

The Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical (KEAM) 2026 exam is a state-level entrance examination conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala. KEAM 2026 is the primary gateway for admission into BTech, BArch, BPharm, Medical and Allied Health Science courses offered by government and private colleges in Kerala.
Every year, over 1 lakh students appear for KEAM, making it one of the most competitive state entrance exams in India. If you are planning to study engineering, pharmacy, or architecture in Kerala, this KEAM 2026 guide will give you everything you need to know—from application to admission.
Table of Contents
- What is KEAM 2026?
- KEAM 2026 Important Dates (Tentative)
- Eligibility Criteria for KEAM 2026
- How to Apply for KEAM 2026
- KEAM 2026 Exam Pattern
- KEAM 2026 Syllabus
- KEAM 2026 Admit Card
- KEAM 2026 Result and Merit List
- KEAM 2026 Counselling Process (Centralised Allotment Process – CAP)
- KEAM Engineering Cut Off: Past Trends and Expected 2026 (General Category)
- KEAM 2026 Preparation Tips
- Why Choose KEAM for Engineering Admission?
What is KEAM 2026?
KEAM 2026 is an entrance examination used to prepare merit lists for undergraduate professional courses in Kerala.
The exam is conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode and evaluates a candidate’s knowledge in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
Courses Offered Through KEAM 2026
BTech (Engineering)
BPharm
BArch (NATA score required)
Medical and Allied Courses (Merit prepared using NEET scores)
KEAM 2026 Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| KEAM 2026 Notification | February 2026 |
| Online Application Start | February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | March 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | April 2026 |
| KEAM 2026 Exam Date | April–May 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | May 2026 |
| Result Declaration | June 2026 |
| Counselling (CAP) Begins | July 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria for KEAM 2026
Before applying for KEAM 2026, candidates must satisfy the following eligibility conditions:
Educational Qualification
Must have passed Class 12 (10+2) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
Minimum 45% aggregate marks (40% for reserved categories)
Age Limit
Candidate must be at least 17 years old as of December 31, 2026
No upper age limit
Nativity Criteria
Keralite
Non-Keralite Category I (NK-I)
Non-Keralite Category II (NK-II)
How to Apply for KEAM 2026
The KEAM 2026 application form will be available online at the official CEE Kerala website.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Online registration
Fill personal and academic details
Upload photograph, signature and documents
Pay KEAM 2026 application fee
Submit and download confirmation page
Application Fee (Expected)
General: ₹875
SC/ST: ₹375
Architecture (additional): ₹500
KEAM 2026 Exam Pattern
Understanding the KEAM exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation.
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 45 | 180 |
| Chemistry | 45 | 180 |
| Mathematics | 90 | 360 |
| Total | 180 | 720 |
Exam Duration: 3 hours
Question Type: MCQs
Marking Scheme: +4 for correct, –1 for incorrect
KEAM 2026 Syllabus
The KEAM 2026 syllabus is strictly based on Class 11 and 12 NCERT curriculum.
Subject-wise Syllabus Overview
Physics
Mechanics
Heat and Thermodynamics
Optics
Electricity and Magnetism
Modern Physics
Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Chemical Bonding
Thermodynamics
Mathematics
Algebra
Calculus
Trigonometry
Coordinate Geometry
Probability and Statistics
KEAM 2026 Admit Card
The KEAM 2026 admit card will be released online by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala a few days before the exam date. Candidates can download the admit card by logging into the official KEAM portal using their application number and password.
The admit card is a mandatory document for appearing in the KEAM 2026 examination. No candidate will be allowed to enter the exam centre without a valid admit card.
Details Mentioned on KEAM 2026 Admit Card
The KEAM admit card will contain the following important information:
Candidate’s name, photograph, and roll number
KEAM 2026 exam date and reporting time
Complete address of the allotted test centre
Subject-wise exam schedule
Important exam day instructions and guidelines
Candidates must carefully verify all details on the admit card. In case of any discrepancy, they should immediately contact CEE Kerala for correction.
