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APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) is a state public technological university established in 2014 by the Government of Kerala through an ordinance. Originally named Kerala Technological University, it was renamed in 2015 in honour of former President and scientist Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. KTU is approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and is a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
KTU functions as both a regulatory and affiliating university. As a relatively new institution that admitted its first batch in 2015-16, it is not currently listed in the NIRF University rankings.
The university is headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, with academic jurisdiction spanning all 14 districts of Kerala through a network of more than 170 affiliated colleges. Over 1,60,000 students are enrolled across these institutions.
- B.Tech in 17 specialisations: CSE, ECE, EEE, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, IT, Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Naval Architecture, Aeronautical Engineering, Automobile Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Food Technology, Instrumentation and Control, Metallurgical Engineering, Production Engineering, and Safety and Fire Engineering
- M.Tech in 25+ specialisations covering all major engineering disciplines
- MBA in Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, IT, and International Business
- B.Arch (5 years) and M.Arch (2 years)
- MCA, BCA, and BBA
- B.Pharm, B.Des, and B.Voc
- Ph.D programmes in Engineering, Technology, and Management disciplines
The total B.Tech fees at government and aided colleges affiliated to KTU is INR 3 Lakhs for the four-year programme. MBA fees are INR 3.68 Lakhs for the two-year duration. Private self-financing colleges affiliated to KTU charge higher fees as approved by the Kerala Government fee regulatory committee.
Government scholarships including the Central Sector Scholarship (INR 1,000 per month for UG) and E-Grantz for SC/ST/OBC candidates are available to eligible students at KTU-affiliated colleges.
Placements are managed at the individual affiliated college level across the KTU network. IT sector recruiters including TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, and UST Global are active across multiple KTU-affiliated institutions.
KTU Admission Dates 2027
Admissions for the 2026-27 academic session at KTU-affiliated colleges have concluded across all programme streams. B.Tech admission was anchored by KEAM 2026 for the state quota and JEE Main 2026 for the all-India quota. MBA admissions were based on KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2, concluded in May 2026. The next admission cycle (2027-28) is expected to begin with KEAM 2027 registration around January 2027.
| Event | 2026-27 Cycle (Concluded) | 2027-28 Cycle (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|
| KEAM Registration Opens | January 5, 2026 | January 2027 |
| KEAM Registration Closes | February 6, 2026 | February 2027 |
| KEAM Exam | April 17 to 23, 2026 | April 2027 |
| KEAM Result | May 13, 2026 | May 2027 |
| Centralized Allotment (CAP) | July 2026 | July 2027 |
| Programme Commencement | August 2026 | August 2027 |
For MBA and MCA admissions, KMAT Kerala is the primary qualifying exam. The table below lists the course-wise exams accepted across the 2027-28 cycle.
| Programme | Qualifying Exam | Conducting Body |
|---|---|---|
| B.Tech / B.Arch | KEAM (state quota 85%), JEE Main (all-India quota 15%), NATA (B.Arch) | CEE Kerala / NTA |
| M.Tech | GATE | IITs / IISc |
| MBA | KMAT Kerala / CAT / CMAT / MAT / XAT | CEE Kerala / IIMs / NTA / AIMA / XLRI |
| MCA | KMAT Kerala / NIMCET | CEE Kerala / NIT |
| Ph.D | Institutional Entrance Test + Interview | Respective KTU-affiliated institute |
KTU Courses and Fees
KTU-affiliated colleges collectively offer over 150 programmes across engineering, management, architecture, pharmacy, design, and applied sciences. Fees shown below are the regulated totals for government and aided colleges within the KTU system. Private self-financing colleges may charge higher fees approved by the Kerala Government fee regulatory committee.
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Total Fees (Govt/Aided Colleges) |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Tech (17 specialisations) | 4 years | 10+2 PCM with 45% + KEAM / JEE Main | INR 3 Lakhs |
| B.Arch | 5 years | 10+2 with 50% in Mathematics + KEAM / NATA | INR 2.5 Lakhs |
| B.Pharm | 4 years | 10+2 PCB/PCM with 45% | INR 2.2 Lakhs |
| B.Des | 4 years | 10+2 with 45% + CEED / NID DAT | INR 2.2 Lakhs |
| BCA | 3 years | 10+2 with Mathematics | INR 1.65 Lakhs |
| BBA | 3 years | 10+2 from any stream | INR 1.65 Lakhs |
| MBA (5 specialisations) | 2 years | Graduation with 50% + KMAT / CAT / CMAT | INR 3.68 Lakhs |
| M.Tech (25+ specialisations) | 2 years | B.Tech in relevant discipline + GATE | INR 1.05 Lakhs |
| MCA | 3 years | Graduation with Mathematics + KMAT | INR 1.21 Lakhs |
| Ph.D | 3 years (minimum) | PG degree with NET / GATE + Institute test | INR 36,000 |
The M.Tech programme covers specialisations such as VLSI Design, Signal Processing, Structural Engineering, Thermal Engineering, Software Engineering, Geo Informatics, and Machine Design, among others. Ph.D programmes are offered at select research-active colleges within the KTU network.
