Kerala SET Exam Date 2026 Out, Check Exam Shifts and Schedule

The Kerala SET 2026 Exam date is now available on the official website. Aspirants can find detailed information, including Exam Schedule, Shift. Be sure to check the official site for all the details you need to prepare for the Kerala SET 2026 examination.

Arnaba Saha Last updated on December 24th, 2025 03:50 pm

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The LBS Centre for Science & Technology has officially announced the Kerala SET 2026 exam date on its website. The Kerala SET 2026 examination was tentatively scheduled on 22 February 2026. The exam is held to determine eligibility for the recruitment of Higher Secondary School Teachers and Non-Vocational Teachers in VHSE. Complete details regarding the exam date, schedule, and shift timings are provided below.

Kerala SET Exam Date 2026 Out

The LBS Centre for Science & Technology has officially announced the Kerala SET Exam Date 2026 on its official website. The Kerala SET 2026 examination will be conducted for 31 subjects across 14 exam centres in Kerala on 22 February 2026. Candidates can check complete details in notification PDF on the official website. The Kerala SET 2026 admit card will be released shortly, and candidates are advised to regularly visit the official portal for the latest updates.

Kerala SET Exam: Overview

The LBS Centre for Science & Technology conducts the Kerala State Eligibility Test (Kerala SET) once a year. Refer to the table below for more information on the Kerala SET Exam Date for January 2026 Session.

Kerala SET January 2026 Exam Date
Exam Name	Kerala SET / SET Exam Kerala
Full Form	Kerala State Eligibility Test
Conducting Body	LBS Centre for Science & Technology & Government of Kerala
Department	Government of Kerala, Department of General Education
Level	State Level
Session	January 2026
Admit card	To be announced
Exam Date	22 February 2026
Question Type	Multiple Choice Question
Papers	Paper-I: General Knowledge and Aptitude Paper-II: 31 Subjects of Specialization
Duration	2 Hours (120 minutes)
Total no. of Questions	120 Questions each Paper
Negative Marking	No
Official Website	https://lbsedp.lbscentre.in/setjan26/
Notification	Download PDF

LBS Kerala SET 2026 Exam Pattern

The Kerala SET exam pattern 2026 is consists of two objective-type papers, designed to assess candidates’ general knowledge, teaching aptitude, and subject-specific expertise at the postgraduate level. Understanding the exam pattern helps candidates plan an effective preparation strategy and manage time efficiently during the examination.

Particular	Subject	Total No. of Questions	Marks Allotted for Each Question	Durations
Paper I	General Knowledge (Part A) and Aptitude in Teaching (Part B)	120 (60 questions for each part)	1	2 Hours
Paper-II	All 33 subjects except Mathematics and Statistics	120 questions	1
Paper-II	Mathematics and Statistics	80 questions	1.5

LBS Kerala SET 2026 Exam Qualifying Marks

To qualify for the Kerala SET January 2026, candidates need to secure the prescribed minimum marks in both Paper I and Paper II, along with the required aggregate score. Meeting these minimum qualifying marks is mandatory to pass the examination and attain LBS Kerala SET eligibility.

Kerala SET Minimum Percentage of Marks
Category	Paper I	Paper-II	Total
General	40	40	48
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)	35	35	45
Differently Abled/SC/ST	35	35	40

Kerala SET Exam Centre 2026

The examination will be conducted at District Headquarters across the state. Candidates are required to select their preferred District Head Quarter as the test centre while submitting the application form. Once selected, the district centre cannot be changed under any circumstances.

Codes	Districts
01	Thiruvananthapuram
02	Kollam
03	Pathanamthitta
04	Alappuzha
05	Kottayam
06	Idukki
07	Ernakulam
08	Thrissur
09	Palakkad
10	Malappuram
11	Kozhikode
12	Wayanad
13	Kannur
14	Kasaragod

Kerala SET Eligibility Criteria

The candidates must go through the LBS Kerala SET Eligibility Criteria to ensure they are eligible for the Kerala SET 2026 Exam. In case the candidates are unable to comply with the Kerala SET January 2026 Eligibility Criteria, then their application form will be rejected.

Kerala SET January 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Subjects	Minimum Educational Qualification
All Subjects	Master’s Degree in the concerned subject with 50% marks and B.Ed degree from a recognised university
Exceptions are mentioned below
Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry	MSc.Ed with 50% marks or equivalent grade from any Regional Institutes of Education sponsored by the NCERT.
Botany, Zoology	MSc.Ed in the respective subject or MSc.Ed in Life Science with 50% marks or equivalent grade from any Regional Institutes of Education sponsored by the NCERT.
Commerce, French, German, Geology, Home Science, Journalism, Latin, Music, Philosophy, Psychology, Russian, Social Work, Sociology, Statistics, and Syriac	B.Ed. is not required.
Biotechnology	Master’s Degree in Biotechnology with 50% marks and B.Ed in Natural Science.
All Subjects	First Year PG/B.Ed candidates are not eligible to apply for Kerala SET 2026.

LBS Kerala SET 2026 Exam Qualifying Marks

To qualify for the Kerala SET January 2026, candidates must meet the prescribed minimum marks in both Paper I and Paper II. General category candidates are required to secure at least 40% in each paper, with a combined total of 48%. OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates must achieve 35% in each paper and an aggregate of 45%. For SC/ST and Differently Abled candidates, the qualifying marks are 35% in both papers, with a total score of 40%. These minimum marks are mandatory to pass the exam and attain SET eligibility. The minimum requirement to complete/pass the LBS Kerala SET is stated below:

LBS Kerala SET Minimum Percentage of Marks
Category	Paper I	Paper-II	Total
General	40	40	48
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)	35	35	45
Differently Abled/SC/ST	35	35	40

Kerala SET 2026 Syllabus

The Kerala SET 2026 syllabus has been released for 31 subjects. The Kerala State Eligibility Test (SET) syllabus consists of two papers designed to assess candidates’ knowledge comprehensively. Paper I, which is common for all candidates, covers areas such as Teaching Aptitude, Research Aptitude, Communication, Reasoning (including Mathematical Reasoning), People & Environment, and the Higher Education System. Paper II focuses on the 31 specific subjects chosen by the candidate.

Kerala SET 2026 Exam Preparation Tips

Kerala SET Preparation Tips require a well-structured approach to ensure success. Candidates should start by thoroughly understanding the exam pattern and syllabus for both Paper I and Paper II. Developing a study plan that allocates ample time for each topic is essential. Focus on strengthening core areas such as Teaching and Research Aptitude for Paper I, while mastering the specific subject in Paper II. Regular practice of previous years’ question papers and mock tests will help improve time management and accuracy. Revising key concepts and staying updated with current affairs will further enhance performance. Staying consistent, disciplined, and confident is key to excelling in the Kerala SET.

LBS Kerala SET Previous Year Paper

The Kerala SET Previous Year Paper serves as a valuable resource for candidates preparing for the State Eligibility Test. Kerala SET papers provide insight into the exam pattern, question types, and difficulty levels typically encountered in the actual test. Analyzing the Kerala SET Previous Year Paper allows candidates to identify important topics, common question formats, and trends in the examination, which can significantly aid in focused study. Additionally, practising with Kerala SET Previous Year Paper enhances time management skills and builds confidence, helping candidates to gauge their preparation level and areas needing improvement.

LBS Kerala SET 2026 Cut Off

The Kerala SET 2026 Cut Off represents the minimum marks that candidates must achieve to qualify for the State Eligibility Test. The cut-off varies across different categories, including General, OBC, SC/ST, and Differently Abled candidates. It is based on the aggregate performance in both Paper I and Paper II. Kerala SET Jan 2026 cut-off will be set by the LBS Centre for Science and Technology, considering factors such as the number of applicants, exam difficulty, and overall performance. Meeting or exceeding the cut-off is essential for candidates to be eligible for further selection and certification in the Kerala SET 2026.

Kerala SET: FAQs

How many times is the Kerala set exam conducted in a year?

Kerala set exam conducted twice in a year i.e. July and January

What is the cut off for Kerala set?

The cut-off marks for the Kerala SET exam are based on the minimum qualifying marks required by different categories. As per the official guidelines, the cut-off is:
General candidates: 48% aggregate (40% in Paper I and 40% in Paper II)
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 45% aggregate (35% in Paper I and 35% in Paper II)
SC/ST/Differently Abled candidates: 40% aggregate (35% in Paper I and 35% in Paper II)

What is the total marks of set exam in Kerala?

The Kerala SET exam consists of two papers, and the total marks for the exam are:
Paper I: There shall be 120 questions for Paper I with 60 questions each for Part A and Part B. Each question shall carry one mark.
Paper II :There shall be 120 questions carrying one mark each for the subjects under Paper II except for Mathematics and Statistics. For Mathematics and Statistics there shall be only 80 questions carrying 1.5 marks each.

Is B Ed compulsory for Kerala SET Exam?

Yes, a B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education) degree is compulsory for candidates wishing to apply for the Kerala State Eligibility Test (SET) exam. To be eligible for the SET January 2026, candidates must have a Master's Degree in the relevant subject with at least 50% marks or an equivalent grade, along with a B.Ed. degree obtained from a recognized university in Kerala or an equivalent institution.

What is the fee for Kerala set?

The application fee for the Kerala SET is as follows:
General/OBC candidates: ₹1000
SC/ST/Differently Abled candidates: ₹500
In addition, candidates must pay applicable processing charges and GST based on the payment mode they choose (credit/debit card, net banking, etc.). All payments are to be made online through the official website.

What is the validity of Kerala set?

The validity of the Kerala SET certificate is lifetime. Once a candidate qualifies for the Kerala State Eligibility Test (SET), the certification remains valid indefinitely, allowing them to apply for higher secondary school teaching positions in Kerala at any time without the need to retake the exam.

Who are exempted from SET exam in Kerala?

Candidates exempt from the B.Ed. requirement for the Kerala SET include:
Hindi Degree Exemption:

B.Ed. in Hindi from Dakshin Bharatha Hindi Prachar Sabha is recognized, exempting the need for an equivalency certificate.
Correspondence Courses:

Qualifications from unrecognized Correspondence Courses/Open Universities are not eligible.

Is there negative marking in set exam?

No, there is no negative marking in the Kerala SET exam. Candidates are not penalized for incorrect answers, allowing them to attempt all questions without the risk of losing marks for wrong responses.

What is the age limit for Kerala SET exam?

There is no upper age limit for candidates appearing in the Kerala State Eligibility Test (SET). Individuals of any age who meet the educational eligibility criteria can apply for the exam.