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KEAM 2026 Counselling: Dates, Option Registration, Fees, Seat Allotment, Documents Required

• Updated on 10 Nov, 2025 by Ankita Banerjee

KEAM 2026 counselling will be conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) after the release of the official rank lists. The counselling, also known as the Centralised Admission Process (CAP), will be held in multiple rounds, with the detailed schedule for each round announced separately on the official website, cee.kerala.gov.in. The CAP process involves several steps, including option registration, rearrangement of options if required, printing of the final option list, provisional seat allotment, publication of the final allotment results, payment of the confirmation fee, and reporting to the allotted college for final admission.

 

KEAM 2026 counselling is expected to include three regular rounds followed by a mop-up round, with the cutoff or last rank list released after each phase. Candidates whose names appear in the KEAM 2026 rank list for Engineering, Architecture, BPharm, Medical & Allied, or Ayurveda courses will be eligible to participate in the counselling. While the entire process is conducted online, the spot counselling round is held offline. For students who may not have access to internet facilities, the government will set up free ‘Facilitation Centres’ (FCs) across the state to assist with option registration and related activities.

 

Table of Contents

  1. KEAM 2026 Counselling Dates
  2. KEAM 2026 Counselling Process
  3. Documents Required for KEAM 2026 Counselling
  4. KEAM 2026 Counselling Fees
  5. KEAM 2026 Participating Colleges
  6. KEAM 2026 Counselling FAQs

 

KEAM 2026 Counselling Dates

Candidates can check the following table for the tentative KEAM 2026 counselling dates:

EventsTentative Dates

KEAM 2026 exam date

15 Apr – 21 Apr 2026

Answer key release

Apr 2026

Answer key challenge window

Apr 2026 – May 2026

Final answer keys and response sheet release

May 2026

Scores publication

May 2026

Facility to submit 10+2 marks

May 2026 – Jun 2026

Rank list release for engineering and pharmacy

Jun 2026

Counselling option registration for BTech – Round 1

Jul 2026

Counselling provisional allotment for BTech – Phase 1

Jul 2026

Counselling final allotment for BTech – Phase 1

Jul 2026

Counselling fee payment as indicated on allotment memo – Phase 1

Jul 2026

Counselling option confirmation/rearrangement for BTech – Round 2

Jul 2026

Counselling provisional allotment for BTech – Phase 2

Jul 2026

Counselling final allotment for BTech – Phase 2

Jul 2026

Counselling fee payment as indicated on allotment memo – Phase 2

Jul 2026 – Aug 2026

Counselling fresh option registration in Phase 3

Aug 2026

Counselling Phase 3 provisional allotment

Aug 2026

Counselling Phase 3 final allotment

Aug 2026

Counselling stray round

Aug 2026

Also Check: KEAM 2026 Cutoff

 

KEAM 2026 Counselling Process

KEAM 2026 counselling is held online by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala. The given process starts with registration and finishes when students report to the college to which they are allotted.

 

Step 1: Online Registration and Fee Payment

Students have to log in at cee.kerala.gov.in using their application number and password. After registering for CAP, the counselling fee needs to be paid online. Only after the payment is done can they move ahead to choose college options.

 

Step 2: Choosing Colleges and Courses

Students can select the colleges and courses they prefer. It’s important to arrange them carefully because allotment depends on both the rank and the priority set. If required, they can add, remove, or change the order of choices until the last date.

 

Step 3: Trial Allotment

CEE publishes a trial allotment to give an idea of the possible seats based on the submitted options. It’s only a preview, not the final list. After seeing the trial result, students can edit their preferences to improve their chances in the real allotment.

 

Step 4: Round 1 Allotment

When Round 1 results are announced, students need to log in and download their provisional allotment memo. It will show the college and course they have been allotted in the first round.

 

Step 5: Payment of Admission Fee

If satisfied with the allotment, the admission fee must be paid within the given deadline. Those waiting for an upgrade in the next round can still pay the fee and hold the current seat while hoping for a better one.

 

Step 6: Further Rounds and Mop-Up

After Round 1, more rounds will be conducted for vacant seats. Finally, a mop-up round will be held to fill any leftover vacancies in government, aided, and private self-financing colleges.

 

Step 7: Reporting to the Allotted College

In the last step, students must visit the allotted college in person. They need to carry original certificates, the allotment memo, the fee payment receipt, and photocopies for verification. If they fail to report on time, the seat will be cancelled.

