Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 is conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, for admission to MBBS and BDS courses in Government Medical and Dental Colleges, Self-Financing Medical and Dental Colleges, and NRI quota seats across the state, based on the Kerala State Medical Rank List prepared from NEET UG 2026 scores. This counselling falls under the broader KEAM 2026 admission process, but for MBBS and BDS, seats are allotted purely on NEET UG 2026 rank, not on any separate Kerala entrance exam.
The First Phase Allotment to Kerala MBBS and BDS courses for 2026 has commenced (except for NRI quota seats). The Kerala State Medical Rank List was published on 14-08-2026, the Provisional Category List (except NRI) on 15-08-2026, and the Final Category List (except NRI) on 18-08-2026.
Candidates included in the rank list can register fresh options for MBBS and BDS courses through www.cee.kerala.gov.in up to 20-08-2026, 12.00 Noon, with the First Phase Provisional Allotment scheduled for 21-08-2026 and the First Phase Final Allotment for 22-08-2026.
This guide explains the complete Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 process, including registration, eligibility, application fee, documents, choice filling, reservation policy, seat allotment and participating colleges.
Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 Overview
Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 is run entirely online by CEE, Kerala, and covers MBBS and BDS seats in Government Medical/Dental Colleges, Self-Financing Medical/Dental Colleges (State quota and Minority quota), and NRI quota seats, along with 15% All India Quota seats in self-financing colleges that any Indian candidate can opt for irrespective of domicile.
| Particulars | Details |
| Counselling Name | Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 OR KEAM 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Government of Kerala |
| Courses Offered | MBBS and BDS |
| Admission Through | NEET UG 2026 (Kerala State Medical Rank List prepared by CEE) |
| Counselling Type | Government State Quota, Self-Financing (General 85%/NRI 15%), Minority Quota, and All India Quota (15%) in self-financing colleges |
| Participating Colleges | Government Medical Colleges, Self-Financing Medical Colleges, Government Dental Colleges, Self-Financing Dental Colleges affiliated to Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) |
| Official Website | www.cee.kerala.gov.in |
Important Dates for Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026
CEE has published the schedule for the First Phase (Round 1) allotment to MBBS and BDS courses for 2026 through its notification dated 15-08-2026.
| Event | Date |
| Kerala State Medical Rank List Published | 14-08-2026 |
| Provisional Category List (Except NRI) Published | 15-08-2026 |
| Option Registration (Choice Filling) Opens – First Phase | 15-08-2026 |
| Final Category List (Except NRI) Published | 18-08-2026 |
| Closure of Online Option Registration – First Phase | 20-08-2026, 12.00 Noon |
| First Phase Provisional Allotment | 21-08-2026 |
| First Phase Final Allotment | 22-08-2026 |
| Fee Payment and Admission | 23-08-2026 to 28-08-2026, 4.00 PM (excluding 26-08-2026) |
| College Approval of Admitted Candidates List | 28-08-2026, 5.00 PM |
| NRI Quota Allotment | From Round 2 onwards |
| Second Round / Mop-up / Stray Vacancy Round | Will be Notified |
Candidates whose rank has been withheld due to document defects can still register options, but these will only be considered for allotment if they clear the defects and their rank is released before 3 PM on 19-08-2026.
Eligibility Criteria for Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026
Eligibility for Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 is based on qualifying NEET UG 2026, academic performance in the qualifying examination, and age for Admission to Professional Degree Courses 2026.
| Eligibility Requirement | Details |
| NEET UG Qualification | Candidate must appear for and qualify NEET UG 2026 conducted by NTA; a candidate not appearing for NEET UG 2026 will not be considered for the Kerala Medical Rank List |
| Qualifying Percentile | Minimum 50th percentile in NEET UG 2026 for General category; 40th percentile for SC/ST/SEBC; 45th percentile for PD (Persons with Disability) unreserved category; 40th percentile for PD SC/ST/SEBC category |
| Academic Qualification | Passed Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English individually at the Higher Secondary examination (Kerala Board or recognised equivalent), with a minimum of 50% marks taken together in Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Biotechnology |
| Relaxed Marks for Reserved Categories | 40% (instead of 50%) aggregate in PCB for SC/ST/SEBC candidates and candidates in the PD quota list |
| Age Requirement | Candidate must have completed 17 years of age as on 31st December 2026; no relaxation in minimum age |
| Upper Age Limit | As per the Information Bulletin of NEET (UG) 2026 |
| Domicile/Nativity | Candidates must satisfy the Nativity conditions defined under Clause 6.1 of the Prospectus (Keralite/Non-Keralite Category I/Non-Keralite Category II definitions); Non-Keralite Category II (NK II) candidates are not eligible for Medical seats in Government colleges but are eligible for the 15% All India Quota seats in self-financing colleges |
| Category Eligibility | SC/ST/SEBC (Ezhava, Muslim, Other Backward Hindu, Latin Catholic & Anglo Indian, Dheevara, Viswakarma, Kusavan, Other Backward Christian, Kudumbi), EWS, PD (Persons with Disability), NRI, Minority quota, and various special reservation categories (Nominees, Jewish quota, Sports, NCC, etc.) |
Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 Registration Process
Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 involves two connected online steps: the initial KEAM application (to be included in the Kerala State Medical Rank List) and a separate Option Registration (choice filling) step once the rank list and category lists are published.
