Hectic admission season is on. Applications could be submitted online for admissions to the Plus-One (Class 11) courses in government/aided higher secondary schools in Kerala from June 2 to 9.
The single-window facility will open at 4 pm on June 2 and candidates need to submit only one application for all schools in a revenue district. However, they can also apply for schools in more than one district.
Students cannot submit more than one application for merit seats in a district. However, they can apply for admission in other districts, for which separate applications are required.
The application fee is Rs 25, which needs to be paid only at the school during admission. No print of the application has to be submitted to the school.
Candidates who made any errors while submitting applications will be given a chance for corrections. But, they should carry out the corrections within the allotted time.
Age limit
The age of the applicants should be between 15 and 20 years as on June 1, 2023. However, there is no lower-age limit for students who cleared the public exams under the Kerala board. Students who had studied under the other boards can obtain relaxation of six months in the lower- and upper-age limits from the authorities.
The upper-age limit for students who passed Kerala board exams in Class 10 could be extended by six months. For Scheduled Caste category students, the maximum age is 22 years and for visually or hearing impaired/mentally challenged students is 25 years.
Qualification
In order to be eligible for admissions to Plus One, students should have obtained at least D-Plus grade or equal marks in all subjects in the SSLC/Class 10 or equivalent exam.
CBSE students who have passed Class 10 board exams only will be considered during the main allotment. CBSE students who passed the school-level exam in Class 10 will be considered for the vacancies remaining after the main allotment. Maths combination could be chosen by CBSE students only if they had passed the ‘Maths standard level’.
Ranks will be decided for Plus-One admissions based on Weighted Grade Point Average (WGPA), which equalizes marks scored by students under various streams in Class 10.
Subsequently, selection and allotment will be carried out using a computer programme based on the rank, choices and availability of seats.
Approach nearest school for help
Students who are unable to prepare and submit the online applications on their own can approach their school or other government/aided higher secondary school in their locality having computer lab facility and seek the free services of the teachers there. All higher secondary schools have also set up helpdesks for the Plus-One admission.
Procedure
Go to the website www.admission.dge.kerala.gov.in and click on the link ‘Click for Higher Secondary Admission.’ Reach the website https://hscap.kerala.gov.in and download the prospectus, 11 appendices and user manual from ‘Public’. Study in detail the procedure and conditions from these documents.
Only online applications are allowed, for which login through ‘Create Candidate Login-SWS’ link on the higher secondary website. Candidate login is created by submitting OTP password received on the mobile number.
Next, applications could be submitted through the link, ‘Apply online.’
All procedures, including marking of options and payment of fees, should be done through this login.
Check prospectus
The procedures to apply are given in detail in Appendix 5 of the prospectus and the user manual. Formats of various forms are given in Appendix 8.
While submitting applications, keep in hand the certificates and other documents which declare your eligibility. Their numbers and dates would have to be typed in. General candidates need not upload any document and selection will take place based on the details submitted by them. So, try to avoid mistakes.
However, differently-abled candidates and those who cleared Class 10 under other schemes (Code 7) should upload the necessary certificates.
Options
Option submission is a very crucial part of the application process. It involves making a list of the schools and combinations which a student wishes to study and submitting it in Column 24 of the application in their order of preference.
One option comprises a school and a combination of subjects. Another combination in the same school is a separate option.
In Appendix 7 of the prospectus, codes for each school in every district and subject combinations (course codes) available there are mentioned.
Students can submit as many options as they like, but avoid subjects you don’t have interest in. Also remember that even if there are vacancies in some combinations, you will not be allotted those seats if options were not given.
When you are allotted an option, all the lower options will be cancelled. However, the higher option will remain. If necessary, you can cancel all the higher options or cancel a few among them for the subsequent allotments. As so many conditions exist, take extreme care while filling options.
In fact, there are 45 combinations in Science, Humanities and Commerce.
It would be better to take a printout of Column 24, fill the options and confirm your choices before copying it online.
Allotment
The trial allotment will be published on the website on June 13. At this stage, corrections could be carried out by the candidates and they can change the school or combinations.
Following the trial allotment, the main allotments will take place in three phases. Later, a supplementary allotment will be conducted, for which the vacancies will be published. Students who did not receive any seat during the main allotment can change their choices wisely during the supplementary stage. Similarly, students who could not submit applications during the main allotment, those who acquired eligibility afterwards and CBSE students who cleared Class 10 in the school-level exams can also apply for Plus One during supplementary allotment.
Permanent and temporary allotment
Students who were allotted their preferred choice of school and combination during the first allotment itself can take permanent admission by presenting the certificates and paying the fees.
However, many students will not be satisfied with their allotment. They can reach the school allotted and take temporary admission. Such students need not pay the fees. If they receive higher options during the next allotment, they can take permanent admission at the new school.
The permanent admission should be taken by paying fees before the main allotment is completed. Otherwise, the students will lose their chance for admission. Their names will be deleted from the admission process and they will not be considered again.
Dates to note
• Trial allotment – June 13
• First allotment – June 19
• Main allotment comprising three phases – Till July 1
• Classes begin on – July 5
• Supplementary allotment and admissions – Till August 4
• Sports / community / management / unaided quota – Admission dates are mentioned in the prospectus.
Key points in a nutshell
• Only online applications are accepted. Certificates need not be uploaded for general candidates.
• The admission process sequence: OTP – password–candidate login.
• Check ‘User manual’ on the website for step-by-step process to apply.
• Application fee of Rs 25 needs to be paid during admission only.
• There is no need to submit print of application at the school for verification.
• Only CBSE students who cleared Standard Level Maths will be considered for Maths combinations.
• Basic Level students can apply for other combinations.
Vocational higher secondary admissions
Meanwhile, students who wish to join the 389 vocational higher secondary schools in Kerala after Class 10 can apply on the website www.admission.dge.kerala.gov.in and click on the link ‘Click for Higher Secondary (Vocational) Admission’. The admission process is similar to higher secondary.