Kerala NEET Counselling 2026: Phase 3 Option Registration Begins, Seat Allotment and Cutoff

Kerala NEET UG Counselling 2026 is conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE Kerala) for admission to MBBS and BDS courses through the state counselling process. The Third Phase allotment process has commenced, and CEE Kerala has made fresh online option registration mandatory for eligible candidates to be considered for Phase 3 allotment.

• Fresh Option Registration: Eligible candidates included in the medical rank lists can register fresh options for MBBS and BDS courses through cee.kerala.gov.in.
• Registration Deadline: Candidates must submit their fresh options by October 7, 2026, up to 10 AM. Options submitted in earlier phases will not be carried forward for Phase 3.
• Provisional Allotment: The Phase 3 provisional allotment will be published on October 8, 2026, based on the options submitted within the deadline.
• Final Allotment: The final Phase 3 allotment will be published on October 9, 2026.
• Who Must Register: Fresh option registration is required for candidates who received an allotment/admission in previous phases as well as those who remained unallotted, if they want to be considered for Phase 3. Candidates who do not submit fresh options will retain their previous allotment, where applicable.
• State Quota Seats: Phase 3 allotment covers State Quota MBBS and BDS seats, including applicable seats in government and self-financing medical and dental colleges.
• Important: Candidates who receive an allotment in Phase 3 but fail to join the allotted course or college within the prescribed deadline may lose the Phase 3 allotment, previous allotment, and all options in the concerned stream.

What is Kerala NEET Counselling 2027?

Kerala NEET Counselling 2027 is a centralized admission process run by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE Kerala) for MBBS and BDS seats in government and private medical colleges across Kerala. It is officially known as the KEAM Centralised Allotment Process (CAP) for NEET UG candidates. CEE Kerala manages state quota counselling for all government medical colleges and participating private self-financing medical colleges in the state.

The counselling uses NEET UG 2027 scores to generate a Kerala State Rank for each candidate. Seats are then allotted based on this state rank, the candidate’s nativity category (Keralite / NK-I / NK-II), the option order filled by the candidate, and the reservation policy of the Kerala government. For government college seats, the All India Quota (15%) is managed separately by MCC, New Delhi.

Here is a quick summary of Kerala NEET Counselling 2027:

Kerala is one of the few states in India with both a large government medical college network and a significant number of private self-financing medical colleges. This makes Kerala NEET Counselling 2027 one of the most competitive state-level medical counselling processes in the country. More than 1.2 lakh candidates participated in the 2026 Kerala NEET Counselling process.

Kerala NEET Counselling 2027: Important Dates

CEE Kerala has not yet released the official schedule for Kerala NEET Counselling 2027. The counselling calendar will be published on cee.kerala.gov.in after NEET UG 2027 results are declared by NTA. The table below shows all expected 2027 dates based on the 2026 schedule, listed in upcoming chronological order.

All 2027 dates below are expected projections based on the 2026 schedule. Visit cee.kerala.gov.in for the official 2027 calendar once it is released.

Source: CEE Kerala Official Website

Eligibility Criteria for Kerala NEET Counselling 2027

You must meet the following eligibility conditions to participate in Kerala NEET Counselling 2027. Simply qualifying NEET UG is not enough — Kerala has additional domicile and academic requirements for state quota seats that are unique to this state.

NEET UG 2027 Qualification

You must have qualified NEET UG 2027 with the minimum qualifying percentile as shown below. This qualifying percentile is set by NTA and applies nationally:

Academic Qualification

• You must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as subjects from a recognized board.
• Minimum 50% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology for General/EWS category candidates.
• Minimum 40% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology for SC/ST/SEBC category candidates.

Age Criteria

• You must be at least 17 years old as of December 31, 2027.
• There is no upper age limit for MBBS/BDS admission as per the latest Supreme Court ruling.

