Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical (KEAM) is a state-level entrance examination for admission to various professional courses in Kerala conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala. CEE, Kerala has released the KEAM 2026 eligibility criteria on the website cee.kerala.gov.in. It is mandatory for applicants to fulfill the eligibility criteria to fill the KEAM 2026 application form.

The eligibility criteria include nationality, age limit, residency, educational requirements, category-wise eligibility, reservation policy and more. The Commissioner of Entrance Examinations will conduct the KEAM examination for admission to undergraduate courses like B.Tech, B.Arch etc. from April 15 to 21, 2025. The candidates for KEAM 2026 have been divided into three categories according to their residency qualification.  If any candidate is found ineligible at any stage of admission as per the eligibility criteria of KEAM 2026, his/her candidature will be cancelled. Detailed information about KEAM eligibility criteria is discussed below. Please review the article carefully.

For more details Check KEAM Registration page.

KEAM Eligibility Criteria 2026: Highlights

The table below has been explained in detail so that candidates can easily understand all the information related to KEAM Eligibility Criteria 2026.

KEAM 2026 Course- wise Eligibility Criteria

For those candidates who want to know the KEAM 2026 course-wise eligibility criteria in detail, the table below will be very helpful. Please check it.

Engineering Courses

Pharmacy Courses

Architecture Courses

Medical & Allied Courses (MBBS, BDS, BAMS, etc.)

Note

• Engineering Courses: KEAM is mandatory.
• Pharmacy Courses: KEAM exam is optional for some colleges.
• Architecture Courses: Must appear for NATA instead of KEAM.
• Medical & Allied Courses: NEET is mandatory; KEAM is not required.

KEAM 2026 Category -wise Eligibility Criteria

To facilitate the understanding of the candidates, detailed information regarding KEAM 2025 category-wise eligibility criteria is discussed in the table below.

Keralite Category

• If the candidates are originally residents of Kerala, they will be classified as residents of Kerala.
• Children of All India Service (AIS) officers (non-residents of Kerala) appointed in Kerala cadre will also be classified as residents of Kerala, but such candidates will not be eligible for reservation for communal/special/disabled persons or any fee concession.

Non-Keralite Category I (NK I)

Candidates who do not fall under the category of Kerala residents but fulfill the given conditions, will be considered for admission under non-Kerala resident Category I (NK I).

• Candidates who are not residents of Kerala but have completed their 8th to 12th classes in Kerala.
• Candidates who have passed their qualifying examination in Kerala and their non-Kerala resident parents are employed in the Government of India/Defence Services, Kerala.
• Candidates who have completed their qualifying course from Kerala and their non-Kerala resident parents are employed or working in the Government of Kerala for at least two years.
• Candidates who are not residents of Kerala but are residents of Kerala and have completed at least 5 years of education in the State out of 12 years.

Non-Keralite Category II (NK II)

• Candidates from this category will be eligible for admission to Government and Management Quota seats in B.Tech programmes offered by Government run self-financing colleges and private self-financing engineering.
• However, students should note that candidates from this category will get admission in the above institutions only when Kerala and Non-Kerala I (NK I) candidates are not available for admission.
• Students should note that no reservation for any communal/special/persons with disabilities or any fee concession will be given to candidates from this category.

Note: Candidates from any of the three categories given above will be admitted in case of seats reserved for candidates nominated by the Government of India, Union Territory Administration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Administration and Jammu & Kashmir.

Documents Required as Proof of KEAM Eligibility 2026

For Kerala Division

• Original copy of the candidate's Secondary School Leaving Certificate, stating the place of birth as Kerala, OR
• Original copy of the candidate's Secondary School Leaving Certificate of either of the candidate's parents, stating the place of birth as Kerala and a supporting document establishing the relationship between the candidate and the parents, OR
• Original copy of the candidate's passport issued by the Government of India, stating their place of birth as Kerala or Passport of either of the parents, along with a supporting document establishing the relationship between the candidate and the parents, OR
• A certificate from the competent authority (Panchayat/Municipality/Corporation) stating the place of birth as Kerala or Birth certificate of either of the candidate's parents and a supporting document establishing the relationship between the parents, OR
• A certificate from the Tehsildar/Village Officer, stating that the place of birth of the candidate or either of the parents is in Kerala. Students are required to attach the document with the application form printed in the prescribed format, OR
• A certificate from the competent authority stating that the candidate's parent is an All-India Service Officer posted in Kerala Cadre.

For Non- Kerala Category I (NK I)

• A certificate issued by the employer in the prescribed format from the head of the institution where the candidate's parents are employed/employed, and a certificate from the head of the institution from which the candidate studied bearing proof of schooling in Kerala for classes XI and XII, OR
• Domicile certificate from the Tehsildar/Village Officer stating that the candidate has resided in Kerala for 5 years out of the 12 years of his/her studies, OR
• A certificate from the head of an educational institution in Kerala stating that the candidate has studied in Kerala from classes VIII to XII. Students must note that the certificate in the prescribed format must be submitted along with the application form.

For Non-Kerala Category II (NK II)

KEAM Engineering II for Non-Kerala Residents will be required to produce a certificate of completion of the qualifying examination in the prescribed format or a passport issued by the Government of India to prove their Indian citizenship.

Who is not eligible for KEAM 2026?

There are also specific criteria for who is not eligible for KEAM 2026, all that information will be discussed in detail below.

• Applicants who are not Indian citizens: KEAM is open only to Indian citizens, PIOs or OCIs. If you do not fall under these categories, you are not eligible to apply.
• Students who have not cleared the required exams: If you have not passed 10+2 with the correct subjects or minimum marks, you will not be able to apply for Chem 2025.
• Candidates below the minimum age limit: You must be at least 17 years of age by December 31, 2026. If you are below the age limit, you will not be allowed to appear for the exam.
• Those who fail to submit valid documents: Your application may be rejected due to incorrect documents like birth certificate, community certificate or mark sheet.
• Applicants without Kerala birthplace or eligible category: If you are not a Keralan or cannot prove eligibility under any recognized category, you will not be eligible for state quota or reserved seats.