KTU Admission Process
B.Tech Admission
B.Tech admission to KTU-affiliated engineering colleges is conducted through the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE Kerala). Two quota categories operate:
- State Merit Quota (85%): Based on KEAM rank. Eligibility is 10+2 with a minimum 45% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from a recognised board.
- All-India Quota (15%): Based on JEE Main rank. Open to candidates from across India on merit.
The selection process runs through the Centralised Allotment Process (CAP) conducted by CEE Kerala. Stages are KEAM exam, rank list publication, online option registration, provisional allotment, document verification, and final admission confirmation. The CAT cutoff for the General Category B.Tech seat at premier government colleges under KTU typically requires a KEAM rank within the top 5,000 to 15,000 depending on specialisation and college.
B.Arch Admission
B.Arch admission requires both a valid KEAM Architecture score and a NATA score. Eligibility is 10+2 with at least 50% in Mathematics. Admission to B.Arch seats is managed through the same CEE Kerala CAP system as B.Tech.
MBA Admission
MBA admissions to KTU-affiliated management colleges accept scores from KMAT Kerala, CAT, CMAT, MAT, and XAT. Eligibility is a graduate degree with a minimum 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST candidates). Selection typically involves a group discussion and personal interview stage conducted by individual colleges after the written test shortlisting.
M.Tech and MCA Admission
M.Tech admission requires a valid GATE score in the relevant engineering discipline. Eligibility is a B.Tech or BE degree from a recognised university. MCA admission is based on KMAT Kerala or NIMCET scores. Eligibility for MCA requires a graduation degree with Mathematics as a subject at the 10+2 or undergraduate level.
Ph.D Admission
Ph.D admissions are handled independently by each KTU-affiliated research institution. Candidates must hold a PG degree with a valid NET or GATE score, followed by an institutional entrance test and interview. Research areas span all major engineering and technology disciplines as well as management studies.
KTU Placements
Placement activities at KTU are decentralised and managed at the individual affiliated college level. There is no central placement cell at the university headquarters. The quality of placements varies significantly across the 170+ affiliated institutions, with government engineering colleges in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Kozhikode, and Kottayam reporting the strongest outcomes.
The IT and software services sector is the primary recruiter across the KTU network, reflecting Kerala’s strengths in technology education. Core engineering and manufacturing roles are concentrated at colleges with strong industry-academia linkages in industrial belts.
| Sector | Active Recruiters | Typical Role |
|---|---|---|
| IT and Software Services | TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, UST Global, IBS Group | Software Engineer, Systems Analyst |
| IT Products and Startups | Tata Elxsi, Ernst and Young, KPMG, Mphasis | Associate Engineer, Analyst |
| Core Engineering | ISRO, DRDO, Cochin Shipyard, BPCL, FACT | Graduate Engineer Trainee |
| Management and Consulting | Deloitte, Accenture, HDFC Bank, Federal Bank | Business Analyst, Management Trainee |
Graduates from the top-tier government engineering colleges in the KTU network have received highest offers in the INR 15 to 25 LPA range in recent placement seasons, primarily from IT majors. Average campus placement figures vary widely by college and discipline.
KTU Scholarships
Students enrolled at KTU-affiliated colleges are eligible for multiple central and state government scholarship schemes. The primary schemes available are listed below.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Central Sector Scholarship (NSP) | Above 80 percentile in Class 12 board, parental income below INR 4.5 Lakhs per annum | INR 1,000 per month for UG, INR 2,000 per month for PG |
| E-Grantz (Kerala Government) | SC, ST, OEC, and SEBC category students in approved courses | Tuition fee reimbursement and maintenance allowance as per category and income slab |
| Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST) | SC/ST students with parental income below INR 2.5 Lakhs per annum | Course fees and maintenance allowance |
| Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (DCE Kerala) | Students with 60% or more in qualifying exam, parental income below INR 4.5 Lakhs per annum | INR 10,000 to INR 20,000 per annum depending on course |
Applications for all central government scholarships are processed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). State government scholarships are routed through the E-Grantz portal of the Government of Kerala.
KTU Campus and Infrastructure
The APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University administrative headquarters is located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. The KTU headquarters serves as the academic regulatory and administrative centre overseeing curriculum design, examinations, and affiliation management for over 170 colleges across all 14 Kerala districts.
Individual affiliated colleges range from long-established government engineering institutions with extensive hostel facilities, sports infrastructure, and research laboratories to newer private self-financing colleges. The annual operating budget of KTU for 2026-27 stands at INR 372 Crore, approved by the Government of Kerala to support its regulatory and academic oversight functions.
