Kerala University Admission 2025: Planning to join one of South India’s most prestigious and historic institutions? The University of Kerala, with its legacy of academic excellence, is a top choice for students aspiring for higher education. The admission process for the 2025-26 academic year is a crucial step for thousands of hopefuls. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from important dates and eligibility criteria to the application process for UG, PG, and PhD programs. Let’s dive into the details to make your admission journey smooth and successful.
About Kerala University
Established in 1937, the University of Kerala, formerly the University of Travancore, is one of the oldest universities in India. Located in the vibrant city of Thiruvananthapuram, it has been a beacon of learning and research for decades. The university is accredited by NAAC with an ‘A++’ Grade, a testament to its high standards in teaching, research, and infrastructure. It has 43 departments of teaching and research, along with hundreds of affiliated colleges, offering a vast array of courses across various disciplines.
Quick Update for Kerala University Admission 2025
As of June 2025, the official notification for the 2025-26 academic session is yet to be released. The information provided in this guide, including dates, fees, and specific procedures, is based on the previous year’s (2024-25) admission cycle. These details are intended to give you a clear and predictive overview.
Key Expectation:
- UG Admissions: Will continue to be primarily based on marks from the qualifying Plus Two (+2) or equivalent examinations through a Centralized Allotment Process (CAP).
- PG Admissions: Will be a mix of merit-based admissions in affiliated colleges and entrance-based admissions for courses in University Departments. The University is expected to continue using its own Kerala University Common Admission Test (KU-CAT) and may also accept CUET-PG scores for certain programs.
| Particulars | Details |
| Full Name | University of Kerala |
| Established | 1937 |
| Location | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
| Type | Public State University |
| Recognized by | UGC (University Grants Commission) |
| NAAC Accreditation | A++ Grade |
| Campus Area | ~359 acres (Kariavattom Campus) |
| Official Website | www.keralauniversity.ac.in |
| Chancellor | Governor of Kerala |
| Vice-Chancellor | Prof. Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal (as of 2025) |
| Affiliated Colleges | 150+ Government, Aided & Self-Financing colleges across Kerala |
| Faculties | 16+ including Science, Arts, Commerce, Law, Education, Engineering, etc. |
| Popular Courses | B.A, B.Sc, B.Com, B.Tech, M.A, M.Sc, MBA, MCA, M.Ed, PhD |
| Admission Mode | Online via Centralized Allotment Process (CAP) |
| Scholarships | Merit-based, SC/ST, Minority, Endowment awards |
| Student Support | Placement Cell, Career Guidance, Women’s Cell, NSS, NCC |
| Research | Offers M.Phil & PhD programs with dedicated research centres |
Kerala University Admission 2025
Kerala University offers a streamlined admission process for its diverse range of undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and doctoral (PhD) programs. The entire process is conducted online through its dedicated admission portal, ensuring transparency and ease of access for applicants. Admission to most courses is managed through a Single Window System known as the Centralized Allotment Process (CAP).
Important Dates for Kerala University Admission 2025-26
The following dates are tentative and based on the 2024 admission schedule. Please refer to the official notification for confirmed dates.
| Event | Expected UG Dates (2025) | Expected PG Dates (2025) |
| Online Application Start Date | Mid-May 2025 | Early June 2025 |
| Online Application End Date | Mid-June 2025 | Late June 2025 |
| Date for Entrance Exam (for PG) | – | July 2025 |
| Trial Allotment Publication | Late June 2025 | Mid-July 2025 |
| First Allotment Publication | Early July 2025 | Late July 2025 |
| Fee Payment for First Allotment | Early–Mid July 2025 | Late July – Early August 2025 |
| Subsequent Allotments | July – August 2025 | August 2025 |
| Commencement of Classes | August 2025 | Late August 2025 |
How to Get Admission in Kerala University?
The application process is completely online. Follow these steps carefully:
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to the Kerala University Admissions website: admissions.keralauniversity.ac.in.
- Registration: Click on the “Click here for Registration” link. You will need a valid email address and mobile number to receive an application number and password.
- Log In: Use the application number and password to log in and start the application process.
- Fill the Application Form: Enter your personal, academic, and contact details accurately.
- Upload Documents: Scan and upload recent passport-size photographs, your signature, and relevant academic documents (like +2 mark sheets) in the prescribed format and size.
- Course/College Selection: Carefully select the courses and colleges you wish to apply for in order of preference.
- Pay Application Fee: Pay the required application fee through the online payment gateway (Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking).
- Final Submission: Verify all details entered in the form before final submission. Once submitted, you cannot edit the details.
- Print Confirmation: Take a printout of the completed application form and fee receipt for your future reference.
Kerala University UG Admission
Admission to the majority of Bachelor’s degree programs (like B.A., B.Sc., B.Com, BBA, BCA) in government, aided, and self-financing colleges affiliated with Kerala University is conducted through the Centralized Allotment Process (CAP).
- Basis of Admission: Admission is based on the index marks calculated from the scores obtained in the qualifying examination (Plus Two/HSC).
- No Entrance Exam: For most conventional UG courses, there is no separate entrance examination.
- Allotment: The university publishes a series of allotments (Trial, First, Second, etc.). Students who are allotted a seat must pay the admission fee online to confirm their seat and then report to the respective college.
Kerala University PG Admission
Admission to Postgraduate (PG) programs at Kerala University is managed through a streamlined online Centralized Allotment Process (CAP). The selection criteria depend on whether the course is in an affiliated college or a direct university department. While most colleges rely on merit, university departments require candidates to qualify in an entrance test.
