Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 is conducted by CEE Kerala for admission to MBBS and BDS courses in government and private colleges. The process includes registration, merit list, choice filling, and seat allotment across multiple rounds. Candidates must qualify NEET UG and meet domicile requirements for state quota seats.
Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 is a state-level centralized admission process conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala for admission to MBBS and BDS courses across government, private, and self-financing medical colleges in the state. Unlike many other states, Kerala follows a highly structured and transparent counselling system, where seat allotment is strictly based on NEET UG rank, reservation policies, and candidate preferences submitted during option entry.
The counselling process begins after the declaration of NEET results and includes multiple stages such as online registration, application submission, document verification, merit list publication, choice filling, and seat allotment rounds. Candidates who satisfy the Kerala nativity conditions are eligible for 85% state quota seats, while non-domicile candidates can primarily compete for seats in private and NRI quota categories.
One of the most important aspects of Kerala counselling is the option entry (choice filling) strategy, which directly impacts seat allotment outcomes. Since government medical seats in Kerala are limited and highly competitive, a large number of candidates secure admission through private medical colleges and NRI quota seats, making it essential to understand seat types, fee structures, and round-wise dynamics before participating.
Overall, Kerala NEET counselling is considered one of the more organized yet competitive state counselling processes in India, and candidates must stay updated with official notifications, timelines, and allotment results to avoid missing key opportunities during each round of counselling.
Kerala NEET UG Counselling Overview
| Particular | Description |
|---|---|
| Counselling Name | Kerala NEET UG Counselling |
| Effective Entrance Exam | NEET UG conducted by the NTA |
| Counselling Conducting Authority | Commissioner of Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala |
| No. of Counselling Rounds | Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 & Stray Vacancy |
| Mode of Counselling | Online |
| Eligibility Criteria | Must qualify NEET 2026 and Kerala domicile for 85% state quota |
| Government MBBS Seats | 1,855 |
| Private MBBS Seats | 3,699 |
| Government BDS Seats | 350 |
| Private BDS Seats | 1,610 |
| Official Website | https://www.cee.kerala.gov.in/cee/ |
NEET Cut-off Marks 2026: Qualifying Percentile
The NEET Cut-off 2026 for MBBS and BDS under the West Bengal State Quota highlights the minimum qualifying marks required for different categories such as General, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS. It helps NEET-qualified candidates understand whether they are eligible to take part in the state counselling process.
The cut-off marks also give a clear idea of the score range needed for admission in government and private medical colleges across West Bengal
| Category | Expected 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (General) | 150-160 | 720 – 155 |
| SC/ST/OBC | 120-135 | 154 – 125 |
| Unreserved – PH | 135-150 | 154 – 135 |
| SC/ST/OBC – PH | 120-135 | 135 – 125 |
Also Read Cheapest Private Medical MBBS College 2026
Kerala NEET UG Counselling Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfill the following eligibility conditions to participate in Kerala NEET counselling:
- Must have qualified NEET UG 2026
- Should satisfy Kerala nativity/domicile rules
- Must have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English
- Minimum age should be 17 years
Domicile Rules and Categories: – Nativity Criteria (Kerala 2026)
Candidates seeking admission to Medical courses are categorized as Keralite, Non-Keralite Category I (NK I) and Non-Keralite Category II (NK II). Kerala conducts counselling for Government Quota seats in Government colleges as well as Management Quota seats in Self-financing Medical Colleges.
| Category | Eligibility Conditions | Reservation / Fee Concession |
|---|---|---|
| Keralite |
Candidates of Kerala origin. Children of All India Service (AIS) officers allotted to Kerala cadre are also treated as Keralites. |
Eligible for communal, special, PwD reservation and fee concession. (AIS children not eligible for reservation) |
| Non-Keralite Category I (NK I) |
Candidates not of Kerala origin but fulfilling any: • Studied in Kerala with parents serving Govt. of India/Defence posted in Kerala • Studied in Kerala with parents serving Govt. of Kerala (min 2 years) • Resident of Kerala for 5 years in last 12 years • Studied in Kerala from Std. VIII to XII |
Not eligible for reservation or fee concession Eligible only for State Merit seats |
| Non-Keralite Category II (NK II) |
Candidates who do not qualify as Keralite or NK I. Eligible only for limited seats in self-financing institutions and management quota. |
Not eligible for reservation or fee concession Not eligible for Government Medical & Allied colleges |
For MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BSMS and BUMS courses in self-financing medical colleges, 15% seats are available to candidates irrespective of domicile, based on NEET UG 2026 rank. However, reservation benefits are not applicable to Non-Keralite candidates.
