The KEAM registration 2026 has started on January 5, 2026 and will be available till 31st January, 2026. The official KEAM 2026 notification on KEAM Exam dates is expected to be announced probably in February 2026. 

  • The last date to upload Class X Certificate, Date of Birth and Nativity Proof is 06-02-2026, 05:00 PM
  • The last date to upload other required certificates / documents is 07-02-2026, 05:00 PM
  • The KEAM 2026 exam is expected to be in April 2026

The test is conducted by the CEE ( Commissioner for Entrance Examinations) for admission to B.Tech and B.Pharm courses, Department of Higher Education, Govt. of Kerala, through a single window system. Candidates with valid NATA JEE scores are eligible for admission in Architecture and Medical programs under the centralised allotment system managed by CEE.

More than 165 colleges in Kerala, whether government, government-controlled, or private institutions with self-financing programs, take KEAM scores for admission into engineering and pharmacy courses. Each year, almost 80,000 to 1.2 lakh candidates register for KEAM for admission purposes in engineering, pharmacy, architecture, and allied professional courses in Kerala. Candidates must check the official KEAM website for the latest notifications.

Related Links:

Key Summary

  • This KEAM is an entrance examination for undergrad courses in engineering, architecture, and pharmacy in Kerala.
  • The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, conducts this annually.
  • KEAM 2026 would be conducted in the last week of April with the opening of applications in February and with the last date coming by early March.
  • The exam is done on a computer for engineering and pharmacy, covering Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, while architecture admissions rely on NATA.
  • Every year, over 35,000 seats belonging to government and private colleges in Kerala are filled up via KEAM.

What is the KEAM Exam?

  • KEAM is an examination conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, at the state level, for undergraduate professional degree programs.
  • These include courses for engineering, architecture, pharmacy, and medical- MBBS/ BDS.
  • The exam gives admission to various government and private colleges across the state of Kerala.

KEAM Exam 2026 Highlights

Particulars Details
Full Form Kerala Engineering, Architecture, and Medical (KEAM)
Conducting Body Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala
Exam Level State-level
Courses Covered MBBS, BDS, Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Siddha, Unani, Veterinary Science
Application Dates 3rd week of February – 2nd week of March 2026 (Tentative)
Exam Date 4th week of April 2026 (Tentative)
Admit Card Release 2nd week of April 2026 (Tentative)
Result Declaration 2nd week of May 2026 (Tentative)
Engineering Rank List June 2026 (Tentative)
Counseling Start June 2026 (Tentative)
Mode Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Subjects Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Duration 90 minutes per paper
Eligibility Passed HSC with PCB, minimum 50% aggregate, and age ≥17 years by 31 Dec 2026

Check detailed KEAM 2026 Eligibility Criteria

KEAM 2026 Exam Dates (Tentative)

The official schedule for KEAM 2026 is not available yet. Tentative dates are given for reference:

Expected Date Event
January 5th, 2026 Application Start
February 6th, 2026 Application Deadline
7th February, 2026 Document Submission Deadline
Early April 2026 Correction Window
Mid-April 2026 Admit Card Release
Fourth Week of April 2026 Exam Date
Late April – Early May 2026 Answer Key Release
Second Week of May 2026 Results Announcement
Second Week of June 2026 Rank List Release
June – July 2026 Counselling Begins

Ques. When should I apply for KEAM 2026?

Ans. Registration for KEAM 2026 has started on 5th january 2026. Candidates can submit their registration before the tentative deadline of 31st january 2026.

Ques. Is KEAM tougher than JEE?

Ans. JEE is considered challenging as it tests not only conceptual understanding but also critical thinking abilities, whereas KEAM holds more of the formula-based questions with speed and accuracy. An instantly recognised competition of India's toughest exams is JEE Advanced, where the applicant demands the ability to solve problems and to deal effectively with stress.

Ques. How Many Candidates Have Registered for KEAM? (2025–2023)

Ans. The KEAM registration data shows a variation in the number of candidates over the years.

