KEAM 2026 Eligibility, Syllabus & Preparation Strategy

KEAM (Kerala Engineering, Architecture, and Medical) exam is for admission to engineering, architecture and medical/allied courses in Kerala. Kerala’s top engineering, medical, pharmacy and architecture colleges accept KEAM for admission. But if you think that just thinking about it is enough then let us stop you there because KEAM has more than just an exam vibe.

First of all you would check the KEAM 2026 eligibility because it decides if you can apply or not. Age, nationality, domicile and academic qualifications are some major criteria for KEAM exam eligibility requirements. Students must note that the eligibility criteria differs for each course like Engineering, Medical, Pharmacy and Architecture. 

In this guide, we have given a simplified version of KEAM qualifications:

Nationality

• You must be an Indian citizen.
• PIO/OCI cardholders are also eligible
• PIO/OCI students will not get reservation benefits.

Nativity

• Keralite: A candidate with Kerala origin will be eligible for all seats and reservations.
• Non-Keralite (Category I): If you studied in Kerala for at least 5 years from Class VIII to XII or your parents are government employees in Kerala. You will be eligible for state merit seats.
• Non-Keralite (Category II): If you do not fall under above categories. You will be eligible for management quota seats in private self-financing colleges only

 Age Limit

• You must be 17 years old as of 31st December of admission year.
• No upper age limit.

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Academic Qualification

Here we have provided separate tables of eligibility criteria for each course in KEAM:

Engineering Courses

Pharmacy Courses

Architecture Courses

Medical & Allied Courses

Relaxation in KEAM exam Eligibility

• SC/ST candidates: Pass marks alone are enough. No minimum aggregate required.
• SEBC/OBC candidates: 5% relaxation in aggregate marks.
• PWD: Must meet medical board standards. Eligibility depends on disability type.
• Improvement exam marks: Best of two attempts (original + improvement) is considered.

Eligibility rules for NRI seats:

• NRI quota is only in self-financing colleges in Kerala.
• Candidates must meet minimum academic eligibility for the course mentioned above.
• The NRI sponsor must be a close relative like parent, sibling, uncle, aunt. 

Documents Required to Prove KEAM Eligibility

You must possess certain documents to apply for KEAM exam 2026. Failing to do so will not have favorable consequences:

KEAM exam syllabus 2026 is crafted to test conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills of aspirants with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics topics from Classes 11 and 12. The syllabus is based on NCERT curriculum. Some topics carry higher weightage such as mechanics in Physics and calculus in Mathematics. These are important so that students can plan their strategy effectively. Here we have provided a clear-cut breakdown of each subject in KEAM exam 2026:

KEAM Exam: Syllabus

This table combines the KEAM important topics of asked subjects: Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

KEAM is not about being the smartest in the room. It’s about being the most consistent. Many small daily efforts will beat last-minute rush every time. Experts say that your foundations need to be solid and at least 6 months should be devoted to the prep, so yes you can prepare for KEAM in 6 months if you work diligently. Look at these KEAM preparation tips:

• Know the syllabus. Stick to NCERT first. Especially Chemistry because it’s scoring.
• Maths is lengthy. Practice daily. Focus on speed, not just accuracy.
• Physics needs concepts. H.C. Verma + past papers. Don’t skip numerical.
• Revise regularly. Small chunks. Quick notes. Formula sheets work wonders.
• Mock tests are key. Familiarity with exam pressure. Time yourself.
• Previous year papers are a must do. They repeat patterns.
• Balance subjects. Don’t overdo one, ignore another.
• Last month's strategy. Only revision + mock tests. Nothing new.