The KMAT Kerala cutoff 2026 sets the minimum score for MBA admissions across Kerala’s management institutes. CEE Kerala has officially declared the qualifying cutoff as 72 marks out of 720 for General, SEBC, and OEC students. Top colleges like Rajagiri and SCMS Cochin are releasing GD-PI shortlisting scores for Session 2 2026 in July 2026.
KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2 result is out as of June 15, 2026. The official qualifying cutoff is 72 marks (General/SEBC/OEC) and 54 marks (SC/ST/PwD) out of 720. College-wise GD-PI shortlisting scores are now being announced for July–August 2026 admissions.
Here is what you need to know about the KMAT Kerala 2026 cutoff:
- The official qualifying cutoff for KMAT Kerala 2026 is 72 marks out of 720 for General, SEBC, and OEC students.
- For SC, ST, and PwD candidates, the qualifying cutoff is 54 marks out of 720.
- 3,603 candidates qualified in Session 2 2026. The exam was held on May 31, 2026.
- Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies and SCMS Cochin typically shortlist candidates at the 90th–95th percentile and above for GD-PI.
- A score of 400 or more out of 720 gives you a strong chance at Kerala’s top MBA colleges.
- The KMAT Kerala exam has 180 questions of 4 marks each. The total is 720 marks, with -1 for wrong answers.
- You can appear in both Session 1 and Session 2. CEE Kerala uses your best score for the merit list.
| Direct Link to Check KMAT Kerala Cutoff 2026 (Out) | KMAT Kerala Session 2 Merit List 2026 (Out) |
| CEE Kerala – KMAT 2026 Session 2 Portal | CEE Kerala – KMAT 2026 Session 1 Portal |
Key Summary
- The KMAT Kerala 2026 qualifying cutoff is out: 72 marks for General/SEBC/OEC and 54 marks for SC/ST/PwD out of 720.
- Session 2 result is out since June 15, 2026; 3,603 of 3,628 candidates qualified.
- Top colleges including Rajagiri and SCMS Cochin are releasing GD-PI shortlisting scores in July 2026.
- Clearing the qualifying cutoff alone is not enough for top colleges – aim for 400 or above to be competitive.
- CEE Kerala does not run centralized allotment for MBA seats; each college conducts its own GD-PI and selection process.
What is KMAT Kerala Cutoff 2026?
The KMAT Kerala cutoff is the minimum score you need to qualify for MBA admissions in Kerala. CEE Kerala sets this qualifying score and publishes it on cee.kerala.gov.in after the exam. You must clear this cutoff to appear on the official merit list.
There are two types of cutoff for KMAT Kerala. The qualifying cutoff is the minimum score CEE Kerala fixes for basic eligibility. The admission cutoff is the minimum score each participating college sets to shortlist you for its GD-PI round. The admission cutoff at top colleges is far higher than the qualifying cutoff.
Previous Year Official KMAT Kerala Cutoff
The table below shows the official qualifying cutoff set by CEE Kerala for the past five years. This cutoff is a policy-based fixed percentage of the total marks (720). It has remained constant across sessions and years.
| Year | General / SEBC / OEC (Qualifying Score) | SC / ST / PwD (Qualifying Score) | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 72 | 54 | 720 |
| 2025 | 72 | 54 | 720 |
| 2024 | 72 | 54 | 720 |
| 2023 | 72 | 54 | 720 |
| 2022 | 72 | 54 | 720 |
Source: CEE Kerala – KMAT 2026 Session 2 Notification
The CEE Kerala qualifying cutoff has stayed at 72 marks for General category students for at least five consecutive years. This is a fixed policy threshold, not a variable. The real competition for seats happens at the college level, where shortlisting scores are significantly higher.
Ques. Is the KMAT Kerala qualifying cutoff the same as the college admission cutoff?
Ans. No. The qualifying cutoff (72 marks for General) is just the minimum to appear on the CEE Kerala merit list. The admission cutoff is what each college sets to shortlist you for GD-PI. Top colleges shortlist only the top 10–15% of qualified candidates. Getting 72 marks is not enough for a seat at Rajagiri or SCMS Cochin.
Ques. Will the KMAT Kerala qualifying cutoff change in 2026?
Ans. CEE Kerala uses a fixed formula. General, SEBC, and OEC students need 72 marks out of 720. SC, ST, and PwD students need 54 marks out of 720. This policy has been in place for many years.
