Is an entrance exam required for Kerala University UG (BA, B.Sc, B.Com) admission?

No. Kerala University FYUGP admission for BA, B.Sc, and B.Com programmes is entirely merit-based. Allotment is done through the CAP using Plus Two or Higher Secondary marks. No separate entrance test is required for these streams.

What is the KEAM exam and is it required for all Kerala University engineering admissions?

KEAM (Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical) is the state entrance exam conducted by CEE Kerala. It is mandatory for B.Tech admission to all government, aided, and self-financing engineering colleges affiliated to Kerala University. The exam was held April 17 to April 22, 2026. Candidates must qualify KEAM and participate in the CEE Kerala centralised allotment process.

Can non-Kerala students apply for Kerala University admissions?

Yes. For FYUGP, there is no domicile restriction. Any Indian national can apply. For KEAM (B.Tech), candidates are classified as Keralite, Non-Keralite Category I (NK-I), or Non-Keralite Category II (NK-II). NK-II candidates are eligible for all seats allotted by CEE Kerala. However, NK-II candidates are not eligible for reservation or fee concessions.

What entrance exams does Kerala University accept for MBA admission?

The Institute of Management in Kerala (IMK) accepts KMAT Kerala, CAT, and CMAT scores for MBA admission. After shortlisting based on entrance exam score, candidates must appear for a Group Discussion and Personal Interview. The University Institute of Management (UIM) follows a similar process. Apply at admissions.keralauniversity.ac.in/mba2026.

What is the Kerala University PG CSS entrance exam?

Kerala University conducts subject-wise departmental entrance examinations for PG admissions to its Teaching Departments under the CSS (Credit and Semester System). The 2026 exams were held May 18 to May 24, 2026. A candidate must register at admissions.keralauniversity.ac.in/css2026, pay the application fee, and appear for the exam in the relevant subject.

What is the minimum eligibility for Kerala University PhD admission?

Candidates must hold a Masters degree with at least 55% marks. SC/ST, PwD, EWS, and OBC (non-creamy layer) candidates require 50% marks. All candidates must qualify the General Aptitude Test (GAT) conducted by Kerala University unless they hold a valid UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, SLET, or M.Phil qualification. Registration fee is INR 800.

What is the application fee for Kerala University FYUGP admission?

The application fee for FYUGP admission is INR 1,500 for General and SEBC candidates. SC/ST candidates pay INR 750. Payment is made online through the admission portal at admissions.keralauniversity.ac.in/fyugp2026.

How does the Community Quota work at Kerala University affiliated colleges?

Community Quota seats are available only in aided arts and science colleges affiliated to Kerala University. Forward community aided colleges reserve 10% of seats under this quota. Backward community aided colleges reserve 20%. These seats are filled based on community certificates and the merit list generated through CAP.

Does Kerala University offer LLM admission and what is the process?

Yes. Kerala University offers LLM admission. The selection is based on a CEE Kerala conducted entrance examination. Candidates must hold an LLB degree (Three-Year or Five-Year) from a recognised university. The allotment is done through the CEE Kerala CAP. Visit cee.kerala.gov.in for the LLM 2026 schedule.

Are there scholarships available for Kerala University students?

Yes. Kerala University offers University Merit Scholarships for top-ranking UG and PG students. SC/ST candidates admitted to FYUGP and PG programmes are exempted from tuition fee. The Central Sector Scholarship is processed through the National Scholarship Portal. PhD scholars can access CSIR, KSCSTE, INSPIRE, and ICSSR research fellowships through the university.

Kerala University Ph.D Education: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Kerala University PhD Education Fees 2026

Component	Amount (INR)
PhD Registration Fee (one-time, at the time of admission)	INR 550
Total Fees	INR 550

Annual research programme fees are additional and notified by the department as per the Kerala University PhD Ordinance.

UGC NET JRF and ICSSR fellowship holders receive monthly stipends from the respective funding body.

Research scholars without fellowship must pay annual programme fees as notified by the university.

Kerala University PhD Education Admission 2026

Event	Date
January 2026 Session Application Deadline	15 January 2026
July 2026 Session Application Deadline	31 July 2026

Kerala University admits PhD scholars in two sessions each year: January and July.

Candidates with valid UGC NET JRF in Education are exempted from the university’s General Aptitude Test.

The Department of Education conducts a subject-specific interview for all shortlisted candidates.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold an M.Ed or MA in Education from a recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate.

