ST category students who appeared for Kerala MCA 2026 can expect a cutoff in the range of 45–60 marks out of 120, based on 2025 exam trends — well below the General (State Merit) category cutoff of 70–85 marks.

Kerala MCA 2026 was conducted by LBS Centre for Science and Technology on June 28, 2026. The category-wise rank list and cutoffs are expected around July 3, 2026 on the official LBS portal. ST students are ranked separately on the ST merit list and compete only among themselves for the 2% seats reserved under the ST quota, which historically results in a more relaxed cutoff compared to the General category.

  • Exam conducted on June 28, 2026 by LBS Centre for Science and Technology, Kerala.
  • Total marks: 120 (120 questions, +1 for correct, no negative marking).
  • ST category reservation: 2% of total available seats.
  • Expected ST category cutoff: 45–60 marks out of 120 (based on 2025 trends).
  • Kerala MCA 2026 rank list expected around July 3, 2026 at the official LBS portal.
Direct Link to Kerala MCA 2026 Rank List (Expected July 3, 2026)
lbsapplications.kerala.gov.in/mca2026/

Kerala MCA 2026 ST Category Cutoff — Key Highlights

The table below summarises the essential details ST category students need to know before the rank list is published.

Detail Information
Conducting Body LBS Centre for Science and Technology, Kerala
Exam Date June 28, 2026
Exam Mode OMR-based (offline)
Total Marks 120
Marking Scheme +1 for correct; no negative marking
ST Category Reservation 2% of total seats
Expected ST Cutoff Marks (2026) 45–60 out of 120 (based on 2025 trends)
Rank List Expected Around July 3, 2026
Allotment Mode Centralised online allotment via LBS portal
Official Portal lbsapplications.kerala.gov.in/mca2026/

Expected Category-wise Cutoff for Kerala MCA 2026

The ST category cutoff for Kerala MCA 2026 is expected to be the lowest among all categories because ST students are evaluated on a separate merit list with only 2% of seats at stake. The estimates below are based on 2025 exam trends.

Category Expected Cutoff Marks (out of 120) Basis
State Merit (General) 70–85 Based on 2025 trends
SEBC 62–75 Based on 2025 trends
SC 52–65 Based on 2025 trends
ST 45–60 Based on 2025 trends
PWD Horizontal reservation — 3% of seats across categories Separate merit list

All figures are expected estimates labelled accordingly. Actual cutoffs will be confirmed when LBS publishes the official rank list around July 3, 2026.


ST Category Reservation in Kerala MCA 2026

ST students are allocated 2% of total seats in Kerala MCA 2026 under the centralised allotment conducted by LBS Centre. A separate ST merit list is published; only students who have declared ST status and submitted valid community certificates are ranked on this list. This ring-fenced competition means an ST student with a relatively modest score can secure admission, provided they rank within the ST closing rank of their preferred college.

The complete reservation structure for Kerala MCA 2026 is shown below:

Category Reservation (%)
State Merit (General) 50%
SEBC (OBC) 30%
Ezhava 9%
Muslim 8%
SC 8%
ST 2%
PWD 3% (horizontal, across categories)

If reserved ST seats remain unfilled after all allotment rounds, LBS Centre may open them to SC or other eligible categories as per prevailing rules. ST students can also compete for General (State Merit) seats if their overall rank is competitive enough — whichever path yields better college or branch options.


Factors Affecting Kerala MCA 2026 Cutoff

Several variables will shape the final ST category cutoff once LBS releases the rank list. Understanding these helps set realistic expectations:

  • Exam difficulty in 2026: A tougher paper reduces overall scores across all students and generally pulls cutoffs downward for every category.
  • Number of ST applicants who qualify: Higher ST participation and more qualifiers intensify competition within the ST quota, nudging the cutoff upward.
  • Total ST seats available: The count of ST-reserved seats across all participating colleges determines how deep into the ST merit list allotments extend.
  • College and city preference patterns: Heavy demand for Thiruvananthapuram or Ernakulam colleges can raise college-level cutoffs within the ST list even when overall ST cutoffs remain relaxed.
  • Previous year closing ranks: The 2025 and 2024 ST category closing ranks serve as the reference baseline for 2026 predictions.

How to Check Kerala MCA 2026 Rank List

LBS Centre will publish the Kerala MCA 2026 rank list, including the separate ST merit list, at lbsapplications.kerala.gov.in/mca2026/ around July 3, 2026. Follow these steps to access your rank and category rank:

  1. Open the official portal: lbsapplications.kerala.gov.in/mca2026/.
  2. Click the Rank List or Result link displayed on the homepage after the announcement date.
  3. Enter your application number and date of birth in the fields provided.
  4. Click Submit to view your overall rank, ST category rank, and entrance score.
  5. Download and save the rank card — you will need it for option entry and college allotment.

Your ST category rank will appear explicitly on the rank card. Use this rank during option entry to select preferred colleges. A lower ST category rank number means a stronger position within the ST merit list.

Kerala MCA 2026 ST Category Cutoff FAQs

Ques. What is the expected cutoff for ST category in Kerala MCA 2026?

Ans. Based on 2025 exam trends, the expected cutoff for ST category in Kerala MCA 2026 is approximately 45–60 marks out of 120. These are estimated figures and will be confirmed once the official rank list is published around July 3, 2026.

Ques. How many seats are reserved for ST students in Kerala MCA 2026?

Ans. ST students are allocated 2% of the total seats in the Kerala MCA 2026 centralised allotment. They appear on a separate ST merit list and compete only among themselves for these reserved seats.

Ques. What is the total marks of the Kerala MCA 2026 entrance exam?

Ans. The Kerala MCA 2026 entrance exam is out of 120 marks. There are 120 objective-type questions, each carrying 1 mark, and there is no negative marking for wrong answers.

Ques. Is the Kerala MCA cutoff expressed as marks or rank?

Ans. The Kerala MCA cutoff is rank-based. LBS Centre publishes a category-wise rank list, and the closing rank in the final allotment round determines the effective cutoff for each category, including ST.

Ques. Can an ST student compete for General (State Merit) seats in Kerala MCA 2026?

Ans. Yes. ST students are ranked on the overall merit list as well. If their overall rank is strong enough, they can secure a seat under the State Merit (General) quota. They retain the option to avail the ST quota simultaneously, whichever offers a better college or branch.

Ques. What happens if ST seats in Kerala MCA 2026 go unfilled?

Ans. If ST-reserved seats remain vacant after all allotment rounds, LBS Centre may convert them to SC or other eligible categories as per the prevailing government rules for that year.