The Centralised Entrance Examination (CEE) Kerala has opened the online choice registration window for DNB (Diplomate of National Board) Post-MBBS 2026 admissions. Candidates who have qualified for the first phase of allotment must now enter their preferred courses and hospitals in order of choice before the deadline. This is a critical step in the Kerala DNB admission process, as the choices you submit will determine which specialty and institution you are considered for in the provisional allotment. Missing this deadline means you will not be included in Phase 1 allotment, potentially delaying your PG admission by several months.
You must submit your DNB course and hospital choices by November 6, 2026 at 2 PM on cee.kerala.gov.in, or you will be excluded from Phase 1 allotment.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is happening: Kerala DNB Phase 1 choice entry now live
CEE Kerala has activated the online option registration portal for DNB Post-MBBS 2026 admissions. This portal allows qualified candidates to log in using their application number and password, then select and rank their preferred specialties and teaching hospitals from the available list. The choice entry window is open now and will close on November 6, 2026 at 2 PM—a hard deadline with no extensions.
The list of hospitals and courses available for allotment is displayed on your candidate home page once you log in. You are expected to review this list carefully, as it shows exactly which institutions and specialties are participating in the Kerala DNB counselling round. The order in which you rank your choices matters: the allotment algorithm will attempt to match you to your highest-ranked available choice based on your merit rank and seat availability.
How to enter your DNB choices: step-by-step login and submission
The process is straightforward but requires careful attention. First, visit the official CEE Kerala website (cee.kerala.gov.in) and locate the DNB Post-MBBS Admission 2026 section. Click on the login link, then enter your application number and password. Once logged in, you will see your candidate dashboard with a link to 'Option Registration'—click this to begin entering your choices.
On the option registration page, you will see the list of available courses and hospitals. Select your preferred specialty (such as General Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, etc.) and the hospital where you wish to pursue it. You can add multiple choices. Crucially, arrange all your choices in order of preference—your first choice is your highest priority, your second choice is your backup, and so on. After you have ranked all your choices, save your entries and click submit. Once submitted, your choices are locked and cannot be changed, so review carefully before finalizing.
- Visit cee.kerala.gov.in
- Click on DNB Post-MBBS Admission 2026
- Log in with your application number and password
- Click on 'Option Registration' link
- Select courses and hospitals from the provided list
- Arrange choices in order of preference (1st choice = highest priority)
- Save and submit before 2 PM on November 6, 2026
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Why choice entry matters: your ranking determines allotment
The choices you submit are the foundation of the allotment process. CEE Kerala uses a merit-based algorithm that matches candidates to seats based on their rank and their stated preferences. If you rank a highly competitive specialty (such as Dermatology or Radiology) as your first choice but do not have a rank high enough to secure it, the algorithm will move to your second choice, then your third, and so on. If you do not submit any choices, you will not be considered for allotment at all.
This is why strategic choice entry is important. Many candidates make the mistake of ranking only their 'dream' specialty and leaving other choices blank, hoping to get lucky. If that specialty is not available at your rank, you end up with no seat in Phase 1. A better approach is to rank a realistic mix: your top choice (aspirational but possible), followed by 2–3 solid backup choices in specialties where your rank is competitive. This maximizes your chances of securing a seat in the first phase itself.
What happens after choice submission: provisional and final allotment
After the choice entry deadline closes on November 6, CEE Kerala will process all submitted choices and run the allotment algorithm. The provisional allotment result will be released online—the exact date has not yet been announced, but candidates will be notified. You should check your candidate portal regularly for this result. The provisional allotment shows which seat (if any) you have been offered based on your merit rank and choices.
Once the provisional result is published, there is a grievance submission window. If you believe there is an error in your allotment (for example, if you were not matched to a choice you clearly ranked, or if there is a data error), you can submit a grievance during this period. After grievances are reviewed and resolved, CEE Kerala will publish the final allotment result. Candidates who are allotted seats must then report to their assigned college or hospital with all required documents to complete admission. Failure to report within the specified time may result in forfeiture of your seat.
Important reminders: documents and reporting to college
Once you receive your final allotment, you are required to report to the allotted college or hospital in person to complete your admission. Bring all relevant documents with you—this typically includes your NEET-PG scorecard, MBBS degree certificate, internship completion certificate, identity proof, and any other documents specified by CEE Kerala or your allotted institution. Colleges have strict reporting deadlines; if you do not report within the given timeframe, your seat will be cancelled and offered to the next candidate on the waiting list.
Do not delay in reporting even if you are still considering other options (such as waiting for a super-speciality exam result or a different state's counselling). Once you report and complete admission formalities at a DNB seat, you are committed to that program. Backing out after reporting can result in a bond penalty or other consequences depending on your institution's rules.
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Who should enter choices: eligibility and participation
Only candidates who have qualified for the Kerala DNB Post-MBBS 2026 admission round are eligible to enter choices. Typically, this includes MBBS graduates who have appeared for NEET-PG and scored above the cutoff for DNB seats in Kerala, or who have been shortlisted through other qualifying criteria set by CEE Kerala. If you are unsure whether you are eligible, check the official notification or contact CEE Kerala directly.
