The online application window for lateral entry admissions to the BTech courses in Kerala is now open and the last date to apply is July 20. The admissions are carried out by LBS Centre and the website is www.lbscentre.kerala.gov.in

Lateral entry enables a student to gain admission to the second year (Semester 3) of the four-year BTech course and complete the course in three years.

Various government/ aided/ self-financing government and self-financing private engineering colleges in the state allow lateral entry. Reservation under Kerala government rules is applicable during admissions. Details regarding colleges and seats available will be published before allotment.

Eligibility

Applicants for lateral entry should have either a diploma in engineering / technology or D Voc (vocational diploma) or BSc after Plus Two (Class 12) with Maths with 45 per cent marks. For Scheduled/Backward candidates the minimum mark is 40 percent. Final year students also can apply, but they should produce the certificate during admission. There is no upper age limit.

Vacancies

In aided colleges, 15 percent seats are under management quota. The share is 50 percent in self-financing colleges. The remaining are government seats.

Women / differently-abled and economically weak sections in each category have been allotted up to 5 per cent supernumerary seats under tuition waiver scheme.

Candidates having BSc will be considered only in seats vacant after admissions of applicants holding diploma and DVoc. BSc graduates who are admitted to BTech will have to clear the Engineering Graphics (Engineering Drawing) / Engineering Mechanics papers from BTech first year exams along with the BTech second year exams.

Tuition fee

The tuition fee for each semester in government / aided colleges is Rs 3,150. In addition, a deposit and other fees have to be paid.

Entrance test

As part of the admission process, a two-hour OMR entrance test will be conducted at 14 centres in Kerala. There will be no negative marks in the exam. Syllabus of the test is given in the prospectus.

The last date to apply is July 20 and the application fee is Rs 1,000. For Scheduled categories, the fee is Rs 500. Helpline number: 0471 2560363.