Nativity and Domicile Requirement

This is one of the most important eligibility conditions specific to Kerala state quota seats. CEE Kerala classifies candidates into three nativity categories, and your category determines your priority in the allotment process:

• Keralite (K): Candidates born in Kerala, or whose parents have been domiciled in Kerala for at least 5 years. Keralite candidates get the highest priority for state quota seats and are eligible for all reservation categories (SC/ST/SEBC) applicable under Kerala rules.
• Non-Keralite Category I (NK-I): Candidates who have studied continuously in Kerala-based schools or colleges for at least 5 years at the secondary education level. Eligible for state quota seats, but with lower priority than Keralite candidates at the same NEET score.
• Non-Keralite Category II (NK-II): Candidates whose parent(s) are central or state government employees currently posted in Kerala or transferred to Kerala. Limited eligibility for state quota seats.

NRI quota and management quota seats in private self-financing colleges do not require a Kerala Nativity Certificate. However, NEET UG qualification is still mandatory for these seats as per NMC norms.

How to Register for Kerala NEET Counselling 2027

Kerala NEET Counselling 2027 registration will be done entirely online on the CEE Kerala portal at cee.kerala.gov.in. There is no offline registration mode. You should complete each step before the deadline to avoid rejection of your application.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

• Step 1 — Visit the CEE Kerala Portal: Go to cee.kerala.gov.in and click on the "KEAM Online Application" or "NEET UG Counselling 2027" link when it is made live after the NEET UG result.
• Step 2 — Create Login: Enter your NEET UG 2027 Roll Number, date of birth, and other basic details to create a unique application login ID and password on the CEE Kerala portal.
• Step 3 — Fill the Application Form: Enter personal details, academic qualifications, NEET 2027 score and roll number, nativity category, and community/reservation category accurately. Mistakes at this stage are difficult to correct later.
• Step 4 — Upload Required Documents: Upload scanned copies of all required documents (nativity certificate, marksheets, NEET scorecard, category certificate, photo ID). Follow the file size and format specifications given on the portal.
• Step 5 — Pay the Registration Fee: Pay the non-refundable registration fee online using debit card, credit card, or net banking. ST candidates are exempt from paying the fee.
• Step 6 — Submit and Save Confirmation: After completing all steps, submit the application and download or print the confirmation acknowledgement. Your application number will be generated at this stage.
• Step 7 — Check Provisional Rank List: CEE Kerala will publish a provisional state rank list. You should check your rank and raise objections during the objection window if there are errors in your details or rank.

After registration is complete and the rank list is finalized, you will need to log back in during the option registration window to enter your college and course preferences for Round 1 allotment.

Do not wait until the last day to register. The CEE Kerala portal experiences high traffic near the registration deadline. Complete your registration as soon as the window opens.

Seat Matrix: Total MBBS and BDS Seats in Kerala 2027

Kerala has one of the largest pools of medical seats in any Indian state. The official seat matrix for Kerala NEET Counselling 2027 will be published by CEE Kerala before counselling begins. Based on 2026 data, around 5,400+ MBBS seats are available across 36 government and private medical colleges in the state.

Quota-wise Distribution of MBBS Seats in Kerala

Government Medical Colleges in Kerala (2027 — Expected)

Of the approximately 1,855 government MBBS seats, around 1,577 seats (85%) are available through CEE Kerala state quota counselling. The remaining 278 seats (15%) are under the All India Quota managed by MCC. For private colleges, approximately 1,775 MBBS seats (50% of ~3,549) are under CEE Kerala state quota counselling.

Source: CEE Kerala Official Website

How to Fill Options in Kerala NEET Counselling 2027

Option registration (also called choice filling) is the most important step in Kerala NEET Counselling 2027. During the option registration window, you must log in to the CEE Kerala portal and enter your preferred colleges and courses in the order of your choice. The computerized allotment engine assigns seats based on your rank and the order in which you entered your preferences.

Key Rules for Option Registration

• You can enter as many options as you want — there is no cap on the number of preferences.
• Each option is a specific combination of a college and a course. For example, MBBS at Medical College Thiruvananthapuram is one option, and MBBS at Govt Medical College Kozhikode is a different option.
• You must lock your options before the deadline. Options that are not locked will not be processed for allotment.
• After locking, you cannot change the order or add new options. Think carefully before you lock.
• You can choose preferences under different quotas (Government Quota versus Self-Financing quota) where the same college has both types of seats available.

Strategy for Option Filling

• Put your most preferred option first: The allotment engine gives you the best available option from your list based on your rank. Your number one choice should always be the seat you most want — do not hold back thinking you will not get it.
• Enter all options you would be willing to join: Even if a college seems out of reach, enter it. More options means a higher chance of getting a seat in at least one round. Leaving out colleges you would happily attend is the most common mistake that leads to a "no allotment" result.
• List government colleges before private colleges if you want to minimize fees — government seat fees are around ₹1.35 lakh per year versus ₹8 lakh or more per year in private colleges under state quota.
• Study previous year closing ranks for each college before option filling. Colleges whose closing rank is far beyond your current state rank may still be reachable in Round 2 or Round 3, so do not skip them entirely.

Do NOT enter any option for a college whose fee you are not prepared to pay or where you would refuse to join. If you are allotted a seat and pay the fee, backing out or not reporting to the college without a valid reason may lead to consequences in subsequent rounds.

Seat Allotment Process in Kerala NEET Counselling

The seat allotment in Kerala NEET Counselling 2027 is fully computerized and run by the CEE Kerala allotment engine. There is no manual interference in the process. Understanding how the allotment works helps you fill your options more strategically.

How Computerized Allotment Works

• NEET UG 2027 Score: The primary input for generating the Kerala State Rank. Candidates with a higher NEET score get a better (lower number) state rank.
• Kerala State Rank: CEE Kerala generates a state-specific rank list from among all registered candidates. This rank — not the All India Rank — determines your priority in the Kerala counselling process.
• Nativity Priority: Within the same state rank band, Keralite (K) candidates get priority over NK-I and NK-II candidates. A Keralite with a slightly lower NEET score may still get preference over an NK-I candidate for a state quota seat.
• Reservation Roster: Seats reserved for SC/ST/SEBC/EWS categories are allotted according to Kerala’s reservation roster. You must have the correct category certificate to claim a reserved seat.
• Option Order: Among all eligible candidates competing for a seat, the system gives each candidate the best possible option from their locked preference list. Your first preference is attempted first, then second, and so on down your list.

Provisional vs. Final Allotment

• Provisional Allotment: Published first. You can check your allotted seat and raise objections if there are any errors in category, nativity classification, or seat assignment. This window is usually open for 1–2 days.
• Final Allotment: Published 1–2 days after provisional allotment, after objections are resolved. The final allotment letter is the binding document — you must act on it by paying fees and joining the college.

Tie-Breaking Criteria

When two or more candidates have the same NEET score, CEE Kerala applies the following tie-breaking order:

• Higher marks in Biology (Botany + Zoology) in NEET UG 2027
• Higher marks in Chemistry in NEET UG 2027
• Higher marks in Physics in NEET UG 2027
• Older candidate (earlier date of birth) gets preference

Documents Required for Kerala NEET Counselling 2027

You need to keep both scanned copies (for uploading during online registration) and original documents (for physical verification at the allotted college) ready before Kerala NEET Counselling 2027 begins. Missing any one document at the time of college reporting can delay or cancel your admission.

Mandatory Documents List

• NEET UG 2027 Admit Card — Original or clear printout
• NEET UG 2027 Scorecard / Rank Letter — Downloaded from the NTA official portal
• Class 10 (SSLC) Certificate and Marksheet — As proof of date of birth and educational qualification
• Class 12 (HSC / Plus Two) Certificate and Marksheet — From a recognized board, with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology marks clearly mentioned
• Kerala Nativity Certificate — Mandatory for all state quota seats; issued by the Revenue Department of Kerala (Tahsildar or above)
• Community / Category Certificate — For SC/ST/SEBC/OBC candidates; must be issued by the competent authority in Kerala, not another state
• EWS Certificate — If applying under the Economically Weaker Section category
• PwD Certificate — If applying under PwD horizontal reservation; issued by a recognized medical authority
• Valid Photo ID Proof — Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Passport (any one)
• Recent Passport-Sized Photographs — At least 6 copies; ideally the same photo used in NEET UG 2027 registration
• Transfer Certificate (TC) / Migration Certificate — Required if you studied at a school or college outside Kerala
• NRI Sponsorship Documents — Only for NRI quota applicants (relationship certificate, passport copies of sponsor, etc.)

