KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2 GD-PI Cutoff for SC and ST Candidates

The expected KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2 GD-PI cutoff for SC and ST students is around 95 to 100 marks out of 720, based on 2024 shortlisting data which recorded a qualifying score of 95 for the SC and ST category.

KMAT Kerala is a state-level MBA entrance test conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, for admission to MBA programs in affiliated colleges across the state. After each session’s written test, CEE Kerala and participating colleges shortlist students category-wise for Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds. SC and ST students benefit from a lower shortlisting threshold than general and SEBC category students. Session 2 GD-PI rounds for 2026 are expected to begin from July 2026 onwards, following result declaration around July 13, 2026.

• Expected SC and ST GD-PI shortlisting cutoff for KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2: 95 to 100 marks out of 720, based on 2023 and 2024 trends.
• The statutory minimum qualifying score for SC, ST, and PwD is 54 marks (7.5% of 720) — students below this score are not eligible for GD-PI shortlisting.
• General category shortlisting threshold is expected around 108 to 120 marks; SEBC around 72 to 80 marks.
• KMAT Kerala 2026 has 180 questions worth 4 marks each — total 720 marks. Each wrong answer carries a -1 mark penalty.
• Final selection weightage: 80% written test score, 10% GD, 10% PI as per CEE Kerala’s prescribed formula.

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KMAT Kerala GD-PI Shortlisting Process

CEE Kerala releases a category-wise GD-PI shortlist after declaring results for each KMAT Kerala session. Students in the General, SEBC, SC, and ST categories each have a different minimum score threshold. Only those who meet or exceed the threshold for their category are called for Group Discussion and Personal Interview at the allotted college.

The KMAT Kerala written test carries 720 marks across 180 MCQ questions at 4 marks per correct answer. A wrong answer deducts 1 mark. The GD-PI shortlisting score is a raw mark on this 720-mark scale. SC and ST students are shortlisted at a lower score under Kerala’s reservation policy. The statutory floor for SC, ST, and PwD is 54 marks (7.5% of 720), but the actual GD-PI shortlisting cutoff is higher in competitive sessions, as colleges shortlist a fixed multiple of available reserved seats.

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Expected KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2 GD-PI Cutoff for SC and ST

The table below shows projected category-wise GD-PI shortlisting scores for KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2. These are expected figures based on 2023 and 2024 data. CEE Kerala will release the official cutoff after Session 2 results are declared.

SC students who aim for admission at competitive Kerala B-schools should note that the average score of SC students who received seats in 2024 ranged between 320 and 380 marks. Clearing the GD-PI shortlisting cutoff is a necessary first step, but a higher written test score directly improves final merit rank since it carries 80% weight.

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Previous Year KMAT Kerala GD-PI Cutoff Trends for SC and ST

The table below captures the observed GD-PI shortlisting scores for SC and ST students across recent KMAT Kerala sessions. These serve as the basis for 2026 Session 2 projections.

The SC and ST minimum shortlisting score rose from 92 in 2023 to 95 in 2024, showing a gradual upward trend. If this trajectory continues, the 2026 Session 2 cutoff for SC and ST could reach 95 to 100 marks. Students scoring 130 marks or above (approximately the 95th percentile) stand a significantly stronger chance of GD-PI shortlisting and subsequent allotment.

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Factors Affecting KMAT Kerala GD-PI Cutoff for SC and ST

Several variables influence where the actual shortlisting cutoff falls for any given KMAT Kerala session:

• Total SC and ST applicants: A larger pool from these categories increases competition and can push the cutoff upward.
• Paper difficulty: A harder written test lowers overall scores across categories and tends to bring the cutoff down.
• Reserved seats available: Colleges with a higher number of SC and ST MBA seats can widen the shortlist, keeping the cutoff stable or lower.
• CEE Kerala shortlisting ratio: The authority decides how many multiples of reserved seats to shortlist for GD-PI. A higher multiple results in a lower score qualifying.
• Reservation policy revisions: Any change by the Kerala government to reservation percentages for MBA admissions directly shifts the category-wise cutoff.

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After the GD-PI Shortlist: KMAT Kerala 2026 Selection Process

Clearing the minimum shortlisting score is only the first step toward MBA admission. Here is what follows once the Session 2 shortlist is published:

1. Download the GD-PI call letter from cee.kerala.gov.in using your application number. Carry a printout and valid photo ID to the venue.
2. Group Discussion: Attend the GD at your allotted college. Performance contributes 10% to your final merit score.
3. Personal Interview: The PI is conducted after the GD and also carries 10% weight in the final score.
4. Final merit list: CEE Kerala prepares a category-wise merit list combining 80% written test score, 10% GD, and 10% PI.
5. Seat allotment: Allotment is based on your merit rank and college preferences. SC and ST seats are filled separately from the respective category merit lists.

Since the written test accounts for 80% of the final score, students who score well above the GD-PI cutoff hold a decisive advantage and face a lower risk of losing a seat in later allotment rounds.