NEET PG Counselling
NEET PG Counselling in Kerala: Seats, Cutoffs and Process
Complete guide to NEET PG counselling in Kerala covering CEE process, seat allocation, top medical colleges, and admission requirements for state quota seats.
MedNext Academy | 4 min read
NEET PG Counselling in Kerala: Seats, Cutoffs and Process
Complete guide to NEET PG counselling in Kerala covering CEE process, seat allocation, top medical colleges, and admission requirements for state quota seats.
NEET PG counselling in Kerala
Kerala is known for its high standards of healthcare and medical education. The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) Kerala conducts the state-level PG medical counselling. The Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) is the affiliating university for medical colleges in the state.
Kerala has a well-organised counselling system with government, private self-financing, and cooperative-sector medical colleges participating. The state's medical colleges are known for producing well-trained specialists, and institutions like Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, and Calicut Medical College are among the best in South India.
2026 counselling status
2026 counselling schedule: Not yet announced. Timelines below are historical reference from previous cycles.
Counselling authority
**Authority:** State Medical Education Directorate. Official notifications are published by the state counselling authority.
AIQ vs state quota
Kerala follows the standard pattern of surrendering 50% of government college PG seats to the All India Quota through MCC. The remaining 50% forms the state quota managed by CEE Kerala. Private self-financing colleges also have a government quota portion filled through CEE counselling.
The state has reservation for SEBC (Socially and Educationally Backward Classes), SC, ST, and other categories as per Kerala's reservation policy. Kerala also has provisions for Latin Catholic/SIUC converts and Kudumbi communities under special reservation.
Top medical colleges
- Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram
- Government Medical College, Kozhikode (Calicut)
- Government Medical College, Thrissur
- Government Medical College, Kottayam
- Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi
- Jubilee Mission Medical College, Thrissur
- Government Medical College, Ernakulam
- Government TD Medical College, Alappuzha
Seat matrix
Kerala has approximately 1,800-2,200 PG medical seats across government and private colleges. Government medical colleges contribute about 800-1,000 seats. The state has nine government medical colleges, all of which offer PG programmes across various specialties.
Private and self-financing colleges, including cooperative-sector institutions, contribute significantly to the total seat count. Kerala has been expanding its PG capacity, with newer government colleges in Manjeri, Parippally, and Konni adding seats in recent years.
Cutoff trends (historical reference)
Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode are the most competitive, with general category cutoffs for clinical branches typically within ranks 1,000-4,000. Other government colleges like Thrissur, Kottayam, and Ernakulam see cutoffs in the range of rank 3,000-8,000.
Reserved category candidates may secure seats at ranks extending up to 15,000-25,000. Private college seats under government quota have cutoffs in the range of rank 10,000-25,000 depending on the institution and specialty.
Documents required
- NEET PG scorecard and admit card
- MBBS degree certificate or provisional certificate
- Internship completion certificate
- Kerala nativity certificate or domicile proof
- Community certificate (SEBC/SC/ST) if applicable
- Non-creamy layer certificate for SEBC candidates
- Travancore Cochin Medical Council or Kerala Medical Council registration
- Income certificate if applicable
- Aadhar card and passport-size photographs
Counselling process
CEE Kerala begins the counselling with online registration on the CEE website. Candidates create an account, fill in personal and academic details, upload required documents, and pay the registration fee. CEE prepares a merit list based on NEET PG scores and publishes it for candidate verification.
Online choice filling follows, where candidates select and prioritize their preferred college-branch combinations. The allotment is done through a centralised algorithm based on merit, category, and choice order. CEE typically conducts the counselling in multiple phases.
The process includes a first-phase allotment, a second-phase allotment, and a final mop-up/stray vacancy round. Candidates must confirm their allotment and report to the college within the specified period. Kerala's counselling process is generally smooth and well-communicated through the CEE portal.
Key dates and deadlines (historical reference)
The following timelines are based on previous counselling cycles. 2026 dates have not been officially announced unless stated above.
CEE Kerala counselling typically starts in March-April and continues through May-June. The first phase is usually completed by April-May, with subsequent phases following at regular intervals. The entire process is generally concluded by July. Candidates should regularly check the CEE Kerala website (cee.kerala.gov.in) for updates.
Tips for Kerala counselling
Understand the Kerala-specific reservation categories, especially SEBC, which differs from the OBC category used in central government counselling. The community and income certificates must be issued by the relevant Kerala authorities.
Kerala has a significant number of cooperative-sector medical colleges (like Pariyaram, Thrissur Jubilee Mission) that offer quality education. Do not overlook these in your choice filling. Also note that some private colleges may have separate fee structures for NRI quota seats.
Verification status
This page has not yet been independently verified against 2026 official notifications. Cutoffs, timelines and seat numbers shown are historical references from prior counselling cycles. Always confirm current details with the official counselling authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who conducts NEET PG state counselling in Kerala?
The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) Kerala conducts the state-level NEET PG counselling for state quota seats.
Is Kerala domicile mandatory for state quota seats?
Yes, a valid Kerala nativity certificate is required for state quota seats. Candidates without Kerala domicile must apply through AIQ counselling conducted by MCC.
Are Amrita and other deemed university seats part of CEE counselling?
No, deemed universities like Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences conduct their own separate counselling. Only colleges affiliated to KUHS participate in CEE counselling.
What is the SEBC reservation in Kerala?
SEBC (Socially and Educationally Backward Classes) is Kerala's equivalent of OBC reservation. Eligible candidates must possess a valid community certificate and non-creamy layer certificate issued by Kerala authorities.
Can I switch from an AIQ seat to a Kerala state quota seat?
You must surrender your AIQ seat before joining Kerala state counselling. Holding seats in both AIQ and state counselling simultaneously is not allowed. Ensure you follow the proper surrender procedure through MCC.
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