Also Check : Kerala Government & Private Medical College Seat Matrix
Kerala NEET UG Counselling Seat Distribution
The seat distribution in Kerala NEET counselling varies depending on the type of college and specific institutional policies. Below is a clear breakdown:
Government Medical Colleges
- 15% seats are reserved under All India Quota (AIQ)
- 85% seats are filled through State Counselling (CEE Kerala)
Special Case: In GMC Palakkad and GMC Kollam
Seat distribution in this college differs from other government colleges:
| College | Seat Category | Seat Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Govt. Medical College, Palakkad | Scheduled Caste (SC) | 70% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 2% | |
| General Merit | 13% | |
| All India Quota (AIQ) | 15% | |
| Govt. Medical College, Kollam | All India Quota (AIQ) | 15% |
| ESIC Quota | 35% | |
| State Counselling Seats | 50% |
Kerala Private Medical Colleges Seat Distribution
| College Type | Seat Category | Seat Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Private (Non-Minority) Medical Colleges | State Management Quota | 70% |
| All India Merit Category | 15% | |
| NRI Quota | 15% | |
| Minority Private Medical Colleges | Minority Reserved Seats | 30% – 50% |
| All India Merit (AM) | 15% | |
| NRI Quota | 15% | |
| State Management Quota | Remaining Seats |
MBBS Seat Reservation
As per the prevailing mandatory reservation principle, communal reservation percentage are given below. All Seats in government colleges and private colleges are allotted based on the communal reservation after excluding seats which come under the special reservations such as NCC, etc.
| Category | Sub Category | Reservation % |
|---|---|---|
| State Merit (SM) | General Merit | 50% |
| EWS | EW | 10% |
| SEBC (Total 30%) | Ezhava (EZ) | 9% |
| Muslim (MU) | 8% | |
| Other Backward Hindu (BH) | 3% | |
| Latin Catholic & Anglo Indian (LA) | 3% | |
| Dheevara & related (DV) | 2% | |
| Viswakarma (VK) | 2% | |
| Kusavan (KN) | 1% | |
| Other Backward Christian (BX) | 1% | |
| Kudumbi (KU) | 1% | |
| SC/ST (Total 10%) | Scheduled Caste (SC) | 8% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 2% |
Kerala NEET UG 2026 Counselling Process
Kerala State Quota Counselling is conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala and includes admission to MBBS seats in both government and private medical colleges located within the state.
Under this counselling process, state quota and management quota seats in self-financing colleges are filled based on NEET UG rank and state eligibility criteria. Importantly, 15% management quota seats in private self-financing medical colleges are open to candidates from all states across India, making Kerala an accessible option for non-domicile students as well.
For private medical colleges that are affiliated with deemed universities, such as Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, the admission process is not conducted by the Kerala state authority. Instead, counselling for these institutions is handled centrally by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) under the All India counselling framework.
Kerala NEET Counselling Registrations
Step 1: Registration
- Visit the official website: https://cee.kerala.gov.in/
- Create a new account by providing basic details.
- You’ll receive a unique application number and password.
- Remember your credentials for future logins.
Step 2: Fill the Application Form
- Carefully enter all required information, including educational details, category, and contact details.
- Double-check all entries for accuracy before submitting.
Step 3: Pay the Application Fee
- Make the payment through an online gateway or e-Challan using the specified method.
Step 4: Upload Documents
- Upload a recent passport-sized photograph and your signature in JPG format.
- Scan and upload all necessary certificates supporting your claims (e.g., category, domicile).
- Combine multiple documents for the same claim into a single PDF if needed.
Step 5: Print Acknowledgement
- After completing the steps above, print the application acknowledgement page for your records.
Counselling Registration Fees
| Category | Fees (In INR) |
|---|---|
| General | Rs. 500 |
| SC/ OBC | Rs. 200 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | Rs. Nil |
Application Schedule – Kerala Admission 2026
Candidates seeking admission to Medical, Medical Allied, Engineering, Architecture and Pharmacy courses in Kerala for the academic year 2026–27 must strictly follow the official online application timeline notified by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala.
| Activity | Timeline |
| Online Application Start Date | 05 January 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Online Application | 31 January 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Last Date to Upload Supporting Certificates | 07 February 2026 (5:00 PM) |
Candidates must apply online only through the official website www.cee.kerala.gov.in. Only one application should be submitted for all courses. No hard copies are required to be sent to the CEE office.
