State Engineering Entrance Exams Drive February Application Activity Across India

February 2026 marks a peak period for state-level engineering entrance applications across India. With WBJEE registrations closing in the fourth week and KEAM deadlines extended to February 7, aspirants are navigating multiple portals. This article provides a comprehensive state-wise guide to application deadlines, exam modes, and the shift toward integrated digital verification systems.

While the national conversation remains centered on the JEE Main results, a parallel surge in state engineering entrance exam applications is defining the early February landscape. Today, February 2, state-level authorities from West Bengal, Kerala, and Gujarat have reported high traffic on their respective portals. For many students, these state exams represent a vital pathway to top-tier government and private engineering colleges that are not covered under the central JoSAA counselling. The current month is critical as registration windows for major exams like the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE) and the Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical (KEAM) are either approaching their final phase or entering extended deadlines.

WBJEE and KEAM: Key Deadlines and Extensions

In West Bengal, the WBJEE 2026 registration process is currently entering its final month. The portal, which opened in mid-January, is expected to close by the fourth week of February. Simultaneously, the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, has recently announced an extension for the KEAM 2026 application deadline. Candidates now have until February 7, 2026, to complete their profiles and upload mandatory certificates.

• WBJEE (West Bengal): The exam remains one of the few high-stakes offline (OMR-based) tests, scheduled for the last Sunday of April. The application correction window is expected to open in the last week of February.
• KEAM (Kerala): The registration fee has seen a slight hike this year, and the exam is slated to be a Computer-Based Test (CBT) held between April 13 and April 25.
• GUJCET (Gujarat): While the regular registration concluded in January, the first week of February is being utilized for the application correction window, allowing students to rectify minor errors in their category or personal details.

Regional Trends in Digital Verification

A notable trend in February 2026 is the widespread adoption of integrated digital verification. Most state boards have now mandated the linking of Aadhaar or the generation of an APAAR ID during the application stage. This ensures that the student's academic records are seamlessly transferred to the National Academic Depository (NAD).

• Document Uploads: State portals are now requiring high-resolution scans of nativity certificates and category proofs at the time of application, rather than during counselling, to reduce physical reporting later.
• Payment Gateways: To manage the heavy load, boards like WBJEEB have integrated multiple UPI and NetBanking options, reflecting the push toward a paperless admission cycle.

State-Wise Application Status (As of Feb 2, 2026)

Aspirants are advised to keep a close watch on the specific timelines for their domicile states. Missing these deadlines can result in the loss of home-state quota benefits in prestigious regional institutes.

Conclusion

As February progresses, the focus for engineering aspirants is split between Session 2 of JEE Main and these crucial state-level entrance exams. Experts suggest that students should prioritize the KEAM and WBJEE applications this week, given the fast-approaching deadlines. The shift toward digital-first registration processes has made the system more efficient, but it requires candidates to be extremely meticulous with their document uploads and fee payments to ensure their candidacy remains valid for the April-May testing season.

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