The Kerala Nativity Certificate is the single most critical document for state quota seats. Candidates who were born or studied outside Kerala must apply for this from the Revenue Department at least 4–6 weeks before counselling registration opens. Without it, you cannot register for state quota seats in Kerala NEET Counselling 2027.

Document Upload Specifications (Expected for 2027)

• File format: JPG or PDF as specified on the CEE Kerala portal at the time of registration
• Photograph: JPG, usually under 50–100 KB
• Documents: PDF or JPG, usually under 500 KB per document
• Self-attested photocopies are required for verification during physical college reporting

Top Medical Colleges Accepting Kerala NEET Counselling Score

Kerala has some of the best-regarded government medical colleges in India, all with attached teaching hospitals. The following colleges admit students through Kerala NEET Counselling 2027 under state quota.

Top Government Medical Colleges in Kerala

Top Private Medical Colleges Under Kerala State Quota

Private self-financing colleges in Kerala offer 50% of their MBBS seats under state quota through CEE Kerala counselling. State quota fees in these colleges are regulated by the Kerala Fee Regulatory Committee:

Note: State quota fees for private colleges are regulated by the Kerala Fee Regulatory Committee and may be revised each year. Management quota and NRI quota fees are significantly higher — NRI quota fees can exceed ₹21 lakh per year in some private colleges. Always verify the current fee structure directly with the college before accepting any allotment.

Tips to Get a Good Seat in Kerala NEET Counselling 2027

Kerala NEET Counselling is highly competitive, especially for government college seats where more than 1.2 lakh candidates compete for around 1,577 state quota government MBBS seats. Here are practical steps to improve your chances in Kerala NEET Counselling 2027.

• Start the Nativity Certificate process now: If you are a Kerala-domicile candidate who studied outside Kerala, or whose parents are Kerala government employees, apply for the Kerala Nativity Certificate from the Revenue Department immediately — long before the counselling window opens. This document is the biggest risk factor for last-minute applicants and can take 2–4 weeks to get.
• Target a NEET score above 600 for government seats: To secure a government MBBS seat in Kerala under the General/SM category, you typically need 590–620+ marks. Biology carries 360 out of 720 marks in NEET and is the highest-scoring section — making it the most important subject to master for Kerala NEET Counselling 2027.
• Analyze 2025 and 2026 cutoff data college-by-college: Before filling your options in Kerala NEET Counselling 2027, study the previous two years’ closing state ranks for every government and private college you are interested in. This gives you a realistic view of which colleges are within reach at your state rank.
• Enter the maximum number of options: There is no limit on how many options you can fill in the CEE Kerala portal. Entering 50 or more options significantly improves your chance of receiving an allotment in at least one round. Never skip a college you would genuinely be happy to attend.
• List options in true preference order: The allotment engine gives you the best available option from your list at your rank. Always put your first real choice at position 1, your second at position 2, and so on. Do not try to place a "safer" option at the top — you may end up with a worse seat than you could have gotten.
• Have all documents ready before registration opens: Scan and organize every required document in advance. Complete your application on the first day registration opens — last-minute submissions near the deadline often face portal congestion and upload failures.
• Know your correct nativity category: Entering the wrong nativity category (Keralite, NK-I, or NK-II) will either disqualify your application or reduce your allotment priority. If you are unsure, verify with the CEE Kerala helpline or read the official notification carefully.
• Participate in all rounds: If you do not get a seat in Round 1, do not give up. Round 2, Round 3, and the Stray Vacancy Round together fill a meaningful number of additional seats. Candidates who remain active in all rounds consistently end up with better seats than those who withdraw after Round 1.
• Set reminders for every deadline: Missing a fee payment deadline or physical joining deadline results in automatic allotment cancellation. Set multiple calendar and phone reminders for every key date in the Kerala NEET Counselling 2027 schedule.