Registration:
- Initial Registration: Candidates must have completed the registration process with CEE for MBBS, BDS, and Ayurveda courses as well as for other courses. The registration for NEET-based courses is mandatory.
- Check Registration Status: If you missed the initial registration, you can check the CEE website (https://cee.kerala.gov.in/) after the NEET 2026 results are announced. Registration windows for MBBS, BDS, and Ayurveda courses are typically open for 2-3 days.
Post-NEET 2026 Result:
- KEAM Release: After the NEET 2026 results, KEAM, authorized by CEE for medical admissions, will release the list of registered candidates eligible for state quota admission. The official website for KEAM is https://cee.kerala.gov.in/keam2026/. The seat matrix, fees, and counseling schedules will be published here.
NEET UG Updates 2026
Get instant notifications on exam dates, counselling schedule, cutoff trends, fee structure, seat matrix updates, and admission alerts.
Join Official Telegram ChannelKerala NEET Counselling Rounds – Detailed Process
First Round
In the first round of Kerala NEET counselling, all candidates who are included in the state merit list released by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala are eligible to participate. These candidates are required to register their options online by selecting colleges and courses in order of preference.
To complete the option entry process, candidates must pay an option registration fee of ₹5,000 for MBBS, which is paid online. This amount is not an additional charge but is later adjusted against the tuition fee of the allotted college.
Once the seat allotment result is declared, candidates who are allotted a seat in Round I must physically report to the respective college within the given timeline and complete admission formalities by paying the required fee as mentioned in the allotment memo.
It is important to note that if a candidate exits or leaves a seat allotted in Round I, they will not be eligible to participate in Round II. However, such candidates are allowed to register again in Round III with fresh options.
Second Round
The second round is primarily for candidates who have already participated in Round I. These candidates are not required to do fresh option registration. Instead, they can modify their existing choices by confirming, rearranging, or deleting the options submitted earlier.
A key requirement in this round is option confirmation, which is mandatory. If a candidate does not confirm their options, they will not be considered for seat allotment in Round II.
Candidates who are satisfied with their seat allotted in Round I and do not wish to upgrade must cancel their remaining options, ensuring they retain their current seat without further movement.
If a candidate chooses to exit the seat allotted in Round II, they will still have the opportunity to re-register in Round III.
Third Round
The third round acts as a fresh opportunity for candidates, including those who either did not participate earlier or exited from previous rounds. In this round, candidates must complete fresh registration and option entry again.
A significantly higher fee is applicable in this round. Candidates are required to pay ₹1,00,000 (₹95,000 + ₹5,000) as the registration amount.
After registering, candidates must confirm their options online, and they are also allowed to add new choices, rearrange preferences, or delete existing options.
Candidates who are allotted a seat in this round must pay the required fee and join the allotted college. In case a candidate does not receive any seat allotment, the registration fee (excluding applicable charges) is refunded after the completion of the counselling process.
Stray Vacancy Round
The stray vacancy round is conducted to fill the remaining vacant seats after all previous rounds are completed. For this round, fresh option registration is conducted again.
However, strict eligibility conditions apply. Candidates who have already joined a seat in any previous round or are holding a seat under the All India Quota are not eligible to participate in this round. Additionally, candidates who exited after the specified deadline are also not allowed.
To maintain transparency and avoid duplication, the counselling authority ensures that candidate data is shared between state and central authorities, so that no candidate is allotted multiple seats in different counselling systems during the stray vacancy process.
Also Check : State Wise Fee Structure for Government Medical College
Important Insight
Kerala counselling rounds are rule-heavy and strict, especially regarding exit conditions and eligibility for the next rounds. A single wrong decision (like exiting at the wrong stage) can block your participation in the next round, which makes understanding each round extremely important before making any move.
Documents Required Kerala NEET UG Admission
- NEET Admit Card and Scorecard
- Class 10 Certificate (for DOB proof)
- Class 12 Marksheet and Certificate
- Certificate Verification Notice.
- Fee Remittance Slip (as applicable)
- The candidates who got an admission in any college as per the previous allotment conducted by the CEE should produce NOC, Possession Certificate (in original) & the copy of the eligibility certificate and the proof of fee remitted.
- The candidates who got admission in any of the Govt. Approved Arts & Science colleges in Kerala can participate in the Certificate verification with NOC, Possession Certificate (in original), the copy of the eligibility certificate and the proof of fee remitted.
- Other candidates can participate only with TC and originals of the uploaded certificates.