  • In 2023, around 1,78,000 students registered, which dropped by approximately 36% to 1,13,447 in 2024.
  • For 2025, the total registrations go again to 1,43,866, marking an increase of about 27% compared to the previous year.
Year Registered Candidates
2025 97,759 (Engineering) + 46,107 (Pharmacy) = 1,43,866
2024 1,13,447
2023 1,78,000

Ques. How many students will write KEAM 2025?

Ans. The KEAM 2025 exam was attended by 86,549 candidates in the Engineering test out of which 76,230 qualified, while the final rank list for engineering had 67,505 candidates with submitted Plus Two marks. For the Pharmacy examination, 33,304 candidates came from Kerala, with 111 being outside the State.

Statistics of KEAM 2025 Engineering Examination

  • Total Candidates Appeared: 86,549
  • Candidate Qualified: 76,230
  • Candidates in Rank List: 67,505

Statistics of KEAM 2025 Pharmacy Examination

  • Candidates from Kerala: 33,304
  • Candidates Outside Kerala: 111

Ques. Is 20,000 a good rank in KEAM?

Ans. A rank of 20,000 in KEAM is average. Such a rank may give you admission in numerous colleges and courses which are popular in general, outside the top government institutes, depending upon your stream or category. As this is not considered a very good rank, there are still good options available, especially private colleges and certain branches of engineering.

Read More:

KEAM Reappearance Trends (2025–2020)

Year Total Applicants Engineering Appearances Engineering Qualified (Rank List) Pharmacy Appearances Pharmacy Qualified (Rank List) Approx. Qualification Rate (Engg.) Key Trends / Notes
2020 79,200 (combined) 71,742 56,599 50,000 (est.) 44,390 79% COVID reduced appearances; high qualification rate; repeaters low (~15%).
2021 1,05,000 (combined) 73,977 47,629 60,889 48,556 64% Post-COVID recovery; tougher paper; reattempts increased (~20%); 51% female qualifiers.
2022 1,02,066 77,005 50,858 25,000 (est.) 35,000 (est.) 66% Peak appearances; difficult math section; repeaters (~22%); female participation 48%.
2023 ~95,000 (est.) 80,999 49,671 30,000 (est.) 28,000 (est.) 61% Continued growth; 19% of top 100 were repeaters; Ernakulam led top ranks.
2024 1,10,000+ 79,044 52,500 ~35,000 (est.) ~30,000 (est.) 66% CBT shift; easier paper increased qualifiers; 25% top ranks were repeaters; normalization affected ~5%.
2025 ~1,30,000 86,549 76,230 33,425 27,841 88% Record appearances; 50:50 normalization; ~20% repeaters; pharmacy female dominance (65%).

Ques. How many students appeared for KEAM engineering 2025?

Ans. In KEAM 2025, 86,549 students appeared for the engineering entrance exam. Out of these, 76,230 qualified, and the rank list was prepared for 67,505 candidates who submitted their Plus Two marks on time.

Key Figures:

  • Total Applicants: 86,549
  • Qualified Candidates: 76,230
  • Candidates in Rank List: 67,505

Ques. How is the KEAM rank calculated in 2025?

Ans. The rank list for KEAM 2025 will be prepared with weighting factors of 50:50 between normalised scores of the entrance examination and the marks scored in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in the 12th class Board Examination. After normalisation, entrance examination scores are combined with board marks to generate the final rank list.

KEAM 2026 Registration Fees

  • For the period from 2020 to 2025, the gradual increase observed for the KEAM application fees ranged from ₹700 for general candidates to ₹875.
  • An increase was also observed in the fees for Architecture, Medical, and allied courses. Simultaneous application in both groups is costly, with a maximum fees of ₹1,300 in 2025 for candidates taking all the streams.
Year Category 1 Fees (₹) Category 2 Fees (₹)
2025 875 / 375 / Nil 625 / 250 / Nil
2024 875 / 375 / Nil 625 / 250 / Nil
2023 700 / 300 / Nil 500 / 200 / Nil
2022 700 / 300 / Nil 500 / 200 / Nil
2021 700 / 300 / Nil 500 / 200 / Nil
2020 700 / 300 / Nil 500 / 200 / Nil
KEAM Fee Trend
Course Wise Fee KEAM 2026

Source: KEAM Official PDF

Ques. What is the registration fee for KEAM?