- Visit the official website www.cee.kerala.gov.in and access the KEAM-2026 Online Application link.
- Complete Step 1 (Registration) by creating an Application Number and a strong password, which must be kept confidential.
- Complete Step 2 (Fill Application) with personal, academic and category details, and select MBBS/BDS/Other Medical & Medical Allied courses as desired.
- Pay the applicable application fee online through Credit Card, Debit Card or Internet Banking (Step 3).
- Upload the required supporting documents and photograph/signature as per specifications, on or before the notified last date.
- Preview the application using “Save & Preview,” confirm correctness, and click “Save & Finalize” to complete submission.
- Retain the Application Acknowledgement Page for future reference; do not send printouts to the CEE office by post.
- Once the Kerala State Medical Rank List and Category List are published, log in again and complete Option Registration (choice filling) for MBBS/BDS courses, which requires a separate registration fee to be paid before entering options.
- Save and submit options, then log off; the last saved list at logout is considered final for that round unless resubmitted before the round closes.
Application Fee for Kerala NEET Counselling 2026
Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 involves two distinct types of fees: the KEAM application fee paid at the time of initial online application, and a separate Option Registration Fee paid before choice filling for MBBS/BDS courses. The exact KEAM application fee amount was not extracted from the available document and is not specified below; candidates should verify it on the official website.
| Fee Type | Candidate Category | Amount |
| Additional Fee for UAE Examination Centre | Candidates opting UAE centre | Rs. 16,000/- |
| Option Registration Fee (MBBS/BDS) | General candidates | Rs. 5,000/- |
| Option Registration Fee (MBBS/BDS) | SC/ST/OEC and candidates with benefits under G.O.(Ms) No.25/2005/SCSTDD and G.O.(Ms) No.10/2014/BCDD, and inmates of Juvenile Home/Nirbhaya Home/Sree Chitra Home | Rs. 500/- |
Course Fee (Tuition Fee) for MBBS/BDS 2026-27:
| Course | College Type | Fee per Annum |
| MBBS | Government Medical Colleges | Rs. 23,150/- |
| BDS | Government Dental Colleges | Rs. 20,840/- |
| BDS | Self-Financing Dental Colleges | General (85%): Rs. 3,47,487/-; NRI (15%): Rs. 6,30,000/- (Pushpagiri College of Dental Science, Thiruvalla: General Rs. 3,67,502/-; NRI Rs. 6,66,288/-) |
The self-financing Medical College fee table (General 85%/NRI 15%) below is provided for reference only, and it is provisional and subject to final orders of the Government/Fee Regulatory Committee/Courts.
