KEAM 2026 rank list will be released by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, and shows category-wise ranks for OC, SEBC, SC and ST students based on marks scored out of 480 in Paper 1 (Mathematics) and Paper 2 (Physics and Chemistry).

The KEAM rank list is the deciding document for engineering and pharmacy seat allotments in Kerala government, aided and self-financing colleges. Knowing how your score maps to a rank across OC, SEBC, SC and ST categories helps you set realistic targets before KEAM 2026 counselling begins.

  • KEAM total marks: 480 — Paper 1 (Maths): 240 marks; Paper 2 (Physics + Chemistry): 240 marks.
  • CEE Kerala publishes separate rank lists for OC, SEBC, SC, ST, OEC, EWS and DA categories.
  • Your OC rank is the general merit rank; your category rank determines reserved-seat eligibility.
  • Based on 2025 trends, a KEAM score of 340+ out of 480 in OC category is expected to yield a rank under 2,500.
  • SC and ST students need roughly 60–110 fewer marks than OC students to reach an equivalent rank bracket.

KEAM 2026 Rank List Overview

CEE Kerala releases the KEAM 2026 rank list on its official portal at cee.kerala.gov.in/keam2026 after the result is declared. Every student who meets the minimum eligibility criteria receives an OC rank. Students in reserved categories also receive separate category ranks used to fill reserved seats.

ParticularsDetails
Conducting BodyCommissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala
Exam PapersPaper 1 (Mathematics, 60 questions) + Paper 2 (Physics and Chemistry, 60 questions)
Total Maximum Marks480 (240 + 240)
Marking Scheme+4 for correct answer; -1 for incorrect answer
Categories in Rank ListOC, SEBC, SC, ST, OEC, EWS and DA
Rank List Used ForEngineering, Pharmacy and Architecture admissions in Kerala

KEAM 2026 Marks vs Rank — OC Category

The table below shows expected KEAM 2026 score bands and corresponding OC rank ranges, based on KEAM 2025 rank list analysis. All data is estimated; actual 2026 ranks may vary based on paper difficulty and number of students appearing.

KEAM 2026 Score (out of 480)Expected OC Rank Range
430 – 4801 – 50
400 – 42951 – 250
370 – 399251 – 900
340 – 369901 – 2,500
300 – 3392,501 – 6,000
260 – 2996,001 – 12,000
220 – 25912,001 – 20,000
180 – 21920,001 – 30,000
Below 18030,001 and above

Students scoring 400 or more out of 480 stand a strong chance at top government engineering colleges. A score between 300 and 370 opens access to aided college seats and several government college branches.


Category-Wise Rank Distribution: OC, SEBC, SC and ST

The table below shows approximate marks needed to achieve key rank milestones across OC, SEBC, SC and ST, based on KEAM 2025 trends. These are expected figures.

Expected Rank BracketOC (Marks)SEBC (Marks)SC (Marks)ST (Marks)
1 – 100415 – 480395 – 480345 – 480300 – 480
101 – 500375 – 415355 – 395305 – 345265 – 300
501 – 2,000335 – 375315 – 355265 – 305225 – 265
2,001 – 5,000285 – 335265 – 315215 – 265175 – 225
5,001 – 10,000240 – 285220 – 265175 – 215140 – 175
10,001 – 20,000185 – 240165 – 220130 – 175100 – 140
  • SEBC students need approximately 15–25 marks fewer than OC students for the same category rank.
  • SC students typically need around 60–70 marks fewer than OC students for an equivalent rank bracket.
  • ST students benefit the most — expected to need 80–110 marks fewer than OC students for the same rank range.
  • CEE Kerala uses both your OC rank and category rank during seat allotment — reserved seats are filled using the category rank.

How KEAM 2026 Rank is Calculated

The KEAM 2026 Engineering rank is based entirely on your KEAM paper scores:

  1. Score Your Papers: +4 for each correct answer; -1 for each wrong answer; 0 for unanswered. Maximum score = 480.
  2. Add Paper 1 and Paper 2: Total KEAM score = Paper 1 marks (out of 240) + Paper 2 marks (out of 240).
  3. OC Rank: All eligible students are ranked in descending order of total score. The highest scorer gets OC Rank 1.
  4. Category Rank: Students in each reserved category (SEBC, SC, ST, OEC, EWS, DA) are ranked separately within their group.
  5. Tie Resolution: Equal totals are resolved first by higher Paper 1 (Maths) marks, then by higher Physics marks, then by age — the older student gets the better rank.

Expected College Chances by KEAM 2026 Rank

Your KEAM 2026 OC rank indicates the college tier and branch accessible during CEE Kerala counselling. The table below is based on KEAM 2025 closing ranks and is expected to remain broadly applicable for 2026.

OC Rank RangeExpected College and Branch Access (Based on 2025 Trends)
Rank 1 – 500Top government colleges (College of Engineering Trivandrum, GEC Thrissur, TKM Kollam) — CSE, ECE and IT
Rank 501 – 2,000Good government engineering colleges — CSE and ECE; top aided colleges — CSE
Rank 2,001 – 6,000Government colleges — Mechanical, Civil and EEE; aided colleges — CSE and ECE
Rank 6,001 – 15,000Aided colleges — all branches; self-financing colleges — CSE and ECE
Rank 15,001 – 30,000Self-financing colleges — core engineering branches
Rank 30,001 and aboveSelf-financing colleges — limited branch availability

For SEBC, SC and ST students, your category rank fills reserved seats. SC and ST students with a category rank under 500 typically access top government colleges through reserved quota, even when their OC rank is considerably higher.

KEAM 2026 Rank List FAQs

Ques. What is the total marks for KEAM 2026?

Ans. KEAM 2026 carries a total of 480 marks. Paper 1 (Mathematics) has 60 questions worth 240 marks and Paper 2 (Physics and Chemistry) has 60 questions worth 240 marks. Each correct answer earns 4 marks; each wrong answer deducts 1 mark.

Ques. What is the difference between OC rank and SEBC rank in KEAM 2026?

Ans. The OC rank is the general merit rank assigned to all students in descending order of total KEAM score. The SEBC rank is computed separately only among SEBC students and is used to fill SEBC-reserved seats. An SEBC student receives both an OC rank and a separate SEBC rank.

Ques. What is a good KEAM 2026 score for OC category?

Ans. Based on 2025 trends, a score of 340 or more out of 480 is expected to be a good score for OC category, placing you within a rank of roughly 2,500. A score of 300 or above should secure a rank under 6,000, which allows access to many aided college seats.

Ques. How many marks less do SC students need compared to OC for the same KEAM rank?

Ans. Based on KEAM 2025 data, SC students typically need approximately 60–70 marks fewer than OC students to secure a similar rank. ST students benefit even more, needing around 80–110 fewer marks for the same rank bracket.

Ques. Where can I download the KEAM 2026 rank card?

Ans. You can download the KEAM 2026 rank card from the official CEE Kerala portal at cee.kerala.gov.in after the rank list is released. Log in with your KEAM application number and password and go to the rank card download section.

Ques. Does KEAM 2026 rank include Class 12 board marks?

Ans. No. The KEAM 2026 Engineering rank is based entirely on KEAM Paper 1 and Paper 2 scores. Class 12 board marks are not included in rank calculation, though students must meet the minimum Class 12 eligibility criteria to appear in the rank list.