Ans. For KEAM 2026, candidates applying for General are required to pay ₹875 and for an SC candidate application fee is ₹375 for Engineering/B.Pharm or both. Candidates would have to pay ₹625 for General and ₹250 for SC if applying for medicine, allied courses, or architecture. Applicants applying to both streams (Engineering/B.Pharm and Medicine/Architecture) shall pay a fee of ₹1,125 for General and ₹500 for SC.

Ques. Is the KEAM option registration fee refundable?

Ans. For KEAM option registration fees, a refund can be processed only in the absence of an allotment. If an allotment is allotted and the applicant does not take admission, the fee shall be non-refundable as a penalty. Candidates eligible for a refund shall provide their bank account details for refund processing through the KEAM Candidate Portal hosted on the Kerala government website.

KEAM Eligibility Criteria 2026

  • For KEAM 2026, candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination with at least 45% marks.
  • Physics and Mathematics are mandatory, and Chemistry is required for engineering courses.
  • Indian citizens, whether from Kerala or other states, are eligible to apply. Candidates must be at least 17 years old by December 31 of the admission year, with no upper age limit.

These are the eligibility criteria for the various courses for your reference.

Course Category Specific Courses Eligibility Criteria
Engineering All BTech courses, including Agri. Engg., Food Technology, Dairy Technology (KAU, KVASU, KUFOS) Passed 10+2 with Physics & Mathematics; Chemistry optional. Minimum 45% aggregate in these subjects.
Pharmacy BPharm Passed 10+2 with English, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology optional.
Architecture BArch Passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics, ≥50% aggregate, or 10+3 Diploma with Mathematics, ≥50% aggregate.
Medical & Allied MBBS, BDS Passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotech & English; ≥50% in PCB combined.

Ques. Who is eligible for KEAM 2026?

Ans. In the case of the KEAM 2026, candidates must be 17 years of age on or before December 31 of the admission year and must have passed Class 12 with at least 45% marks in Physics and Mathematics (Chemistry is considered the optional subject for engineering). Applicants could be Keralite or non-Keralite Indian citizens with no upper age limit.

Ques. How many attempts for KEAM?

Ans. There is no limit on the number of attempts in KEAM. Candidates appearing for the examination a maximum of times, they satisfy the basic eligibility criteria of having attained a minimum of 17 years of age and passing the 10+2 examinations.

KEAM Exam 2026 Reservation Policy

Category Reservation %
State Merit 50%
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in the General Category 10%
Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) 30%
Scheduled Castes (SC) 8%
Scheduled Tribes (ST) 2%
Reservation in KEAM 2026

Source: KEAM Official PDF

Ques. Is there a reservation in KEAM?

Ans. Yes. There are reservations in the KEAM (Kerala Engineering, Architecture, and Medical) entrance examination as are given for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC), Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and minority community quotas. Candidates who claim the said reservations have to attach the original supporting document, like a Community Certificate, while applying online.

Ques. How many government seats are there in KEAM?

Ans. The total government seats in KEAM change every year, depending on courses and the seat matrix published by the Kerala Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE). For exact numbers, candidates should check the official 2025 seat matrix of KEAM or the latest CEE release for the current academic year.

KEAM Exam Pattern 2026

Particulars Details
Exam Subjects Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
Exam Duration Engineering: 180 minutes, Pharmacy: 90 minutes
Question Type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total Questions Engineering: 150 questions (Physics: 45, Chemistry: 30, Mathematics: 75)Pharmacy: 75 questions (Physics: 45, Chemistry: 30)
Marking Scheme +4 marks for correct answer-1 mark for incorrect answer
Total Marks Engineering: 600 marks, Pharmacy: 400 marks

KEAM 2026 Marking Scheme Overview

Criteria Details
Correct Answer +4 marks for each correct response
Incorrect Answer -1 mark for each wrong response
Unanswered Question 0 marks (no penalty)
Total Marks Engineering: 600 marks,Pharmacy: 400 marks

Check: KEAM Exam Pattern

Ques. How is KEAM mark calculated?

