Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 is the state-level admission process for MBBS, BDS and other medical and allied courses in Kerala. It is conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala through an online Centralised Allotment Process (CAP) based on the marks you score in NEET UG 2026. The biggest update right now is that NEET UG 2026 has been rescheduled, as the Re-NEET 2026 will be held on June 21, 2026, which is expected to push the Kerala counselling schedule to around August 2026.
- Re-NEET 2026: The NEET UG 2026 re-exam will be held on June 21, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM. The original exam held on May 3, 2026 was cancelled by NTA after a question paper leak.
- NEET Result: The NEET UG 2026 result is expected by late July 2026. Kerala NEET counselling registration can begin only after this result is out.
- Counselling Start: Kerala NEET UG counselling 2026 is expected to begin around August 2026. In 2025, the process started much earlier, in February, but the Re-NEET has delayed the full calendar.
- Seats: Kerala has around 36 medical colleges with more than 5,400 MBBS seats and over 2,000 BDS seats. CEE Kerala fills the 85% state quota seats through this counselling.
Kerala NEET Counselling 2026: Latest Updates
The Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 calendar depends fully on the NEET UG 2026 timeline. Because of the Re-NEET, the entire counselling schedule has shifted later than usual. Here are the latest updates you should know.
- NTA cancelled the NEET UG 2026 exam held on May 3, 2026 after a confirmed question paper leak. The Re-NEET 2026 is now scheduled for 21 June 2026.
- No fresh NEET registration is needed for the re-exam. Existing candidate data carries forward and fresh admit cards will be issued.
- The NEET UG 2026 result is expected by late July 2026, so the Kerala counselling notification is likely to come out only in August 2026.
- CEE Kerala has not yet released the official Kerala NEET counselling 2026 prospectus or schedule. All dates below are expected dates based on the previous year, shifted to match the new NEET timeline.
All counselling dates, seat matrix and cutoff figures for 2026 are still to be announced. You should confirm every date from the official CEE Kerala portal before acting on it.
What is Kerala NEET Counselling 2026?
Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 is the centralised admission process for medical and allied courses in Kerala. The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala conducts it for seats in MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BSMS, BUMS, BVSc and other allied courses. Admission is based on your NEET UG 2026 score, your category and your nativity status.
CEE Kerala manages the 85% state quota seats in government and self-financing colleges. The remaining 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats in government colleges are filled by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) at the national level. So if you want a seat in Kerala under the state quota, you must register for the Kerala counselling separately.
The counselling follows the Centralised Allotment Process (CAP). You register online, fill in your options, and seats are allotted on the basis of merit and reservation. The whole process is online, except for document verification and final reporting at the college. This year the process is delayed because the NEET UG 2026 re-exam will be held on June 21, 2026.
Here is a quick summary of Kerala NEET Counselling 2026.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Counselling Name | Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala |
| Courses Offered | MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BSMS, BUMS, BVSc and allied courses |
| Admission Basis | NEET UG 2026 score and rank |
| Quota Handled | 85% State Quota (government and self-financing colleges) |
| Mode | Online (Centralised Allotment Process) |
| Counselling Start | Expected August 2026 (Soon) |
| Official Website | cee.kerala.gov.in |
Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 Dates
The Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 dates have not been released yet. The schedule is linked to the NEET UG 2026 result, which is expected by late July 2026. Since the Re-NEET 2026 is on June 21, the counselling is likely to start around August 2026.
The table below shows the expected schedule. The upcoming events are listed first, followed by the events that are already over. These dates are based on the previous year and the new NEET timeline. You should treat them as tentative until CEE Kerala publishes the official notification.
| Event | Expected Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| Re-NEET 2026 Exam | 21 June 2026 |
| NEET UG 2026 Result | Late July 2026 |
| Counselling Notification and Prospectus | August 2026 |
| Online Registration and Fee Payment | August 2026 |
| Document Upload | August 2026 |
| Provisional Rank List or Merit List | August 2026 |
| Option or Choice Filling (Round 1) | Late August 2026 |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment | Late August or early September 2026 |
| Round 2 Seat Allotment | September 2026 |
| Mop-Up Round | September or October 2026 |
| Stray Vacancy Round | October 2026 |
| NEET UG 2026 Original Exam | 3 May 2026 (Cancelled) |
The 2025 counselling registration had started as early as February 20, 2025. The 2026 calendar is much later because the original NEET exam was cancelled and the re-exam moved to June 21, 2026.
Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 Eligibility Criteria
You must meet the Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 eligibility criteria to take part in the seat allotment. The rules cover your NEET result, your academic qualification, your age and your nativity status in Kerala.