If you are a candidate from outside Kerala or from another state's medical college, you may still be eligible for Kerala DNB seats if you meet the eligibility criteria and have registered for the admission process. However, some seats may be reserved for Kerala domicile candidates or candidates from Kerala medical colleges. Review the seat matrix and eligibility rules on the CEE Kerala website to confirm your status before entering choices.
Common mistakes to avoid during choice entry
One frequent error is entering choices too late and missing the deadline. November 6 at 2 PM is a hard cutoff; the portal will close and no further entries will be accepted. Plan to submit your choices at least a few hours before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues or internet problems. Another mistake is ranking only one or two choices. If those choices are not available at your rank, you will not be allotted a seat in Phase 1, and you will have to wait for Phase 2 or later rounds, which may have fewer seats and lower-ranked candidates.
A third common error is not reviewing the list of available hospitals and courses before entering choices. Some candidates rank a specialty at a hospital that is not actually offering that specialty in this round, wasting a choice slot. Always cross-check the hospital and course list provided on your candidate portal. Finally, do not submit your choices without saving them first. The system requires you to save your entries before submitting; if you click submit without saving, your choices will not be recorded.
What to do if you miss the deadline or face technical issues
If you miss the November 6 deadline, you will not be included in Phase 1 allotment. However, you may still be eligible for Phase 2 or subsequent rounds if they are conducted. Contact CEE Kerala immediately to confirm your status and ask about alternative rounds. If you face a genuine technical issue (such as the website being down or your login credentials not working), document the issue with screenshots and contact CEE Kerala's helpline or support email as soon as possible. They may grant a brief extension in exceptional cases, but this is not guaranteed.
To avoid such situations, test your login credentials now—do not wait until the last day. If you have forgotten your password, use the 'Forgot Password' option on the login page to reset it. If you are unable to log in even after resetting your password, contact CEE Kerala's technical support team before the deadline. Having a backup plan (such as accessing the portal from a different device or location) is also wise.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the deadline for entering DNB choices in Kerala 2026?
The deadline is November 6, 2026 at 2 PM. The online choice entry portal will close at this time, and no further entries will be accepted. You must submit your choices before this deadline to be included in Phase 1 allotment.
How do I log in to the CEE Kerala option registration portal?
Visit cee.kerala.gov.in, click on DNB Post-MBBS Admission 2026, then click Login. Enter your application number and password. Once logged in, click on the 'Option Registration' link to begin entering your choices.
Can I change my choices after I submit them?
No. Once you submit your choices, they are locked and cannot be changed. Review your choices carefully before clicking submit. If you need to make changes, you must contact CEE Kerala before the deadline to request a correction, though this is not always possible.
What happens if I do not enter any choices?
If you do not enter any choices, you will not be considered for allotment in Phase 1. You will have to wait for Phase 2 or later rounds, which may have fewer available seats and may be conducted at a later date.
How many choices can I enter, and does the order matter?
The exact number of choices you can enter will be shown on the portal. The order matters greatly: your first choice is your highest priority, and the allotment algorithm will try to match you to your highest-ranked available choice based on your merit rank. Always rank your choices in order of preference.
When will the provisional allotment result be released?
The exact date has not been announced yet, but CEE Kerala will release the provisional allotment result online after the choice entry deadline. You will be notified, and you should check your candidate portal regularly. After the provisional result, there will be a grievance submission window, followed by the final allotment result.
What documents do I need to bring when I report to my allotted college?
Bring your NEET-PG scorecard, MBBS degree certificate, internship completion certificate, identity proof, and any other documents specified by CEE Kerala or your allotted institution. Check the official notification for the complete list of required documents.
What if I miss the reporting deadline after I am allotted a seat?
If you do not report to your allotted college within the specified timeframe, your seat will be cancelled and offered to the next candidate on the waiting list. You may also face penalties or be ineligible for future rounds. Always report on time once you are allotted a seat.
Can I participate in Kerala DNB counselling if I am from another state?
It depends on the eligibility criteria and seat matrix set by CEE Kerala. Some seats may be reserved for Kerala domicile candidates or candidates from Kerala medical colleges, while others may be open to all-India candidates. Check the official notification and seat matrix to confirm your eligibility.
What should I do if I face a technical issue and cannot log in before the deadline?
Test your login credentials now and reset your password if needed using the 'Forgot Password' option. If you still cannot log in, contact CEE Kerala's technical support team immediately with screenshots of the error. Document the issue and contact them before the deadline; they may grant an extension in exceptional cases, though this is not guaranteed.
Mark November 6, 2026 at 2 PM as a non-negotiable deadline on your calendar. Log in to cee.kerala.gov.in now to verify your credentials, review the available courses and hospitals, and plan your choice strategy. Submit your choices well before the deadline to secure your place in Phase 1 allotment.
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