| Self-Financing Medical College | General (85%) | NRI (15%) |
| KMCT Medical College, Kozhikode | Rs. 8,47,690/- | Rs. 22,74,006/- |
| Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Thiruvalla | Rs. 8,56,840/- | Rs. 22,49,006/- |
| Amala Institute of Medical Science, Thrissur | Rs. 8,56,840/- | Rs. 22,49,006/- |
| Jubilee Mission Medical College & Research Centre, Thrissur | Rs. 8,56,840/- | Rs. 22,49,006/- |
| Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College, Kolencherry | Rs. 8,56,840/- | Rs. 22,49,006/- |
| Travancore Medical College, Kollam | Rs. 8,56,840/- | Rs. 22,74,006/- |
| Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla | Rs. 8,56,840/- | Rs. 22,74,006/- |
| Dr. Somervell Memorial CSI Medical College, Karakonam | Rs. 8,56,840/- | Rs. 22,74,006/- |
| Malabar Medical College & Research Centre, Kozhikode | Rs. 8,56,840/- | Rs. 22,74,006/- |
| Al-Azhar Medical College & Super Speciality Hospital, Thodupuzha | Rs. 8,56,840/- | Rs. 22,74,006/- |
| Sree Gokulam Medical College & Research Foundation | Rs. 8,10,175/- | Rs. 22,74,006/- |
| MES Medical College, Perinthalmanna | Rs. 8,56,840/- | Rs. 22,74,006/- |
| Mount Zion Medical College, Pathanamthitta | Rs. 8,50,436/- | Rs. 22,74,006/- |
| PK Das Institute of Medical Sciences, Palakkad | Rs. 8,97,000/- | Rs. 21,65,720/- |
| Dr. Moopen’s Medical College, Meppadi, Wayanad | Rs. 9,31,118/- | Rs. 22,74,006/- |
| SUT Academy of Medical Sciences, Vattappara | Rs. 8,15,329/- | Rs. 22,74,006/- |
| Azeezia Institute of Medical Sciences, Kollam | Rs. 8,56,840/- | Rs. 22,74,006/- |
| Karuna Medical College, Chittur, Palakkad | Rs. 8,27,169/- | Rs. 22,74,006/- |
| Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Ernakulam | Rs. 8,92,459/- | Rs. 22,74,006/- |
| Kerala Medical College, Palakkad | Rs. 8,10,175/- | Rs. 22,74,006/- |
Liquidated Damages for Discontinuing After Admission (MBBS/BDS):
A candidate who discontinues after the third allotment in the same academic year to join another course/college is liable to pay Rs. 10,00,000/- for MBBS and Rs. 5,00,000/- for BDS, irrespective of income, nativity or reservation status, and may be debarred from future CEE examinations/allotments for up to two years.
Documents Required for Kerala NEET Counselling 2026
Candidates must upload documents at the time of online application and produce originals at the time of reporting/admission at the allotted college.
Documents to Upload with the Online Application (General):
- Proof of Nativity
- SSLC or equivalent certificate (Mandatory)
- Certificate to prove date of birth, if not mentioned in the SSLC certificate (Mandatory)
- Admit Card of NEET-UG 2026 (if applicable)
- Mark lists of all parts of the qualifying/BSc examination, if applicable
Category-Specific Documents:
- SC/ST candidates: Community Certificate from the concerned Tahsildar
- SEBC/OEC candidates: Non-Creamy Layer Certificate for State Government Education purpose, from the Village Officer
- EWS candidates: EWS Certificate in the prescribed format issued by the Village Officer
- Minority quota candidates: Documents of Minority reservation as per the prescribed format
- Inter-caste marriage cases (SC/ST benefit claim): Inter-Caste Marriage Certificate from the Tahsildar
- PD (Persons with Disability) candidates: Valid UDID card/Disability certificate issued by a competent authority
- Fee concession/scholarship claimants: Income certificate from the concerned authority, uploaded before final submission of the online application
- NRI quota candidates: Passport copy and Visa/Green Card/Norka Roots ID/OCI documents of the sponsor; Employment Certificate of the sponsor if not otherwise evident; certificate establishing the relationship between sponsor and candidate from Revenue authorities; sworn affidavit from the sponsor on Rs. 200/- stamp paper, notarised, confirming the candidate is a dependent and the sponsor will bear all fees
Documents to Produce (Originals) at the Time of Reporting/Admission:
- Certificate to prove date of birth
- Transfer Certificate from the institution last attended, and Conduct Certificate
- Original mark list and Pass certificate of the qualifying examination
- Eligibility certificate from a University in Kerala/Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS), where applicable
- Migration Certificate, if applicable
- Physical Fitness Certificate in the prescribed format
- Receipt of fee remitted
- Data sheet of KEAM 2026
- Admit Card of NEET-UG 2026 (if applicable)
- Allotment Memo issued by CEE
- Originals of all documents/certificates uploaded with the online application
Choice Filling and Choice Locking Process
Choice filling for Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 is called “Option Registration” and begins only after the Kerala State Medical Rank List and Category List are published by CEE.
- Option Registration opens only for candidates who are included in the Kerala State Medical Rank List published by CEE.
- For the First Phase, the window for MBBS/BDS option registration opened on 15-08-2026 and closes on 20-08-2026 at 12.00 Noon.
- Before registering options, candidates must pay the Option Registration Fee (Rs. 5,000/- general, Rs. 500/- for eligible reserved categories).
- A list of Course-College combinations is displayed based on the stream(s) the candidate is eligible for, using two-letter course codes (e.g., MM for MBBS, MD for BDS) and three-letter college codes.
- Candidates can save, review and edit their options as many times as needed before logging off, since the process is considered complete only up to the last saved option list at logout.
