  • Seat Allotment
  • Reporting to Colleges

Round 2 Counselling

Candidates may participate in Round 2 if:

  • No seat was allotted in Round 1.
  • They wish to upgrade their allotted seat.
  • Vacancies become available after Round 1 admissions.

Round 3 Counselling

A third round may be conducted for seats remaining vacant after Round 2.

Mop-Up Round

The Mop-Up Round is conducted to fill vacant seats remaining after the regular rounds, particularly in private medical and dental colleges.

Stray Vacancy Round

The Stray Vacancy Round is conducted for seats that remain vacant after the Mop-Up Round. Eligible candidates who satisfy counselling requirements may participate subject to CEE guidelines.

Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 Reporting and Admission Formalities

After receiving a seat allotment, candidates must complete admission formalities within the reporting period specified in the allotment memo.

Documents Required During Reporting

  • NEET UG 2026 Admit Card
  • NEET UG 2026 Scorecard
  • Class 10 Certificate
  • Class 12 Marksheet and Passing Certificate
  • Transfer Certificate
  • Migration Certificate (if applicable)
  • Nativity Certificate
  • Domicile Certificate (if applicable)
  • Category Certificate
  • PwD Certificate (if applicable)
  • Aadhaar Card or Valid Photo ID
  • Passport-size Photographs
  • Seat Allotment Memo
  • Fee Payment Receipt

NEET UG 2026 Allotment Letter

Candidates allotted a seat must download and print the NEET UG 2026 Allotment Letter (Allotment Memo) from the CEE Kerala portal. This document is mandatory during reporting and admission and serves as official proof of seat allocation.

The allotment letter contains:

  • Candidate details
  • NEET rank and state rank
  • Allotted college and course
  • Category under which the seat is allotted
  • Reporting deadline
  • Admission instructions

Failure to produce the allotment letter during reporting may delay or prevent completion of the admission process.

Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 Important Admission Guidelines

Candidates participating in Kerala NEET UG Counselling should keep the following points in mind:

  • Submit NEET UG 2026 scores within the timeline prescribed by CEE Kerala.
  • Verify all uploaded certificates before final submission.
  • Exercise as many realistic college options as possible during choice filling.
  • Regularly check allotment notifications and counselling updates.
  • Keep both original and photocopies of all certificates ready.
  • Complete fee payment and reporting before the deadline mentioned in the allotment memo.
  • Carefully review fee structures, bond conditions, and NRI eligibility requirements before selecting private medical colleges.

Proper planning during option registration and timely completion of admission formalities significantly improves the chances of securing a preferred MBBS or BDS seat in Kerala.

 

READ MORE
READ MORE

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 and who conducts it?

Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 is the centralized admission process for MBBS and BDS courses offered by government, private, self-financing, and minority medical and dental colleges in Kerala. The counselling is conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, based on NEET UG 2026 scores, state merit rank, reservation policies, and eligibility criteria.

How can I register for Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026?

To register for Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026, candidates must complete the online application process through the CEE Kerala portal, submit their NEET UG 2026 details, upload the required documents, and participate in option registration and choice filling. Only candidates who successfully submit their NEET scores within the prescribed timeline are considered for the Kerala Medical Rank List.

When is Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 expected to begin?

The Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 process is expected to commence in August 2026 after the declaration of NEET UG 2026 results. The detailed counselling schedule, including registration dates, merit list publication, option registration, and seat allotment timelines, will be released by CEE Kerala through official notifications.

What happens after completing the Kerala NEET UG Counselling registration process?

After registration, candidates must submit their NEET UG 2026 scores through the CEE portal. The counselling authority then prepares the Kerala State Merit List, following which eligible candidates can participate in option registration, seat allotment, fee payment, and reporting to the allotted college for admission.

What is the difference between State Quota and All India Quota seats in Kerala?

In Kerala, 85% of seats in government medical and dental colleges are generally filled under the State Quota through CEE Kerala counselling and are primarily available to eligible Keralite candidates. The remaining 15% seats are filled under the All India Quota (AIQ) through centralized counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), where candidates from across India can compete based on their NEET UG rank.