KMAT Kerala Cutoff 2026: Important Dates
The table below lists key events for KMAT Kerala 2026. Upcoming events appear first, followed by events that have already taken place.
| Event | Expected / Actual Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Top College GD-PI Shortlisting (Session 2) | July – August 2026 | In Progress |
| GD-PI Process at Participating Colleges | July – September 2026 | Upcoming |
| Final Admission and Seat Confirmation | September – October 2026 | Upcoming |
| KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 1 Exam | January 2026 | Over |
| KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 1 Result | February 2026 | Over |
| KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2 Exam | May 31, 2026 | Over |
| KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2 Provisional Result | June 15, 2026 | Over |
| Official Qualifying Cutoff Declared by CEE Kerala | June 2026 | Out |
Factors Affecting KMAT Kerala Cutoff 2026
The CEE Kerala qualifying cutoff is a fixed policy minimum. But the college-level admission cutoff shifts every year. Several factors decide how high each college sets its GD-PI shortlisting score.
- Total number of applicants per session: More students in a session pushes competition higher. Session 1 typically draws a larger pool than Session 2.
- Exam difficulty level: A harder question paper lowers raw scores across the board. This can shift which percentile you land in, even if the qualifying minimum stays fixed.
- Number of MBA seats in Kerala: New colleges or extra seats can ease the shortlisting percentile slightly.
- College-specific intake size: A college with 60 seats shortlists fewer students than one with 120 seats. Smaller intake means a higher shortlisting score.
- Score normalization across sessions: CEE Kerala combines Session 1 and Session 2 merit lists. If one session was harder, candidate scores may be recalibrated before ranking.
- Previous year competition trends: Growing MBA demand in Kerala pushes colleges to raise their GD-PI shortlisting threshold each year.
KMAT Kerala 2026: Session-Wise Cutoff
KMAT Kerala 2026 is held in two sessions. You can appear in one or both. CEE Kerala puts your best score on the merit list. The qualifying cutoff applies equally across both sessions.
| Session | Exam Date | Result Date | Qualifying Cutoff (Gen/SEBC/OEC) | Candidates Qualified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | January 2026 | February 2026 | 72 out of 720 | To be updated |
| Session 2 | May 31, 2026 | June 15, 2026 | 72 out of 720 | 3,603 |
Session 1 draws more candidates because it gives a second attempt opportunity before admission season. Session 2 results feed directly into GD-PI shortlisting for July–September admissions. Both sessions carry equal weight in the merit list.
KMAT Kerala Category-Wise Qualifying Cutoff 2026
CEE Kerala sets different qualifying scores for different categories. The table below shows the confirmed qualifying cutoff for KMAT Kerala 2026, applicable to both sessions.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Score (out of 720) |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 72 |
| SEBC (Socially and Educationally Backward Classes) | 72 |
| OEC (Other Eligible Communities) | 72 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 54 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 54 |
| PwD (Persons with Disability) | 54 |
These are the official CEE Kerala qualifying thresholds for 2026. Scoring above 72 or 54 only puts you on the merit list. Each college sets its own GD-PI shortlisting score. This score is much higher than the qualifying minimum.
KMAT Kerala Cutoff for Top Colleges 2026
Each participating college uses the KMAT Kerala merit list to shortlist candidates for its GD-PI round. The shortlisting score varies by college. Top colleges in Kerala set high shortlisting scores. They typically call only the top applicants from the merit list. The table below shows expected shortlisting ranges for 2026, based on previous counselling data.
| College | Location | Approx. GD-PI Shortlisting Percentile | Expected Score Range (out of 720) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies | Kochi | 95th percentile and above | 450 – 560 |
| SCMS Cochin School of Business | Prathap Nagar, Ernakulam | 90th percentile and above | 400 – 520 |
| CUSAT School of Management Studies | Kochi | 80th – 85th percentile | 320 – 420 |
| Amrita School of Business, Kochi | Kochi | 75th – 80th percentile | 280 – 370 |
| Christ College of Management | Irinjalakuda | 65th – 75th percentile | 230 – 320 |
| Toc H Institute of Science and Technology | Ernakulam | 60th – 70th percentile | 200 – 290 |
| Marthoma College of Management and Technology | Ernakulam | 55th – 65th percentile | 180 – 260 |
| St. Thomas Institute for Science and Technology | Thiruvananthapuram | 50th – 60th percentile | 150 – 240 |
These ranges are based on previous counselling trends and are not officially published by CEE Kerala or the individual colleges. Each college announces its own confirmed shortlisting list after the KMAT result. Watch the official website of each college for the confirmed GD-PI call list.
Rajagiri and SCMS Cochin are among the first Kerala MBA colleges releasing Session 2 GD-PI shortlisting scores in July 2026. A score of 400 or above is considered competitive for these colleges based on past trends.