- Once the option registration window closes, no further changes are allowed for that round; extension requests are not entertained.
- There is no provision for fresh option registration for MBBS/BDS in the next centralised allotment phase unless new colleges are added to the seat matrix; candidates are therefore advised to register all options they are willing to join in the First Phase itself.
- After joining a college, candidates can cancel or reprioritise their remaining (unused) options for subsequent rounds by logging into the Option Registration Page and clicking “confirm.”
- Candidates whose rank was withheld due to document defects can still submit options, but these are considered for allotment only if the defects are cleared and the rank is released before the notified deadline.
Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 Reservation Policy
Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 follows a mandatory reservation policy applicable to Government seats and the Government quota share in self-financing colleges, based on State Merit, EWS, SEBC, and SC/ST categories, along with special reservation categories.
| Reservation Category | Percentage |
| State Merit (SM) | 50% |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 10% |
| Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) | 30% |
| Ezhava (EZ) | 9% |
| Muslim (MU) | 8% |
| Other Backward Hindu (BH) | 3% |
| Latin Catholic and Anglo Indian (LA) | 3% |
| Dheevara and related communities (DV) | 2% |
| Viswakarma and related communities (VK) | 2% |
| Kusavan and related communities (KN) | 1% |
| Other Backward Christian (BX) | 1% |
| Kudumbi (KU) | 1% |
| Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes | 10% |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 8% |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 2% |
Seat Allotment Process for Kerala
Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 follows a Centralised Allotment Process (CAP) run by CEE, moving from rank list publication through to reporting and admission at the allotted college.
- Publication of the Kerala State Medical Rank List based on NEET UG 2026 scores.
- Publication of the Provisional and then Final Category List (except NRI).
- Candidates pay the Option Registration Fee and register their choices (Option Registration).
- Options are considered final based on the last saved list at the close of the registration window.
- Processing of allotment based on rank, reservation hierarchy (State Merit first, then reservation quotas), and the options registered.
- Publication of the Provisional Allotment Result, followed by the Final Allotment Result for that phase.
- Candidates download the Allotment Memo from the CEE portal.
- Candidates allotted a seat must remit the fee shown in the allotment memo (to the college for self-financing seats, or to CEE for Government college seats) within the notified window.
- Candidates report to the college with all required original documents for verification and admission.
- The college approves admission and submits the list of admitted candidates through the Online Allotment Management System (OAMS) to CEE.
- Candidates who do not pay the fee or report for admission within the stipulated time lose their allotment and all existing options in that stream, and will not be considered in the centralised allotment process further.
- NRI quota allotment commences only from Round 2 onwards, not in the First Phase.
| Round | Download |
| First Phase (Round 1) – Provisional | Link will be updated after official release |
| First Phase (Round 1) – Final | Link will be updated after official release |
| Round 2 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Stray Vacancy | Link will be updated after official release |
MBBS and BDS Seat Matrix in Kerala
Checking the seat matrix before registering options helps candidates understand which colleges and quota categories have seats available for allotment in each round. For the First Phase, CEE has notified that seats in listed Government and Self-Financing Medical/Dental colleges (except NRI quota) are available, with NRI quota seats to be added from Round 2.
| Round | Download |
| First Phase (Round 1) | Link will be updated after official release |
| Round 2 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Round 3 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Stray Vacancy | Link will be updated after official release |
Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 Process
Understanding the full Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 journey helps first-time candidates avoid missing a step and losing their chance at a seat.
- Qualify NEET UG 2026 with the required percentile.
- Submit the online KEAM application through www.cee.kerala.gov.in with academic and category details.
- Pay the KEAM application fee and upload the required supporting documents.
- CEE prepares and publishes the Kerala State Medical Rank List based on NEET UG 2026 scores.
- CEE publishes the Provisional Category List, followed by the Final Category List.
- Pay the Option Registration Fee and register choices (Option Registration) for MBBS/BDS colleges and courses.
- Wait for the Provisional and then the Final Allotment Result for that round.
- Download the Allotment Memo from the CEE portal.
- Pay the fee shown in the allotment memo within the notified window.
- Report to the allotted college with all original documents for verification and admission.
- College confirms admission and uploads the record through OAMS.
- Retain unused options and participate in subsequent rounds (Round 2 onward, including NRI quota) if seeking upgradation, following the round-specific rules notified by CEE.
Participating Medical & Dental Colleges in Kerala
Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 covers Government and Self-Financing Medical and Dental Colleges affiliated to the Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS). The list below is of the CEE’s First Phase, candidates should always check the latest seat matrix for confirmed college-wise participation before choice filling.
