About Kerala State Lottery
The Kerala State Lottery is the oldest and most trusted government-run lottery in India, established in 1967 by the Government of Kerala under the Directorate of State Lotteries. As India's first state lottery, it has grown into a fully transparent, daily-draw system that generates significant revenue for public welfare schemes — particularly the flagship Karunya Benevolent Fund, which provides medical aid to economically disadvantaged citizens.
Every day of the week features a different lottery: Samrudhi (Sunday), Bhagyathara (Monday), Sthree Sakthi (Tuesday), Dhanalekshmi (Wednesday), Karunya Plus (Thursday), Suvarna Keralam (Friday), and Karunya (Saturday). Each ticket costs just ₹50, with a first prize of ₹1 Crore. The draws happen live at 3:00 PM at Gorky Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, under official government supervision.
Kerala Lottery Bumper Lotteries
Beyond the seven weekly lotteries, the Kerala State Lotteries Department conducts six annual Bumper Lotteries tied to major Indian festivals — each featuring substantially higher prize pools:
- Christmas New Year Bumper — January
- Summer Bumper — March
- Vishu Bumper — May (₹25 Crore first prize in 2026)
- Monsoon Bumper — July
- Thiruvonam Bumper — September (highest jackpot of the year)
- Pooja Bumper — November
Bumper tickets are priced higher (₹250–₹500) and offer first prizes ranging from ₹10 Crore to ₹25 Crore. The Vishu Bumper BR-109 is scheduled for 23 May 2026.
How to Claim Your Kerala Lottery Prize
Prize claim procedure depends on the prize amount you've won:
- Prizes up to ₹5,000: Claim directly from any authorized Kerala lottery shop or registered agent across the state.
- Prizes from ₹5,001 to ₹1,00,000: Submit your winning ticket along with valid ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN) and a duly filled claim form at the District Lottery Office.
- Prizes above ₹1,00,000: Personally appear at the Directorate of Kerala State Lotteries, Vikas Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, with the original ticket, claim form, ID proof, two passport-size photographs, and PAN card.
Claim deadline: All Kerala Lottery prizes must be claimed within 30 days from the date of draw, failing which the prize money is forfeited and credited to the state exchequer.
Tax on Kerala Lottery Winnings
Under Section 194B of the Income Tax Act, 1961, all lottery winnings above ₹10,000 in India are subject to 30% TDS (Tax Deducted at Source). Additionally:
- The lottery agent who sold the winning ticket receives a 10% commission on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize amounts.
- A 4% Health and Education Cess is applied on the tax amount.
- For prizes above ₹1 Crore, a 15% surcharge also applies.
Example: For a ₹1 Crore first prize, the effective in-hand amount after all deductions is approximately ₹63 Lakh.
How to Verify Authenticity of Your Kerala Lottery Ticket
Kerala State Lottery tickets have multiple security features to prevent counterfeit:
- A unique 6-digit ticket number with 2-letter series prefix (e.g.,
KX 547893) - Watermark and micro-text printed on Kerala State Lottery security paper
- Hologram and barcode for digital verification via the official barcode scanner
- Date, lottery name, and draw number clearly printed
If your ticket is damaged, torn, or tampered with, the Directorate may reject the claim. Always store tickets safely until the draw is complete and verified.