KEAM Counselling 2026: Phase 1 Allotment Result Declared, Fee Payment deadline July 12 for BTech at cee.kerala.gov.in; Check Counselling Dates, and Eligibility

Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical (KEAM 2026) is a state-level entrance examination conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, for admission to engineering, architecture, and medical degree courses across participating institutions. The entrance examination was conducted earlier this year, and the final rank list was published on June 27, 2026. KEAM 2026 Phase 1 seat allotment result was declared on July 8, 2026, at cee.kerala.gov.in, and the online fee payment must be completed by July 12, 2026.

Source: cee.kerala.gov.in/keam2026/ 

Key Highlights of the Allotment Process:

• KEAM 2026 Result Declaration: The KEAM 2026 results were declared on May 12, following which candidates were required to submit their plus two marks for rank list preparation.
• Plus Two Marks Submission: The last date to submit plus two marks for the KEAM rank list preparation was June 14.
• Phase 1 Option Registration: The KEAM 2026 option registration for phase 1 counselling was kept open till July 7. 
• Phase 1 Trial Allotment: The KEAM 2026 trial seat allotment result was announced by CEE Kerala on July 6, 2026, allowing candidates to review and modify their options before the round 1 option entry deadline.
• Phase 1 Provisional Allotment: The provisional KEAM 2026 round 1 seat allotment result was announced on July 7, 2026. Candidates who found discrepancies in the provisional list were permitted to raise complaints by 2 pm on the day of publication. 
• Phase 1 Final Allotment: The final phase of allotment was published after the complaints raised against the provisional list were addressed, with CEE Kerala announcing the round 1 final result on July 8. 
• Fee Payment Window: The fee payment process for candidates who have been allotted seats began the day after the final result was published and is expected to continue till July 12.
• Phase 2 Counselling: The schedule for KEAM 2026 Phase 2 seat allotment, including option registration and trial allotment dates, is expected to be released by CEE Kerala following the completion of the Phase 1 fee payment process.

Source: cee.kerala.gov.in/keam2026/

Source: cee.kerala.gov.in/keam2026/

Reservation of Quotas for KEAM Counselling 2026

Seat reservations under KEAM CAP 2026 follow the Kerala State Government’s reservation policy for government and government-aided professional colleges. All reservations apply only to Kerala domicile students. Non-domicile students, regardless of their caste or category, compete in the unreserved general merit pool only.

Seats not filled by reserved category students in any CAP round revert to the General Merit pool and become available in subsequent rounds. Reserved category students who have a strong enough rank can compete for General Merit seats — taking a General Merit seat does not reduce the number of reserved seats available for other students in that category.

Special quota seats are also available in government colleges for students with outstanding achievements in Sports (State / National level), dependants of Ex-Servicemen, and holders of relevant NCC certificates. Students claiming these quotas must produce valid certificates — Grade Certificate from the Kerala Sports Council, discharge certificate for Ex-Servicemen, or NCC certificate as applicable — at the time of CAP registration and college admission. The number of seats and quota details are published in the official KEAM 2026 prospectus on cee.kerala.gov.in.

Note: SEBC (Non-Creamy Layer) certificates that have expired or are issued by an authority below Tahsildar level will not be accepted during document verification at the college. Obtain a fresh certificate well before the CAP reporting deadline.

How to Apply for KEAM Counselling 2026?

KEAM 2026 CAP registration and option entry are expected to open in the first week of July 2026 at cee.kerala.gov.in. The entire counselling process — registration, fee payment, option filling, trial allotment review, and final locking — is online. No physical visit to CEE Kerala’s office is required at the counselling stage.

Registering for counselling is mandatory — your KEAM 2026 rank alone does not guarantee a seat. Students who miss the Round 1 CAP registration deadline cannot be allotted a seat in Round 1, though they may still register for subsequent rounds if CEE allows late or fresh registration.

Step 1: CAP Registration

Visit cee.kerala.gov.in and log in to your KEAM 2026 candidate account using your application number and password (set at the time of KEAM 2026 exam registration). Navigate to the CAP 2026 section and complete the registration form. Verify your personal details, declared category, and the programme(s) you wish to be considered for. First-time login users should reset the default password before proceeding to avoid account access issues later. Submit the registration form to proceed to fee payment.

Step 2: Registration Fee Payment

Pay the CAP 2026 registration fee online through the portal using a debit card, credit card, or net banking. The fee is approximately ₹2,000 for General / OBC / EWS students and lower (approximately ₹500) for SC/ST students; exact amounts will be confirmed in the official 2026 CAP notification. The fee is non-refundable. Registration is complete only after the payment is confirmed — a failed transaction means your registration is not active. Save the payment receipt (download and print from the portal).

Step 3: Option Entry (Choice Filling)

After registration, log back in and open the Option Entry section. You will see all eligible college-course combinations for the programmes you qualify for. Select your preferred options and rank them in your exact order of preference — the most desired combination at rank 1, next at rank 2, and so on. Fill at least 15–20 choices to maximise your chances across all rounds. You can add, remove, and reorder options until the option entry deadline. Use the Trial Allotment (Step 4) to refine your list before final locking.

