Kerala DElEd Admission 2026: Application Dates, Exam, Counseling, Top Colleges

DElEd Exam Overview

The DElEd is a two-year diploma course that is designed to confer a primary and upper-primary teacher role to the candidates. The DElEd course combines theoretical teaching with directed practice and internship, and an adequate understanding of the developmental patterns of the child and the rules of pedagogy.

The Kerala D.El.Ed admission is merit-based, and the applicants are required to score at least 50 percent marks in the Higher Secondary Examination, or 10+2, from a recognized board. The students also need to be permanent residents of Kerala and must fall between the ages of 17 to 33 years. The DElEd course thus provides those interested in careers in elementary education with an educational pathway and forms a foundation for other academic opportunities in the future, like a B.Ed degree or Teacher Eligibility Tests (TET).

DElEd Exam Highlights

Kerala DElEd Eligibility Criteria

Students who wish to pursue D.El.Ed course in the top DElEd colleges in Kerala has a set of eligibility requirements as follows:

• The candidate should have completed their 12th standard in any stream from a recognized board.
• The candidates should have scored a minimum of 50% marks in their 12th standard. However, certain relaxations will be provided to the candidates belonging to the reserved categories.
• The applicant should be a permanent resident of Kerala.
• The age of the candidate should be between 17 to 33 years as of the year of application.

Kerala DElEd Entrance Exams

In Kerala, the DElEd admission is done on a merit basis instead of an entrance test. The interested candidates are required to make online applications to the DElEd colleges in Kerala. The seats will be assigned based on the merit list compiled according to the marks scored by the candidates in the 10+2 or equivalent examination. Because eligibility depends entirely on academic performance, the process of admission becomes easy, and the counseling and seat allocation process takes place exclusively based on the scores of candidates.

Reservation Quota in 50% Merit Quota Seats

• 2% of total seats in merit quota are reserved in each revenue district for ex-servicemen. Those concerned should apply in the prescribed manner. 
• If there are not enough applications for the seats, the wives and unmarried children of those who have separated after at least 5 years of service in the military service will be selected for the remaining seats. 
• Eligible candidates should apply in a prescribed manner along with self-attested copies of necessary certificates.
• Wives and unmarried children of servicemen who have left the service before completing 5 years or died beyond their control will be given these seats if there are no eligible applicants in the above two categories.
• The jawans or demobilized persons should also produce a self-attested copy of the certificate from the Tehsildar or District Military Welfare Board Officer to prove their relationship with the applicant.
• If there are no eligible applicants for the above-mentioned seats, applications from other eligible categories will be considered for the remaining seats.
• 4% of seats are reserved for special needs category students. Eligible candidates should also submit self-attested copies of necessary certificates along with the application. 
• The severity (percentage) of disability prescribed by the government should be ensured.
• 10% of seats are reserved for economically backward Munakka sections. 
• The EWS seats are to be filled by the Deputy Directors of Education in the respective institutions as per the option of the applicants.

Other Quotas for Kerala DElEd Admission

Management Quota

Based on merit the management quota seats in each self-supporting institution would be allotted by the managers. Eligibility for these seats will be determined by scoring 65% on the qualifying exam and 35% in the interview. After the first phase of counselling the second phase would be done within two weeks.

Kerala DElEd Admission Process

To take admission in the top DElEd colleges in Kerala, the candidates are required to follow a simple admission process. The complete Kerala D.El.Ed admission process at the District Institute of Education and Training is given below.

Step 1: Applicants have to meet the eligibility requirements.

Step 2: The Application form could be filled online on the official SCERT Kerala portal of the Deputy Director of Education.

Step 3: The candidates need to fill out their preferences, whether they want to gain admission into DIET or other recognized institutions in Thrissur district (wherever possible).

Step 4: The Admission process is based on merit, with the assistance of the 10+2 exam marks.

Step 5: There is no entrance examination to take admission in the D.El.Ed course.

Step 6: The merit list of the selected candidates will be published on the official portal.

Step 7: The selected candidates are required to present the original documents in person to DIET Thrissur to be verified.

Step 8: Once the document verification is done, candidates should pay the prescribed course fee, as required by the given guidelines.

Step 9: After document verification and payment of the fee, the candidate is provisionally admitted.

Documents Required

• Original Marksheet of 10th and 12th grade
• Transfer Certificate
• Caste Certificate (if applicable)
• Birth Certificate
• ID Proof (Aadhar/ PAN/ Passport)
• Migration Certificate
• Passport-size Photograph
• Signature
• Domicile Certificate of Goa

Kerala DElEd Admission FAQs

Ques1. What is the D.El.Ed course?

Ans. A Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.) can be described as a full-time two-year programme that possibly plans to achieve the usage of the individual as an instructor at both the primary levels and higher levels of schooling. The Syllabus unites the intensive curricular research with far-reaching professional educational practice such that the assigns will be positioned to deal with the challenges of heterogeneous classrooms across Kerala and India, on the whole.

Ques2. What are the DElEd jobs that the candidates can opt for?

Ans. The candidates are allowed to work as teachers in both government and non-government primary and upper primary schools. In addition to this, the diploma allows students to access future courses which most prominently are the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), and also passing the Teacher Eligibility Tests (TET) which opens the employment opportunities further and leads to a higher grade.

Ques3. What is the fee for DElEd in Kerala?

Ans. As per government rules and regulations established by the SCERT in Kerala for DIET institutes to impart the D.El.Ed. course tuition fee is between INR 30,000- INR 35,000 a year, but as per the type of seat, i.e., merit seats charge a tuition fee of Rs. 30,000 a year, whereas a management quota seat will add INR 5000 a year.

Ques4. What is the salary of a DElED teacher?

Ans. In India, the salary of teachers with D.El.Ed. diploma range somewhere in between INR 2,50,000 and INR 6,00,000 annually. The basic compensation usually begins at INR 2.5 lakhs a year which can change depending on the institution, location, and experience or industry (government or private).