Online applications could be submitted now for admission to plus-one (class 11) in higher secondary schools following Kerala syllabus for the academic year 2024-25, till May 25. A single-window system has been arranged for the process, where only one application needs to be submitted for each revenue district.

Eligibility
Applicants should have secured at least ‘D+’ grade in SSLC/Class 10/equivalent exam. Students who pursued the CBSE course will be considered for the main allotment only if they have passed the board exam. Prior to 2018, CBSE conducted separate school and board exams. Parents or guardians of such students should produce an affidavit on a stamp paper worth Rs 50 in the format given in Appendix 9 as proof. CBSE students who cleared the school-level exam will be considered for admissions to the vacancies that exist after the main allotment.

CBSE students can join combinations with Mathematics in plus-one only if they have passed ‘Mathematics standard.’ Ranks will be decided based on the WGPA (weightage grade point average) system to evaluate marks scored in class 10. Subsequently, selection and allotment will take place through a computer programme that considers rank, the choice of the applicants and seats available. Age of the applicants should be 15-20 years as on June 1, 2024. The upper age-limit is 22 years for scheduled category students, while it is 25 for visually impaired, hearing impaired and mentally challenged applicants.

However, there is no upper age-limit for students who cleared the exam conducted by the Kerala Board of Public Examinations.

Students who pursued other board syllabus can obtain relaxation in lower and upper age limits for up to six months from the Director of General Education.

How to apply
Before submitting the application, download the prospectus, 11 appendices and the user manual from the section ‘PUBLIC’ on the website https://hscap.kerala.gov.in and learn the conditions. Prospective candidates can apply only online. They should login through the link ‘CREATE CANDIDATE LOGIN-SWS’ on the website. A login has to be created by providing a password through mobile number OTP. The application could be submitted on the ‘APPLY ONLINE’ link.

Procedures such as submission of options and payment of fees are carried out through this login. While applying, students should possess the documents related to qualifications and concessions, because details such as number or date might be asked.

Note down the application number obtained from the site and file it.

In normal cases, no document has to be uploaded and selection takes place based on the data provided by the students. Therefore, ensure that no errors occur in the application.

At the same time, differently-abled candidates and students who cleared other schemes (Code 7) should upload the necessary documents.

Students who are unable to submit the online applications by themselves can seek the free support offered by computer labs and teachers in the schools where they studied or any other government / aided higher secondary school in their area.

Things to note
Only one application can be submitted for a merit seat in a district. Even though there is no restriction on applying in other districts, separate applications should be submitted for each district.

The application fee is Rs 25, which needs to be paid only during admission.

It is not necessary to produce print of the application at the school.

Aided schools have separate management/unaided/community quota seats. Separate forms distributed by the respective management have to be submitted for admission to these seats. The form in the online single-window system of the government should not be used for this purpose.

Submission of options
Students should make a list of their preferred schools and combination of subjects and submit it in column 24. An option refers to a school and a combination of subjects. Separate combinations in the same school are different options.

An applicant can submit any number of options. However, when admission is allotted to a particular option, all the lower options will be cancelled automatically and the higher options will remain. The higher options could later be entirely or partially cancelled.

In total, there are 45 combinations of subjects. Students should prepare a list of combinations according to their preference for subjects of their liking and for which they have an aptitude. They should also check whether the combinations are available in the schools where they wish to join.

Take a print of the form and fill it up. Ensure that all details are correct before submitting the online application.

All students should remember that once they choose humanities or commerce, they cannot pursue a career in science, technology, biology, medicine or agriculture.

Allotment
The trial allotment list will be published on May 29 in order to enable candidates to rectify any mistakes that occurred while submitting the application. Any allotment they did not prefer could be changed through the login within the specified time.

Subsequently, the main allotment comprising three rounds will take place.

The main allotment will be followed by the supplementary allotment. Vacancies for supplementary allotment will be published on the website. Candidates who were not allotted any school in the main allotment should change their options wisely in the supplementary round.

Those who did not apply earlier, others who qualified after the main allotment and students who cleared the school-level CBSE exam can also submit applications during the supplementary round.

Two types of admission
Applicants who are satisfied with the school and combination allotted during the first round can gain permanent admission by presenting their certificates and paying the fees.

However, those who are prefer higher options even after being allotted a choice can gain provisional admission by presenting the documents. Such candidates need not pay the fees at this stage. They can obtain permanent admission after being allotted a preferred choice in the subsequent rounds. However, these candidates should gain permanent admission before the main allotment ends. In case they fail to pay the fees within the specified time, they will lose their chances for admission this year.

When a candidate who applied in several districts gains allotment everywhere and joins in one district, the options in all other districts will be cancelled automatically. But, if the candidate receives allotment only in one district, he or she can later shift to another district, if allotted a choice.

For any clarification, contact the helpdesk.

Important dates

• Trial allotment is on May 29.
• First allotment: June 5.
• The main allotment comprising three rounds will take place on June 5, 12 and 19.
• Classes will start on June 24.
• However, merit admissions, including supplementary rounds, will continue till July 31.
• Dates for sports / community / management / unaided quota admissions are separate.

Weightage for academic merit
This year, the number of students who have secured A-Plus in all subjects is 3,227 more than last year. Consequently, chances of securing admission to preferred schools and streams are low. However, authorities at the General Education Department said that complaints will not arise as the admission procedures have been revamped this year.

When the WGPA of several students is the same, the academic merit will be considered to decide the ranks. In other words, students who secure high ranks without grace marks will be given the first preference.

Vocational higher secondary
Similar conditions exist for admission to the 389 vocational higher secondary schools in the state. Click on the link ‘Click for Higher Secondary (Vocational) Admission’ on the website www.admission.dge.kerala.gov.in to apply. Changes in the course structure are given as a separate file on the website.