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.
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
PDF
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
Reservation: SC 8%, ST 2%, SEBC 27%, EWS 10%, 3% PwD, special quotas (sports, NCC, etc.)
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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.
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