Ans. The KEAM ranking system follows a 50:50 weightage method, where equal importance is given to the normalised scores of the KEAM entrance exam and the normalised marks obtained in the Plus Two (Class 12) subjects, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The total index score is calculated out of 600 marks, with 300 marks from the entrance test and 300 marks from the qualifying examination. Scores are standardised and rounded to four decimal places to ensure fairness and precision in the final ranking process.

KEAM Previous Year Questions

Question Paper Download PDF Solution PDF
KEAM 2025 Question Paper (April 29) Download Pdf Check Solutions
KEAM 2025 Question Paper (April 28) Download Pdf Check Solutions
KEAM 2025 Question Paper (April 27) Download Pdf Check Solutions
KEAM 2025 Question Paper (April 26) Download Pdf Check Solutions
KEAM 2025 Question Paper (April 25) Download Pdf Check Solutions
KEAM 2025 Question Paper (April 24 Session 2) Download Pdf Check Solutions
KEAM 2025 Question Paper (April 24 Session 1) Download Pdf Check Solution
KEAM 2025 Question Paper (April 23) Download Pdf Check Solution

What is KEAM Syllabus 2026?

The KEAM Syllabus 2026 has not yet been officially released by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) Kerala on their official website.

  • Once the KEAM Syllabus 2026 is released, you can download the KEAM 2026 syllabus PDF at https://cee.kerala.gov.in/cee/.
  • The KEAM syllabus 2026 includes topics from three subjects: mathematics. physics and chemistry.
KEAM Physics Syllabus Check Here
KEAM Chemistry Syllabus Check Here
KEAM Mathematics Syllabus Check Here

Check: KEAM Syllabus: Check and Download KEAM Syllabus for Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry

Ques. What is the pattern of the KEAM exam 2026?

Ans. As per the probable pattern, the KEAM 2026 exam will feature a single computer-based test with questions classified as multiple-choice. The engineering paper will include 150 MCQs, 75 in Mathematics, 45 in Physics, and 30 in Chemistry, and will be completed in 180 minutes. Candidates will get 4 marks for every correct answer, 1 mark before being deducted for every wrong one, and none if left unanswered.

Details PDF Download
KEAM Syllabus 2024 Download KEAM 2024 Syllabus PDF
Old syllabus not be followed from 2024 onwards Download OLD KEAM Syllabus PDF

KEAM Mock Test 2026

Check: KEAM Preparation Tips

Ques. Is 400-600 a good score in KEAM?

Ans. Typically, a score between 400 and 600 is said to be good, with candidates generally ranked between 20,000 and 5,000. Depending on the branch and category, such scores may admit students to fine government and private engineering colleges. A score above 450, out of 600, would be good, while one above 550 would be excellent with ranks within 1,000 to 5,000.

Ques. KEAM Cutoff 2026 (Expected)

Ans. The KEAM 2026 cutoff is yet to be unveiled. The cutoffs will be announced post the seat allotment rounds by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) Kerala. However, candidates can get a rough idea regarding its expected cutoff by analysing the trends of previous years.

KEAM 2025 cutoff CSE (Expected)

College General EWS OBC (SEBC) SC ST
College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram (CET) ≤ 300 ≤ 450 ≤ 600 ≤ 2,500 ≤ 5,000
Government Engineering College, Thrissur ≤ 550 ≤ 750 ≤ 950 ≤ 3,000 ≤ 5,500
Govt. Model Engineering College, Kochi (MEC) ≤ 1,000 ≤ 1,200 ≤ 1,500 ≤ 3,200 ≤ 5,800
TKM College of Engineering, Kollam ≤ 1,100 ≤ 1,300 ≤ 1,600 ≤ 3,500 ≤ 6,000

KEAM 2025 cutoff ECE (Expected)

