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.
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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.
| Particulars | Details |
| Counselling Name | Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala |
| Admission Basis | NEET UG 2026 Score |
| Courses Offered | MBBS, BDS |
| Counselling Mode | Online |
| Seat Allotment Process | Centralised Allotment Process (CAP) |
| Participating Institutes | Government, Private, Self-Financing and Minority Colleges |
| Official Website | cee.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
| Criteria | Requirement |
| NEET Qualification | Must qualify NEET UG 2026 |
| Minimum Age | 17 years on or before 31 December 2026 |
| Upper Age Limit | No upper age limit as per NEET regulations |
| Educational Qualification | Passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English |
| Registration Requirement | Must complete online registration through the CEE portal |
Minimum Qualifying Percentile in NEET UG 2026
| Category | Qualifying Percentile |
| General / EWS | 50th Percentile |
| SC / ST / SEBC/OBC | 40th Percentile |
| PwD (General) | 45th Percentile |
Kerala Domicile Categories
| Category | Eligibility |
| Keralite | Permanent 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 Candidates | Eligible 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.
| Category | Application Fee |
| General | ₹625 |
| SC | ₹250 |
| ST | Exempted |
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
| Document | Applicable Candidates |
| Community / Caste Certificate | SC, ST, SEBC and other reserved categories |
| EWS Certificate | EWS category candidates |
| PwD Certificate | Persons with Disabilities |
| Minority Certificates | Applicable candidates |
| Sub-category Certificates | Special reservation categories |
Additional Documents
| Document | Purpose |
| Migration Certificate | Candidates from boards/universities outside Kerala |
| Residence Certificate | Wherever applicable for domicile claims |
| NRI Supporting Documents | NRI quota admissions |
| Allotment Memo | Required after seat allotment during reporting |
| Fee Payment Receipt | Admission confirmation |
| Other Certificates | As 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 Event | Tentative Schedule |
| Release of Kerala NEET UG Counselling Notification | Late July / Early August 2026 |
| Online Registration Begins | August 2026 |
| Submission of NEET UG 2026 Scores | August 2026 |
| Kerala State Merit List Publication | August 2026 |
| Round 1 Option Registration | August 2026 |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment | August–September 2026 |
| Round 1 Reporting | August–September 2026 |
| Round 2 Counselling | September 2026 |
| Round 3 Counselling | October 2026 |
| Mop-Up Round | October–November 2026 |
| Stray Vacancy Round | November 2026 |
| Admission Closure | As 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
- Online Registration on the CEE Portal
- Submission of NEET UG 2026 Scores
- Publication of Kerala State Merit List
- Option Registration and Choice Filling
- Round-wise Seat Allotment
- Fee Payment by Allotted Candidates
- Downloading of Allotment Memo
- Reporting to the Allotted Institution
- 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.
| Particulars | Government Colleges | Private Colleges |
| MBBS Seats | 1,855 | 3,699 |
| BDS Seats | 350 | 1,610 |
| Medical Colleges | 14 | 22 |
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.
Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 Expected Cutoff Trends
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.
| Category | Expected NEET Score Range |
| General (State Merit) | 600–650+ |
| EWS | 590–640 |
| SEBC/OBC | 550–620 |
| SC | 450–550 |
| ST | 380–500 |
| PwD | As 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 Type | Approximate Annual Fee Range |
| Government Medical Colleges | ₹25,000 – ₹40,000 |
| Government Dental Colleges | As prescribed by the Government |
| Private Self-Financing Medical Colleges | As approved by the Fee Regulatory Committee |
| Management Quota Seats | Higher than Government Quota Seats |
| NRI Quota Seats | Highest 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.
| Category | Reservation 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 Categories | NCC, 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.
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.