- NEET Qualification: You must qualify NEET UG 2026 by scoring the minimum required percentile for your category.
- Academic Qualification: You must pass Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Biotechnology, and English as subjects.
- Minimum Marks in Class 12: You need at least 50% marks in PCB taken together for the General category. SC, ST and OBC need 40%, and PwD candidates need 45%.
- Age Limit: You must be at least 17 years old as on December 31, 2026.
- Nationality: You must be an Indian citizen. NRI and OCI candidates can apply for specific quota seats.
The Kerala NEET qualifying percentile follows the national NEET pattern. The table below shows the minimum percentile you need.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Percentile |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50th Percentile |
| OBC / SC / ST | 40th Percentile |
| General-PwD | 45th Percentile |
Nativity Categories in Kerala
Kerala counselling uses nativity categories to decide which seats and reservations you can access. There are three main categories.
- Keralite: You are a person of Kerala origin. Keralite candidates can apply for all seats and get reservation benefits and government seats.
- Non-Keralite Category I (NK-I): You have some connection to Kerala, such as study in Kerala or a parent in state service. You can apply for state merit seats but you do not get reservation benefits.
- Non-Keralite Category II (NK-II): You have limited eligibility and are mostly restricted to private and self-financing college seats.
Reservation benefits like SC, ST, SEBC and EWS apply only to Keralite candidates. Non-Keralite candidates cannot claim these reservations.
Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 Registration Process
The Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 registration will start once CEE Kerala releases the notification. The registration is fully online and you must complete each step carefully to avoid rejection. Here is the step-by-step process.
- Step 1: Visit the official CEE Kerala website at cee.kerala.gov.in and open the NEET UG counselling link.
- Step 2: Complete the new candidate registration with your name, NEET roll number, mobile number and email.
- Step 3: Fill in the online application form with your personal, academic and NEET details.
- Step 4: Select your nativity status, category and any special quota like NRI or minority.
- Step 5: Upload the scanned documents in the required format and size.
- Step 6: Pay the registration fee online through net banking, debit card, credit card or UPI.
- Step 7: Submit the form and download a copy for your records.
After registration, CEE Kerala will publish a provisional rank list. You should check your details in the rank list and raise a complaint if you find any error. The merit list is prepared on the basis of your NEET 2026 marks and your category.
Documents Required for Kerala NEET Counselling 2026
You should keep all your documents ready before the Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 registration opens. Missing or wrong documents can lead to rejection at the verification stage. Here is the list of documents you will need.
- NEET UG 2026 admit card and scorecard or rank letter
- Class 10 certificate as proof of date of birth
- Class 12 mark sheet and pass certificate
- Transfer certificate from the last institution attended
- Nativity or domicile proof for Keralite status
- Category or community certificate, if you are claiming reservation
- Income certificate for EWS, fee concession or special reservation
- Non-creamy layer certificate for SEBC candidates
- PwD certificate, if applicable
- Recent passport size photograph and signature
- Aadhaar card or other valid photo ID
All certificates must be valid and issued by the competent authority. Keep both originals and self-attested copies ready for verification at the college.
Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 Reservation and Quota
The Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 reservation follows the state government rules. Reservation applies only to Keralite candidates. Kerala has more than 28 community categories, which makes the reservation structure quite detailed compared to other states.
The main reservation and quota types are listed below.
- State Merit (SM): Open seats based purely on merit, available to all eligible candidates.
- Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC): Reserved for backward communities of Kerala, with several sub-categories like Ezhava, Muslim, OBH and others.
- Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST): Reserved seats for SC and ST candidates of Kerala.
- Economically Weaker Section (EWS): Reserved for economically weaker forward community candidates.
- Special Reservation: Includes quotas for persons with disabilities, ex-servicemen, sports and other special categories.
- NRI Quota: Available in self-financing colleges for Non-Resident Indian candidates.
- Management and Minority Quota: Available in private and minority-run colleges.
There is also a 15% All India seat share in self-financing colleges that is open to candidates of any state based on NEET rank. But reservation benefits do not apply to Non-Keralite candidates even in these seats.
Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 Seat Matrix
The Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 seat matrix will be released by the Medical Education department along with the prospectus. The 2026 seat matrix is not out yet, so the numbers below are based on the previous year as a reference. You should check the official seat matrix once it is published.
Kerala has around 36 medical colleges offering MBBS. This includes about 14 government colleges and the rest are private non-minority and minority colleges. Here is the approximate seat distribution from the last cycle.
| Course / College Type | Approximate Seats (Previous Year) |
|---|---|
| MBBS - Government Colleges | Around 1,855 seats |
| MBBS - Private and Self-Financing Colleges | Around 3,550 seats |
| Total MBBS Seats | More than 5,400 seats |
| BDS - Dental Colleges | More than 2,000 seats |
In government MBBS colleges, around 15% of seats go to the All India Quota through MCC, and the rest fall under the state quota. In self-financing colleges, the seats are split between state quota, management quota and NRI quota.