Step 4: Trial Allotment Review

CEE Kerala publishes a Trial Allotment during the Round 1 option entry window. This is a simulated run of the allotment algorithm using your current option list and rank — it shows the college/course you would likely receive at that point. The trial allotment is purely indicative; it carries no binding weight and does not affect your actual allotment. Use the result to decide whether to add stronger preferences (aspirational colleges ranked higher), safety options (more accessible colleges ranked lower), or both. Modify your option list after reviewing the trial result, then proceed to final locking before the deadline.

Step 5: Option Finalisation and Locking

After reviewing the trial allotment and making any final adjustments to your list, confirm and lock your options before the option entry closing deadline. Once locked, your option list cannot be changed until the next round’s option entry window opens. The CEE allotment algorithm then runs and declares the official Round 1 allotment result. Download and print a copy of your locked option list immediately after locking — this serves as proof of your submission.

How to Lock Your Options: Step-by-Step Guide

Locking your option list is the final, binding action in each CAP round’s entry phase. Once locked, no changes are possible until the next round’s window opens (for remaining active options). Follow the steps below carefully before the deadline.

Step 1: Log In to the CEE Kerala Candidate Portal

• Open cee.kerala.gov.in in a browser.
• Click on the KEAM 2026 CAP section from the homepage.
• Log in using your KEAM 2026 application number and password.

Step 2: Open the Option Entry Module

• From your candidate dashboard, select "Option Entry" or "CAP Option Entry 2026".
• Review all options currently in your list, including their order of preference.
• Check the trial allotment result (if available) to see your likely seat with the current list.

Step 3: Make Final Adjustments

• Add any new college-course combinations you want to include.
• Remove any options you are not genuinely willing to accept.
• Reorder preferences: drag or use the up/down arrows to rank them precisely.
• Do not leave any option in your list that you would refuse if allotted — being allotted an option you do not want means going through a withdrawal process with potential fee loss.

Step 4: Lock Your Options

• Once satisfied with your list, click "Lock Options" (the button label may vary on the portal).
• A confirmation screen summarising your entire locked list will appear.
• Confirm the lock — this action is final for the current round and cannot be undone.

Step 5: Download and Save the Locked Option Confirmation

• Immediately after locking, download the option confirmation slip from the portal.
• Print the slip and store it safely — you may need it during college admission.
• If you do not receive a confirmation on-screen or via email, contact the CEE Kerala helpline without delay to verify your submission status.

Once your options are locked, the CEE allotment algorithm runs and declares the allotment result for that round. You will be notified of the result on the portal.

KEAM Counselling Documents Required 2026

Students allotted a seat in KEAM CAP 2026 must carry the following original documents along with at least two sets of photocopies when physically reporting to the allotted college. Document verification is mandatory; failure to produce originals results in cancellation of admission at the college level. All information in the documents must exactly match the data entered in your KEAM 2026 application form.

• KEAM 2026 Admit Card — printout from cee.kerala.gov.in
• KEAM 2026 Rank Card — printout from cee.kerala.gov.in
• CAP 2026 Allotment Memo — downloaded from the candidate portal after seat allotment is declared
• Class 12 Mark Sheet and Passing Certificate — originals issued by the respective Board of Examination
• Class 10 Certificate — as proof of date of birth
• Class 10 Mark Sheet
• Transfer Certificate (TC) — from the last school or college attended
• Conduct Certificate — from the last school or college attended
• Migration Certificate — required for students who studied under a board other than the Kerala Board (e.g., CBSE, ICSE, or State Boards of other states); issued by the respective Board
• Community / Caste Certificate — for SC, ST, and SEBC students; must be issued by a competent authority (Revenue Divisional Officer or Tahsildar level); SEBC certificate must be Non-Creamy Layer and within the validity period set by CEE Kerala
• Income Certificate — for EWS quota applicants or students applying for fee waivers under government schemes
• Nativity / Domicile Certificate — to establish Kerala domicile for state quota and reserved category benefits; issued by Village Officer or Tahsildar
• Aadhaar Card — for identity verification at the college; carry original and a photocopy
• Passport-Size Photographs — minimum 10 recent photographs of the same specification used in the KEAM 2026 application
• Physical Fitness Certificate — from a registered MBBS doctor certifying fitness for professional education; must be on the doctor’s letterhead
• PwD Certificate — if claiming PwD reservation; must be issued by an authorised Medical Board; must clearly state percentage of disability (minimum 40%)
• Sports Certificate — if claiming Sports quota; Grade Certificate from the Kerala Sports Council or relevant State / National sports body
• Ex-Serviceman / NCC Certificate — if claiming the respective quota; issued by the relevant military / NCC authority
• CAP Registration Fee Payment Receipt — printout of the online payment confirmation from cee.kerala.gov.in
• NATA 2026 Score Card — only for B.Arch applicants; printout of the valid NATA 2026 score issued by the Council of Architecture

Note: Students from CBSE, ICSE, or other non-Kerala boards who studied outside Kerala may additionally need an eligibility certificate from CEE Kerala. Check the official 2026 prospectus for programme-specific document requirements — Pharmacy and Agriculture admissions may have additional certificates specified by their respective councils.