College General EWS OBC (SEBC) SC ST
CET, Thiruvananthapuram ≤ 800 ≤ 1,100 ≤ 1,400 ≤ 3,500 ≤ 6,000
GEC Thrissur ≤ 1,200 ≤ 1,500 ≤ 1,900 ≤ 4,000 ≤ 6,500
TKM College of Engineering ≤ 2,000 ≤ 2,400 ≤ 2,800 ≤ 4,500 ≤ 7,000
MEC, Kochi ≤ 1,500 ≤ 1,800 ≤ 2,000 ≤ 4,000 ≤ 6,500

Check: KEAM Cutoff

Ques. How many students qualified for KEAM 2025?

Ans. From the 86,549 students who appeared for KEAM 2025, 76,230 students qualified, and 67,505 were included in the final engineering rank list.

KEAM Exam 2026 Overview FAQs

Ques. What is the normalised score in KEAM?

Ans. Normalisation of scores in KEAM refers to the process of scaling scores obtained in the entrance examination and accounting for differences in difficulty across various days/ shifts so that candidates' scores are comparable and thus are ranked fairly. This score is then merged with the qualifying examination marks to prepare the final rank list.

Ques. How many times is KEAM conducted in a year?

Ans.KEAM is an annual entrance examination held by the Commissioner of Entrance Examinations, Kerala, for admission into professional courses, including Engineering and Pharmacy. The examination is generally held in April, and the dates are given every year. This is an examination held once a year for eligible candidates.

Ques. Was KEAM 2025 tough?

Ans.The exam had varying difficulty levels. Forthe Engineering paper, it was easier to moderate, especially if the candidate had gone through the NCERT syllabus, whereas many found Mathematics to be a bit difficult. The Pharmacy test was generally perceived by candidates to be easier, as per reports in April 2025.

Ques. How to crack KEAM easily?

  • The most important thing is to have a keen knowledge of the KEAM syllabus and exam pattern.
  • Prepare a timetable and go about it by heart.
  • Manage time well for answering the questions and be accurate.
  • Refer to the study materials and books
  • Create notes for yourself.
  • Revise the subject matter frequently.

Ques. How many attempts for KEAM?

Ans.Candidates can take the KEAM (Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical Entrance) exam an unlimited number of times. Candidates are free to take the exam as many times as they desire, subject to certain simple rules such as being 17 years old or more and having passed the 10+2 examinations.

Ques. How many marks are required to clear the KEAM?

Ans. To qualify for the KEAM Rank List and be eligible for admission, candidates must obtain a minimum of 10 marks in each of Paper 1 and Paper 2 of the engineering entrance examination, which is also applicable to engineering and medical entrance examinations.

Ques. How much rank is required for B Pharmacy in KEAM?

Ans. The rank for KEAM B Pharm varies from college to college, so much. So that a top government college like Government Medical College, Kozhikode, would expect ranks below 2,500 from General Category candidates, while the private colleges might go for something in excess of 8,000 ranks. The final cutoff rank depends on the particular institution, the number of seats available, and the category (General, OBC, etc.).

Ques. Is NCERT enough for KEAM?

Ans.No, NCERT alone is generally not enough. While it serves as an important foundation that covers basic concepts, candidates should go an extra mile and prepare from state board textbooks, previous year question papers of KEAM, KEAM sample papers, and mock tests to understand the design of the question and work on speed and accuracy.

Ques. Which all courses come under KEAM?

Ans. There are a number of courses that fall under KEAM, not just Engineering and Pharmacy. The other courses are in the fields of Medical and Medical Allied, namely all B.Tech courses, B.Pharm, MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BUMS, BSMS, BHMS, and B.Sc. Nursing. The examinations provide access to professional courses at the undergraduate level and some postgraduate programs in these disciplines in Kerala.

Ques. Are KEAM Fees refundable?

Ans. KEAM fees can be refunded based on your situation, particularly if you do not get allotment or if the rules of the college provide for a refund after cancellation. Generally, you should fill out an online application for a refund through the Candidate Portal of CEE Kerala, giving your bank details for the credit of the refund.