.png&w=1920&q=75)
KEAM 2026: Dates, Application, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Cutoff & Counselling
Table of Contents
What is KEAM?
The Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical Entrance Examination (KEAM) is a state-level entrance test conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, for admission to undergraduate programs in engineering, pharmacy, architecture, agriculture, medical, and allied sciences across government, aided, and private institutions in Kerala. Established under the Kerala Educational Institutions Act, KEAM serves as the primary gateway for over 1 lakh aspirants annually, offering seats in more than 150 engineering colleges, 20 pharmacy institutes, and various agricultural/medical programs. While engineering and pharmacy admissions are based on KEAM scores, architecture requires NATA, and medical courses use NEET. The exam ensures a merit-based, centralized allotment process with reservations for Kerala domiciles (85% seats) and open quotas for others.
KEAM 2026 Highlights
KEAM 2026 key details include a computer-based test for engineering/pharmacy, with admissions to other streams via separate exams but centralised counselling.
| Particular | Details |
| Exam Name | Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical Entrance Examination (KEAM) |
| Conducting Body | Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala |
| Exam Level | State Level |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) for Engineering/Pharmacy |
| Total Seats (Approx.) | 20,000+ across UG courses |
| Duration | 180 minutes (Engineering), 90 minutes (Pharmacy) |
| Total Questions | 150 (Engineering), 75 (Pharmacy) |
| Total Marks | 600 (Engineering), 300 (Pharmacy) |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct, –1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted |
| Language | English only |
| Official Website | cee.kerala.gov.in |
KEAM 2026 Important Dates
CEE Kerala announced the tentative KEAM 2026 schedule. The official brochure will confirm exact dates in February 2026.
| Event | Tentative Date |
| Notification Release | February 2026 |
| Online Registration Starts | February 20, 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Application | March 10, 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | March 2026 |
| Admit Card Download | April 10, 2026 |
| KEAM 2026 Exam Date | April 15–21, 2026 (Buffer: April 13, 14, 22, 23) |
| Answer Key Release | May 2026 |
| Result Declaration | June 2026 |
| Counselling Registration | July 2026 |
KEAM 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet CEE's criteria, including nativity for state quota seats. Non-Keralites can apply for open quotas.
- Nationality: Indian citizens; PIO/OCI eligible; foreign nationals via DASA.
- Nativity: Keralites (born/parent domiciled in Kerala); Non-Keralite Category I (studied in Kerala for 4+ years); Non-Keralite Category II (10+2 in Kerala).
- Age Limit: Minimum 17 years as of December 31, 2026; no upper limit.
- Educational Qualification (Engineering): 10+2 with Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry/Biology/Computer Science/Biotechnology (45% aggregate; 40% for reserved).
- Educational Qualification (Pharmacy): 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics (50% aggregate).
- Educational Qualification (Architecture): 10+2 with Mathematics; valid NATA score.
- Appearing Candidates: Eligible if completing 10+2 in 2026.
- Attempts: No limit.
KEAM 2026 Application Form: Step-by-Step Guide
The entire KEAM 2026 registration process is online only on cee.kerala.gov.in. Candidates must complete all steps in one session, including uploading documents and fee payment.
- Visit cee.kerala.gov.in → Click “KEAM 2026 – Candidate Portal”
- Click “New Registration” → Enter name, DOB, mobile, email → Generate Application Number & Password
- Log in → Fill personal, nativity, academic (10th & 12th details), course preferences
- Upload recent passport-size photograph, signature, and required certificates (nativity, caste, income, etc.)
- Pay application fee online (Debit/Credit/Net Banking/UPI/e-Challan)
- Submit and download confirmation page + fee receipt
KEAM 2026 Application Fees
Fees are non-refundable and vary by course and category (2025 fees; expected same for 2026):
| Course | General | SC | ST |
| Engineering/Pharmacy/Both | ₹ 875 | ₹ 375 | Nil |
| Architecture/Medical & Allied/Both | ₹ 625 | ₹ 250 | Nil |
| All courses (Engg + Arch + Medical) | ₹ 1,125 | ₹ 500 | Nil |
Document Specifications for Upload
All images and PDFs must strictly follow CEE guidelines:
| Document | Size | Format | Specific Requirements |
| Passport-size Photograph | 15 KB – 100 KB | JPG/JPEG | Recent colour, white background, 200 × 250 pixels |
| Signature | 10 KB – 100 KB | JPG/JPEG | Black ink on white paper, 150 × 100 pixels |
| Left Thumb Impression | 10 KB – 100 KB | JPG/JPEG | Blue ink, clear print |
| Certificates (Nativity/Caste/Income) | 50 KB – 300 KB | Scanned original, clear and legible |
Application Correction Window & Exam Centres
CEE provides a limited correction facility after registration closes.
- Correction Window: Usually 5–7 days in March 2026. Editable fields include photo, signature, certificates, and academic details. Name, DOB, mobile, email, and course opted cannot be changed.
