KEAM 2026 MBBS BDS Stray Vacancy Seats Released: What Kerala Aspirants Need to Know

The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) in Kerala has made public the tentative vacancy position for KEAM 2026 MBBS and BDS admissions. This data is critical for candidates participating in stray vacancy allotment — the final round of seat allocation after regular counselling rounds. Understanding which colleges have open seats, how many, and in which categories can help you make informed choices during this window. If you scored well in KEAM but did not secure a seat in earlier rounds, or if you are considering a change, this vacancy list is your roadmap.

What is the KEAM 2026 Stray Vacancy Allotment and Why It Matters

Stray vacancy allotment is the final opportunity to secure a medical or dental seat after the main counselling rounds conclude. Seats that remain unfilled — either because candidates rejected them, did not report, or were not allocated in earlier phases — are released for fresh allocation. This round is open to all eligible KEAM candidates, regardless of whether they participated in previous rounds.

For many aspirants, stray allotment is a second chance. If you narrowly missed a seat, scored in a borderline category, or simply want to explore better college options, this phase can change your admission outcome. The vacancy data released by CEE Kerala now allows you to strategically plan which colleges and courses to apply for.

MBBS Vacancies Across Kerala: 84 Seats Available

The tentative vacancy position shows 84 MBBS seats spread across both government and private self-financing medical colleges in Kerala. Government medical colleges with reported vacancies include institutions in Idukki, Kasaragod, Palakkad, and Konni (Pathanamthitta district). These government seats are typically more competitive and carry lower fees, making them highly sought after.

Private self-financing medical colleges also have significant vacancies. Institutions such as Palakkad Institute of Medical Sciences, Mount Zion Medical College, and Sree Gokulam Medical College each report 7 vacant seats. Other colleges with openings include Al Azhar Medical College, Azeezia Institute of Medical Sciences, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Dr. Moopens Medical College, KMCT Medical College, Kerala Medical College, and several others. The exact number of vacancies varies by college and by category (general, OBC, SC, ST, etc.), so you must consult the official PDF for precise details.

• Government medical colleges: Idukki, Kasaragod, Palakkad, Konni (Pathanamthitta)
• Private colleges with 7 seats each: Palakkad Institute of Medical Sciences, Mount Zion Medical College, Sree Gokulam Medical College
• Other private colleges: Al Azhar, Azeezia, Believers Church, Dr. Moopens, KMCT, Kerala Medical College, and more

BDS Vacancies Across Kerala: 106 Seats Available

The BDS vacancy position is more robust, with 106 seats available across government and private dental colleges. Government dental colleges reporting vacancies include institutions in Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Kannur, Thrissur, and Thiruvananthapuram. These government dental seats are typically less competitive than MBBS but still valuable for candidates seeking affordable, quality dental education.

Private dental colleges also have substantial openings. Colleges with reported vacancies include Al Azhar Dental College, Azeezia College of Dental Science, Sree Anjaneya Institute of Dental Sciences, Educare Institute of Dental Sciences, Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, KMCT Dental College, MES Dental College, Malabar Dental College, Pushpagiri College of Dental Science, and Sri Sankara Dental College. The higher number of BDS vacancies compared to MBBS reflects the larger number of dental seats in Kerala and typically lower competition for dental admissions.

• Government dental colleges: Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Kannur, Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram
• Private dental colleges: Al Azhar, Azeezia, Sree Anjaneya, Educare, Indira Gandhi, KMCT, MES, Malabar, Pushpagiri, Sri Sankara, and others

How to Use the Vacancy List for Your Stray Allotment Strategy

The vacancy data is tentative and subject to change during the admission process. Seats may increase or decrease based on candidate responses, rejections, and no-shows from earlier rounds. However, the list gives you a realistic picture of where seats are likely to be available. Use it to identify colleges where your rank and category have a reasonable chance of matching a vacancy.

Before registering for stray allotment, download the official college-wise vacancy PDF from the CEE Kerala website. Cross-reference your KEAM rank, category, and preferred course (MBBS or BDS) against the vacancy list. Prioritize colleges where vacancies exist in your category. Remember that government seats, though fewer, are highly competitive; private seats may offer better odds depending on your rank. Create a ranked list of colleges in order of your preference, considering both seat availability and college reputation.