KMAT Kerala Previous Year Cutoff Trends
The official CEE Kerala qualifying cutoff has stayed fixed. The real trend to track is how top college shortlisting percentiles have shifted over the years. The table below tracks the minimum shortlisting percentile at three top colleges over five years.
| Year | Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies (Approx. Shortlisting Percentile) | SCMS Cochin School of Business (Approx. Shortlisting Percentile) | CUSAT School of Management Studies (Approx. Shortlisting Percentile) | Gen Qualifying Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 95th and above | 90th and above | 80th and above | 72 |
| 2024 | 93rd and above | 88th and above | 78th and above | 72 |
| 2023 | 91st and above | 86th and above | 76th and above | 72 |
| 2022 | 89th and above | 84th and above | 74th and above | 72 |
| 2021 | 87th and above | 82nd and above | 72nd and above | 72 |
Rajagiri’s minimum shortlisting percentile rose by about 8 percentile points over five years. SCMS Cochin moved up by around 8 percentile points in the same period. CUSAT saw a rise of about 8 percentile points as well. This consistent upward shift reflects growing MBA interest in Kerala. Top colleges are now shortlisting from a smaller and higher-scoring pool each year.
Ques. Is a high KMAT Kerala score enough for Rajagiri or SCMS Cochin admission?
Ans. No. A high score gets you shortlisted for GD-PI. Your final admission depends on your GD performance, personal interview score, academic record, and relevant work experience. The KMAT Kerala score is one of three or four components in the final selection formula.
Ques. Have KMAT Kerala shortlisting cutoffs been going up every year?
Ans. Yes, the data from top colleges shows a steady rise in the minimum percentile required for GD-PI shortlisting. Rajagiri and SCMS Cochin have moved up by about 8 percentile points over the past five years. This trend is likely to continue in 2026 due to increasing participation.
KMAT Kerala 2026: Score vs Admission Prospects
Your KMAT Kerala score directly determines which colleges you can target. The qualifying cutoff is just the entry point. Use the table below to understand where your score places you in the competition for Kerala MBA seats.
| KMAT Kerala Score (out of 720) | Approximate Merit List Position (Session 2 Pool) | Expected Admission Prospects |
|---|---|---|
| 500 and above | Top 50 ranks | Rajagiri, SCMS Cochin – very strong chances at GD-PI stage |
| 400 – 499 | Approx. top 50 – 200 ranks | Rajagiri, SCMS Cochin, CUSAT – competitive at GD-PI; final outcome depends on interview |
| 300 – 399 | Approx. 200 – 700 ranks | CUSAT, Amrita School of Business, mid-tier Kerala MBA colleges |
| 200 – 299 | Approx. 700 – 1,800 ranks | Christ College, Toc H Institute, most self-financing Kerala MBA colleges |
| 130 – 199 | Approx. 1,800 – 3,000 ranks | Eligible for admission at smaller and newer Kerala management institutes |
| 72 – 129 | Below 3,000 ranks | Meets CEE Kerala qualifying minimum; limited college options |
| Below 72 | Not qualified | Does not appear on CEE Kerala merit list; re-attempt required |
These rank estimates are based on the Session 2 2026 pool of 3,603 qualified candidates. Session 1 has a larger pool, so the same score places you at a different rank. CEE Kerala uses your best score across sessions, so appearing in both improves your merit list position.
KMAT Kerala 2026: College Admission Process
CEE Kerala does not run a centralized allotment for MBA seats. Each participating college conducts its own admission process independently. The process has three main steps after the KMAT result.
- Step 1 – GD-PI Shortlisting: Each college downloads the KMAT Kerala merit list from CEE Kerala. It picks candidates above its own minimum score for GD-PI calls. You may receive multiple college calls if your score is high enough.
- Step 2 – Group Discussion and Personal Interview: The college conducts GD and PI rounds at its own campus. Dates vary across colleges and run from July to September 2026.
- Step 3 – Seat Allotment: The college makes a final merit list from your KMAT, GD, and PI scores. It sends seat offer letters to selected candidates.
Some government-aided colleges also factor in your past academic scores and work experience. Private autonomous institutions may add group activities, essay writing, or case study rounds in addition to standard GD-PI.
Expected KMAT Kerala Cutoff 2026 for College Admissions
The official qualifying cutoff from CEE Kerala is confirmed at 72 marks (General). The college-wise GD-PI shortlisting scores are still emerging for July 2026. Top college shortlisting percentiles have risen by about 2 percentile points per year. Here is what to expect for 2026.
| College | 2025 Approx. Shortlisting Percentile | Expected 2026 Shortlisting Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies | 95th percentile | 95th – 97th percentile |
| SCMS Cochin School of Business | 90th percentile | 90th – 92nd percentile |
| CUSAT School of Management Studies | 80th percentile | 80th – 83rd percentile |
| Amrita School of Business, Kochi | 75th percentile | 75th – 78th percentile |
| Christ College of Management | 65th percentile | 65th – 68th percentile |
These are expected values only. Each college will confirm its shortlisting score once it begins its own admission process. Watch the official websites of these colleges for confirmed GD-PI shortlisting notices in July and August 2026.
How to Check KMAT Kerala Cutoff 2026
The official qualifying cutoff and merit list are available on the CEE Kerala website. Follow these steps to check your status and the official cutoff.
- Visit cee.kerala.gov.in and look for the KMAT 2026 link.
- Click the KMAT 2026 Session 2 portal link to go to cee.kerala.gov.in/kmats22026/.
- Find the notifications section and download the cutoff or merit list PDF.
- Open the PDF and locate your category in the cutoff table.
- Compare your KMAT score with the qualifying cutoff for your category.
- If your score is above the cutoff, search for your name or rank on the merit list PDF.
For college-specific GD-PI shortlisting, check the official website of each college you are targeting. CEE Kerala does not publish individual college shortlisting lists.
KMAT Kerala Cutoff 2026: FAQs
Ques. What is the minimum score to qualify in KMAT Kerala 2026?
Ans. The official qualifying cutoff for KMAT Kerala 2026 is 72 marks out of 720 for General, SEBC, and OEC candidates. For SC, ST, and PwD students, the qualifying cutoff is 54 marks. This has been confirmed by CEE Kerala and is available on cee.kerala.gov.in.
Ques. Is the KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2 result out?
Ans. Yes. The KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2 provisional result was released on June 15, 2026. You can download your scorecard and check the merit list at cee.kerala.gov.in/kmats22026/. A total of 3,603 candidates qualified out of 3,628 who appeared in Session 2.
Ques. What is a good score in KMAT Kerala 2026 for top colleges?
Ans. A score of 400 or above out of 720 is considered competitive for top colleges. For Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies and SCMS Cochin, aim for 450 or above to be safe for GD-PI shortlisting. For CUSAT School of Management Studies, a score around 320 or above gives you a strong chance.
Ques. Does CEE Kerala run centralized allotment for MBA admissions?
Ans. No. CEE Kerala only conducts the exam and publishes the official merit list. Each participating college runs its own GD-PI and admission process independently. There is no single centralized allotment for KMAT Kerala MBA seats, unlike KEAM for engineering courses.
Ques. Can I use my KMAT Kerala score for admissions at Rajagiri and SCMS Cochin?
Ans. Yes. Both Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies and SCMS Cochin School of Business accept KMAT Kerala scores for MBA shortlisting. You need to clear their individual GD-PI shortlisting cutoffs. These colleges also consider CAT, MAT, XAT, and CMAT scores for their own GD-PI rounds. KMAT Kerala is a common path for Kerala-based candidates.
Ques. If I appear in both KMAT Kerala sessions, which score is used?
Ans. CEE Kerala uses your best score across both sessions for the merit list. So if you scored 250 in Session 1 and 380 in Session 2, CEE Kerala lists you with 380. This makes appearing in both sessions a smart strategy if you want to improve your merit rank.
Ques. How does CEE Kerala set the KMAT Kerala qualifying cutoff?
Ans. CEE Kerala uses a fixed policy formula. General, SEBC, and OEC candidates need 72 marks out of 720. SC, ST, and PwD candidates need 54 marks out of 720. Government policy sets this. It does not change based on the number of candidates or exam difficulty.
Ques. When will top colleges announce their KMAT Kerala 2026 GD-PI shortlisting scores?
Ans. Top Kerala MBA colleges are releasing their Session 2 GD-PI shortlisting scores in July 2026. Colleges like Rajagiri and SCMS Cochin typically announce shortlists within two to four weeks of the KMAT result. GD-PI rounds are expected to run from July through September 2026.
Ques. What happens during the KMAT Kerala GD-PI process at top colleges?
Ans. Each college shortlists candidates based on KMAT score. It then calls shortlisted students for a Group Discussion and Personal Interview on its campus. The final merit list is based on your KMAT score, GD marks, PI marks, and academic profile. Some colleges also consider work experience. You must attend each college’s process separately.
Ques. Does KMAT Kerala have sectional cutoffs?
Ans. No. CEE Kerala announces only an overall qualifying cutoff. There are no separate section-wise minimum scores for the merit list. However, some colleges may look at your section-wise scores during GD-PI. They assess your strengths in logical reasoning, quantitative skills, and language ability.
Ques. I scored 150 marks in KMAT Kerala 2026. Which colleges can I target?
Ans. A score of 150 puts you well above the qualifying cutoff. You are unlikely to get shortlisted by Rajagiri or SCMS Cochin, which typically expect scores of 400 and above. However, you have realistic options at Christ College Irinjalakuda, Toc H Institute, and several other Kerala management institutes.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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