The Kerala government has approved 25 additional BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) seats at Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala for the 2026-27 academic year. This approval follows an interim order from the Kerala High Court dated 16 October 2026, which directed the college to be included in the stray vacancy allotment process and allowed it to fill all 100 seats (the original 75 plus these 25 new seats) instead of being capped at 75. The stray vacancy allotment for these seats began on 17 October 2026. If you have already qualified NEET UG 2026 and are looking for additional BDS options in Kerala, this expansion directly affects where you can apply.
Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala now has 25 additional BDS seats available for 2026-27 admission through stray vacancy allotment, which started on 17 October 2026.
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Unlock My College ListWhat happened: The court order and government approval
On 16 October 2026, the Kerala High Court issued an interim order in a writ petition filed by SR Educational & Charitable Trust (the college's management). The court stayed a condition imposed by Kerala University of Health Sciences that had limited Sri Sankara Dental College's BDS course affiliation to only 75 seats for 2026-27.
The High Court directed the government and admission authorities to include the college in the stray vacancy allotment process and to allot students for the entire 100 seats (75 original + 25 additional), subject to the final outcome of the writ petition. This means the college can now admit students for all 100 seats, not just 75.
On 19 October 2026, the Kerala government formally approved the seat matrix for these 25 additional BDS seats at Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala. The approval was issued as Government Order (G.O.) No. 334/2026/H&FWD by the Health & Family Welfare Department.
The seat breakdown: How the 25 new seats are distributed
The 25 additional BDS seats at Sri Sankara Dental College are divided into four categories based on the college's status as a self-financing private institution and national admission rules. Understanding this breakdown is crucial because it determines which quota you can apply under and what your eligibility criteria are.
The distribution is as follows: 4 seats for NRI (Non-Resident Indian) candidates, 4 seats for AIQ (All India Quota) irrespective of domicile, and 17 seats for Government seats as per reservation norms. Notably, there are zero community seats allocated from these 25 seats (the table shows a dash, meaning none).
- NRI seats: 4 (up to 15% of total 25 seats)
- AIQ seats (irrespective of domicile): 4 (15% of total 25 seats)
- Government seats (as per reservation norms): 17 seats
- Community seats: 0 (not allocated from these 25 seats)
| College Name | College Code | Total Additional Seats | Community Seats | NRI Seats | AIQ Seats | Government Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala | SVD | 25 | — | 4 | 4 | 17 |
Who can apply: Eligibility by quota
Your eligibility to apply for these seats depends on which quota category you fall into. All candidates must have qualified NEET UG 2026 and meet the basic eligibility criteria for BDS admission in Kerala. The notice does not specify additional eligibility criteria beyond the quota categories, so you should follow the standard NEET UG and Kerala BDS admission rules.
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NRI seats (4 seats): These are reserved for Non-Resident Indian candidates. You are eligible if you hold NRI status as defined by the government. AIQ seats (4 seats): These are All India Quota seats and are open to candidates from any state, irrespective of domicile. If you are a NEET UG 2026 qualified candidate from outside Kerala, you can apply for these seats. Government seats (17 seats): These seats are filled as per government reservation norms, which typically include SC, ST, OBC, and general categories with their respective reservation percentages. The exact reservation breakdown is not detailed in this notice, so refer to the official Kerala BDS counselling prospectus for the precise category-wise split.
- NRI quota: For Non-Resident Indian candidates
- AIQ quota: For any NEET UG 2026 qualified candidate, any state
- Government quota: Filled as per government reservation norms (SC, ST, OBC, general)
When to apply: Stray vacancy allotment timeline
The stray vacancy allotment process for these 25 seats began on 17 October 2026. This is a critical date because it marks when the college became eligible to fill these seats through the counselling system. Since today is 20 October 2026, the allotment process is already underway.
Stray vacancy allotment is the final phase of NEET UG counselling in Kerala, typically conducted after the main counselling rounds. It is used to fill any remaining vacant seats. If you have not yet been allotted a seat in the main rounds and are still looking for a BDS college, you should check the official KEAM/CEE Kerala portal for the exact dates and process for applying in this stray vacancy round. The notice does not specify an end date for the stray vacancy allotment, so you must monitor the official admission portal regularly.
- Stray vacancy allotment start date: 17 October 2026
- Process: Through official KEAM/CEE Kerala portal
- Status as of 20 October 2026: Allotment is ongoing
Important: This is a court-ordered interim approval
This approval is not final. The government order explicitly states that the 25 additional seats are approved 'subject to the result of the writ petition.' This means the High Court's interim order is temporary, and the final decision will depend on the outcome of the full writ petition (W.P.(C) No. 29809 of 2026(A)) filed by SR Educational & Charitable Trust.
What this means for you: If you are allotted one of these 25 seats, your admission is conditional on the writ petition's final judgment. There is a possibility that the court could reverse this interim order, which could affect your admission. However, the government has formally approved the seats for now, and the allotment process is proceeding. You should proceed with the application and allotment process, but be aware of this legal uncertainty. Keep monitoring official announcements from the CEE Kerala or the college for any updates on the court's final decision.
- Approval is interim, subject to High Court's final judgment
- Writ petition: W.P.(C) No. 29809 of 2026(A)
- Final decision pending; monitor official channels for updates
How to apply: Step-by-step process
To apply for these 25 additional BDS seats at Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala, you must participate in the stray vacancy allotment process through the official KEAM/CEE Kerala portal. The notice does not provide detailed step-by-step instructions, so you should refer to the official KEAM 2026 prospectus and the CEE Kerala website for the complete application procedure.
General steps (based on standard Kerala BDS counselling): (1) Log in to the KEAM/CEE Kerala portal using your NEET UG 2026 registration credentials. (2) Fill in your choice of colleges and courses for the stray vacancy round. (3) Select Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala (college code: SVD) and BDS as your preferred option. (4) Choose the quota category you are eligible for (NRI, AIQ, or Government). (5) Submit your choices and confirm. (6) Wait for the allotment result. (7) If allotted, report to the college with the required documents within the specified time frame.
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Important: The exact dates, portal link, and detailed instructions for the stray vacancy allotment are not provided in this notice. You must visit the official CEE Kerala website (cee.kerala.gov.in) or contact the Admission Supervisory Committee for the complete and latest information on how to apply.
- Register/log in on KEAM/CEE Kerala portal
- Fill choice of colleges and courses
- Select Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala (code: SVD)
- Choose your eligible quota category
- Submit and confirm choices
- Await allotment result
- Report to college with required documents if allotted
College details: Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala
Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala is a self-financing private dental college located in Varkala, Kerala. The college code is SVD. It is affiliated with Kerala University of Health Sciences. The college was previously capped at 75 BDS seats for 2026-27, but the High Court interim order has now allowed it to admit up to 100 students (75 original + 25 additional).
As a self-financing college, the fees are higher than government colleges. The notice does not specify the fee structure for these 25 additional seats, so you should contact the college directly or check the official KEAM prospectus for fee details. The college's management is SR Educational & Charitable Trust, which filed the writ petition that led to this seat expansion.
- College name: Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala
- College code: SVD
- Type: Self-financing private college
- Affiliation: Kerala University of Health Sciences
- Management: SR Educational & Charitable Trust
- Location: Varkala, Kerala
What happens after allotment: Reporting and admission
If you are allotted one of these 25 BDS seats, you will need to report to Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala within the specified time frame with the required documents. The notice does not list the documents or the reporting deadline, so you must check the official KEAM prospectus or contact the college directly for this information.
Typical documents required for BDS admission in Kerala include: NEET UG 2026 admit card and score card, 10th and 12th mark sheets and certificates, community/caste certificate (if applicable), NRI certificate (if applying under NRI quota), passport and visa (if NRI), and any other documents specified by the college. Failure to report within the deadline or submit required documents will result in forfeiture of your seat.
- Check official KEAM prospectus for reporting deadline
- Prepare required documents (NEET scorecard, certificates, etc.)
- Report to college within the specified time frame
- Failure to report will result in loss of seat
Key contacts and resources
For official information and updates on the stray vacancy allotment and these 25 additional BDS seats, contact the following authorities:
The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Thiruvananthapuram, is the nodal agency for NEET UG counselling in Kerala. The Admission Supervisory Committee, located at Prasanthi buildings, M.P Appan Road, Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, manages the admission process. The Director of Medical Education, Thiruvananthapuram, oversees medical and dental education in the state. Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala can be contacted directly for college-specific queries. The official KEAM portal (cee.kerala.gov.in) is your primary source for all counselling updates, schedules, and application procedures.
- Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Thiruvananthapuram
- Admission Supervisory Committee, Prasanthi buildings, Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram
- Director of Medical Education, Thiruvananthapuram
- Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala (direct contact)
- Official portal: cee.kerala.gov.in
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the total number of BDS seats now available at Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala for 2026-27?
The college now has 100 BDS seats for 2026-27: the original 75 seats plus 25 newly approved additional seats. This is as per the High Court interim order dated 16 October 2026, which stayed the condition that had limited the college to 75 seats.
When did the stray vacancy allotment for these 25 seats begin?
The stray vacancy allotment began on 17 October 2026. Since today is 20 October 2026, the allotment process is already underway. You should check the official KEAM/CEE Kerala portal immediately for application details and deadlines.
How are the 25 additional seats divided among different quotas?
The 25 seats are divided as follows: 4 NRI seats, 4 AIQ (All India Quota) seats irrespective of domicile, and 17 Government seats as per reservation norms. There are no community seats allocated from these 25 seats.
Who is eligible to apply for the NRI seats?
The 4 NRI seats are reserved for Non-Resident Indian candidates. You must hold NRI status as defined by the government to be eligible for these seats.
Can a candidate from outside Kerala apply for these seats?
Yes, if you are eligible for the AIQ (All India Quota) seats. The 4 AIQ seats are open to any NEET UG 2026 qualified candidate from any state, irrespective of domicile. However, the 17 Government seats are typically for Kerala domicile candidates as per state reservation norms.
Is this approval final, or could it change?
This approval is interim and subject to the final judgment of the High Court writ petition (W.P.(C) No. 29809 of 2026(A)). The court could reverse this interim order, which could affect admissions. However, the government has formally approved the seats for now, and allotment is proceeding. Monitor official announcements for any updates.
What is the college code for Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala?
The college code is SVD. Use this code when selecting the college in the KEAM/CEE Kerala portal during the stray vacancy allotment process.
What documents will I need to submit if I am allotted a seat?
The notice does not specify the exact documents required. Typically, you will need your NEET UG 2026 admit card and score card, 10th and 12th certificates, community/caste certificate (if applicable), NRI certificate (if applying under NRI quota), and any other documents specified by the college. Check the official KEAM prospectus or contact the college for the complete list.
How do I apply for these seats?
You must participate in the stray vacancy allotment through the official KEAM/CEE Kerala portal (cee.kerala.gov.in). Log in with your NEET UG 2026 credentials, select Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala (code: SVD) and BDS as your choice, select your eligible quota category, and submit. The exact step-by-step instructions and deadlines are available on the official portal.
Is Sri Sankara Dental College a government or private college?
Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala is a self-financing private college managed by SR Educational & Charitable Trust. It is affiliated with Kerala University of Health Sciences. As a private college, the fees are higher than government colleges.
What should I do if I have not yet been allotted a seat in the main counselling rounds?
If you are still looking for a BDS seat, you should immediately check the official KEAM/CEE Kerala portal for the stray vacancy allotment process and deadlines. Register your choices for the stray vacancy round, including Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala if you are interested. Stray vacancy is the final opportunity to secure a seat, so act quickly.
Where can I get more information about the application process and deadlines?
Visit the official KEAM portal at cee.kerala.gov.in or contact the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Thiruvananthapuram, or the Admission Supervisory Committee at Prasanthi buildings, Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram. You can also contact Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala directly for college-specific information.
If you are a NEET UG 2026 qualified candidate looking for a BDS seat in Kerala, these 25 additional seats at Sri Sankara Dental College, Varkala represent a new opportunity. The stray vacancy allotment process began on 17 October 2026 and is currently ongoing. Visit the official KEAM/CEE Kerala portal immediately to check the application deadline and submit your choices. Remember that this approval is interim and subject to the High Court's final judgment, so monitor official announcements for any updates. Act quickly, as stray vacancy is typically the last chance to secure an admission.
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