KEAM

Overview

Kerala Engineering, Architecture and Medical (KEAM) is the entrance examination conducted by the Office of the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Government of Kerala, for admission to professional degree programmes in the state. CEE conducts the entrance test itself for Engineering and Pharmacy courses. Candidates seeking Medical and allied courses in Kerala must separately qualify NEET-UG, and those seeking Architecture must qualify NATA; KEAM allotment for these courses uses those scores rather than a CEE-conducted test.

Who can apply

For the Engineering stream, a candidate must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, along with Chemistry, Biotechnology, Computer Science or Biology as the optional subject, meeting the minimum marks CEE prescribes for the year. For Pharmacy, Chemistry or Biology is required along with Physics and Mathematics. Kerala also applies its own nativity and reservation categories for state-quota seats, detailed in the KEAM prospectus published each year.

Exam pattern

KEAM for Engineering and Pharmacy is a computer-based test (CBT). For 2026, the question paper covered Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics across 150 questions carrying 600 marks in all, with each subject as a separate paper.

Each question is multiple-choice with four options.

Syllabus

The syllabus is based on the Kerala Class 11 and 12 (Higher Secondary) curriculum for Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. CEE publishes the detailed unit-wise syllabus in the official KEAM prospectus each year.

Marking and results

CEE publishes the KEAM rank list based on the CBT score for Engineering and Pharmacy applicants. For Medical and allied courses, the Kerala rank list is prepared using NEET-UG scores, and for Architecture using the NATA score, combined with Kerala-specific eligibility rules. Answer keys are published online first, with a window for candidates to raise objections before the final key and result are released.

Important dates

For the 2026 cycle, the KEAM candidate portal opened in early 2026, and the CBT for Engineering and Pharmacy was scheduled across sessions from 13 to 25 April 2026, with the exact date depending on the candidate's chosen subjects. CEE announces the full schedule, including application and correction windows, on its website each year.

Fees

CEE notifies the KEAM application fee for each year in the official prospectus, with a lower fee for SC/ST and other reserved categories under Kerala's rules. Candidates should check the current fee on the CEE portal before applying, since it can change between cycles.

How to apply

Applications are submitted online on the CEE website (cee.kerala.gov.in). Candidates register, fill in academic and category details, upload photograph and signature, and pay the fee online. CEE also allows a correction window after submission for candidates to fix errors in their application.

After the exam

Candidates who qualify take part in CEE's Centralised Allotment Process (CAP), a single-window counselling system where they submit option lists for colleges and courses in order of preference. Seats are allotted in rounds based on rank, category, and option choices, after which candidates report to the allotted institution to confirm admission.

Preparation tips

Because KEAM Mathematics carries as many marks as Physics and Chemistry combined, giving Mathematics proportionate practice time is important even for students planning to opt for the Biology-based Pharmacy route. Solving previous years' KEAM papers under timed conditions helps get used to the CBT interface and the pace needed to attempt all three subjects. Keep track of the CEE prospectus each year, since subject combinations and marks required can be revised.

FAQs