Medical Colleges in Kerala
Kerala has 14 Government Medical Colleges and 20 Self-Financing Medical Colleges listed for the First Phase of MBBS allotment.
| College Type | College Details |
| Government Medical Colleges | Click Here |
| Self-Financing Medical Colleges | Click Here |
Dental Colleges in Kerala
Kerala has 6 Government Dental Colleges and 17 Self-Financing Dental Colleges listed for BDS allotment.
| College Type | College Details |
| Government Dental Colleges | Click Here |
| Self-Financing Dental Colleges | Click Here |
Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 Cut Off
Cut-off ranks from previous years give candidates a general sense of admission trends, but the previous year’s closing rank should not be treated as a guaranteed cut-off for Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026, since actual closing ranks depend on the number of candidates, seats available, and options exercised in each round.
| Round | Download |
| First Phase (Round 1) | Link will be updated after official release |
| Round 2 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Round 3 | Link will be updated after official release |
| Stray Vacancy | Link will be updated after official release |
Official Website for Kerala NEET Counselling 2026
All official notifications, rank lists, category lists, option registration, seat matrix, allotment results and fee details for Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 are published only on the official website of the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations, Kerala: www.cee.kerala.gov.in.
Q. When did the Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 First Phase MBBS/BDS option registration open?
A. Option registration for MBBS and BDS courses opened on 15-08-2026, and the window closes on 20-08-2026 at 12.00 Noon, as per the CEE notification for the First Phase.
Q. Who conducts Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026?
A. The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Government of Kerala, conducts the counselling and prepares the Kerala State Medical Rank List based on NEET UG 2026 scores for MBBS and BDS admissions.
Q. What is the minimum age required for Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026?
A. Candidates must have completed 17 years of age as on 31st December 2026, with no relaxation allowed. The upper age limit follows the NEET UG 2026 Information Bulletin.
Q. What is the Option Registration Fee for Kerala MBBS/BDS Counselling 2026?
A. The Option Registration Fee is Rs. 5,000/- for general candidates and Rs. 500/- for SC/ST/OEC candidates and those covered under specific Government Orders, including inmates of Juvenile Home, Nirbhaya Home, and Sree Chitra Home.
Q. What documents are required for Kerala NEET Counselling registration?
A. Mandatory uploads include proof of Nativity, SSLC or equivalent certificate, and the NEET UG 2026 admit card if applicable. Category-specific candidates must also upload Community/Non-Creamy Layer certificates, EWS certificates, Minority reservation documents, PD/UDID certificates, or NRI sponsor documents, as applicable.
Q. When were the Kerala State Medical Rank List and Category List for 2026 published?
A. The Kerala State Medical Rank List was published on 14-08-2026, the Provisional Category List (except NRI) on 15-08-2026, and the Final Category List (except NRI) on 18-08-2026.
Q. When will the First Phase seat allotment result for Kerala MBBS/BDS 2026 be published?
A. The First Phase Provisional Allotment is scheduled for 21-08-2026, and the First Phase Final Allotment for 22-08-2026, based on options registered up to 20-08-2026, 12.00 Noon.
Q. Is the previous year's cut-off applicable for Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026?
A. No. Previous year cut-offs only show past trends. Round-wise and college-wise cut-off/closing rank data for 2026 has not been released in the available notification, so candidates should wait for CEE’s official cut-off publication.
Rajesh Mishra is an admission counsellor and the founder of GLN Admission Advice Pvt. Ltd. with more than 16 years of experience in student counselling and admission guidance. He has worked with thousands of students and parents seeking clarity in complex admission processes across India.
His guidance approach is practical, transparent, and strategy focused. Rajesh Mishra helps families understand counselling systems, admission rules, and college selection in simple language so they can make informed decisions.
Through GLN Admission Advice, he provides guidance for Medical, AYUSH, Engineering, MBA, PGDM, and Law admissions, and regularly shares content to help students understand counselling procedures, cutoff trends, and common mistakes during admission counselling.
Rajesh Mishra is an admission counsellor and the founder of GLN Admission Advice Pvt. Ltd. with more than 16 years of experience in student counselling and admission guidance. He has worked with thousands of students and parents seeking clarity in complex admission processes across India.
His guidance approach is practical, transparent, and strategy focused. Rajesh Mishra helps families understand counselling systems, admission rules, and college selection in simple language so they can make informed decisions.
Through GLN Admission Advice, he provides guidance for Medical, AYUSH, Engineering, MBA, PGDM, and Law admissions, and regularly shares content to help students understand counselling procedures, cutoff trends, and common mistakes during admission counselling.