KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2 GD-PI shortlisting cutoff for SEBC students at top colleges is expected between the 85th and 93rd percentile, with the official CEE Kerala minimum qualifying score set at 72 marks out of 720.

The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala uses KMAT Kerala scores to shortlist students for Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GD-PI) rounds at over 150 participating MBA colleges. Session 2 2026 results are expected by mid-July on the official portal at cee.kerala.gov.in. After result declaration, each college independently announces its own GD-PI shortlisting percentile for SEBC and other category students.

  • KMAT Kerala 2026 has 180 questions carrying 720 marks total (+4 per correct answer; –1 per wrong answer).
  • CEE Kerala mandates a minimum qualifying score of 72 marks (10th percentile) for SEBC students to be eligible for college-level shortlisting.
  • Top MBA colleges in Kerala set their own SEBC GD-PI thresholds — typically the 85th to 93rd percentile, based on 2025 Session 2 trends.
  • SEBC covers three main communities in Kerala: Ezhava and related communities (8% seats), Muslim community (7% seats), and Latin Catholic/SIUC Nairs (1% seats), forming roughly 16–20% of management seats in total.
  • Students scoring at or above a college’s SEBC cutoff receive GD-PI call letters directly to their registered email and mobile number.
Direct Link to KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2 Score Card and GD-PI Shortlist (UPCOMING)cee.kerala.gov.in

KMAT Kerala SEBC GD-PI Shortlisting — How It Works

CEE Kerala operates a two-tier cutoff system for KMAT Kerala GD-PI shortlisting. First, a minimum qualifying score — 72 marks out of 720 for SEBC students — is prescribed by the conducting body. Only students who cross this floor appear on the official rank list shared with colleges. Second, each participating MBA college reviews the rank list and announces its own, typically much higher, GD-PI shortlisting percentile for each reserved category.

SEBC status must be registered at the time of KMAT Kerala 2026 application using a valid community certificate issued by the Village Officer or equivalent competent authority. CEE Kerala classifies SEBC students into three sub-streams: Ezhava and related communities, Muslim community, and Latin Catholic/SIUC Nairs, each holding a separate seat quota.

  • Minimum qualifying score for SEBC: 72 marks out of 720; general category minimum: 144 marks
  • SEBC community certificate must be issued by a competent authority (Village Officer or above)
  • Both Session 1 and Session 2 scores are valid for 2026 MBA admissions; students may apply using whichever is higher
  • GD-PI rounds are conducted independently by each college; CEE Kerala provides only the score and rank list

KMAT Kerala 2025 Session 2 GD-PI Cutoff for SEBC — Previous Year Reference

The table below shows approximate KMAT Kerala Session 2 GD-PI shortlisting percentiles for SEBC students at major Kerala MBA colleges in 2025. These figures help you benchmark where your score currently stands relative to shortlisting thresholds.

College City SEBC GD-PI Cutoff 2025 Session 2 (Approx. Percentile) General Category Cutoff 2025 (Approx. Percentile)
Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies Kalamassery 88–92 95
School of Management Studies, CUSAT Kochi 86–90 93
SCMS Cochin School of Business Prathap Nagar 83–88 90
Amrita School of Business Kochi 78–84 86
Institute of Management in Kerala (IMK) Thiruvananthapuram 76–82 84
TKM Institute of Management Kollam 72–78 80
Albertian Institute of Management Studies Kochi 68–75 76
Christ College (Arts and Science), Irinjalakuda Thrissur 65–72 73

All percentile figures are approximate and based on 2025 Session 2 trend data. Verify with the official notification of each college for precise shortlisting thresholds.


KMAT Kerala 2026 Expected Session 2 GD-PI Cutoff for SEBC — College-Wise

Based on 2025 Session 2 trends, the expected KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2 GD-PI cutoff for SEBC students is projected to shift 1–3 percentile points higher at most colleges, driven by growing applicant numbers and increasingly competitive scoring. The table below provides expected college-wise cutoffs for SEBC shortlisting in Session 2 2026.