• Download the official college-wise vacancy PDF from CEE Kerala
• Match your rank and category against available vacancies
• Prioritize colleges with confirmed vacancies in your category
• Consider both government (fewer, more competitive) and private (more available) options
• Rank colleges by preference before registering

Category-Wise Vacancies: Why You Must Check the Official PDF

The vacancy position includes seats reserved under different categories: general, OBC (Other Backward Classes), SC (Scheduled Caste), ST (Scheduled Tribe), and sometimes other reserved categories depending on Kerala's admission rules. A college may show 7 total vacancies, but the breakdown by category is crucial. For example, if all 7 seats are reserved for SC candidates and you belong to the general category, those seats are not available to you.

The source data does not provide category-wise breakdowns in detail, so you must consult the official PDF released by CEE Kerala. This is non-negotiable: registering without knowing the category-wise position could lead to wasted choices or rejection during allotment. Spend time carefully reviewing the official document before you finalize your options.

• Vacancies are divided by category: general, OBC, SC, ST, and others
• Total vacancy numbers do not tell the full story
• Check the official PDF for exact category-wise seat availability
• Ensure your category matches the available seats before applying

Important Dates and Next Steps for Stray Allotment

The source does not specify the exact dates for stray allotment registration or seat allotment. However, stray rounds typically occur after the main counselling rounds conclude and are announced with short notice. Monitor the CEE Kerala official website and your registered email and phone number for announcements. Stray allotment windows are often brief — sometimes just 2–3 days for registration — so you must be ready to act quickly.

Once the stray allotment window opens, log in to the CEE Kerala portal, review the vacancy list one final time, and submit your college and course preferences in order of priority. After submission, the allotment result will be declared. If you are allotted a seat, you must report to the college within the specified time frame with all required documents. Failure to report on time will result in forfeiture of the seat.

• Monitor CEE Kerala website for stray allotment announcement
• Stray windows are typically short (2–3 days); be ready to act quickly
• Log in to the portal and submit preferences in priority order
• Check allotment result and report to the college within the deadline
• Bring all required documents (mark sheets, ID, category certificate, etc.) on reporting day

Government vs. Private Colleges: What the Vacancy Data Tells You

The vacancy list includes both government and private self-financing colleges. Government colleges offer significantly lower fees (often ₹50,000–₹1,00,000 per year for MBBS) and are highly prestigious, but vacancies are limited. Private colleges charge higher fees (typically ₹10–20 lakhs per year for MBBS) but have more seats available. The 84 MBBS vacancies include both types; the exact split between government and private is not detailed in the source, so check the official PDF.

Your choice between government and private depends on your financial situation, rank, and career goals. A government seat, even in a less-known college, carries prestige and affordability. A private seat at a well-regarded institution may offer better infrastructure and placement opportunities but at higher cost. Use the vacancy data to assess your realistic options in each category and make a decision aligned with your circumstances.

• Government colleges: lower fees, higher prestige, fewer vacancies
• Private colleges: higher fees, more vacancies, variable reputation
• Check the official PDF for the government-to-private split
• Weigh affordability, prestige, and career prospects in your decision

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Stray Allotment

Many candidates make costly errors during stray allotment. The most common is registering without carefully reviewing the vacancy list and category-wise breakdown. Another is submitting preferences without ranking them properly — remember, your first choice is your highest priority, so place it strategically. Some candidates also miss the registration window entirely because they were not actively monitoring the CEE Kerala website.

Do not assume that a college with vacancies will definitely allot you a seat; allotment depends on your rank relative to other applicants and the category-wise cutoff. Do not ignore the reporting deadline; even if you are allotted a seat, failure to report on time forfeits it. Finally, do not rely solely on word-of-mouth or social media for information; always verify details from the official CEE Kerala portal.

• Do not register without reviewing the official vacancy PDF
• Do not ignore category-wise breakdowns
• Do not submit preferences without ranking them carefully
• Do not miss the registration window; monitor the website actively
• Do not assume allotment is guaranteed; rank matters
• Do not miss the reporting deadline

Frequently asked questions

The stray vacancy allotment is your final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Kerala. Download the official vacancy PDF from CEE Kerala immediately, carefully match your rank and category against available seats, and prepare your preference list now. When the registration window opens, act quickly — stray allotment windows are brief, and missing the deadline means losing your chance.