- Exam Centres: Conducted in all districts of Kerala + Dubai, New Delhi, Mumbai, and select cities in the UAE. Candidates choose their preferred district during registration; the final centre allotted by CEE.
- Special Note: Candidates opting for the Dubai centre pay extra ₹5,000 (non-refundable).
KEAM 2026 Exam Pattern
KEAM 2026 is a computer-based test with separate papers for the Engineering and Pharmacy streams. There is no negative marking for unattempted questions.
| Particular | Engineering | Pharmacy |
| Papers | Paper I: Physics & Chemistry Paper II: Mathematics |
Paper I: Physics & Chemistry only |
| Total Questions | 150 (75+75) | 75 |
| Total Marks | 600 | 300 |
| Duration | 180 minutes (90 min each paper) | 90 minutes |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct, –1 for incorrect | +4 for correct, –1 for incorrect |
KEAM 2026 Detailed Syllabus
The syllabus is exactly the Kerala Higher Secondary (Plus Two) curriculum:
- Physics: Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, EMI, Optics, Modern Physics, Mechanics
- Chemistry: p-block, d-block, Coordination Compounds, Organic Reactions, Thermodynamics, Chemical Kinetics
- Mathematics: Calculus, Vectors & 3D Geometry, Probability, Matrices, Coordinate Geometry
Best Books for KEAM 2026 Preparation
| Subject | Book | Author / Publisher |
| Physics | SCERT Kerala Physics Textbook (Plus One & Two) | SCERT |
| Physics | Objective Physics | DC Pandey (Arihant) |
| Chemistry | SCERT Kerala Chemistry Textbook | SCERT |
| Chemistry | Physical & Organic Chemistry | O.P. Tandon |
| Mathematics | SCERT Kerala Mathematics Textbook | SCERT |
| Mathematics | Mathematics for KEAM | Arihant / Pearson |
| Full Package | 15 Years KEAM Solved Papers | Arihant |
KEAM Cutoff Trends (Last Rank Admitted – General Category, Round 1)
| College & Branch | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| GEC Thrissur – CSE | 850 | 920 | 780 |
| RIT Kottayam – CSE | 1,200 | 1,350 | 1,100 |
| TKM College Kollam – CSE | 1,500 | 1,680 | 1,420 |
| MACE Kothamangalam – CSE | 2,100 | 2,300 | 1,950 |
| Rajagiri School of Engg – CSE | 3,800 | 4,100 | 3,500 |
| Muthoot Institute – CSE | 8,500 | 9,200 | 7,800 |
| SCMS School of Engg – CSE | 12,000 | 13,500 | 11,200 |
Top Engineering Colleges Accepting KEAM 2026 (Approx. Annual Tuition Fee)
| College | Location | Annual Fee (Govt. Quota) |
| Government Engineering College, Thrissur | Thrissur | ₹ 8,000–₹ 15,000 |
| Rajagiri Institute of Technology, Kothamangalam | Kochi | ₹ 75,000–₹ 1 lakh |
| TKM College of Engineering, Kollam | Kollam | ₹ 8,000–₹ 15,000 |
| Model Engineering College, Thrikkakara | Kochi | ₹ 40,000–₹ 60,000 |
| Muthoot Institute of Technology & Science | Varikoli | ₹ 75,000–₹ 1 lakh |
| SCMS School of Engineering & Technology | Ernakulam | ₹ 1–1.5 lakh |
| Mar Athanasius College of Engineering | Kothamangalam | ₹ 8,000–₹ 15,000 |
| Federal Institute of Science & Technology | Angamaly | ₹ 75,000–₹ 1 lakh |
KEAM vs JEE Main vs TNEA vs AP EAMCET vs MHT CET: Quick Comparison
All are state-level engineering entrances, but differ in difficulty, syllabus, and admission scope.
| Parameter | KEAM | JEE Main | TNEA | AP EAMCET | MHT CET |
| State | Kerala | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Maharashtra |
| Syllabus | Kerala +2 only | CBSE 11–12 | TN +2 only | AP/Telangana +2 | Maharashtra +2 |
| Difficulty | Moderate | High | No exam (12th marks) | Moderate–High | Moderate |
| Questions / Marks | 150 / 600 | 75 / 300 | — | 160 / 160 | 150 / 200 |
| Negative Marking | Yes (–1) | Yes (–1) | — | No | Yes (PCM: –1, Bio: 0) |
| Top Colleges | GEC Thrissur, RIT Kottayam, TKM Kollam | NITs/IIITs | Anna Univ, PSG, CEG | JNTU, AU, SVU | COEP, VJTI, ICT |
| Competition Ratio | 1:25 | 1:50+ | 1:15 (12th marks) | 1:30 | 1:40 |
How to Download KEAM 2026 Admit Card
Admit cards are released approximately 10–15 days before the exam only on the official CEE portal.
