The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) in Kerala has officially announced that the registration process for the crucial Kerala Engineering, Architecture and Medical Entrance Examination (KEAM) 2026 will commence shortly. In a proactive move ahead of the application window opening, the CEE has released a detailed notice urging prospective candidates to prepare all necessary certificates in advance to ensure a smooth online application process.
Essential Certificates for Reservation and Fee Concessions
According to the official directive, candidates who intend to claim benefits under reservation categories, fee concessions, or any category-based relaxation must upload valid and relevant certificates alongside their KEAM 2026 application form. The CEE has stressed that all these documents must be procured beforehand from the concerned revenue authorities.
For candidates belonging to Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) and Other Eligible Communities (OEC), a Non-Creamy Layer Certificate specifically for state educational purposes, issued by the Village Officer, is mandatory. The authorities will not accept certificates issued for employment or central education purposes. Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates need to submit a caste certificate issued by the Tahsildar. OEC candidates not covered under the Non-Creamy Layer must provide a community certificate from the Village Officer.
Those applying for a fee concession or scholarship based on annual family income must obtain an income certificate from the Village Officer. This requirement, however, does not apply to SC, ST, and OEC candidates. Children of inter-caste married couples need to submit the applicable Non-Creamy Layer Certificate or an inter-caste marriage certificate, depending on the parents' categories.
A nativity certificate from the Village Officer is only required if the candidate's native place is not mentioned in their school or birth records. Candidates applying under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category in the general quota must submit an EWS certificate issued by the Village Officer. For minority community seats in self-financing medical and dental colleges, a community certificate from the Village Officer is required for candidates not included under the Non-Creamy Layer.
Specific Requirements for NRI Quota Applicants
The CEE has outlined separate, stringent guidelines for candidates seeking admission under the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quota. Applicants in this category must submit a comprehensive set of documents related to their sponsor.
The required documents include a copy of the sponsor's passport and visa attested by the Indian Embassy, or their Green Card, or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) documents. The sponsor's job details and visa validity period must be clearly mentioned. If employment details are not evident in the visa or passport, an employment certificate attested by Embassy or Consulate authorities is necessary.
A relationship certificate issued by revenue authorities is compulsory to prove the connection between the sponsor and the candidate. If the sponsor is the parent, educational certificates mentioning the sponsor's name can also be accepted. Additionally, a sworn affidavit from the sponsor on a ₹200 stamp paper, notarised by a Notary Public, is required. This affidavit must state that the student is dependent on the sponsor and that all course-related expenses will be borne by them.
The sponsor must be an Indian citizen, an Overseas Citizen of India, or a Person of Indian Origin, with supporting documents provided. In cases where a valid visa is unavailable, alternative documents like Civil ID, Resident Permit, IQAMA, Electronic Visa, Employment Pass, or Entry Visa may be accepted, subject to conditions specified in the official notification.
Critical Advisory for All KEAM 2026 Aspirants
The CEE Kerala has issued a crucial advisory, asking candidates to meticulously ensure that all their certificates are valid and specifically issued for state educational purposes. Submission of incorrect or invalid documents may lead to the outright rejection of their claims during the KEAM 2026 admission process.
Prospective applicants are strongly advised to keep a regular check on the official CEE Kerala website for the latest updates regarding the exact KEAM 2026 registration dates and any further detailed instructions. Proper preparation of documents at this stage is key to avoiding last-minute hurdles in the competitive entrance process.
