KEAM (Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical) is the state entrance examination conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala. Engineering (B.Tech) admissions in Kerala are based on a combined rank calculated from KEAM score and Plus Two marks.
Who Should Appear for KEAM 2026?
KEAM 2026 is relevant if you want to:
- Secure a government quota B.Tech seat at any engineering college in Kerala
- Get admission to top government engineering colleges like College of Engineering Thiruvananthapuram (CET), NIT Calicut, Government Engineering College Thrissur
If you are applying only for management quota seats at private colleges, KEAM is not mandatory — but a good KEAM score strengthens your application.
Eligibility for KEAM 2026
- Passed or appearing in Plus Two (Class 12) in 2026 or 2025
- Physics and Mathematics are compulsory subjects
- Chemistry or Computer Science as the third subject
- Minimum 45% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry/CS, and Mathematics
- Kerala domicile or studied in a Kerala school for at least 5 years (for state quota seats)
Exam Pattern
KEAM consists of two papers:
- Paper 1: Physics and Chemistry — 72 questions, 288 marks, 150 minutes
- Paper 2: Mathematics — 72 questions, 288 marks, 150 minutes
Each correct answer: 4 marks. Wrong answer: −1 mark. Unanswered: 0.
How KEAM Rank is Calculated
Your KEAM All India Rank (AIR) and State Rank are not based on KEAM score alone. The formula used by CEE Kerala is:
Combined Rank = 50% KEAM score + 50% Normalised Plus Two marks (PCM)
This means a student with average KEAM marks but very high Plus Two marks can outrank a student with high KEAM but average board marks. Consistent Plus Two performance matters as much as exam day performance.
Approximate Cutoff Ranks for Top Colleges (Previous Years)
- College of Engineering Thiruvananthapuram (CET) — Computer Science: Rank 1–200
- NIT Calicut — CS/IT (NRI/Management quota): Depends on JEE Mains rank
- Government Engineering College Thrissur — CS: Rank 200–800
- Model Engineering College Kochi — Electronics: Rank 500–1500
- Top private colleges (CS/IT): Rank 1–5000 for merit quota; management quota available at any rank
Top Kerala Engineering Colleges by KEAM Cutoff (Merit Seats)
- College of Engineering Thiruvananthapuram (CET)
- College of Engineering Trivandrum (CETT)
- Government Engineering College Thrissur
- Model Engineering College, Thrikkakara
- College of Engineering Munnar
- LBS Institute of Technology for Women
For students with ranks above 10,000 or who missed KEAM, top private colleges in Tamil Nadu (SRM, VIT, Amrita) admit on JEE Mains score or direct management quota.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is KEAM compulsory for engineering admission in Kerala?
KEAM is required for government quota seats at Kerala engineering colleges. For management quota seats at private colleges in Kerala, or for colleges in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, it is not required.
What KEAM rank is needed for Computer Science at a good Kerala college?
For top government colleges (CET, GECT), you need a rank within the top 500–1,000. For the best private engineering colleges in Kerala with merit seats, a rank within 5,000–8,000 is typically sufficient.
How many times can I appear for KEAM?
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for KEAM. You can appear every year you are eligible. However, since eligibility is tied to the year of Plus Two, you can effectively appear in the year of your Plus Two and one year after (for repeaters).
Can JEE Mains score be used instead of KEAM for Kerala admissions?
NIT Calicut and other centrally funded institutes in Kerala admit through JEE Mains rank, not KEAM. Some private deemed universities in Kerala also accept JEE Mains scores for their engineering programmes.