These Upcoming Exams 2026 are very important because they act as the first step toward entering good colleges and courses.
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Many students across the country are now preparing for important entrance exams that will decide their future courses in management, engineering, law, or design. Among them, the engineering exam JEE Main 2026 will be held in two sessions: first from 21 to 30 January 2026 and the second from 2 to 9 April 2026.
For management courses, the national-level CMAT 2026 is scheduled for 25 January 2026.Students interested in design fields have the UCEED 2026, the design entrance exam, set for 18 January 2026 (09:00 AM to 12:00 Noon).
These Upcoming Exams 2026 are very important because they act as the first step toward entering good colleges and courses. A strong performance can allow students to get admission into respected institutes and help students build a solid career path, whether in engineering, management, design or law.
Read on to get complete information about the upcoming exams that are going to be held in the upcoming months.
Students who wish to pursue their UG or PG programs in engineering, management, design or law from reputed institutes have to appear for certain entrance exams.
These Upcoming Exams 2026 can be of national-level, state-level, or institute-specific. Given below are the details of these exams, including the exam date, application deadline, eligibility criteria, and courses offered.
The JEE Main exam is one of the most important national-level engineering entrance exams in India. This exam takes place in two sessions, and the first session is going to be held from January 21 to 20, 2026.
Particulars | Details |
Exam Date | Session 1: January 21-30, 2026; Session 2: April 1-10, 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria | Must have passed (or be appearing in) Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) |
Courses Offered | B.E. / B.Tech , B.Arch, B.Planning (for eligible papers) |
Application Deadline | Application started: October 31, 2025 (Session 1), and February 2026 (Session 2) Last date to apply: November 27, 2025 (Session 1) and March 2026 (Session 2)
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The CMAT exam is a national-level test for management courses. The expected exam date is January 25, 2026, and the last date to apply for this exam was November 24, 2025.
Particulars | Details |
Exam Date | January 25, 2026 (Expected) |
Eligibility Criteria | Must have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognised university; final-year students may also apply. |
Courses Offered | MBA / PGDM (or equivalent) in participating management institutes across India |
Application Deadline | Application started: October 17, 2025 Last date to apply: November 24, 2025 |
For students interested in design and creativity, UCEED is a national-level design-entrance exam that allows College Admission into undergraduate design (B.Des) courses. UCEED 2026 Exam Date is January 18, 2026.
Particulars | Details |
Exam Date | January 18, 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria | Candidates who have passed (or are appearing) Class 12 (or equivalent), from any stream. |
Courses Offered | B.Des (Undergraduate Design) in design-focused institutions, including IITs that accept UCEED. |
Application Deadline | Application started: October 10, 2025 Last date to apply: November 10, 2025 |
This exam is for admission into design courses at the National Institute of Design (NID). The DAT prelims exam will be conducted on December 21, 2025.
Particulars | Details |
Exam Date | DAT Prelims: December 21, 2025 |
Eligibility Criteria | For BDes: Must have passed or be appearing for their 10+2 exams in 2026 For MDes: Completed a bachelor’s degree from a recognised institute |
Courses Offered | B.Des & M.Des at NID institutions |
Application Deadline | Application started: September 11, 2025 Last date to apply: December 1, 2025, till 11:59 PM midnight |
For students seeking engineering admission in private institutions, SRMJEEE is the entrance test for the SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRM) and its affiliated campuses.
Particulars | Details |
Exam Date | April 23-28, 2026 (Phase 1), June 10-15, 2026 (Phase 2), and July 4-5, 2026 (Phase 3) |
Eligibility Criteria | 12th pass with required subjects (PCM) for engineering courses. |
Courses Offered | Undergraduate Engineering / B.Tech courses at SRM campuses. |
Application Deadline | Application started: November 3, 2025 Last date to apply: April 16, 2026 (Phase 1), June 4, 2026 (Phase 2), and June 30, 2026 (Phase 3)
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The NIFT entrance exam, i.e., NIFTEE, is for students who want to join courses in fashion, design, or related creative fields. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses such as B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des, and other fashion & design streams. This entrance exam will take place on February 8, 2026.
Particulars | Details |
Exam Date | February 8, 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria | For B.Des: Must have completed their 10+2 exams, and the age limit is 24 years For M.Des: Must obtain a graduation degree in the relevant discipline, and there is no age limit. |
Courses Offered | UG: B.Des, B.F.Tech; PG: M.Des, M.F.M (Fashion Management), M.F.Tech; Lateral-Entry & Artisans Category for B.Des/B.F.Tech; PhD in relevant programs. |
Application Deadline | Application started: December 8, 2025 Last date to apply: January 6, 2026 |
The state-level entrance exam MHT CET is for students aiming to get admission into engineering (B.Tech), pharmacy, and other UG courses in colleges in Maharashtra.
Particulars | Details |
Exam Dates | PCM: April 11-19 , 2026 (Session 1), May 14-17, 2026 (Session 2) PCB: April 21-26, 2026 (Session 1), May 10-11, 2026 (Session 2) |
Eligibility Criteria | Must have passed (or appearing) 10+2 (HSC) or equivalent with Physics & Mathematics + Chemistry/Biology (or related subject), depending on course (PCM/PCB). No age limit mentioned. |
Courses Offered | Undergraduate courses: B.Tech / Engineering, Pharmacy (through PCM/PCB groups) in Maharashtra colleges. |
Application Deadline | December 2025 (tentative) |
The institute-level exam KIITEE is conducted by Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) for admission to many of its undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including engineering, design, architecture, law, fashion, and more. The exam takes place in three phases, and the first phase will be held from April 16 to 20, 2026.
Particulars | Details |
Exam Dates | April 16-20, 2026 (Phase 1), June 4-8, 2026 (Phase 2), and July 5-7, 2026 (Phase 3) |
Eligibility Criteria | For B.Tech: 10+2 with PCM, at least 60% in PCM. For B.Arch: 10+2 with PCM + must qualify NATA. For B.Des / other UG courses: 10+2 pass (stream depending). For PG courses: Relevant bachelor’s degree as per the course. |
Courses Offered | UG Courses: B.Tech (4 years), B.Arch, B.Des (Fashion/Textile/Design), BCA, BBA, B.Sc, B.Sc Nursing, BA-LLB/BBA-LLB/B.Sc-LLB, B.Pharm, etc. PG Courses: MCA, M.Sc (various streams), M.Tech, MBA, MHA, MPH, etc. |
Application Deadline | Application started: November 10, 2025 Last date to apply: April 8, 2026 (Phase 1), May 30, 2026 (Phase 2), and July 1, 2026 (Phase 3) |
To conclude, knowing the Upcoming Exams 2026 dates, rules, and deadlines helps students stay prepared and avoid last-minute stress. Each exam, whether it is national, state, or institute-level, offers different paths in engineering, management, law, or design. With the right planning and clear goals, students can choose the exams that fit their dreams and move confidently toward the next step in their careers.