Frequently Asked Questions

Kerala State Lottery is a government-run lottery system established in 1967 by the Government of Kerala. It is the first of its kind in India and is operated by the Directorate of Kerala State Lotteries under the Finance Department. It offers various weekly and bumper lotteries with different prize structures, conducted transparently at the Gorky Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram.

Yes, Kerala State Lottery is 100% legal and government-operated. It is regulated under the Kerala Paper Lotteries (Regulation) Rules, 2005, and the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998. The state government oversees all aspects of the lottery to ensure transparency and fair play.

Kerala State Lottery currently conducts several weekly lotteries: Suvarna Keralam and Karunya Plus (Monday), Dhanalakshmi (Tuesday), Sthree Sakthi (Wednesday), Bhagyathara and Samrudhi (Friday), and Karunya (Saturday). Special bumper lotteries like Onam Bumper, Christmas New Year Bumper, Vishu Bumper, and others are also held throughout the year. Previous lotteries like Win Win, Akshaya, and Nirmal have been discontinued.

The odds vary by lottery type, but generally range from 1 in 9 lakh to 1 in 15 lakh tickets for weekly lotteries. Bumper lotteries may have different odds depending on the number of tickets printed. Remember that lotteries are games of chance with a low probability of winning major prizes.

Weekly Kerala lottery tickets are priced at ₹40 per ticket. Special bumper lottery tickets are priced higher, typically ranging from ₹200 to ₹500 depending on the bumper. Prices are fixed by the Kerala State Lottery Department and are printed on the ticket.

Kerala lottery tickets can only be purchased in person from authorized dealers and agents across Kerala and select other states. Look for official lottery shops displaying the Kerala State Lottery Department registration certificate. Tickets cannot be bought online — the online sale of Kerala government lottery tickets is strictly prohibited under GO(P) No. 4/2005/TD.

No. The online sale of Kerala government lottery tickets is strictly prohibited under GO(P) No. 4/2005/TD issued by the Government of Kerala. Tickets can only be purchased in person from authorized physical dealers and agents. Be cautious of any website or app claiming to sell Kerala lottery tickets online — these are unauthorized and likely fraudulent.

Genuine Kerala lottery tickets have specific security features: a unique barcode, the official Kerala State Lottery Department watermark, specific paper quality, and a unique serial number in a standard format. Always check that the ticket has the correct draw date, lottery name, and price printed on it. Purchase only from authorized agents displaying the official government registration certificate.

All Kerala lottery draws are conducted daily at 3:00 PM at the Gorky Bhavan auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram. The draws are conducted in public in the presence of officials and auditors. Results are typically published by 4:00 PM on the same day.

Results can be checked on our website, the official Kerala State Lottery website (statelottery.kerala.gov.in), in the Kerala Government Gazette, in major Malayalam and English newspapers the following morning, or at authorized lottery shops. We publish results within minutes of the official announcement.

Visit our website on your mobile browser — the homepage shows the latest draw result immediately after publication. You can also bookmark the page or add it to your home screen for quick access. No app download is required.

Yes. The official results are published in both Malayalam and English through the Kerala Government Gazette. Our website displays results in English with the original Malayalam lottery names preserved. The official Kerala State Lottery website also publishes results in Malayalam.

You need: (1) The original winning ticket signed on the back, (2) A valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, or driving license), (3) PAN card (mandatory for prizes above ₹10,000), (4) Two passport-size photographs, and (5) Bank account details for electronic transfer of the prize amount.

Winners must claim their prizes within 30 days from the date of the lottery draw. After this period, unclaimed prizes are forfeited and the amount goes to the government treasury. It is strongly recommended to claim your prize as early as possible.

For prizes up to ₹5,000: Any authorized lottery agent or shop. For ₹5,001 to ₹1,00,000: The District Lottery Office in your district. For prizes above ₹1,00,000: The Directorate of State Lotteries office in Thiruvananthapuram. Bumper lottery first prizes must always be claimed at the Directorate.

The minimum prize (consolation/8th prize) in most weekly Kerala lotteries is ₹100. The consolation prize is typically ₹8,000. Prize structures vary between different lottery schemes — check the specific lottery details for exact amounts.

Damaged tickets may not be accepted for prize claims. The Kerala State Lottery Department has strict guidelines requiring the ticket to be intact with legible serial numbers and barcodes. Keep your ticket safe, dry, and away from heat or moisture to avoid issues during claim.

For small prizes (up to ₹5,000), authorized lottery agents may assist with the claim. For larger prizes, the winner must appear in person with valid photo ID. In exceptional circumstances, you can authorize a representative through a legally notarized power of attorney, but the Directorate reserves the right to require personal verification.

Yes. Under Section 194B of the Income Tax Act, 30% TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) is deducted from lottery winnings exceeding ₹10,000. Additionally, a 4% health and education cess is applied on the tax amount. The effective TDS rate is 31.2%. For winnings above ₹10 lakhs, additional surcharges may apply.

Yes, a PAN card is mandatory for claiming any lottery prize above ₹10,000. If you do not provide a valid PAN card, TDS will be deducted at a higher rate of 34.32% (30% tax + 10% surcharge + 4% cess) instead of the standard 31.2%. It is advisable to have your PAN card ready when purchasing lottery tickets.

Lottery winnings in India are taxed as "Income from Other Sources" under Section 115BB of the Income Tax Act at a flat rate of 30%, plus applicable surcharge and cess. Unlike regular income, no deductions or exemptions are allowed against lottery income. The lottery department deducts TDS before disbursing the prize. Winners must also report the income in their annual Income Tax Return.

Unfortunately, lottery prizes can only be claimed with the original physical ticket. Lost, stolen, or destroyed tickets cannot be replaced or reissued by the department. There is no duplicate ticket mechanism. Always sign your ticket on the back immediately after purchase and store it in a secure location.

Sign the back of your ticket immediately after purchase. Store it in a secure, fireproof, and moisture-free location such as a safe or locker. Avoid sharing photographs of your ticket (especially the full serial number) on social media or with strangers. Make a photocopy for your own records but remember that only the original ticket is valid for claiming prizes.

Never buy tickets from unauthorized sellers or websites claiming to sell Kerala lottery tickets online — online sale is illegal. Be wary of phone calls, emails, or SMS messages claiming you have won a lottery you did not enter. The Kerala State Lottery Department never contacts winners directly or asks for advance fees to release prize money. Always verify results through official channels before taking any action.