- Merit-Based Admission: For PG courses in most affiliated government and aided colleges, admission is based on the index marks obtained in the qualifying Bachelor’s degree.
- Entrance-Based Admission: Admission to all PG programs offered directly by the University’s own departments is strictly through the Kerala University Common Admission Test (KU-CAT).
- CUET-PG Scores: For certain specified programs, the university may also accept scores from the national-level Central University Entrance Test (CUET-PG). Applicants should verify this in the official prospectus.
- Online Process: The entire application, option registration, and allotment process is conducted online via the university’s official admissions portal.
Kerala University PhD Admission
Securing a spot in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program at Kerala University involves a competitive selection process designed to evaluate a candidate’s research aptitude. The admission is primarily based on performance in an entrance test and an interview.
- Core Process: The standard admission route consists of a university-conducted written entrance examination followed by a personal interview.
- Entrance Test Exemption: Candidates who have already qualified for national fellowships or tests like UGC-NET (including JRF), UGC-CSIR-NET, SLET, GATE, or hold an M.Phil degree are typically exempted from the written test but are still required to appear for the interview.
- Final Selection: The final rank list is prepared based on a consolidated score from the written test and the interview, ensuring a holistic evaluation.
| Specialization (Full-time / Part-time) | Duration |
| Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | Min. 3 years – Max. 6 years (Full-time); Part-time |
| Archaeology | 3 – 6 years |
| Biochemistry | 3 – 6 years |
| Biotechnology | 3 – 6 years |
| Botany | 3 – 6 years |
| Chemistry | 3 – 6 years |
| Commerce | 3 – 6 years |
| Computational Biology & Bioinformatics | 3 – 6 years |
| Demography | 3 – 6 years |
| Economics | 3 – 6 years |
| Education | 3 – 6 years |
| English | 3 – 6 years |
| Environmental Science | 3 – 6 years |
| Geography | 3 – 6 years |
| Geology | 3 – 6 years |
| Hindi | 3 – 6 years |
| Islamic Studies | 3 – 6 years |
| Linguistics | 3 – 6 years |
| Mathematics | 3 – 6 years |
| Optoelectronics | 3 – 6 years |
| Physical Education | 3 – 6 years |
| Physics | 3 – 6 years |
| Political Science | 3 – 6 years |
| Psychology | 3 – 6 years |
| Public Administration | 3 – 6 years |
| Russian | 3 – 6 years |
| Social Work | 3 – 6 years |
| Sociology | 3 – 6 years |
| Statistics | 3 – 6 years |
| Tamil | 3 – 6 years |
| Zoology | 3 – 6 years |
| Performing & Visual Arts (Theatre, Film, Visual Arts) | 3 – 6 years; estimated per general regulation |
Kerala University Eligibility Criteria
- UG Courses: Candidates must have passed the Higher Secondary Examination (Plus Two) of the Kerala State Board or any other examination recognized as equivalent, with a specified minimum percentage (typically around 45-50%, with relaxations for reserved categories).
- PG Courses: Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in the relevant subject under the 10+2+3 pattern from the University of Kerala or any other recognized university. A minimum percentage of marks (usually 50% to 55%) is required.
- PhD Courses: A Master’s degree or a professional degree recognized as equivalent in the relevant discipline with at least 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC candidates) is the minimum eligibility.
Kerala University Fee Structure
The fee structure at Kerala University is known for its affordability, though it varies significantly based on the program and the type of institution. A clear distinction exists between the nominal fees at government/aided colleges and the higher fees at self-financing colleges.
| Course | Duration | Total Tuition Fee (INR) |
| Undergraduate (UG) | 3–5 yrs | ₹ 60,000 (B.A./B.Com)–₹ 60,000 (B.Sc); ₹ 3 lakh (B.Tech) |
| B.Tech | 4 yrs | ₹ 3,00,000 total |
| B.Com | 3 yrs | ₹ 51,860 total (₹ 13,425 1st‑yr) |
| BBA | 3 yrs | ₹ 72,000 total |
| BCA | 3 yrs | ₹ 75,000 total |
| B.Ed | 2 yrs | ₹ 65,850 total |
| MCA | 3 yrs | ₹ 75,000 total |
| MBA | 2 yrs | ₹ 1,00,000 total |
| M.Sc / M.A | 2 yrs | ₹ 3,246–22,480 total (varies by specialization) |
Kerala University Entrance Exam
Kerala University primarily conducts its own entrance exams for specific courses.
- KU-CAT (Kerala University Common Admission Test): This is the main entrance exam for admission to various PG programs offered in the University’s teaching departments. The exam consists of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) based on the syllabus of the relevant undergraduate program.
- PhD Entrance Test: This test is for admission to doctoral programs. It typically comprises two parts: Part A on Research Methodology and Part B on the specific subject.
- CUET-PG: For certain PG programs, the university may use CUET-PG scores. Aspirants for these courses must register for the CUET-PG exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) separately.
Hostel & Miscellaneous Fees
- Hostel (per annum): ₹ 10,000–18,000 (depending on room sharing)
- Mess Charges: ~₹ 30,000/yr for all room types
- Other Charges: ~₹ 3,000/yr
Additional University Fees
- Registration/Search Fees:
- UG: ₹ 350 + search
- PG: ₹ 450 + search
- Professional UG: ₹ 450 + search
- Professional PG: ₹ 640 + search
M.Phil / PhD / Postdoc: ₹ 640–760 + search fee
