The Government of Kerala has officially approved a revised seat matrix for Dr. Somervel Memorial CSI Medical College, Karakonam, Thiruvananthapuram for the 2026-27 academic year. The college now offers 200 MBBS seats — an increase from the previous allocation — distributed across community seats, government-reserved seats, All-India Quota (AIQ), and NRI seats. This order, issued on 9 September 2026, modifies the earlier seat allocation and becomes the official basis for KEAM counselling and admission to this college. If you are a NEET UG 2026 candidate eligible for Kerala counselling, this directly affects where you can apply and how many seats are available in each category.
Dr. Somervel Medical College, Karakonam now has 200 MBBS seats for 2026-27: 100 community, 30 AIQ, 6 NRI, 40 government-reserved, and 24 open community — use this matrix to check your eligibility and apply via KEAM.
What is this notice about?
This is an official Government Order (G.O.) from Kerala's Health & Family Welfare Department approving a revised seat matrix for Dr. Somervel Memorial CSI Medical College, Karakonam. A seat matrix is the official breakdown of how many MBBS seats are available in each category — community, government-reserved, All-India Quota, NRI, and open — for the academic year 2026-27.
The college previously had a different seat allocation. This revised order changes that allocation, increasing the total number of seats and adjusting the distribution across categories. The order was issued on 9 September 2026 and is now the binding document for all KEAM counselling and admissions to this college for the 2026-27 batch.
Total seats and category-wise breakdown
Dr. Somervel Memorial CSI Medical College, Karakonam now has a total of 200 MBBS seats for 2026-27. These 200 seats are divided into five categories, each with specific eligibility and reservation rules. Understanding this breakdown is essential because your eligibility to apply depends on which category you fall into.
The college code for this institution is SMC. When you search for colleges in the KEAM counselling portal, use this code to identify Dr. Somervel Medical College.
| Category | Number of Seats | Percentage of Total | Who is eligible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community seats | 100 | 50% | Kerala residents belonging to scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward communities (as per Kerala reservation norms) |
| Open Community | 24 | 12% | Open merit — any candidate (including non-Keralites) who qualifies; follows general merit order |
| All-India Quota (AIQ) | 30 | 15% | Any Indian citizen regardless of domicile; filled through national-level NEET merit list |
| NRI (Non-Resident Indian) | 6 | 3% | Non-Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO); up to 15% allowed, but only 6 allocated here |
| Government seats (reserved) | 40 | 20% | Candidates from reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC) as per Kerala government reservation norms |
Community seats (100 seats)
Community seats make up 50% of the total allocation — 100 out of 200 seats. These seats are reserved for candidates belonging to scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST), and other backward communities (OBC) as defined by Kerala state law. To apply for a community seat, you must have a valid community certificate issued by the competent authority in Kerala.
Community seats are filled through Kerala's state-level KEAM counselling based on your NEET UG 2026 rank and merit. If you belong to a reserved community and have the required certificate, you will be considered for these seats during counselling. The merit order for community seats is separate from open seats — you compete only with other candidates in your community category.
Open Community seats (24 seats)
Open Community seats are 24 in number and are available to any candidate — regardless of community, domicile, or background — who qualifies on merit. These seats are filled strictly by NEET UG 2026 rank: the highest-ranked candidates get the seats, regardless of whether they are from Kerala or outside.
To be eligible for an Open Community seat, you must have a valid NEET UG 2026 score and be eligible under the general admission rules. There is no community certificate required. However, competition for these seats is typically very high because they are open to all candidates across India.
All-India Quota (AIQ) seats (30 seats)
All-India Quota seats are 30 in number — 15% of the total 200 seats. These seats are filled through the national NEET UG merit list and are available to any Indian citizen, regardless of which state they are from or where they studied. You do not need to be a Kerala resident to apply for an AIQ seat.
AIQ seats are allocated and filled by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) at the national level, not by Kerala's KEAM. If you are a non-Kerala candidate or a Kerala candidate who prefers to participate in national counselling, you can apply for AIQ seats at Dr. Somervel Medical College through the MCC portal. The merit order is based on your all-India NEET UG rank.
NRI seats (6 seats)
NRI (Non-Resident Indian) seats are 6 in number — 3% of the total 200 seats. These seats are reserved for Non-Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) as defined by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. To apply for an NRI seat, you must hold a valid NRI or PIO status and provide proof of the same.
NRI seats are typically filled through a separate NRI counselling process, often with different fee structures and eligibility criteria than regular seats. If you are an NRI or PIO candidate interested in Dr. Somervel Medical College, contact the college directly or check the KEAM/MCC portal for NRI-specific counselling dates and procedures. The college code SMC should be used to identify this college in NRI counselling portals.
Government-reserved seats (40 seats)
Government-reserved seats are 40 in number — 20% of the total 200 seats. These seats are reserved for candidates from scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST), and other backward communities (OBC) as per Kerala government reservation norms. These are distinct from the 100 community seats and are part of the government's overall reservation policy.
To apply for a government-reserved seat, you must have a valid community certificate from the competent authority. The merit order for reserved seats is separate from open seats — you compete with other candidates in your reserved category. During KEAM counselling, you will be asked to choose whether you want to apply for community seats, reserved seats, or open seats, and your rank will be evaluated accordingly.
Why was the seat matrix revised?
The seat matrix was revised to reflect changes in the college's infrastructure, faculty, and capacity. The order states that the previous allocation (read as the 1st paper — G.O. No. 224/2026/H&FWD dated 10 August 2026) 'stands modified to the above extent.' This means the college has been approved to increase its total seats and adjust the distribution across categories.
The revision was approved based on recommendations from the Director of Medical Education (DME), Kerala, and the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE). The order was formally issued by the Health & Family Welfare Department on 9 September 2026. This revised matrix is now the official and binding allocation for all admissions to Dr. Somervel Medical College for 2026-27.
How does this affect KEAM counselling?
This revised seat matrix is the official basis for KEAM counselling for Dr. Somervel Medical College. When you register for KEAM counselling, the portal will display these 200 seats (100 community, 24 open community, 30 AIQ, 6 NRI, 40 reserved) as available for this college. You can apply for seats in the category you are eligible for based on your NEET UG 2026 rank and your community/domicile status.
During counselling, you will be asked to list your preferred colleges and seats in order of preference. Dr. Somervel Medical College, Karakonam (code SMC) will appear in the college list with the updated seat count. Your rank and category will determine which seats you are offered. If you are a Kerala resident, you will participate in KEAM state counselling. If you are a non-Kerala candidate, you may participate in national AIQ counselling through MCC.
Important: This is a college-specific order, not a counselling schedule
This order approves the seat matrix for Dr. Somervel Medical College only. It does not announce counselling dates, application deadlines, or merit lists. It is purely an administrative order that updates the number and distribution of seats available at this college.
To know when KEAM counselling will begin, when you must register, and when allotments will be released, you must check the official KEAM website (cee.kerala.gov.in) or the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations' announcements. This order is one piece of the admission puzzle — it tells you how many seats are available, but not when or how to apply for them.
Who should read this notice?
This notice is relevant to you if: (1) you are a NEET UG 2026 candidate eligible for Kerala counselling (state quota or AIQ); (2) you are interested in studying MBBS at Dr. Somervel Memorial CSI Medical College, Karakonam; (3) you want to know how many seats are available in each category at this college; or (4) you are a parent or counsellor helping a candidate understand their options.
If you are a candidate from outside Kerala and interested only in national AIQ counselling, this notice is still relevant because it tells you that 30 AIQ seats are available at this college. If you are a Kerala resident, this notice is essential because it defines the seats you can apply for through KEAM state counselling.
What to do next
Step 1: Confirm your eligibility. Check which category you fall into — community, open, reserved, NRI, or AIQ — based on your NEET UG 2026 score, community status, and domicile.
Step 2: Verify your documents. If you are applying for community or reserved seats, ensure you have a valid community certificate from the competent authority. If you are an NRI, ensure you have proof of NRI/PIO status.