The exact seat matrix changes every year based on new colleges and seat approvals. Confirm the final 2026 numbers from the official CEE Kerala notification.
Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 Process and Rounds
The Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 follows the Centralised Allotment Process (CAP). The CAP has several rounds, and seats are allotted in order of merit and your option preferences. Here are the main rounds.
- Trial Allotment: A mock allotment based on the options you fill. This helps you understand your seat chances. You can change your options after this.
- First Round Allotment: The first real allotment based on merit, options and reservation.
- Second Round Allotment: A second round to fill vacant seats and allow upgrades for already allotted candidates.
- Mop-Up Round: A round to fill seats that are still vacant after the first two rounds.
- Stray Vacancy Round: The final round to fill any leftover seats before admission closes.
In the previous year, the special stray round allotment was released as late as December 24, 2025. This shows that the full process can run for several months. After each allotment, you must pay the fee and report to the allotted college within the given time.
CEE Kerala releases the state quota allotment, while the All India Quota allotment is handled separately by the MCC. You can take part in both if you are eligible.
Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 Choice Filling and Seat Allotment
Choice filling is the most important part of Kerala NEET Counselling 2026. You select your preferred colleges and courses in order of priority. The allotment is then done on the basis of your rank, category and the options you fill.
Here is how the choice filling and allotment work.
- Option Registration: You log in and add your preferred college and course combinations in order of choice.
- Priority Order: You should place your most wanted option at the top, because the system tries to give you the highest possible option you qualify for.
- Locking Options: You can edit options until the deadline. After the window closes, the options are locked automatically.
- Seat Allotment: The system allots a seat based on your rank and options. You can check your result on the candidate portal.
- Fee Payment and Reporting: After allotment, you pay the fee and report to the college for admission and document verification.
If you want a better seat, you can choose the upgrade option and wait for the next round. But you should read the rules carefully, because some choices are binding and you may lose your current seat if you do not report.
Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 Fee Structure
The Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 fee has two parts. The first is the counselling registration fee paid to CEE Kerala. The second is the course tuition fee paid to the allotted college. The fees differ for government and self-financing colleges.
The registration or application fee is paid online during the counselling window. A small caution deposit is also charged, which is refundable if you do not get a seat or withdraw before admission.
| Fee Type | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Caution Deposit - General | Around Rs. 500 (refundable) |
| Caution Deposit - SC | Around Rs. 200 (refundable) |
| Government MBBS Tuition | Lower than private, fixed by the state |
| Private / Self-Financing MBBS Tuition | Around Rs. 6.5 lakh to Rs. 9 lakh per year |
| NRI Quota MBBS Tuition | Around Rs. 21 lakh per year and above |
The exact tuition fee for each college is fixed by the state Fee Regulatory Committee. The fee can change every year. You should check the final fee in the official prospectus before you choose a college.
Government college fees are much lower than private college fees. This is why government MBBS seats have the highest competition and the highest cutoff.
Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 Expected Cutoff
The Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 cutoff will be released after the seat allotment rounds. The cutoff is the closing rank or marks at which the last seat is filled in a college and category. It is not out yet, because NEET UG 2026 itself is yet to be held.
The cutoff depends on the exam difficulty, the number of candidates and the seat matrix. CEE Kerala releases the cutoff for the 85% state quota seats, while MCC releases the cutoff for the 15% All India Quota seats.
For reference, the previous year closing marks for government MBBS state quota seats are given below. You can use these as an indicative target, but the 2026 figures may differ.
| Category | Indicative Closing Marks (Govt MBBS, State Quota) |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | Around 610 to 625 marks |
| EWS / OBC / SEBC | Around 590 to 620 marks |
| SC | Around 485 to 520 marks |
| ST | Around 420 to 480 marks |
These are previous-year reference figures only. The official Kerala NEET 2026 cutoff will be released by CEE Kerala after the counselling rounds.
Top Medical Colleges in Kerala
Kerala has many reputed government and private medical colleges. The government colleges are the most preferred because of their low fees and strong clinical exposure. Here are some of the top medical colleges you can target through Kerala NEET Counselling 2026.
| College | Type |
|---|---|
| Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram | Government |
| Government Medical College, Kozhikode | Government |
| Government Medical College, Thrissur | Government |
| Government Medical College, Kottayam | Government |
| Government Medical College, Alappuzha | Government |
| Amrita School of Medicine, Kochi | Private |
| Jubilee Mission Medical College, Thrissur | Private |
The government colleges in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode are usually the first choice for most top-rankers. So their cutoff is the highest in the state every year.
