Kerala govt boosts Plus One seats by 64,000 to streamline admissions

To avoid a repeat of last year’s admission crunch, the Kerala government has introduced a major seat hike for Plus One in the 2025–26 academic year, ensuring that all eligible students have a place.

Announcing the decision, State General Education Minister V Sivankutty said the seat expansion will apply across most districts, excluding Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, and Idukki.

Government schools in seven districts—Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod—will see a 30% increase in Plus One seats. Aided schools in these districts will get a 20% hike.

In Kollam, Ernakulam, and Thrissur, both government and aided schools will receive a 20% seat increase. “If any aided schools request more, an additional 10% of seats will be allotted,” Sivankutty added.

With the addition of 64,040 seats, the total number of Plus One seats will now stand at 441,887. Vocational higher secondary schools will also offer 33,030 seats this year.

The move includes retaining extra batches introduced in recent years to accommodate growing demand. The application window for Plus One admissions will open from May 14 to May 20.

Classes are set to begin on June 18, and the admission process is expected to wrap up by July 23. Authorities hope this structured schedule will ensure a smooth intake without last-minute disruptions.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the release of Plus Two exam results.

Sivankutty confirmed, “The evaluation of Plus Two examination papers has been completed, and tabulation work is in progress. A board meeting will be held on May 14, and the results will be announced on May 21.”