Documents Required at Exam Centre
Printed copy of KEAM 2026 admit card
Valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, or Passport)
KEAM 2026 Result and Merit List
The KEAM 2026 result will be declared online in the form of a scorecard on the official website of CEE Kerala. Candidates can check their result by logging in with their credentials.
The scorecard will display:
Subject-wise marks obtained
Total KEAM score
Qualifying status
KEAM 2026 Merit List Preparation
CEE Kerala prepares a normalized rank list to ensure fairness among all candidates. The final KEAM rank is calculated by giving equal weightage (50:50) to:
KEAM 2026 entrance exam marks
Class 12 (Plus Two) marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
Separate rank lists are prepared for different courses:
Engineering rank list
Pharmacy rank list
Architecture rank list (based on NATA score)
Medical and Allied courses rank list (based on NEET score)
Only candidates included in the KEAM merit list are eligible to participate in the counselling process.
KEAM 2026 Counselling Process (Centralised Allotment Process – CAP)
The KEAM 2026 counselling process is conducted through the Centralised Allotment Process (CAP), which is completely online and transparent. All eligible candidates must register for CAP to secure admission in participating colleges.
Step-by-Step KEAM Counselling Process
Online Registration – Candidates register for CAP using their KEAM login credentials.
Document Verification – Verification of certificates such as Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, category certificate, nativity certificate, etc.
Choice Filling – Candidates select and arrange preferred colleges and courses in order of priority.
Seat Allotment Rounds – Seats are allotted in multiple rounds based on rank, choices filled, reservation policy, and seat availability.
Fee Payment – Candidates must pay the admission fee to confirm the allotted seat.
Reporting to College – Final reporting to the allotted institute for admission confirmation.
Seat allotment depends on KEAM rank, category, college preference, and availability of seats.
KEAM Engineering Cut Off: Past Trends and Expected 2026 (General Category)
The KEAM 2026 cutoff refers to the minimum rank required to secure admission to a particular course and college. Cutoff ranks vary every year and are released after each counselling round.
| College / Category | Branch | 2024 Cut Off | Expected 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CET, Trivandrum | CSE | 1 – 1100 | 1 – 1000 |
| CET, Trivandrum | Mechanical | 2300 – 4000 | 2000 – 3800 |
| GEC Thrissur | CSE | 1400 – 3000 | 1300 – 2800 |
| GEC Thrissur | Electrical | 4000 – 6200 | 3800 – 6000 |
| TKM College, Kollam | CSE | 2600 – 5000 | 2400 – 4800 |
| TKM College, Kollam | Mechanical | 6000 – 10500 | 5800 – 10000 |
| GEC Barton Hill | Civil | 8800 – 14500 | 8500 – 14000 |
| GEC Kozhikode | Mechanical | 12500 – 18500 | 12000 – 18000 |
| Top Private Colleges | All Branches | 16000 – 32000 | 15000 – 30000 |
| Other Private Colleges | All Branches | 33000 – 75000 | 30000 – 100000+ |
Note:
Cutoffs vary by category, counselling round, and seat availability.
Government colleges consistently have higher cutoff ranks than private colleges.
Actual KEAM 2026 cutoffs may change based on exam difficulty and number of applicants.
KEAM 2026 Preparation Tips
A well-planned preparation strategy is essential to score a good rank in KEAM 2026.
Subject-wise Preparation Strategy
Follow NCERT textbooks strictly, as most questions are based on NCERT concepts.
Mathematics carries 50% weightage, so allocate more study time to calculus, algebra, and coordinate geometry.
Practice previous year KEAM question papers to understand exam trends and difficulty level.
Attempt full-length mock tests regularly to improve speed, accuracy, and time management.
Revise important formulas, reactions, and concepts on a weekly basis to strengthen retention.
Consistency, revision, and regular practice are key to cracking KEAM with a high rank.
Why Choose KEAM for Engineering Admission?
KEAM is one of the most preferred state-level engineering entrance exams due to its structured admission process and quality education opportunities.
Benefits of KEAM
Admission to top government and aided engineering colleges in Kerala
Transparent and merit-based counselling process
Affordable tuition fees compared to national-level private institutions
Availability of multiple engineering and pharmacy specializations
Strong academic reputation and placement opportunities