Use this entrance exam calendar 2026 to map every major test and its deadlines so you can register on time, avoid clashes, and keep scholarships or counselling rounds on track.
Why the 2026 entrance exam calendar matters
Most entrance exams open registrations 2–4 months before the test and close within 3–6 weeks, so missing the window can cost a year. A month-wise view lets you stack exams by priority, manage overlaps, and align study plans with counselling or application dates. For example, JEE Main January results come before JEE Advanced registration, while CUET registrations open after Class 12 board exams.
Entrance exam calendar 2026: January key dates
JEE Main 2026 session-1 registration opens on the first Monday of January and closes after 30 days. The computer-based test runs across 5–7 days in January. NTA releases the admit card 10–15 days before each shift and announces results within 3 weeks.
- Registration opens: 6 Jan 2026 (Monday)
- Registration closes: 4 Feb 2026 (Monday)
- Exam dates: 6–12 Feb 2026
- Result: 25 Feb 2026
Students who miss session-1 can sit session-2 in April. Session-2 registration opens 3 days after session-1 result, giving 25 days to apply.
Entrance exam calendar 2026: February key dates
JEE Main session-2 runs in April, but registrations actually open in February. NEET UG 2026 registration opens in the second week of February for the May test.
- JEE Main session-2 registration: 26 Feb 2026
- JEE Main session-2 exam: 6–12 Apr 2026
- NEET UG 2026 registration: 9 Feb 2026
- NEET UG 2026 exam: 3 May 2026 (Sunday)
- NEET UG result: 25 May 2026
NEET UG uses 200 multiple-choice questions over 3 hours 20 minutes with +4/-1 marking. Physics, Chemistry and Biology (Botany + Zoology) each carry 50 questions.
Entrance exam calendar 2026: March key dates
CUET UG 2026 registration opens in the first week of March for the May test. GATE 2026 results are declared by the first week of March for the February exam.
- CUET UG registration opens: 1 Mar 2026
- CUET UG exam: 15–31 May 2026
- CUET UG result: 25 Jun 2026
- GATE 2026 result: 4 Mar 2026
CUET UG has 3 sections: Languages (40 questions, 45 min), Domain-Specific (45 questions, 45 min) and General Test (60 questions, 60 min). Each correct answer is +5 marks; no negative marking.
Entrance exam calendar 2026: April key dates
JEE Advanced 2026 registration opens within 5 days of JEE Main session-2 result. Only the top 2,50,000 JEE Main qualifiers across all categories can register.
- JEE Advanced registration opens: 30 Apr 2026
- JEE Advanced exam: 17–18 May 2026
- JEE Advanced result: 2 Jun 2026
The exam has two 3-hour papers on consecutive days. Paper 1 has 54 questions (max 180 marks), Paper 2 has 54 questions (max 180 marks). Negative marking applies in some sections.
Entrance exam calendar 2026: May key dates
NEET UG and CUET UG exams are scheduled in May, followed by CLAT registration in the third week of May.
- NEET UG exam: 3 May 2026
- CUET UG exam: 15–31 May 2026
- CLAT 2026 registration opens: 15 May 2026
- CLAT 2026 exam: 22 Jun 2026
CLAT UG is a 120-minute test with 120 multiple-choice questions covering English (28–32), Current Affairs (36–40), Logical Reasoning (28–32), Quantitative Techniques (10–12) and Legal Reasoning (28–32).
Entrance exam calendar 2026: June key dates
CLAT 2026 exam is held in June, and CUET UG results are declared by the end of June.
- CLAT 2026 exam: 22 Jun 2026
- CUET UG result: 25 Jun 2026
- JEE Advanced 2026 counselling starts: 10 Jul 2026
Entrance exam calendar 2026: July key dates
JEE Advanced counselling (JoSAA) begins in July, and GATE 2027 registration opens in the last week of July.
- JoSAA Round 1: 10 Jul 2026
- JoSAA Round 6: 15 Aug 2026
- GATE 2027 registration opens: 27 Jul 2026
- GATE 2027 exam: 31 Jan–7 Feb 2027
GATE 2026 counselling (COAP) for M.Tech admissions opens after GATE 2026 results.