 

Documents Required for KEAM 2026 Counselling

Candidates participating in KEAM 2026 counselling must produce original certificates along with at least two sets of photocopies for verification at the allotted college. Without valid documents, the admission process cannot be completed.

  • KEAM 2026 Admit Card
  • KEAM 2026 Rank List & Scorecard
  • SSLC/Class 10 certificate or Birth Certificate
  • Class 12 / Plus Two Mark Sheet and Pass Certificate
  • Transfer Certificate (TC)
  • Conduct or Character Certificate
  • Migration Certificate
  • Eligibility Certificate (for students from boards other than Kerala HSE)
  • Allotment Memo
  • Seat Confirmation Fee Payment Receipt
  • Recent Passport-size Photographs
  • Community/Caste Certificate for SC/ST/SEBC candidates claiming reservation
  • Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) Certificate for SEBC candidates (if applicable)
  • Income Certificate
  • Special Category Certificates such as PWD, NCC, Sports, or any other applicable reservation

 

KEAM 2026 Counselling Fees

To participate in KEAM 2026 counselling under the Centralised Allotment Process (CAP), students must pay a one-time processing fee. It’s non-refundable, and without it, candidates won’t be able to complete registration, select colleges, or receive a seat allotment. The payment can be made online through credit card, debit card, UPI, or net banking on the official CEE Kerala website. After paying, download the receipt and keep it safely, as it will be required when you report to the allotted college.

Category

Counselling Fee

General

INR 2,000

SEBC

INR 2,000

SC

INR 500

ST

INR 500

OEC

INR 500

This fee is only for counselling registration. Students should remember that other charges like tuition fees, admission fees, and college deposits have to be paid separately at the time of final admission.

 

KEAM 2026 Counselling B.Tech Seats (New)

Candidates can check the following table for the college-wise seat intake for newly added B.Tech seats for KEAM 2026 Admissions. They are as follows:

S No

College Code

Name of College

Course

Seats

1

AJC

Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, Kanjirapally, Kottayam

BTech Computer Science and Engineering (Artificial Intelligence)

60

2

CCE

Christ College of Engineering, Irinjalakuda, Thrissur

BTech Computer Science and Business Systems

60

3

KSD

LBS College of Engineering, Kasargod

BTech Computer Science and Engineering (Artificial Intelligence and Data Science)

60

BTech Computer Science and Business Systems

60

4

MBC

Mar Baselios Christian College of Engineering, Peermede, Idukki

BTech Electronics and Computer Science

30

BTech Electrical and Computer Engineering

30

5

MBI

Mar Baselios Institute of Technology and Science, Kothamangalam

BTech Computer Science and Engineering (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning)

60

6

STI

St Thomas Institute for Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram

BTech Computer Science and Engineering (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning)

60

7

TKI

TKM Institute of Technology, Karuvelil, Kollam

BTech Computer Science and Engineering (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning)

60

8

PRP

College of Engineering and Management, Punnapra

BTech Electrical and Computer Engineering

60

9

TKR

College of Engineering, Trikaripur, Kasargod

BTech Computer Science and Engineering (Artificial Intelligence)

60

BTech Computer Science and Engineering (Data Science)

60

10

DMC

M. Dasan Institute of Technology, Ulliyeri, Kozhikode

BTech Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

30

11

KMI

KMCT Institute of Technology and Management, Kuttippuram, Malappuram

BTech Computer Science and Engineering (Cyber Security)

30

12

TLY

College of Engineering, Thalassery, Kannur

BTech Electronics and Computer Engineering

60

13

NCE

Nehru College of Engineering and Research Centre, Thrissur

BTech Mechanical Engineering (Industry Integrated)

60

BTech Electrical and Computer Engineering

60

14

JCE

Jawaharlal College of Engineering and Technology, Palakkad

BTech Mechanical Engineering (Industry Integrated)

