Kochi: In a dramatic turn of events, the Kerala High Court has quashed the results of the KEAM entrance examination, delivering a substantial blow to the state government’s credibility in managing higher education admissions. The court’s decision has sent shockwaves through the student community, as it disrupts the counselling and admission process for thousands of engineering and medical aspirants across the state.
The verdict came in response to a batch of petitions filed by students and parents, who alleged serious irregularities in the ranking process. The core issue was the post-exam alteration of the rank list methodology, particularly in how Plus Two marks were factored in for final ranking. Originally, the KEAM prospectus had detailed a specific method for computing ranks based on entrance test scores and normalized marks from the higher secondary board exams. However, the government allegedly altered this methodology after the exams were conducted and before the results were published, thereby affecting the final rank positions of many candidates.
The petitioners argued that this last-minute change violated the principles of natural justice, and more importantly, contradicted the terms laid out in the official prospectus a legally binding document for the exam process. The High Court bench, headed by Justice D. S. Naidu, upheld the petitioners’ concerns, stating that "altering evaluation norms mid-process constitutes procedural impropriety and administrative overreach."
This move not only undermined transparency, the court observed, but also unfairly disadvantaged students especially those from CBSE and ICSE backgrounds who had structured their preparation and expectations based on the officially declared rules.
With the cancellation of the results, the state’s Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) is now compelled to rework and republish the rank list using the original normalization criteria mentioned in the KEAM prospectus. This could lead to delays in the admission process, particularly for engineering, pharmacy, architecture, and medical allied courses, many of which follow strict academic calendars linked to national regulatory bodies like the AICTE and NMC.
The delay has thrown thousands of students and parents into uncertainty. Many students who had already secured higher ranks under the modified formula may now see their positions altered, while others who were downgraded earlier may reclaim better positions under the original rules.
The High Court’s ruling also represents a sharp rebuke to the state government, which had defended the alteration in normalization as a technical necessity. Critics within and outside the education sector have called it a policy blunder, accusing the government of mishandling a sensitive academic process and violating the trust of students. Opposition parties have seized the moment to attack the ruling Left government, calling for accountability from the education ministry.
Meanwhile, the CEE is facing scrutiny over its failure to follow due process and maintain consistency in one of Kerala’s most competitive examinations. Educational activists have called for a judicial or legislative oversight mechanism to prevent such lapses in the future.
KEAM (Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical) is the gateway for admission to professional degree programs in Kerala. Over 1.2 lakh students appeared for the exam, making it one of the largest state-level entrance tests in India. Initially, students were assured that the weightage of marks would follow the 50:50 rule half from entrance exam scores and half from normalized Plus Two marks, as per the prospectus.
However, following the release of the results on July 1, several students noticed unexpected fluctuations in their rankings, especially those from CBSE and ISC boards. The normalization method used by the government appeared to favor certain state board scores disproportionately, sparking widespread protests, media attention, and eventually legal intervention.
With the High Court’s directive in place, the government will now have to revise the entire rank list in accordance with the original prospectus guidelines. It is also likely that the counselling schedule will be pushed back, causing a ripple effect across affiliated institutions. Many private and self-financing colleges depend on KEAM allotments for seat fills, and any delay could affect academic schedules and fee collection cycles.
There is also the possibility of the state government appealing the decision, potentially taking the case to a division bench or even the Supreme Court, depending on how the situation evolves.
The KEAM result controversy has exposed significant cracks in the administrative handling of entrance examinations in Kerala. What was supposed to be a smooth, merit-based process has now spiraled into legal chaos and public distrust. As students await clarity, the onus is on the state government and the CEE to act swiftly, transparently, and lawfully to restore order and confidence in the system.