- Visit cee.kerala.gov.in → Click “KEAM 2026 Candidate Portal”
- Log in using Application Number & Password
- Download and print the admit card in colour on an A4 sheet
- Affix a recent passport-size photograph (same as uploaded)
- Carry admit card + original photo ID (Aadhaar/Voter ID/Passport) to the exam centre
KEAM 2026 Exam Day Instructions
Strict guidelines are enforced by CEE Kerala. Violation leads to disqualification.
- Report 60 minutes before exam time
- Entry closes 30 minutes before start
- Prohibited items: Mobile, calculator, smart watch, notes, bags, and electronic devices
- Dress code: Light clothes, no jackets or large buttons
- Biometric verification (photo + fingerprint) mandatory
- Only a black ballpoint pen is allowed for rough work
KEAM 2026 Result & Rank List
Results are declared in June 2026. Separate rank lists are prepared for Engineering, Pharmacy, Architecture, and Medical streams.
- Engineering rank = KEAM score (50%) + Class 12 PCM normalised score (50%)
- Pharmacy rank based only on KEAM Paper I (Physics & Chemistry)
- Rank list PDF available on cee.kerala.gov.in
- The individual scorecard is downloadable using login credentials
KEAM 2026 Counselling & Seat Allotment
Counselling is fully online and centralised through cee.kerala.gov.in.
- Registration & Option Entry: July 2026
- Trial Allotment → Round 1 → Round 2 → Mop-up/Spot Round
- Seat acceptance fee: ₹10,000–₹30,000 (adjusted in college fee)
- Documents required: KEAM rank card, admit card, 10th & 12th marksheets, nativity certificate, caste/income certificate (if applicable), transfer & conduct certificate
- Reservation: SC 8%, ST 2%, SEBC 27%, EWS 10%, 3% PwD, special quotas (sports, NCC, etc.)
Frequently Asked Questions
- No. Anyone can appear, but 85% seats are reserved for Kerala-domiciled candidates. Non-Keralites can get the remaining 15% open/all-India seats in government and private colleges.
- Yes. Around 30–40% seats in private/self-financing colleges are filled through JEE Main rank under management/all-India quota. Top government colleges (GEC Thrissur, TKM Kollam, etc.) admit only through KEAM.
- Yes, –1 mark for every wrong answer. +4 for correct, 0 for unattempted.
- Final rank = 50% KEAM score + 50% normalised Class 12 PCM aggregate (Physics + Chemistry + Mathematics/Best of Maths/Biology). Class 12 marks matter a lot.
- General category rank under 1,500 is safe for CSE in top government colleges. Rank under 3,000 guarantees CSE in top 10 government/aided colleges.
- Yes, significantly. KEAM is based only on Kerala +2 syllabus, has fewer questions, and is shorter. Toppers usually score 550–580/600.
- Yes. One application covers all courses. You just choose the papers (Engineering: Physics+Chem+Maths; Pharmacy: Physics+Chem only).
- Yes, for claiming Kerala state merit seats. Non-Keralites need only 10+2 passing certificate from Kerala for limited quota.
- Counselling registration and option entry usually begin in the last week of July 2026 after rank list publication.
- Yes. B.Arch admission is based 50% on KEAM rank + 50% on NATA score.
- No electronic devices, calculators, or log tables are permitted.
- Yes. SC/ST candidates with income below ₹2.5 lakh get full fee waiver. SEBC/EWS candidates get partial concession based on income.
- Trial allotment → Round 1 → Round 2 → Mop-up/Spot round (if seats remain). You can upgrade in every round.
- No direct management quota in government colleges. Private/self-financing colleges fill 35–50% seats through management/NRI quota with higher fees.
- GEC Thrissur, TKM College Kollam, Rajagiri Institute Kottayam, MAC Kothamangalam, Model Engineering College Kochi, and College of Engineering Trivandrum (CET) are the best.
- ₹10,000–₹30,000 depending on category and college type. This is adjusted in the first-year tuition fee.
- No, but most students opt for hostel due to limited PG availability. Hostel fee is ₹20,000–₹40,000 per year.
- Yes. You can participate in Round 2 for upgradation. Choose “Yes” for upgradation while paying fee after Round 1.
- Extremely important. 50% weightage is given to normalised PCM marks. Even with high KEAM score, low 12th marks can push your rank down.
- Rajagiri School of Engineering (Kochi), Muthoot Institute (Varikoli), SCMS (Ernakulam), Federal Institute (Angamaly), and Amal Jyothi (Kanjirappally) are highly reputed.
- Yes. A centre is available in Dubai for NRK candidates. Extra fee of ₹5,000 applies.
- No limit. You can appear every year until you secure the desired college and branch.
- Yes, 90–95% questions come directly from Kerala SCERT +1 & +2 textbooks. Supplement with previous-year papers and objective books for speed.