30

BTech Civil Engineering with Computer Application

30

15

KMY

KMCT Institute of Engineering and Management, Malappuram

BTech Computer Science and Engineering

120

BTech Computer Science and Business Systems

60

BTech Artificial Intelligence and Data Science

60

BTech Electronics and Communication Engineering

30

16

KMZ

KMCT College of Engineering and Management, Kasargod

BTech Computer Science and Engineering

120

BTech Computer Science and Business Systems

60

BTech Artificial Intelligence and Data Science

60

BTech Electronics and Communication Engineering

30

17

KMV

KMCT College of Technology and Management, Vadakara

BTech Computer Science and Engineering

120

BTech Computer Science and Business Systems

60

BTech Artificial Intelligence and Data Science

60

BTech Electronics and Communication Engineering

30

18

SNP

Sree Narayana Institute of Technology, Adoor, Pathanamthitta

BTech Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

30

19

YCE

Younus College of Engineering, Kollam

BTech Biomedical Engineering

30

BTech Mechatronics

30

BTech Computer Science and Engineering (Data Science)

60

Get more information about KEAM 2026 Exam Pattern

 

KEAM 2026 Participating Colleges

KEAM 2026 counselling gives students the chance to get admission in many colleges across Kerala. These include government, government-aided, and private self-financing institutions. All of them are affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) and take part in the Centralised Allotment Process (CAP) held by CEE Kerala. Check these B.Tech Colleges:

Institute Name

Location

Type

College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram (CET)

Thiruvananthapuram

Government

Government Engineering College, Barton Hill

Thiruvananthapuram

Government

Government Engineering College Thrissur

Thrissur

Government

Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology

Kottayam

Government

Government Model Engineering College, Thrikkakara

Ernakulam

Government-aided

TKM College of Engineering

Kollam

Government-aided

Mar Athanasius College of Engineering

Kothamangalam

Government-aided

NSS College of Engineering

Palakkad

Government-aided

Federal Institute of Science and Technology

Angamaly, Ernakulam

Private

Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam

Kottayam

Private

 

KEAM 2026 Counselling FAQs

When will the KEAM 2026 counselling process start?

The KEAM 2026 counselling process is expected to begin in July 2026, right after the revised rank list is published. Candidates will be allowed to register and submit their college and course preferences through the Centralised Allotment Process (CAP) portal.

Can a student participate in KEAM 2026 counselling without paying the registration fee?

No, candidates cannot proceed with option entry or seat allotment without paying the one-time counselling fee. This fee confirms their participation in KEAM 2026 counselling and must be paid online through the official website.

Is it possible to change college options after the KEAM 2026 trial allotment?

Yes, candidates can rearrange, add, or delete their choices after the trial allotment. This mock round is provided only to give an idea of the possible allotment based on rank and options submitted, so revisions are allowed before the final option lock.

What happens if a student does not pay the seat confirmation fee after allotment through KEAM 2026 Counselling?

If the prescribed admission fee is not paid within the given deadline after seat allotment, the candidate will lose the allotted seat. Such candidates will also not be considered for further rounds unless they re-enter the counselling process in the next phase.

Are students from outside Kerala eligible for KEAM 2026 counselling?

Yes, non-Keralite students can also participate in KEAM counselling for specific seat categories. However, they must produce valid nativity or eligibility certificates, and certain government quota seats may still be reserved only for Kerala-origin candidates.

Is participation in all rounds of KEAM 2026 counselling mandatory?

No, candidates are not required to attend every round. If a student is satisfied with the seat allotted in an earlier round and has confirmed it by paying the fee, they can opt out of further rounds.

Will students need to report physically for document verification before allotment in KEAM 2026 Counselling?

No, there is no separate physical document verification before the seat allotment in KEAM 2026. Original certificates will be verified only at the allotted college during final admission reporting.

Can a candidate who has already taken admission in KEAM 2026 round 1 participate in Round 2 for an upgrade?

Yes, a student who has paid the admission fee and confirmed their Round 1 allotment can still opt for an upgrade in Round 2. If they receive a better option, the previous seat will be automatically cancelled.

What if a student misses the deadline for option entry?

Missing the option entry deadline means the candidate will not be considered for that counselling round. They must wait for the next phase of KEAM counselling, if available, to register their choices again.

Do students need to carry a physical fitness certificate during final reporting?

Yes, a valid physical fitness certificate in the prescribed format is mandatory at the time of reporting to the allotted college. Without it, the admission process will not be completed.

Are private self-financing colleges included in KEAM 2026 counselling?

Yes, KEAM 2026 counselling includes a mix of government, government-aided, and private self-financing colleges affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU). Seats in these institutions are allotted through the same CAP process.