Kerala State Quota vs All India Quota
Many students get confused between the Kerala state quota and the All India Quota (AIQ). Both are filled using NEET marks, but the process and the authority are different. Here is a simple comparison.
| Point | State Quota | All India Quota |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Body | CEE Kerala | MCC |
| Seat Share in Govt Colleges | 85% | 15% |
| Reservation | Kerala state rules | Central rules |
| Nativity Requirement | Yes, for reservation | No domicile rule |
| Registration | cee.kerala.gov.in | mcc.nic.in |
If you are a Kerala candidate, you can register for both. The AIQ helps you get a government seat anywhere in India, while the state quota gives you access to Kerala reservation benefits and lower fees.
You must register separately for each counselling. Qualifying NEET does not register you automatically for either process.
Tips for Kerala NEET Counselling 2026
Good planning helps you get the best possible seat in Kerala NEET Counselling 2026. Here are some simple tips you should follow.
- Keep documents ready: Arrange your nativity, category and income certificates early, as these take time to get.
- Register on time: Do not wait for the last day. Complete your registration and fee payment as soon as the window opens.
- Fill more options: Add as many genuine college and course options as possible to improve your seat chances.
- Use the trial allotment: Study the trial allotment result and adjust your options before the final round.
- Check both quotas: Register for both the state quota and the All India Quota to keep more options open.
- Read the prospectus: Go through the official prospectus carefully to understand the rules on upgrade, fees and reporting.
You should also track the official CEE Kerala website regularly. Since the schedule depends on the Re-NEET 2026 result, the dates can change at short notice.
Source: cee.kerala.gov.in
FAQs
Ques. When will Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 start?
Ans. Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 is expected to start around August 2026. The dates depend on the NEET UG 2026 result, which is expected by late July 2026 after the Re-NEET on June 21, 2026.
Ques. Who conducts Kerala NEET Counselling 2026?
Ans. The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala conducts the Kerala NEET counselling. It handles the 85% state quota seats in government and self-financing colleges through the online Centralised Allotment Process.
Ques. Is NEET required for Kerala MBBS admission 2026?
Ans. Yes, you must qualify NEET UG 2026 for MBBS and BDS admission in Kerala. The Kerala merit list and seat allotment are prepared on the basis of your NEET 2026 marks and category.
Ques. What is the eligibility for Kerala NEET Counselling 2026?
Ans. You must qualify NEET UG 2026 and pass Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English. You also need a minimum of 50% marks in PCB for General category, and you must be at least 17 years old.
Ques. Do I need a nativity certificate for Kerala NEET counselling?
Ans. You need a nativity or domicile proof to claim Keralite status and reservation benefits. Non-Keralite candidates can apply for some seats but they do not get state reservation benefits.
Ques. How many rounds are there in Kerala NEET Counselling 2026?
Ans. Kerala NEET counselling has a trial allotment, a first round, a second round, a mop-up round and a stray vacancy round. Seats left vacant after each round are filled in the next round.
Ques. How many MBBS seats are there in Kerala?
Ans. Kerala has more than 5,400 MBBS seats across around 36 medical colleges. This includes about 14 government colleges and the rest are private and self-financing colleges.
Ques. Is Kerala state quota different from All India Quota?
Ans. Yes, they are different. CEE Kerala fills the 85% state quota seats, while MCC fills the 15% All India Quota seats. You must register separately for each process if you want to take part in both.
Ques. What is the expected cutoff for Kerala government MBBS?
Ans. Based on the previous year, the General category closing marks for government MBBS state quota seats were around 610 to 625. The official 2026 cutoff will be released by CEE Kerala after the counselling rounds.
Ques. What is the counselling fee for Kerala NEET 2026?
Ans. A refundable caution deposit of around Rs. 500 for General and Rs. 200 for SC is charged during registration. The tuition fee is separate and depends on whether the college is government or self-financing.
Ques. Why is Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 delayed this year?
Ans. The original NEET UG 2026 exam on May 3, 2026 was cancelled after a question paper leak. The Re-NEET 2026 is now on June 21, 2026, which has pushed the result and the Kerala counselling schedule to a later date.
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Comments
Found 2 Comments
GMC Thrissur releases the NEET cut-off for the respective categories of students. However, if you have secured a rank of 711 in NEET UG, your chances to get admission in this college is fair. I suggest you to check the cut-off of this college from GMC Thrissur Cut-off.
Yes, if you have not registered for the first round of counseling you are required to have a fresh registration in order to participate in the counseling.