KTU vs Anna University vs JNTU Hyderabad
All three institutions are large state-level affiliating technological universities in South India, each governing the engineering and technical education landscape of their respective state. The comparison below covers decision-relevant institutional parameters.
| Parameter | KTU (Kerala) | Anna University (Tamil Nadu) | JNTU Hyderabad (Telangana) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Established | 2014 | 1978 | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Thiruvananthapuram | Chennai | Hyderabad |
| Affiliated Colleges | 170+ (Kerala) | 700+ (Tamil Nadu) | 250+ (Telangana) |
| Students Enrolled | 1,60,000+ | 5,00,000+ | 3,50,000+ |
| B.Tech Admission Route | KEAM + JEE Main | TNEA (12th marks-based rank) | AP/TS EAMCET |
| Regulatory Approvals | UGC, AICTE, AIU | UGC, AICTE, NAAC A++ | UGC, AICTE, NAAC A |
| Programmes | Engineering, Management, Architecture, Pharmacy, Design | Engineering, Management, Architecture, Technology | Engineering, Management, Pharmacy, Science |
KTU leads among the three in per-college student ratio, reflecting a more compact and newer network. Anna University has a longer track record and a stronger NIRF standing built over four decades. JNTU Hyderabad benefits from proximity to Hyderabad’s IT ecosystem, which drives higher campus placement volumes for its affiliated colleges. KTU’s recent establishment gives it the advantage of a modernised, revised curriculum framework built with current industry requirements in mind.
KTU FAQs
Ques. What is KTU and which colleges are affiliated to it?
Ans. APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) is a state public technological university established in 2014 by the Government of Kerala. It affiliates more than 170 engineering, management, architecture, and pharmacy colleges spread across all 14 districts of Kerala. Students do not attend KTU directly but take admission to one of its affiliated colleges and receive a KTU degree upon graduation.
Ques. What is the total B.Tech fee at a KTU-affiliated government college?
Ans. The total B.Tech fee for the four-year programme at government and government-aided colleges affiliated to KTU is INR 3 Lakhs, charged as INR 75,000 per year. Private self-financing colleges under KTU charge higher fees as permitted by the Kerala Government fee regulatory committee, which varies by college and specialisation.
Ques. How does B.Tech admission to KTU-affiliated colleges work?
Ans. B.Tech admissions to KTU-affiliated colleges are through the Centralised Allotment Process (CAP) conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE Kerala). Eighty-five percent of seats are filled through KEAM rank, and fifteen percent through JEE Main rank. Candidates register online, submit KEAM or JEE Main scores, and participate in option registration. Allotment is based on rank, category, and college preferences submitted by the candidate.
Ques. Does KTU have a NIRF ranking?
Ans. KTU, as an affiliating university that admitted its first batch in 2015-16, does not currently appear in the NIRF University rankings. Several colleges affiliated to KTU, particularly the National Institutes of Technology and IIT campuses in Kerala, participate independently in NIRF rankings under the Engineering or Institute categories.
Ques. What is the MBA admission process at KTU-affiliated colleges?
Ans. MBA admission to KTU-affiliated management colleges requires a valid score in KMAT Kerala, CAT, CMAT, MAT, or XAT. Eligibility is a graduation degree with a minimum 50% aggregate. Individual colleges conduct group discussions and personal interviews after shortlisting candidates based on the management entrance test score. KMAT Kerala is the most widely accepted exam for MBA admissions in the KTU system.
Ques. What scholarships are available for students at KTU-affiliated colleges?
Ans. Students at KTU-affiliated colleges can apply for the Central Sector Scholarship through the National Scholarship Portal, which provides INR 1,000 per month for UG students from families with annual income below INR 4.5 Lakhs. The Kerala Government’s E-Grantz scheme covers tuition fees and maintenance for SC, ST, and OBC candidates. The Post-Matric Scholarship is also available for SC/ST students with family income below INR 2.5 Lakhs per annum.
Ques. When does KTU admission start for 2027?
Ans. KTU B.Tech admissions for the 2027-28 academic session are expected to begin with KEAM 2027 registration in January 2027, based on the pattern of previous cycles. The KEAM exam is typically held in April, with results in May and the Centralised Allotment Process completing by August. MBA admissions through KMAT Kerala 2027 Session 1 are expected around January to February 2027. Candidates should monitor the CEE Kerala official website for exact dates once notified.
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APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Thiruvananthapuram, offers 63 courses at the undergraduate, PG, and doctoral levels on its campus. The courses are offered in fields like Science. APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Thiruvananthapuram Fees for popular courses are mentioned below:
Admissions have been concluded for the academic year 2023-24 at the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University.
Aspirants seeking admission to 4 year Full-time B.Tech Program should have passed 10+2 with Science along with Chemistry/Biotechnology/Biology/Technical subject as third subject. The candidate must have combined aggregate minimum of 45% marks in these subjects. Selection of candidates to the B.Tech programme will be done on the basis of their performance in KEAM (Kerala Engineering, Agriculture, Medical) entrance examinations conducted by CEE-Kerala. Check here for more. KTU B.Tech
Yes, TKM College of Engineering accepts KEAM for admission to the B.Tech. course.