Exam Calendar 2026: When will exams like JEE, NEET, CUET, and CAT be held this year? Note down the dates now..
Exam Calendar 2026: The year 2026 is going to be a milestone for millions of students in India. As every year, the country's most prestigious and challenging entrance examinations will be conducted. From the National Testing Agency (NTA) to various consortia and IIMs, the roadmap for their major examinations – JEE, NEET UG, CUET, CLAT, and CAT – has been prepared. The first crucial test for engineering aspirants, JEE, will begin in January, while May will be a challenging month for medical candidates.
For students participating in this grand event of entrance examinations, hard work alone is not enough; having the right information at the right time is also crucial. From the start of applications to the issuance of admit cards and the exam date, every little detail makes the path to success easier. Having prior knowledge of the 2026 exam calendar will help in preparation and enable you to score better marks in exams like JEE, NEET, and CUET.
Competitive Exam Schedule
In 2026, millions of students will be preparing for JEE and NEET exams along with their 12th board exams. In addition, a large number of students will also be appearing for the CUET UG exam.
1. JEE Main 2026 (Engineering)
The JEE Main exam is conducted twice a year. Students who succeed in both phases get admission to the country's top engineering colleges.
Session 1 (January): The JEE Main exam will be held between January 21 and 30, 2026. The results are expected by February 12.
Session 2 (April): The exam will be held from April 2 to 9, 2026. The results may be declared by April 20.
2. NEET UG 2026 (Medical)
The NEET UG exam, for admission to MBBS and BDS courses in medical colleges across the country, is usually held on the first Sunday of May.
Tentative Date: May 3, 2026 (Sunday).
Mode: Offline (Pen-paper based). Application: Likely to begin in February-March 2026.
3. CUET UG and PG 2026 (University Admissions)
Passing the NTA's CUET exam is mandatory for admission to Central Universities, State Universities, Private Universities, and Deemed-to-be Universities.
CUET PG: The exam for postgraduate courses will begin in mid-March 2026. The registration process has already started in December 2025.
CUET UG: The exam for undergraduate courses will be conducted between May and June 2026. Application forms are expected to be released in March 2026.
4. CLAT 2026 (Law)
The CLAT exam is conducted for admission to National Law Universities (NLUs).
CLAT Exam Date: CLAT 2026 will be held on December 7, 2025 (Sunday) (for the academic session 2026).
Mode: Offline.
5. CAT 2026 (Management/MBA)
The CAT exam, for admission to IIMs and other top B-schools, is usually held in November.
Tentative Date: November 29, 2026 (Last Sunday of November).
Organizer: This time, IIM Kozhikode or Indore might conduct the CAT exam.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from TV9. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
