Kerala State Eligibility Test (SET) 2026, conducted by the LBS Centre for Science and Technology, Kerala, is a state-level eligibility examination for candidates aspiring to become higher secondary school teachers (HSST) and vocational higher secondary education (VHSE) teachers in Kerala. The certification obtained through this exam is mandatory for recruitment into teaching positions in Kerala’s higher secondary and vocational schools.
The Kerala SET exam is held twice a year and is open to candidates with appropriate postgraduate qualifications and educational credentials. The exam aims to assess candidates’ aptitude for teaching as well as their subject-specific knowledge, ensuring quality education in the state’s higher secondary educational institutions.
Candidates seeking to appear for Kerala SET 2026 must possess a master’s degree in the relevant subject with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/differently-abled). They must also hold a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree or its equivalent from a recognized university in Kerala or an institution recognized by Kerala state universities. Applications for Kerala SET 2026 open in late October and close by late November 2025.
Candidates must apply online through the official LBS Centre portal, upload necessary documents like photograph and signature, and pay the prescribed fee. The exam is tentatively scheduled for February 22, 2026, with admit cards released beforehand.
Kerala SET ensures that teaching aspirants possess the pedagogical aptitude and subject knowledge required for delivering quality education. It maintains teaching standards, supports efficient faculty recruitment, and contributes to Kerala’s educational development.
Candidates preparing for Kerala SET 2026 should carefully study the syllabus, understand exam patterns, focus on both teaching aptitude and subject knowledge, and adhere to timelines to maximize their chances of success.
Name of Exam
Kerala State Eligibility Test
Exam Level
State Level
Conducted by
LBS Centre for Science and Technology
Exam Frequency
Twice a year (Jan & July Sessions)
Exam Mode
Offline
Next Session
SET January 2026 (Highly Competitive)
Purpose
Eligibility for Higher Secondary School Teachers (HSST) & VHSE Non- Vocational Teachers in Kerala
Age Limit
No Upper age limit
Exams
Exam Dates 2026 (Tentative)
Status
Official Notification Release
Released
Online Application Start Date
October 30,2025
Started
Last Date for Online Application
November 20,2025
Upcoming
Application fee payment deadline
November 20, 2025
Application Correction Window
After Registration Closes
TBA
Admit Card Release Date
Mid-Jan 2026
Examination Date
February 22nd 2026 expected
Provisional Answer Key
Within 1 week of Exam
Objection Submission Period
5 Days after answer key
Final Answer Key Release
After Objection Review
Result Declaration
March/April 2026
Note- Candidates are advised to regularly check official website for any updates or changes to the examination schedule.
These criteria ensure candidates meet minimum academic standards for teaching eligibility in Kerala’s higher secondary educational institutions.
The Kerala SET (State Eligibility Test) 2026 admit card is an essential document issued by the LBS Centre for Science and Technology, Kerala. It serves as the hall ticket that candidates must carry to the examination center to be allowed to appear for the test.
The Kerala State Eligibility Test (SET) 2026 syllabus is divided into two parts corresponding to the two papers of the exam—Paper I and Paper II. The syllabus aims to assess candidates’ teaching aptitude as well as their subject-specific knowledge essential for teaching posts in Higher Secondary and Vocational Higher Secondary Education in Kerala.
Paper 1
Description
No of Questions
Marks
Duration
General Knowledge & Teaching Aptitude (common for all candidates)
120 (60 General Knowledge + 60 Teaching Aptitude)
120
2 hours
Paper 2
Subject-specific questions based on candidate’s PG subject (31 subjects available)
120 questions (80 for Mathematics & Statistics)
120 (180 for Mathematics & Statistics)
The Kerala SET 2026 cutoff marks are the minimum required for eligibility certification to teach at higher secondary and vocational higher secondary levels. The general qualifying mark is 40% aggregate across Paper I and Paper II. Minimum qualifying marks are required separately for each paper as set by the LBS Centre.
Cutoff marks may differ by candidate category (General, SC, ST, OBC). Reserved category candidates typically receive lower cutoff marks due to government reservation policies.
The Kerala State Eligibility Test (SET) 2026 results are officially announced by the LBS Centre for Science and Technology, Kerala, on their designated website after the completion of the examination. These results determine the eligibility of candidates for Higher Secondary School Teaching and Vocational Higher Secondary Teaching roles in Kerala.
Kerala SET (State Eligibility Test) counseling is the process conducted after the declaration of Kerala SET exam results. It enables qualified candidates to complete admission formalities and secure positions as Higher Secondary School Teachers or VHSE Non-Vocational Teachers in Kerala. The counseling is organized by the LBS Centre for Science and Technology under the Government of Kerala. It involves registration, document verification, choice filling, seat allotment based on merit, and reporting to allotted institutions for admission confirmation.
These rules ensure a smooth and fair examination process for all candidates appearing in Kerala SET 2026.
Q1: What is Kerala SET 2026?
Ans: Kerala State Eligibility Test (SET) 2026 is a state-level examination conducted by LBS Centre, Kerala, to determine eligibility for appointment as Higher Secondary School and Vocational Higher Secondary School teachers in Kerala.
Q2: How many papers are in Kerala SET 2026?
Ans: Kerala SET 2026 consists of two papers: Paper I (General Knowledge & Teaching Aptitude) and Paper II (Subject-specific).
Q3: What is the exam mode of Kerala SET 2026?
Ans: Kerala SET 2026 is conducted offline using OMR sheets.
Q4: What is the eligibility criteria for Kerala SET 2026?
Ans: Candidates must have a Master's degree in the relevant subject with at least 50% marks and a B.Ed. degree or its equivalent (some exemptions apply). There is relaxation for reserved categories.
Q5: When will the Kerala SET 2026 exam be conducted?
Ans: The exam is tentatively scheduled for February 22, 2026.
Loading...
ICFAI Business School (IBS)
Hyderabad, Telangana
Type: Private
R V University
Bangalore, Karnataka
Type: Private University
Lovely Professional University (LPU)
Jalandhar, Punjab
Chandigarh University Mohali
Mohali, Punjab
DOMS - Nalsar University
Type: Public
Chandigarh University, Lucknow
Unnao, Uttar Pradesh
Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE)
KL University
Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
Type: Deemed to be University
GITAM University
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Hyderabad Business School, GITAM University
Medak, Telangana
MIT WORLD PEACE UNIVERSITY (MIT WPU)
Pune, Maharashtra
ICFAI University (IFHE)
MIT Vishwaprayag University (MIT VPU)
Solapur, Maharashtra
Maharishi Markandeshwar University
Ambala, Haryana
Universal AI University
Raigad, Maharashtra
DIT University
Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Mohan Babu University(MBU)
Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
SRM University, Andhra Pradesh
MNR University
Medchal, Telangana
VIT-AP University
VIT University, Vellore
Vellore, Tamil Nadu
SRM University - SRMIST Chennai
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka
Woxsen University
Christ University
Reva University
Sathyabama University, Chennai