KEAM key terms

A merit position assigned to a candidate based on combined scores of the entrance examination and normalized Plus Two marks; higher rank numbers mean lower merit and determine the order of allotment in centralised counselling.

A statistical procedure that adjusts Plus Two board marks from different examination boards onto a common scale so candidates from various boards can be compared fairly when computing the entrance rank.

The fixed proportion in which entrance examination score and normalised qualifying examination marks are combined to prepare the rank list, typically expressed as a 50:50 split between the two components.

A single-window online counselling system in which eligible candidates submit preference lists of colleges and courses, and seats are allotted by matching rank order with stated preferences.

The step in online counselling where a candidate records an ordered list of preferred colleges and programmes; allotment follows this order, so listing order directly affects which seat is offered.

The outcome of matching a candidate's rank and registered options to an available seat; the allotted seat must usually be accepted and fee paid within a stated deadline to be retained.

The last rank at which a seat in a particular course, college and category was allotted in a given counselling round; it indicates the minimum competitive position needed for that seat.

A policy reserving a proportion of seats for candidates from notified social categories, who compete within a separate rank pool while remaining eligible for open merit seats.

The rule-based rotation that distributes reserved and unreserved seats across colleges and courses so that the prescribed percentage of reservation is maintained over the full allotment.

A document generated after a seat is allotted, recording candidate details, allotted college and course, category and fee payable; it is required for admission reporting.

The process of physically or online confirming an allotted seat at the institution within the deadline by submitting original documents and paying the prescribed fee.

Scrutiny of original certificates such as mark sheets, community certificate, nativity proof and identity documents to confirm the claims made in the application before admission is finalised.

An official certificate proving a candidate's place of origin or residence, used to establish eligibility for state quota seats and for categories linked to domicile.

A category of seats reserved for children or dependants of non-resident Indians, usually filled at higher fees and subject to separate eligibility proof and rank consideration.

The schedule of tuition and other charges fixed for each course and seat category; government and self-financing seats typically carry different fee levels regulated by the fee committee.

Admission to MBBS, BDS and allied medical courses in the state is based on the national eligibility-cum-entrance test rank, processed through state and central counselling separately.

A traditional Indian system of medicine using plant, mineral and animal-based formulations with concepts of dosha balance; the bachelor programme is BAMS, admission through the medical entrance route.

A system of medicine based on the principle of treating like with like using highly diluted preparations; the bachelor degree is BHMS and admission follows the national medical entrance examination.

A Tamil-origin system of medicine using herbal, mineral and metallic preparations with emphasis on body humours; the bachelor programme is BSMS, entered through the medical entrance stream.

A Greco-Arabic system of medicine based on four humours and the six essential factors of health; the bachelor degree is BUMS and admission is through the medical entrance examination.

The study of animal health, disease and production leading to the BVSc and AH degree; admission is through a dedicated veterinary entrance examination followed by state counselling.

The branch of agriculture concerned with breeding, feeding, housing and management of livestock for milk, meat, eggs and draught power, closely linked with veterinary practice.

An infectious disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans, such as rabies or brucellosis; a core concept linking veterinary medicine with public health.

The study of the distribution and determinants of disease in populations, used to identify risk factors, plan control measures and evaluate health interventions.

The organised effort to prevent disease and promote health across communities through surveillance, sanitation, vaccination and health education rather than individual clinical treatment alone.

The science and practice of crop and livestock production; the four-year BSc Agriculture programme covers agronomy, soil science, plant protection and economics, entered through an agriculture entrance test.

The branch of agricultural science dealing with field crop production and soil management, including choice of crops, sowing methods, irrigation scheduling and weed control.

The capacity of soil to supply nutrients in adequate amounts and correct balance for plant growth, influenced by organic matter, pH, texture and nutrient status.

The practice of growing different crops in sequence on the same field to maintain soil nutrients, interrupt pest and disease cycles and reduce dependence on a single crop.

A combined strategy using biological, cultural, mechanical and minimal chemical controls to keep pest populations below economic damage levels while limiting environmental harm.

The science of managing forests for timber, biodiversity, water and carbon benefits; the degree programme covers silviculture, forest ecology and mensuration, entered through an agriculture or forestry entrance test.

The art and science of establishing, tending and harvesting forest stands to meet specified objectives, covering regeneration methods, thinning and rotation length decisions.

A land-use system that deliberately combines trees with crops or livestock on the same unit of land to obtain diversified products and ecological benefits.

The study of fish biology, aquaculture, capture techniques and post-harvest processing leading to the BFSc degree, entered through a dedicated fisheries entrance examination.

The controlled rearing of aquatic organisms such as fish, prawns and molluscs in ponds, tanks or cages for food and income, involving stocking, feeding and water quality management.

Water with salinity between fresh water and sea water, commonly used for rearing species such as shrimp and milkfish in coastal aquaculture ponds.

The health profession concerned with the preparation, dispensing and rational use of medicines; the BPharm programme covers pharmaceutics, pharmacology and pharmaceutical chemistry and admits through a pharmacy entrance test.

The study of how drugs interact with living systems, covering their effects, mechanisms of action, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and adverse reactions.

The fraction of an administered dose of a drug that reaches systemic circulation in an active form, determined by absorption and first-pass metabolism and central to dosage design.

An official compendium of standards for drug identity, purity, strength and testing methods, used as a legal reference by manufacturers and regulatory authorities.