- Eligibility certificate
- Migration Certificate, if applicable.
- Certificate to prove date of birth.
- Data sheet of KEAM 2026.
- Physical Fitness Certificate.
- Candidates seeking admission in NRI quota shall have to produce the original docs to prove NRI claim.
Last Year NEET Cut off for Kerala State Quota
NEET Score, All India Closing Rank, Kerala State Rank and Community rank of Kerala State Quota for Government as well as private Medical Colleges can be found by clicking Kerala NEET Cut off
Kerala Private Medical Colleges Fee Structure
Below are the list of private medical colleges offering MBBS programs in Kerala.
| Institute | Private Fee | Non Domicile | NRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Azhar Medical College, Thodupuzha | ₹8,16,038 | ₹8,16,038 | ₹16,65,720 |
| Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Thrissur | ₹8,56,840 | ₹8,56,840 | ₹22,49,006 |
| Azeezua Institute of Medical Sciences, Kollam | ₹8,16,038 | ₹8,16,038 | ₹16,65,720 |
| Believers Church Medical College Hospital | ₹8,16,038 | ₹8,16,038 | ₹21,65,720 |
| DM Wayanad Institute of Medical Sciences, Wayanad | ₹8,86,779 | ₹8,86,779 | ₹16,65,720 |
| Dr. Somervell Memorial CSI Medical College & Hospital | ₹8,16,038 | ₹8,16,038 | ₹16,65,720 |
| Jubilee Mission Medical College & Research Institute, Thrissur | ₹8,56,840 | ₹8,56,840 | ₹22,49,006 |
| Kannur Medical College, Kannur | ₹7,34,000 | — | ₹20,00,000 |
| Karuna Medical College, Palakkad | ₹7,87,780 | ₹7,87,780 | ₹16,65,720 |
| KMCT Medical College,Kozhikode, Calicut | ₹8,07,324 | ₹8,07,324 | ₹21,65,720 |
| Malabar Medical College, Kozhikode | ₹8,16,038 | ₹8,16,038 | ₹21,65,720 |
| Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College | ₹8,56,840 | ₹8,56,840 | ₹22,49,006 |
| MES Medical College, Malappuram | ₹8,16,038 | ₹8,16,038 | ₹21,65,720 |
| Mount Zion Medical College, Pathanamthitta | ₹8,09,939 | ₹8,09,939 | ₹21,65,720 |
| Palakkad Inst of Medical Sciences, Walayar | ₹8,98,800 | ₹8,98,800 | ₹16,65,720 |
| PK Das Institute of Medical Sciences, Palakkad | ₹8,97,000 | ₹8,97,000 | ₹16,65,720 |
| Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Tiruvalla | ₹8,56,840 | ₹8,56,840 | ₹22,49,006 |
| Sree Gokulam Medical College, Trivandrum | ₹7,71,595 | ₹7,71,595 | ₹21,65,720 |
| Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Ernakulam | ₹8,49,961 | ₹8,49,961 | ₹21,65,720 |
| Sree Uthradom Thiurnal Academy of Medical Sciences,Trivandrum | ₹7,76,504 | ₹7,76,504 | ₹21,65,720 |
| Travancore Medical College, Kollam | ₹8,16,038 | ₹8,16,038 | ₹16,65,720 |
Kerala NEET Counselling 2026 FAQ
Q1. Who conducts Kerala NEET UG counselling?
Kerala NEET UG counselling is conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala for admission to MBBS and BDS courses in government and private medical colleges of the state.
Q2. How many rounds are there in Kerala NEET counselling?
Kerala NEET counselling is conducted in four rounds: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 (Mop-Up), and Stray Vacancy Round. Each round provides an opportunity for fresh allotment or seat upgradation.
Q3. Is Kerala domicile mandatory for MBBS admission?
Yes, Kerala domicile is required for admission under the 85% state quota seats. However, non-domicile candidates can apply for private college management quota and NRI quota seats.
Q4. Can I participate in Round 2 if I exit in Round 1?
No, candidates who exit a seat allotted in Round 1 are not eligible for Round 2. However, they can participate again in Round 3 through fresh registration.
Q5. What is the registration fee for Kerala NEET counselling?
The option registration fee for MBBS in Round 1 is ₹5,000. In Round 3, candidates need to pay ₹1,00,000 (₹95,000 + ₹5,000), which is refundable as per rules if no seat is allotted.
Q6. Can other state students apply for Kerala NEET counselling?
Yes, candidates from other states can apply for private medical colleges under management quota and NRI quota seats in Kerala.
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