SC/ST category candidates are eligible with a minimum of 50% marks in the qualifying postgraduate degree.

Candidates with a 4-year bachelor’s degree followed by a 1-year master’s programme from a recognized institution are also eligible.

A confirmed research supervisor from the Department of Education at Kerala University is required prior to admission.

Admission Process

Apply online at the Kerala University PhD admissions portal for the relevant January or July session.

Candidates without UGC NET JRF must appear for the Kerala University General Aptitude Test.

Fellowship holders qualifying under UGC JRF or equivalent schemes are exempted from the aptitude test.

Shortlisted candidates attend a subject-specific interview conducted by the Department of Education faculty.

Final selection is based on interview performance, research proposal, and availability of a supervisor and vacancy.

Pay the registration fee and complete document submission to enrol as a PhD scholar at the Kariavattom campus.

✓ Opt for this if

Holding UGC NET JRF in Education or planning to qualify for one.
Planning a career in teacher education, educational research, or academic institutions.
Want to pursue doctoral research at a recognized state university campus in Kerala.
Have identified a willing research supervisor in the Kerala University Education Department.

✗ Skip if

Prefer a central university or deemed institution with fully funded research positions.
Looking for a specialization not covered by the Kerala University Education department.
Need strong coursework or residency requirements built into the doctoral programme.
Self-funding without fellowship and need clear upfront annual fee transparency.

Kerala University PhD Education Scholarships 2026

Scholarship/Fellowship	Amount	Eligibility
UGC NET Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	INR 37,000 per month (Year 1 to 2)	Qualified candidates in UGC NET Education with JRF cut-off. Upgraded to SRF at INR 42,000 per month from Year 3.
ICSSR National Doctoral Fellowship	INR 25,000 per month	Full-time PhD scholars in social sciences and education at recognized Indian universities.
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF)	INR 31,000 per month (JRF) to INR 35,000 per month (SRF)	SC/ST candidates pursuing PhD at recognized universities. Apply through UGC portal.

Fellowship amounts are as per UGC, ICSSR, and government revised guidelines and subject to periodic revision.

ICSSR fellowship applications require a detailed research proposal and are submitted online through the ICSSR portal.

Kerala University PhD Education FAQs

Ques. Do UGC NET JRF holders need to appear for the entrance test for Kerala University PhD Education?

Ans. No, candidates who hold a valid UGC NET JRF in Education are exempted from the Kerala University General Aptitude Test. They must however appear for the departmental subject interview conducted by the Department of Education faculty. Admission is subject to the availability of a willing research supervisor and an open vacancy in the department for the applied session.

Ques. What is the qualifying degree required for PhD Education at Kerala University?

Ans. Candidates must hold an M.Ed or MA in Education from a recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate. SC/ST category candidates are eligible with a minimum of 50% marks. Graduates with a 4-year bachelor’s degree followed by a 1-year master’s programme from a recognized institution are also eligible for PhD admission at Kerala University.

Ques. How many times a year does Kerala University offer PhD Education admissions?

Ans. Kerala University conducts PhD admissions twice a year through January and July sessions. Candidates can apply for either session based on their readiness and the availability of supervisors. The July 2026 session application deadline is 31 July 2026. Admission is subject to departmental vacancies and the willingness of faculty members in the Department of Education to take on new research scholars.

Ques. What fellowship options are available for PhD Education scholars at Kerala University?

Ans. PhD scholars in Education can apply for the UGC NET JRF, which provides INR 37,000 per month for the first two years and INR 42,000 per month from Year 3 as SRF. The ICSSR National Doctoral Fellowship provides INR 25,000 per month for eligible social science and education PhD scholars. SC/ST candidates can apply for the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship through the UGC online portal.

Ques. What are the career options after PhD Education from Kerala University?

Ans. PhD Education graduates from Kerala University can pursue careers as college and university faculty in B.Ed and M.Ed programmes, educational researchers, curriculum development specialists, school administrators, and policy advisors in government education departments. Many alumni go on to teach at affiliated B.Ed colleges or join state educational bodies such as SCERT and DIET for curriculum and teacher training roles.

Ques. Is a part-time PhD in Education available at Kerala University?

Ans. Yes, Kerala University offers a part-time PhD option for working professionals including in-service teachers and education administrators. Part-time scholars may take up to 6 years to complete the doctorate. They must meet the same eligibility and interview requirements as full-time scholars and must identify a research supervisor in the Department of Education willing to guide a part-time thesis.

Kerala University Ph.D Education: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility