If you are a NEET UG 2026 qualifier hoping to join an MBBS or BDS seat in Kerala, pay attention to a schedule change. The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) Kerala, the body that runs medical admissions in the state, has extended the deadline for Round 1 'option registration' — the step where candidates list and rank their preferred colleges and courses. This matters because your choice list, not just your rank, decides which seat you actually get in the first round. The extension gives eligible candidates a bit more breathing room to compare colleges, fees and hostel facilities before locking in their preferences.
Kerala NEET UG 2026 candidates now have until August 24, 11 AM, to register and lock their Round 1 college/course choices at cee.kerala.gov.in — after that, no changes are possible before the provisional allotment.
What exactly changed
CEE Kerala has revised the Round 1 option registration and re-arrangement window for candidates who qualified NEET UG 2026 and had already completed the separate KEAM 2026 medical registration process. This is the online step where you list, in order of preference, the MBBS/BDS colleges and courses you would accept if allotted.
The revised schedule is posted on the official CEE Kerala portal. Candidates should treat this as the authoritative source and not rely on screenshots or forwarded messages, since portal times can be updated.
Revised Round 1 timeline
Based on the notification, here is how the rest of Round 1 is expected to unfold once option registration closes.
| Event | Date/Time |
|---|---|
| Website opened for MBBS/BDS registration | August 15, 2026 |
| Online option registration closes | August 24, 2026, 11:00 AM |
| Round 1 provisional allotment published | August 25, 2026 |
| Round 1 final allotment published | August 27, 2026 |
| Fee payment and admission for allotted candidates | August 28 to September 5, 2026, 4:00 PM |
| Colleges to approve and submit admitted-candidate list (OAMS) | September 5, 2026, 5:00 PM |
Who can participate in this round
Only candidates who cleared NEET UG 2026 and have already completed KEAM medical registration are allowed to fill Round 1 options. Kerala domicile candidates must also meet the state's academic eligibility rules, and it is the state merit rank — derived from your NEET score — that decides the order in which seats are allotted.
Candidates from outside Kerala are not locked out entirely. They remain eligible for seats in private and self-financing medical colleges within the state, subject to the category-wise reservation norms set by the Kerala government. If you are an out-of-state aspirant considering Kerala colleges, check the specific eligibility notice for private-quota seats before registering.
How to complete option registration
The process is entirely online and can be done from a phone or laptop, but it is worth doing on a stable connection since the final step involves locking choices.
- Go to cee.kerala.gov.in and open the KEAM 2026 candidate login.
- Log in with your application number and password.
- Open the Round 1 option registration link.
- Add every college and course you would consider, in your actual order of preference.
- Save, rearrange as needed, and only then lock the final list.
- Download and keep the confirmation slip — you may need it later for verification.
Before you lock your choices
The extra days should be used for research, not delay. Once the deadline passes and the list is locked, you cannot revise it before the provisional allotment is generated. A rushed or incomplete list can mean either missing a seat you were eligible for, or getting allotted to a college you had not properly compared.
Look closely at the previous year's closing ranks for each college and course combination, the total fee (including any caution deposit or hostel charges), and whether the college has adequate clinical/hospital infrastructure for MBBS or BDS training. Adding more options rather than fewer generally improves your chances of getting some allotment in Round 1, since an empty or short list limits what the system can offer you.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the new deadline for Kerala NEET UG 2026 Round 1 option registration?
The window now closes on August 24, 2026, at 11:00 AM, as per the revised CEE Kerala schedule.
Do I need to complete KEAM registration separately before filling options?
Yes. Only candidates who have qualified NEET UG 2026 and already completed the KEAM 2026 medical registration process can take part in Round 1 option entry.
Can candidates from outside Kerala apply through this counselling?
Yes, but only for seats in private and self-financing medical colleges, and subject to Kerala's category-wise reservation rules.
When will the Round 1 allotment result be out?
The provisional allotment list is expected on August 25, 2026, followed by the final allotment on August 27, 2026.
Can I edit my option list after the deadline?
No. Once the extended deadline passes and the list is locked, no further changes can be made before the provisional allotment is generated.
What is the last date to pay fees and confirm admission if allotted?
Allotted candidates need to complete fee payment and admission formalities between August 28 and September 5, 2026 (by 4:00 PM).
If you are registered for Kerala's medical counselling, log in now, finalise a well-researched preference list, and lock it well before August 24, 11 AM — do not wait for the last hour. Keep checking cee.kerala.gov.in for the provisional allotment on August 25 and the final list on August 27, since the fee-payment window that follows is short.
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