College City Expected SEBC GD-PI Cutoff 2026 Session 2 (Percentile) Expected General Category Cutoff 2026 (Percentile)
Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies Kalamassery 89–93 95–97
School of Management Studies, CUSAT Kochi 87–91 93–95
SCMS Cochin School of Business Prathap Nagar 84–89 91–93
Amrita School of Business Kochi 79–85 87–90
Institute of Management in Kerala (IMK) Thiruvananthapuram 77–83 85–88
TKM Institute of Management Kollam 73–79 81–84
Albertian Institute of Management Studies Kochi 69–76 77–80
Christ College (Arts and Science), Irinjalakuda Thrissur 66–73 74–77

All figures above are expected cutoffs based on 2025 Session 2 trends. Actual shortlisting percentiles will be published by individual colleges after CEE Kerala releases KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2 scores.

SEBC students targeting the three most competitive colleges — Rajagiri, CUSAT SMS and SCMS Cochin — should aim for a percentile above 89. For mid-tier colleges such as Amrita School of Business and IMK, securing a percentile of 79 or above as an SEBC student gives a strong chance of GD-PI shortlisting based on current year-on-year trends.


Factors Affecting KMAT Kerala SEBC GD-PI Cutoff 2026

Several variables determine how the SEBC GD-PI shortlisting percentile moves from one session to the next:

  • SEBC applicant pool size — a larger pool of SEBC students competing for the same reserved seats pushes the shortlisting percentile up.
  • Session 2 paper difficulty — an easier paper raises average scores across the board and compresses the score distribution at the top, lifting the effective percentile cutoff; a tougher paper spreads scores and brings cutoffs down.
  • Number of SEBC seats at each college — institutes with fewer SEBC reserved seats shortlist a smaller absolute number of students, which tightens the percentile threshold.
  • Unfilled SEBC seats from prior sessions — colleges that had vacant SEBC seats in 2025 may broaden their 2026 shortlist, easing the cutoff slightly to attract more interview-round participants.
  • CEE Kerala score normalisation — percentile scores are normalised across Session 1 and Session 2 to ensure equitable comparison; the final published percentile may differ from a student’s raw-score-based estimate.
Factor Likely Effect on SEBC Cutoff
More SEBC students appear for Session 2 Cutoff percentile rises
Easier Session 2 question paper Cutoff percentile rises
Fewer SEBC seats at a college Cutoff percentile rises
Unfilled SEBC seats from 2025 or Session 1 Cutoff percentile eases
Tougher Session 2 question paper Cutoff percentile eases

KMAT Kerala GD-PI SEBC Cutoff 2026 FAQs

Ques. What is the expected KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2 GD-PI cutoff for SEBC students?

Ans. Based on 2025 Session 2 trends, the expected KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2 GD-PI cutoff for SEBC students ranges from the 66th to the 93rd percentile depending on the college. Top-tier institutes such as Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies are expected to shortlist SEBC students at around the 89th–93rd percentile, while mid-tier colleges such as TKM Institute of Management may shortlist from around the 73rd–79th percentile.

Ques. What is the minimum KMAT Kerala score required for SEBC students to be eligible for college shortlisting?

Ans. CEE Kerala prescribes a minimum qualifying score of 72 marks out of 720 (approximately the 10th percentile) for SEBC students. Students who cross this floor are included in the official rank list forwarded to participating colleges, which then apply their own higher shortlisting thresholds for GD-PI rounds.

Ques. How does the KMAT Kerala SEBC GD-PI cutoff differ from the general category cutoff?

Ans. The SEBC GD-PI shortlisting percentile is typically 3–7 percentile points lower than the general category cutoff at each college. For example, a college that sets its general category cutoff at the 95th percentile may shortlist SEBC students from the 89th percentile, based on 2025 Session 2 data.

Ques. Where will KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2 GD-PI shortlisting lists be published?

Ans. CEE Kerala releases the official KMAT Kerala score and rank list on cee.kerala.gov.in. Each participating college then independently publishes its GD-PI shortlisting list on its own official website. Students should monitor both the CEE Kerala portal and their target college websites after Session 2 results are declared.

Ques. Can SEBC students also compete under the general merit list for KMAT Kerala 2026 MBA admissions?

Ans. Yes. If your KMAT Kerala 2026 percentile meets the general category GD-PI cutoff at a college, you will be considered under general merit regardless of your SEBC status. SEBC reservation benefits apply only to the seats specifically set aside for the SEBC quota at each college.