How Much Money is Needed for KEAM Counselling 2026?

KEAM CAP 2026 involves two stages of payment: fees paid during the online counselling process, and fees paid at the college during final admission. Amounts below are based on the 2025 pattern; CEE Kerala will publish confirmed figures for 2026 in the official CAP notification. College-level tuition, hostel, and other fees vary significantly across institutions and are not covered here.

Non-Refundable Fees

Non-refundable fees cover administrative and processing costs. These amounts are not returned regardless of whether you ultimately join the allotted college or withdraw.

Refundable Fees

Refundable fees are collected as a security deposit at the college. They are returned at fee settlement at the end of the programme, or on valid exit through a formal process (e.g., cancellation before a specified deadline, or upgrade to a government seat in a later round).

Note: The amounts above are indicative estimates based on 2025 rates. CEE Kerala will publish confirmed fee details for 2026 in the official CAP 2026 notification on cee.kerala.gov.in. If you withdraw after accepting a seat, the non-refundable portion of the seat acceptance fee is not returned. Verify the exact refund policy and deadlines in the 2026 prospectus before making any withdrawal decision.

KEAM CAP 2026: Round-Wise Allotment Details

KEAM CAP 2026 runs three regular allotment rounds followed by a Mop-up round. Each round follows the same cycle: option entry window opens, students submit or revise preferences, CEE runs the allotment algorithm, and results are declared online. Students are encouraged to participate actively in every round because each round is an opportunity to upgrade to a better college or course.

How the upgrade mechanism works across rounds: If Round 1 allots you College A (your 5th choice), options 1–4 remain active for Round 2. In Round 2, the algorithm checks whether your rank is competitive for options 1–4 given the seats still available. If it is, you are upgraded to the best available option — say, your 2nd choice. Options ranked 6 and below (worse than your Round 1 allotment) are automatically removed after Round 1. The algorithm only upgrades; it will never move you to a worse option in a later round.

For reference, in 2025 Round 1 allotment was declared on approximately July 18, with subsequent rounds following at 10–14 day intervals. The 2026 schedule is expected to follow a similar cadence given the earlier rank list release, but check cee.kerala.gov.in for confirmed dates.

Reporting to the Allotted College

After each round’s allotment is declared, students who receive a seat must report to the allotted college within the specified deadline. Failing to report forfeits the allotted seat, which is then made available to other students in the next round. The admission process at the college involves document verification followed by fee payment and enrolment.

Step 1: Download the Allotment Memo

• Log in to cee.kerala.gov.in and open the CAP 2026 section.
• Download and print your allotment memo from the portal.
• The memo specifies the allotted college, programme, category, fee details, and the exact reporting deadline.

Step 2: Arrange Documents and Fees

• Collect all original documents listed in the Documents Required section above.
• Prepare at least two sets of photocopies of every document.
• Arrange the first installment of tuition and other fees as specified in the allotment memo and college notification.

Step 3: Report to the College in Person

• Physically visit the allotted college on or before the reporting deadline — not after.
• Carry the printed allotment memo and all original documents.
• Report to the admissions counter or the designated officer at the college.

Step 4: Document Verification

• College authorities verify that all documents are genuine and match the KEAM 2026 application data exactly.
• Reserved category students must present valid category certificates at this stage; expired or defective certificates result in reclassification to general merit.
• If a document defect is identified, check CEE Kerala’s instructions — a short window may be given to produce the corrected certificate. Missing this window results in rejection.

Step 5: Fee Payment and Formal Enrolment

• Pay the required fees (first installment of tuition, caution deposit, and any other charges) at the college fee counter or as directed.
• Collect the fee receipt — keep it safely as proof of payment.
• Complete any other formalities required by the college (anti-ragging declaration, medical examination, photo submission, etc.).
• Your admission is formally confirmed only after fee payment and the college records your enrolment.

Note: Reporting to the college for a Round 1 allotment does not prevent you from participating in Round 2 for a better option. However, if you choose not to report to the allotted college in any round, your allotment for that round is automatically cancelled. Confirm the exact rules for 2026 — including whether reporting is mandatory to retain eligibility for the next round — in the official CEE Kerala 2026 CAP notification.

Upgrade vs Accept vs Withdraw: What to Do After KEAM Allotment?

After each CAP round’s allotment, you must decide what to do with your current seat. Your choice directly determines your final college. Use the guide below based on your specific situation.

The CAP allotment system never moves you to a worse option — participating in Round 2 while holding a Round 1 seat is always safe from the perspective of your current allotment. The algorithm either upgrades you to something better, or leaves you with what you already have.

If you withdraw after accepting a seat, the non-refundable component of the seat acceptance fee will not be returned. Before withdrawing, confirm the exact amounts that will be forfeited and the deadline after which the refundable portion is also lost. Both are specified in the allotment memo and the CEE Kerala 2026 prospectus.