Step 3: Wait for KEAM counselling dates. The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations will announce the counselling schedule separately. Register on the KEAM portal when the dates are announced.
Step 4: During counselling, list Dr. Somervel Medical College (code SMC) in your preference list if you are interested. Your rank and category will determine if you get a seat.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
How many total MBBS seats are available at Dr. Somervel Medical College, Karakonam for 2026-27?
The college has a total of 200 MBBS seats for 2026-27. These are divided into: 100 community seats, 24 open community seats, 30 All-India Quota (AIQ) seats, 6 NRI seats, and 40 government-reserved seats.
What is the college code for Dr. Somervel Medical College?
The college code is SMC. Use this code when searching for the college in the KEAM counselling portal or any other admission portal.
I am a Kerala resident with a valid community certificate. Which seats can I apply for?
You can apply for community seats (100 seats) or government-reserved seats (40 seats) through KEAM state counselling, depending on your NEET UG 2026 rank and merit. You can also apply for open community seats (24 seats) if your rank qualifies. During counselling, you will be asked to choose your preferred category.
I am a non-Kerala candidate. Can I apply to Dr. Somervel Medical College?
Yes. You can apply for the 30 All-India Quota (AIQ) seats through national counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). You can also apply for open community seats (24 seats) if your all-India NEET UG rank qualifies. You cannot apply for community or government-reserved seats, which are for Kerala residents only.
What is the difference between community seats and government-reserved seats?
Both are reserved for candidates from SC/ST/OBC communities and require a valid community certificate. However, they are separate allocations: 100 community seats and 40 government-reserved seats. During counselling, you will be asked to choose which category you want to apply for. The merit order is evaluated separately for each category.
When will KEAM counselling begin? Is there a date mentioned in this order?
This order does not mention counselling dates. It only approves the seat matrix. The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations will announce the counselling schedule separately on the KEAM website (cee.kerala.gov.in). Check that website regularly for updates.
I am an NRI. How do I apply for the 6 NRI seats at this college?
NRI seats are filled through a separate NRI counselling process. Contact Dr. Somervel Medical College directly or check the KEAM/MCC portal for NRI-specific counselling dates, procedures, and fee structures. You will need to provide proof of NRI or PIO status as defined by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Does this order mean counselling will start soon?
No. This order only approves the seat matrix. It does not announce counselling dates or timelines. The approval of the seat matrix is a prerequisite for counselling, but counselling dates will be announced separately by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations.
What documents do I need to apply for community or reserved seats?
You must have a valid community certificate issued by the competent authority in Kerala. The certificate must clearly state your community (SC/ST/OBC) and be issued by an authorized government official. Without this certificate, your application for community or reserved seats will be rejected.
Is this seat matrix final, or can it change again?
This is the current approved seat matrix as of 9 September 2026. While it is unlikely to change before counselling begins, always check the official KEAM website and the college's official announcements for any further updates or modifications.
I scored well in NEET UG 2026. Which seats should I apply for at Dr. Somervel Medical College?
Your eligibility depends on your rank, community status, and domicile. If you are a Kerala resident, you can apply for community, reserved, or open community seats through KEAM. If you are a non-Kerala candidate, you can apply for AIQ or open community seats through national counselling. During counselling, list the college and seats you are interested in, and the system will match your rank to available seats.
What happens if I don't have a community certificate but want to apply for community seats?
You cannot apply for community or reserved seats without a valid community certificate. Your application will be rejected at the verification stage. If you belong to a reserved community, obtain the certificate from the competent authority before counselling begins. You can still apply for open community or AIQ seats if your rank qualifies.
This revised seat matrix for Dr. Somervel Memorial CSI Medical College, Karakonam is now official and will be used for all KEAM counselling and admissions for 2026-27. Verify which category you are eligible for based on your NEET UG 2026 rank, community status, and domicile. Ensure you have all required documents (especially a valid community certificate if applying for reserved seats) ready before counselling begins. Watch the official KEAM website (cee.kerala.gov.in) for the announcement of counselling dates, registration deadlines, and merit lists — those will be announced separately and are critical for your next steps.
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