KEAM 2026 CAP Round 2 Choice Filling: Rearrange Preferences After Round 1

KEAM 2026 CAP Round 2 choice filling lets you rearrange, add or delete college and course preferences after the Round 1 allotment result — without losing your current allotted seat.

The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, runs the Centralized Allotment Process (CAP) across three regular rounds plus a mop-up round. After Round 1 allotment, CEE opens a fresh choice rearrangement window. A key fact many students miss: accepting your Round 1 seat and paying the confirmation fee does not cancel your higher preferences. You remain eligible for upgradation in Round 2 and can revise your list accordingly.

• KEAM 2026 Round 1 allotment is expected on July 8, 2026; Round 2 choice filling opens shortly after.
• Accepting a Round 1 seat does not cancel higher-ranked preferences — you automatically stay in Round 2 contention.
• You can add new choices, delete existing ones or rearrange your order multiple times before the window closes.
• No re-registration is required between CAP rounds.
• Round 2 allotment runs on the revised choice list you submit during the rearrangement window.

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Who Can Rearrange Preferences for KEAM 2026 CAP Round 2?

All students registered for KEAM 2026 CAP are eligible to modify their choice list for Round 2, regardless of whether they received an allotment in Round 1. The table below shows what each category of student should do after the Round 1 result.

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How to Rearrange Preferences in KEAM 2026 CAP Round 2

CEE Kerala provides a secure online portal for all CAP activities. Follow these steps to revise your choice list during the Round 2 window.

1. Visit the official portal at cee.kerala.gov.in/keam2026 and click on the CAP login link.
2. Log in with your KEAM 2026 application number and password. Use the same credentials you created at the time of registration.
3. On your dashboard, click "Option Registration / Choice Rearrangement" to open your saved choice list.
4. Modify your list as needed:
   • Add new choices by searching for college and course combinations from the available list.
   • Delete choices you no longer want by selecting and removing them.
   • Rearrange the order using the drag-and-drop option or the up/down arrows to set your new priority.
5. Review your final list carefully. Choice number 1 is your most preferred option — the system allots the highest-ranked choice your rank can secure from your list.
6. Click "Save and Submit" to lock in your revised choices before the deadline. You can re-edit multiple times within the open window; the list saved at closing time is treated as final.

Important: Once the Round 2 choice filling window closes, no further changes are permitted until the next round’s window opens, if applicable.

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KEAM 2026 CAP Round 2 Choice Filling Strategy

A well-planned choice list significantly improves your chances of a better allotment in Round 2. Use these strategies when revising your preferences.

• Accept your Round 1 seat before rearranging choices. CEE Kerala does not cancel higher preferences when you confirm a Round 1 seat. Accepting it secures your fallback while you continue competing for upgradation.
• Place your most ambitious but realistic choices at the top. Use Round 1 closing ranks to identify colleges and courses where you have a reasonable shot, and add them above your current allotment.
• Never delete a choice you would be happy to accept. If your rank is borderline for a course, keep it in the list. Removing it permanently forfeits your chance of a surprise allotment in that round.
• Fill more choices, not fewer. CEE Kerala allows a large number of options in the CAP portal — the more college-course combinations you add, the wider the net you cast.
• Check government quota versus management quota availability. Seats can shift between quota categories between rounds. Add choices under both quotas where you are eligible.
• Consider branch flexibility at your target college. If your rank is not competitive for Computer Science at a preferred institution, add Electrical or Electronics from the same college — Round 2 cutoffs often ease for less-competitive branches.

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How Round 1 Closing Ranks Should Guide Your Round 2 Choices

Round 1 closing ranks are the most reliable reference for planning your Round 2 list. In KEAM CAP, Round 2 closing ranks typically shift by a small margin. Students who decline or withdraw after Round 1 free up seats, which can make certain courses accessible that were out of reach in the first round.

The table below is a general planning guide based on KEAM 2025 CAP trends:

Note: The above is based on KEAM 2025 CAP data and is expected as a general trend for 2026. Actual closing ranks will vary by college, course and category.

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Mistakes to Avoid in KEAM 2026 CAP Round 2 Choice Filling

Many students lose seats in Round 2 due to avoidable errors during choice rearrangement. Keep these points in mind before submitting your revised list.

• Do not delete your Round 1 allotment from the choice list unless you are certain you do not want that seat. Removing it while chasing an upgrade can leave you with no allotment if Round 2 does not produce a better result.
• Do not fill only 3–5 choices. A short list drastically reduces your chances. Aim to add at least 15–20 college-course combinations across realistic preferences.
• Do not submit without reviewing the final order. The system allots the highest-ranked choice your rank can secure. An accidental order swap can result in a less preferred seat being locked in.
• Do not ignore reserved category seats. If you qualify under SC, ST, OBC or other reserved categories, check those seat types separately — reserved quotas often open better options for eligible students.
• Do not wait until the last hour. Portal traffic is high near the deadline. Save your choices well before closing time and verify the submission confirmation on screen.