KEAM Eligibility Criteria 2025:  Education Qualification, Age Limit, Category- wise & Course- wise Requirements

KEAM Eligibility Criteria 2025: Education Qualification, Age Limit, Category- wise & Course- wise Requirements

Aparajita Debnath

Table of Contents

  1. KEAM Eligibility Criteria 2025: Overview
  2. KEAM 2025 Course- wise Eligibility Criteria
  3. KEAM 2025 Category –wise Eligibility Criteria
  4. Documents Required as Proof of KEAM Eligibility 2025
  5. Who is not eligible for KEAM 2025?

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 2025 eligibility criteria on the website cee.kerala.gov.in. Candidates can check the detailed KEAM eligibility criteria in this article. It is mandatory for applicants to fulfill the KEAM 2025 eligibility criteria to fill the KEAM 2025 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 24 to 28, 2025. The candidates for KEAM 2025 have been divided into three categories according to their residency qualification. If a candidate is found ineligible at any stage of admission as per the eligibility criteria of KEAM 2025, their candidature will be cancelled. Detailed information about KEAM eligibility criteria is discussed below. Please review the article carefully.

Also Check: KEAM Registration 2025.

KEAM Eligibility Criteria 2025: Overview

The table below has been explained in detail so that candidates can easily understand all the information related to KEAM Eligibility Criteria 2025.

CategoryDetails
NationalityMust be an Indian citizen Persons of Indian Origin PIO and Overseas Citizens of India OCI are eligible but not for reservation benefits Reservation and relaxation benefits are available only to Indian citizens and Keralite category candidates
Age LimitMust have completed 17 years of age as on December 31, 2025, No upper age limit for Engineering Architecture BPharm BAMS BSMS BHMS and BUMS For MBBS and BDS upper age limit as per NEET UG 2025 guidelines
Academic Qualification
  • Engineering Passed Higher Secondary Examination Kerala or equivalent Minimum 45 percent marks in Physics Chemistry and Mathematics taken together Socially and educationally backward classes get 5% relaxation in minimum marks SC and ST candidates need only a pass mark in the subjects
  • Architecture BArch Passed 10 plus 2 with Mathematics as a compulsory subject or 10 plus 3 Diploma with Mathematics Minimum 50 percent aggregate marks in the qualifying exam Valid NATA score is mandatory
  • Pharmacy BPharm Passed Higher Secondary Examination with 50 percent marks in Biology or Mathematics separately and 50 percent marks in Physics Chemistry and Biology or Mathematics together SC and ST candidates need only a pass in the subjects
  • Medical and Allied Courses Passed 10 plus 2 with Physics Chemistry and Biology or Biotechnology Minimum 50 percent marks in Biology or Biotechnology and 50 percent in Physics Chemistry and Biology or Biotechnology together Must qualify NEET UG 2025 Relaxation is available for eligible categories as per NEET rules
Domicile or Nativity
  • Keralite Candidates of Kerala origin Eligible for all reservations and fee concessions
  • Non Keralite Category One NK One Non Keralites who meet specific conditions like studying in Kerala Eligible for admission but not for reservation or fee concession
  • Non Keralite Category Two NK Two Other Non-Keralites Eligible for admission to engineering and pharmacy courses in private self-financing colleges under management quota only when Keralite and NK One candidates are not available Not eligible for reservation or concession
Number of AttemptsNo restriction on number of attempts for KEAM
ReservationCommunal reservation is available for SC ST and Other Backward Classes as per Kerala government norms EWS category has 10% reservation in applicable courses Persons with Disabilities are eligible for 5% reservation in each course Candidates must be Keralite to claim any reservation benefit non-Keralite candidates are not eligible for communal or fee concession reservations

KEAM 2025 Course- wise Eligibility Criteria

For those candidates who want to know the KEAM 2025 course-wise eligibility criteria in detail, the table below will be very helpful. Please check it.

Engineering Courses

Eligibility RequirementDetails
Educational Qualification10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM)
Minimum Marks50% marks in Mathematics and overall
Required ExamMust appear for KEAM 2025 exam
Age LimitMinimum 17 years by December 31, 2024
Additional NotesKEAM is mandatory for admission

Pharmacy Courses

Eligibility RequirementDetails
Educational Qualification10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and either Biology (PCB) or Mathematics (PCM)
Minimum Marks50% in either Biology or Mathematics
Required ExamKEAM exam optional (only for some Pharmacy colleges)
Age LimitMinimum 17 years by December 31, 2024
Additional NotesKEAM is optional for some colleges

Architecture Courses

Eligibility RequirementDetails
Educational Qualification10+2 with Mathematics as subject
Minimum MarksMinimum 50% marks in 10+2
Required ExamMust qualify in NATA 2025
Age LimitMinimum 17 years by December 31, 2024
Additional NotesNo KEAM exam required. Counselling through KEAM portal.

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

Eligibility RequirementDetails
Educational Qualification10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB)
Minimum MarksMinimum marks as per NEET rules
Required ExamMust qualify NEET 2025
Age LimitMinimum 17 years by December 31, 2024
Additional NotesNo KEAM exam required. Counselling through KEAM portal.

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 2025 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 2025

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 2025?

There are also specific criteria for who is not eligible for KEAM 2025, 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, 2025. 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.

FAQ - KEAM

Ans: Candidates eligible for EWS, upload the EWS certificate obtained from the Village Officer in the prescribed format. Candidates from the communities listed in Appendix X (a) whose annual family income is up to Rs. 6 lakhs will be exempted from paying the course fee. To claim this, upload the community and income certificate.

Ans: To qualify for the KEAM Engineering Entrance Exam and get a place in the Engineering Rank List, a candidate must secure at least 10 marks in Paper 1 and Paper 2 of the Engineering Entrance Exam. Candidates who do not secure the minimum prescribed marks will not be included in the Rank List. Exemption: There is no minimum mark requirement for SC/ST candidates in the Engineering Entrance Exam. However, candidates who fail to answer at least one question in each paper will be disqualified. Also, in the B.Pharma Rank List, a candidate must secure a minimum of 10 marks out of the 480 indices calculated. Candidates who do not secure the minimum prescribed index marks will not be included in the Rank List. Exemption: There is no minimum index mark requirement for the B.Pharma course ranking for SC/ST candidates. However, candidates who fail to answer at least one question in Paper 1 of the Engineering Entrance Exam will be disqualified.

Ans: Yes, those who have completed class 12 from CBSE, ICSE, or any other recognized board outside Kerala can apply for KEAM 2025. However, they must fulfill the required educational qualifications and select the correct birth category at the time of registration. To be considered for state quota seats, you must fall under Keralite or Non-Keralite Category I. Non-Keralite Category II students are eligible for only a limited number of courses and colleges, mostly in self-financing institutions.

Ans: Yes, those who are not permanent residents of Kerala can also apply for KEAM 2025. However, they will be considered under the non-Keralite category. Based on their category (non-Keralite I or II), they may be eligible for admission to certain courses like engineering or pharmacy, but not for admission to medical or allied health courses through KEAM. Therefore, it is important to check your birth category before applying.

Ans: The KEAM Eligibility Criteria 2025 will be published along with the official KEAM 2025 Prospectus. Candidates can download the official prospectus from the official website of CEE Kerala.

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