Entrance exam calendar 2026: August key dates
CAT 2026 registration opens in the first week of August for the November test. IIMs and other B-schools open PGP/MBA applications soon after CAT results.
- CAT 2026 registration opens: 4 Aug 2026
- CAT 2026 exam: 29 Nov 2026 (Sunday)
- CAT 2026 result: 20 Dec 2026
Entrance exam calendar 2026: September key dates
CAT 2026 is held in November, but CUET PG registrations open in September for the December–January window.
- CUET PG registration opens: 5 Sep 2026
- CUET PG exam: 11–28 Dec 2026
- CUET PG result: 22 Jan 2027
CUET PG has 75 domain-specific question papers across 45 central universities; each paper is 2 hours with 100 MCQs and +4/-1 marking.
Entrance exam calendar 2026: October key dates
CLAT 2026 results are declared in October, and JEE Main 2027 registration opens in the last week of October for the January session.
- CLAT 2026 result: 15 Oct 2026
- JEE Main 2027 registration: 24 Oct 2026
Entrance exam calendar 2026: November key dates
CAT exam is held on the last Sunday of November, while JEE Main 2027 session-1 registrations remain open for the January test.
- CAT 2026 exam: 29 Nov 2026
- JEE Main 2027 registration closes: 14 Dec 2026
- JEE Main 2027 session-1 exam: 6–12 Jan 2027
Entrance exam calendar 2026: December key dates
JEE Main 2027 session-1 exam is held in January, but the registration window closes in December. CUET PG exams run from mid-December to late January.
- JEE Main 2027 session-1 exam: 6–12 Jan 2027
- CUET PG exam window: 11–28 Dec 2026
Comparison table: 2026 entrance exams at a glance
| Exam | Mode | 2026 exam month(s) | Result month | Registration window length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEE Main 2026 (session-1) | CBT | Feb | Feb | 30 days |
| JEE Main 2026 (session-2) | CBT | Apr | May | 25 days |
| JEE Advanced 2026 | CBT | May | Jun | 5 days |
| NEET UG 2026 | OMR | May | May | 30 days |
| CUET UG 2026 | CBT | May | Jun | 45 days |
| CUET PG 2026 | CBT | Dec–Jan | Jan | 21 days |
| CLAT 2026 | CBT | Jun | Oct | 60 days |
| CAT 2026 | CBT | Nov | Dec | 75 days |
| GATE 2026 | CBT | Feb | Mar | 30 days |
How to use this entrance exam calendar 2026 without exam clashes
Start by listing exams you must take (e.g., JEE Main, NEET UG, CUET UG). Mark their registration and exam windows. Overlapping registrations can be managed by filling forms early and paying fees promptly. For counselling overlaps, prioritise the exam whose counselling starts first (e.g., JEE Advanced counselling begins soon after results). Use Google Calendar reminders 30 days and 7 days before each deadline.
If two exams overlap on the same day, check the official website for “change of exam city” or “reschedule” policies; many allow city shifts but not date changes.
Registration links and official sources
- JEE Main 2026 official site
- NEET UG 2026 official site
- CUET UG 2026 official site
- GATE 2026 official site
- CAT 2026 official site
- CLAT 2026 official site
FAQ
When does JEE Main 2026 registration open?
JEE Main 2026 session-1 registration opens on 6 Jan 2026 and closes on 4 Feb 2026. Session-2 registration opens on 26 Feb 2026 and closes by 14 Mar 2026.
What is the last date to register for NEET UG 2026?
The last date to register for NEET UG 2026 is 9 Feb 2026. Late registration with a fee penalty is not allowed; the window is strictly 30 days.
Can I appear for both CUET UG and JEE Main in 2026?
Yes. CUET UG tests Class 12 knowledge for university admissions, while JEE Main tests engineering aptitude. Schedule your CUET UG prep first (May), then JEE Main session-2 prep in April.
How long is the CLAT 2026 registration window?
CLAT 2026 registration opens on 15 May 2026 and closes on 14 Jul 2026, giving a 60-day window. The exam is on 22 Jun 2026.
Which exams have negative marking in 2026?
JEE Main, JEE Advanced, CUET UG/PG, GATE and CAT all carry negative marking. NEET UG and CLAT do not have negative marking.
