Sea change in revised KEAM rank list; Kowdiar native grabs first rank, state students fall behind

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The revised KEAM rank list was published on Thursday following the High Court order. Reports indicate significant changes in the new rank list, with state syllabus students falling behind. The list got upended in a way that even the first rank position ended up having a new owner. Only 21 students from the state syllabus managed to find space in the top 100 spots. Joshua Jacob Thomas, a native of Kowdiar, secured the first rank. John Shinoj had the first rank in the old list. Joshua was ranked fifth in the old list.

Earlier, the government confirmed not going to appeal against the High Court Division Bench verdict that quashed the KEAM rank list. Minister R Bindu responded that the revised rank list will be announced on Thursday. Minister R Bindu dismissed reports of the government facing defeat over KEAM in court.

"We tried an alternative after getting convinced of the flaws included in the old norms. Even the court didn’t deny it, but the time chosen for introducing the change ended up being wrong. The government has the power to change the prospectus at any time. But we accept the court's verdict. The last date for AICTE admission is August 14. The procedures must be completed before that. In that case, the process that was followed until last year will continue," the minister said.